ASHTABULA — City Manager Anthony Cantagallo wants city employees to take unpaid days off to help balance the budget in the wake of a projected $862,000 deficit.
Cantagallo, at a Monday night work session, gave the proposal as an alternative to laying off employees, Cantagallo also recommended Municipal Court employees and three nonunion employees trim their clothing allowances.
Cantagallo said he spoke with the unions, department heads and council to come up with ways to bridge the gap.
“The goal was to avoid any further layoffs,” he said. “I don’t relish the thought of doing it again.”
Cantagallo repeatedly said he would not lay off a single one of his 140-plus employees.
“I’m loyal to my employees,” he said.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Julie Lattimer asked why not just make pay cuts across the board?
Cantagallo said studies show people are happier if they get days off in association with their taking pay cuts.
Asked about the impact on safety forces, City Solicitor Michael Franklin said, “We believe heads of those departments can find ways to furlough that will work. If safety forces say it’s unsafe, then the only thing left to do is to lay people off.”
Council Vice President Betty Kist said she believes furloughs are a good idea.
“We met for many hours to keep everyone working,” she said.
Clerk of council, treasurer, information technology and deputy auditor would take two furlough days a month; the fire department would cut overtime by $115,000; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Local 1197 costs would be cut by $141,000; police overtime would be cut by $110,000; and unspecified nonunion employees’ pay would be cut by $29,000. The city auditor, city manager, and city solicitor each would take about 5 percent pay cuts. Municipal Court employees would take furloughs totaling $32,000.
Council will meet again at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, where the matter will be discussed formally.
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