Mayor Peyton threatens "wholesale layoffs"

[fsu813]

Mayor Peyton threatens "wholesale layoffs" if Jacksonville's budget gap isn't closed
He says with revenues short, pain has to be shared "across the board"

“Wholesale layoffs” maybe the only alternative if Jacksonville can’t bridge a budget shortfall that could be $58 million next year and $259 million by 2015, Mayor John Peyton said Tuesday.

Even if the city implements across-the-board salary cuts to thwart the layoffs, that and other cost-cutting measures would still leave a budget gap of $18 million next year and up to $223 million in five years, according to numbers the mayor shared.

Peyton discussed these stark realities in a meeting with Council President Richard Clark, Vice President Jack Webb and Finance Committee Chairman Stephen Joost Tuesday morning.

Though the sagging economy and shortfalls in property tax revenue are partially to blame, rising employee costs are the primary driver of the city’s budget shortfall, Peyton said.

City leaders are beginning budget discussions early because of the tough decisions that must be made to balance the books before the next fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Because the overwhelming majority of city employees are represented by unions, any reductions in salaries or benefits must be negotiated. If collective bargaining efforts continue to stall, Peyton said workforce reductions would be in all government departments, including police and fire.

“We can’t keep cutting budgets on the backs of non-public safety,” the mayor said after the meeting. “It has to be shared pain across the board. It is not what I prefer to do. I prefer to be successful at the collective bargaining table.”

The mayor has also begun discussions about fees for services and whether the city should adjust them to more closely mirror the actual costs. At the request of the Finance Committee, the mayor’s staff has spent the past few months studying everything zoning application fees to rental costs at the Ritz Theatre.

Each fee has a new proposed rate, most higher than what the public is currently charged. The mayor will submit a bill to the City Council for full vetting within the month.

http://jacksonville.com/news/2010-03-03/story/mayor_peyton_threatens_wholesale_layoffs_if_jacksonvilles_budget_gap_isnt_clos

[fsu813]

pretty sure the Ritz Theater is going to suffer major budget cuts. if not entirely.

[Captain Zissou]

Where can you find the cty budget? Shouldn't it be public record??

[Lucasjj]

This will lead you to the current budget and previously approved.

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Finance/Budget/Adopted+Annual+Budgets.htm

Also here are condensed forms.

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Finance/Budget/Budget+in+Brief/Budget+in+Brief.htm

[tufsu1]

also you can look at this new site

http://www.myjaxbudget.com/

[Ocklawaha]

"Merda taurorum animas conturbit"

OCKLAWAHA

[Dog Walker]

Dog Latin!  Love it!  That's what I speak to my dogs, too.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Garbage fees increasing also. I laugh when people say oh we have the lowest property taxes in Florida. Yet they just get the money other ways.

[reednavy]

Of course Keith. However, the moment they say a statewide INCOME TAX is coming, I'm outta here.

[stjr]

Almost all the big problems are in "pensions and benefits".  Both are just too rich.  Too many holidays, too rich a health insurance plan for which the employees don't share in properly, pensions that have gone the way of the dinosaur in the private sector.

Peyton will end up like Reagan with the air traffic controllers union, as there won't be any other choice:  Accept benefit cuts or job cuts.  Your choice.  Fees won't make much difference and the City Council won't raise property taxes.  All the money in the mattress has been spent.  Running out of significant options.  Police and fire will not go unscathed this round.

I see Peyton getting tougher.  No reelection to worry about.  Time to leave a legacy.  Clean up the messes.

[reednavy]

You know Nelson Cuba's stupid ass won't except either. However, he'll be forced to make a choice, retirement cash or cops. If he is smart, which there jsut may a few braincells left, he'll choose benefits. Look at San Diego's pension clusterf*ck.

Hell, unions in general are killing companies, i.e. Chrysler and GM.

[Bostech]

Bruahhaahaha.

I wonder if George Washington or Abraham Lincoln were worried about "election".
If a politicians worries about "election" that means he/she is FRAUD and CORRUPTED.

And if you are voter that believes in such fraud,well I have really shiny stone I want to sell you for million dollars,no questions asked.

[Bostech]

And I'll give you Certificate of Authenticity.

[mtraininjax]

Where can you find the cty budget? Shouldn't it be public record??

Peyton is meeting with the Clark "behind closed doors" so nothing is public until he presents it to the Council in July.

As far as the City is concerned, it should declare bankruptcy and throw all the pensions into nothing, we cannot afford to pay for 20 years and a full pension, if you work for the city, sorry, there is no lifelong pension with them. People in the community don't have jobs, sleep on the street, and are in worse shape than you.

Mulaney said recently that the only way to deal with the budget since MOST of it is pension related, is to restructure the pension, aka, do away with them and start over. Something, today, is better than nothing, which they will have if the citizens get involved. I have friends who work for the City, but if my taxes rise 50 million worth to pay for their benefits, there will be hell to pay and they know it!

[mtraininjax]

I see Peyton getting tougher.  No reelection to worry about.  Time to leave a legacy.  Clean up the messes.

Peyton could not find his way out of a box if it had openings at both ends.