LANCASTER, Ohio -- It is not just the City of Columbus facing problems with the 2009 budget. Tonight, the Lancaster City Council approves the budget for 2009 with all city departments making sacrifices. However, its cuts to the fire and police departments that remain undecided at this hour.
Tonight at 7 members of the community and members of both the police and fire department will fill the council chambers as the final 2009 budget is put up for a vote. City officials have worked for weeks to cut two million dollars in expenses. Mayor David Smith tells NBC 4, 45 percent of the general fund cuts must come from both the fire and police departments. Smith also says, “We are looking at five positions not filled in the police department to their authorized strength and we are looking at five firefighters that could be laid off.”
To prevent layoffs, the city is currently negotiating with both unions for a three percent wage freeze. FOP representative Officer Jim Marshall from the Lancaster Police Department says they are currently working with the city for a new three year contract and want assurances they will eventually get those raises. Dana Hiles, the union representative for the fire department tells NBC 4 he is not convinced the pay freeze will save firefighter jobs.
Negotiations with both the police and fire departments will continue and may not wrap up until after council votes.
Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.
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