Tax Hike Not as High as Expected
Another Change in the Police Department
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Taxes in the City of Bradford won't be going up as high as officials thought they would two weeks ago, and they say that's because of the cooperation all city departments displayed.
During the first reading of the millage ordinance during the last council meeting, officials announced a .8 increase. Tuesday, they announced that's been reduced to .5. Two weeks ago, Mayor Tom Riel said they would continue to work on the budget and had hoped they would be able to cut expenses even further.
Bob Onuffer, who oversees accounts and finances for the city, read a letter introducing the final reading of the budget.
"The spirit of cooperation that was and still is being exercised went over and above what I expected," he said, adding that with four unions and non-union personnel involved, "the budget process could have been a disaster."
He said the city was looking at millage increase of 4.5 when the budget process started.
"With increases in health care costs and a decrease in timber revenues, this council knew we were faced with a challenge," Onuffer said.
Onuffer addressed his next comments to incoming councilmen Jim Evans and Fred Proper, who were at Tuesday's meeting.
"My hope is that the new councilmen … when they are seated on January 4, 2010, they will continue to work on cutting expenses along with helping our employees by giving them what they need to increase their work safety and efficiency."
"I would like to make a recommendation to every citizen of our great city," Onuffer continued. " When you see any city employee out doing a service for you, please take time to thank them for the sacrifices they've made and the work that they perform to keep you safe and healthy."
As for the tax increase, Riel explained that if you own a $25,000 house your taxes would go up $12.50 a year. Someone who owns a $50,000 house would see an increase of $25.
Riel reiterated that the surprisingly low tax increase is due to the hard work of all city employees, especially City Clerk John Peterson, and he hopes everyone appreciates it.
He also said that, with continued hard work, council hopes to bring back all the employees who were let go for budgetary reasons.
Onuffer added that "office girls" who had the least to give up, gave up the most as far as concessions to keep the tax rate what it is.
"I believe we should be proud of our employees, proud of our city," a tearful Onuffer said.
"Council has taken, I believe, the direction necessary to start to get our fiscal affairs in order," Peterson said.
Peterson also wanted to thank all of the unions and other employees, and especially his staff.
"I have the best staff of people that God ever put breath into," Peterson said, adding that "the citizens of Bradford are very fortunate to have the employees they have."
Along with the change in the millage rate, there was another change to the police department.
Officers will work some 12-hour shifts instead of only 8-hour shifts, which will save a significant amount of overtime. They'll be working 36 hours one week, and 44 hours the next week.
Riel said the idea came from the department, not city council.
"I thank the City of Bradford Police Department for doing this to help us," Riel said.
And, because Officer Jim Erwin is retiring on February 1, only one police officer will have to be let go. Riel explained that it would not make sense to lay an officer off at the end of this month, then bring him back a month later.
As for the fire department, council OK'd the new union contract and the concessions in it.
Councilman Ross Neidich, who oversees the fire department, thanked firefighters for their "willingness to step forward in the budget crunch and bite the bullet with both the wage freeze and healthcare concessions."
Riel also wanted to thank the public "for bearing with us," adding that he's glad "none of us are hanging from a flag pole out front."
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Taxes in the City of Bradford won't be going up as high as officials thought they would two weeks ago, and they say that's because of the cooperation all city departments displayed.
During the first reading of the millage ordinance during the last council meeting, officials announced a .8 increase. Tuesday, they announced that's been reduced to .5. Two weeks ago, Mayor Tom Riel said they would continue to work on the budget and had hoped they would be able to cut expenses even further.
Bob Onuffer, who oversees accounts and finances for the city, read a letter introducing the final reading of the budget.
"The spirit of cooperation that was and still is being exercised went over and above what I expected," he said, adding that with four unions and non-union personnel involved, "the budget process could have been a disaster."
He said the city was looking at millage increase of 4.5 when the budget process started.
"With increases in health care costs and a decrease in timber revenues, this council knew we were faced with a challenge," Onuffer said.
Onuffer addressed his next comments to incoming councilmen Jim Evans and Fred Proper, who were at Tuesday's meeting.
"My hope is that the new councilmen … when they are seated on January 4, 2010, they will continue to work on cutting expenses along with helping our employees by giving them what they need to increase their work safety and efficiency."
"I would like to make a recommendation to every citizen of our great city," Onuffer continued. " When you see any city employee out doing a service for you, please take time to thank them for the sacrifices they've made and the work that they perform to keep you safe and healthy."
As for the tax increase, Riel explained that if you own a $25,000 house your taxes would go up $12.50 a year. Someone who owns a $50,000 house would see an increase of $25.
Riel reiterated that the surprisingly low tax increase is due to the hard work of all city employees, especially City Clerk John Peterson, and he hopes everyone appreciates it.
He also said that, with continued hard work, council hopes to bring back all the employees who were let go for budgetary reasons.
Onuffer added that "office girls" who had the least to give up, gave up the most as far as concessions to keep the tax rate what it is.
"I believe we should be proud of our employees, proud of our city," a tearful Onuffer said.
"Council has taken, I believe, the direction necessary to start to get our fiscal affairs in order," Peterson said.
Peterson also wanted to thank all of the unions and other employees, and especially his staff.
"I have the best staff of people that God ever put breath into," Peterson said, adding that "the citizens of Bradford are very fortunate to have the employees they have."
Along with the change in the millage rate, there was another change to the police department.
Officers will work some 12-hour shifts instead of only 8-hour shifts, which will save a significant amount of overtime. They'll be working 36 hours one week, and 44 hours the next week.
Riel said the idea came from the department, not city council.
"I thank the City of Bradford Police Department for doing this to help us," Riel said.
And, because Officer Jim Erwin is retiring on February 1, only one police officer will have to be let go. Riel explained that it would not make sense to lay an officer off at the end of this month, then bring him back a month later.
As for the fire department, council OK'd the new union contract and the concessions in it.
Councilman Ross Neidich, who oversees the fire department, thanked firefighters for their "willingness to step forward in the budget crunch and bite the bullet with both the wage freeze and healthcare concessions."
Riel also wanted to thank the public "for bearing with us," adding that he's glad "none of us are hanging from a flag pole out front."
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