Police Layoffs

[patric]

If only we weren't having to pay $1.2 million a year on the new city hall...

...Or given BOk $7.1 million to get us out from under Great Pains Airlines
http://www.batesline.com/archives/2009/07/bartlett-praised-tulsa-paying-71.html

[DowntownNow]

Good point SRoemerman...not to mention the costs associated with the report that the adminstration replied upon to justify the purchase, the multiple fees associated with litigation instigated by acts of the City, contracts to third party out of state vendors for services and market analysis (think Jones Lang LaSalle), constant change orders for the BOKCenter and Convention Center beyond the budget, exorbinant City employee salaries (particularly in upper management - they are public service positions people!), redundant services and positions throughout the City offices, under-utilized vehicles and their insurance, maintenance and depreciation, failure to consolidate all City offices as promised into OTC...whew...could go on but Im too busy reading the comments on the latest TW story...wow!  

[shadows]

So many thoughts, but in the end, just too bad, not only for those losing their jobs but also for the safety and secuirty of Tulsans.

One would have a hard time even explaining why the reaction of the populist of Tulsa falls for even the quirk of selecting the TPD as the villain in order to reduce the shortfall.  The citizens have allowed the implementing of fee's and service charges far beyond the ability of the working poor to sustain.  The budget assumes the every person, including their off springs, should be satisfied with a bloated governing body that is costing over $1,476 dollars per individual.  (source 4th grade math) If in error the budget allotted so many millions of dollars to run a city, while encouraging the population to move to the suburbs, then in a flaunted business way they should make a "cross the board reduction" in all cost including the sacred elephant of the overweighed salaries that are being paid.  The propaganda department is working overtime selecting the public safety departments to relying on the assumed stupidity of those who make up the funds for the budget to run the city. 

Oh well is any of credit cards taking more credit just to save the city from bankruptcy?   The constant cliché today is "people need to spend more" but I believe the bank owned revenue bonds have already taken care of that for the citizens.     

[TeeDub]

I guess giving lots of raises and bonuses are starting to catch up.


Tulsa's city payroll increased 5.5 percent to $185 million from early 2007 to August 2008. The city employs nearly 6,000 people.

The highest-paid city employees include Dr. John Sacra, medical director of the Emergency Medical Service Authority, earning $214,000 a year; Charles Hardt, director of Public Works, earning $178,000 a year; and Steve Williamson, president of the medical service authority, earning $168,000 a year.


http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20081019_11_A11_Thehig535357

[Wrinkle]

So how many unnecessary expressway lights did we furlough?  None?
I dont mean the ones already out (but still being billed by PSO) for lack of maintenance...

It's not a joke, we really will cut police and fire before we touch the sacred cow of street lighting.

Yeah, whatever is most painful for the folks at large, so they see the need for more revenue.

Police cuts, besides enabling use of the O-Funds for their 'replacements', comes down to politics. Cutting out the entire helicopter force IS political, expecting the masses to feel the need to cough, up money that is. Very targeted for anticipated response.

Street light expense goes to utility companies. Can't cut them. Improved efficiency would do likewise. Follow the money.

With Kitty's $11 million annual slush fund in the TARE accounts, there is no shortage. That is not a static 'reserve fund' as is being reported, that's the annual surplus take in your trash bill. That's before saving another $750,000 on burn rates with the new contract and after paying off an incinerator.

[cannon_fodder]

Of course, city employee wages are a sacred cow too. Heaven forbid we bring our government worker's wages in line with other cities our size with similar costs of living (some go up [teachers], some go down [firefighters]).  Or, god forbid, examine how many employees the city actually needs.

I understand it is a big stupid game.  21 will be laid off and 18 rehired, then squeeze the union for $250,000 to rehire the other 3.  But why aren't we playing with firefighters?  They earn more than cops and do far less.   On a daily basis a cop makes a difference on the street and can generate some revenue . . . on a given day a firefighter can't say the same thing.   Plus, firefighters can supplement their incomes easier by working their second jobs.

Bah.  I'm convinced the city government is as dysfunctional as the feds.  Each fiefdom looking out for itself.  No one bothering to check in on them.  No one comparing performance or need to budget.

Someone with time:  what is the budget of similar sized cities?  What about general per capita spending for cities 150K - 500k?  Throw in cost of living for Portland, California, etc. . .  I'm guessing we spend plenty.  But the results are only mediocre.

[FOTD]

The results are a reflection of our populace....not a very accountable city when you look at what they've thrown money at the last 8 years...just look at the priorities of our citizens? And yes, dysfunctional local government which now will be relying more and more on the private sector to serve public needs. What else is a capitalistic society to do?

CF, FOTD is not sure you can compare different municipalities by just mixing and matching budgets. In the big picture, Tulsa still has a good quality of life and we look much better going into the future than the chamber's our competition.

[Wilbur]

...Or given BOk $7.1 million to get us out from under Great Pains Airlines
http://www.batesline.com/archives/2009/07/bartlett-praised-tulsa-paying-71.html

... or the $3,000,000 new email system she had to have because the City wasn't using Outlook when she got here.

And, where's the media in this town?  Why don't they ever look into government expenses?  Where is the story about how the current mayor has sucked this town dry and the crazy projects the money went to?  Oh, yea...  politics.

[FOTD]

The media can't micro manage this cities budget. The council needs to be out front on this system of checks and balances.

Compared to much of the country, our budget problems pale in comparison....what about Scottsdale, Phoenix, Portland, Detroit, California, Florida.....we are sitting pretty despite the hurt here. Hell, we're still credit worthy. And the 1982-1993 economy was a blessing in disguise.

[Conan71]

CF, I think another poster said the FD's current contract has a "no layoff" clause in it.  The PD's did not.

[FOTD]

CF, I think another poster said the FD's current contract has a "no layoff" clause in it.  The PD's did not.

Do you think Dewey will spin the FD off and privatize it? Would he be so bold with the PD?

[Conan71]

Do you think Dewey will spin the FD off and privatize it? Would he be so bold with the PD?

No, I don't think they could do that legally.  Are you aware of other counties or municipalities where this has been done?  I've never heard of such a thing. 

[FOTD]

Oh. Dewey's got me screwy with his privatization platform. What's left to privatize? Public works? Water and sewar? Trash was Jimmy's doing. Just curious.

[Conan71]

Oh. Dewey's got me screwy with his privatization platform. What's left to privatize? Public works? Water and sewar? Trash was Jimmy's doing. Just curious.

Dunno, I'm not voting for LaFortune II.

What's your current line on the election?

[Breadburner]

There's alot more fat in the fire deparment's budget than the police department's budget.............