Open Letter To All Council Members
Contributed by: Anonymous
Council Members:
These are some random observations after watching the recent budget work shop –
1)I am appalled at the concept promoted by the Water Department Supervisor and approved and supported by the City Manager to re-classify two meter reader positions as “Valve Turners” when the new water meter system is installed. We allow for these two new positions and yet consider staff reductions in public service. That is simply wrong thinking.When it originally asked whether the new system would lead to any employee downsizing, both the City Manager and City Water Supervisor said no. The two employees who current read meters would be re-classified to new positions as valve turners. The reasoning was that no one currently performs these duties and they would be crucial positions currently not performed by anyone in the water department. In the follow-up meeting held last Tuesday, again the question was posed. This time further clarification was given that each of these two employees only read meter 20 hours each week. The other half of their week they perform other duties.I am truly skeptical here. If the two positions in question only are required to be out checking meters for 20 hours each week, it would seem to me that on occasion, the other remaining 20 hours could have been used for valve turning and avoided the extreme jeopardy we are facing per the Managers comments.My bottom line is I do not believe this. I think that when pushed to justify the two positions to be eliminated, the Manager then back-peddled and tried to sell you on the positions are used for other duties beyond meter reading.
2)When discussing staffing reductions, the number of 9 police positions was the number offered. When pushed for more detailed information, it was discovered that some number like 6 of those 9 positions are not currently filled. Only 3 actual employees would be affected by the layoff.This all seems a bit like the old “Shell game”. When a number is offered as to positions affected by layoffs, most people would assume that employees currently hold those positions, not that they are open spots on a table of organization. When dealing with layoffs, you’re considering peoples livelihoods! Accurate numbers need to be given.I am apposed to any fee for garbage pick-up. I am apposed to any additional property tax in place of the fee. I feel there are countless areas in our City Departments to absorb cuts. I would also support layoffs and lesser services in some areas if required.
Specific areas for consideration –
1)Outsource all general janitorial duties.
2)Combine all vehicle maintenance duties to the central garage and run multiple shifts.
3)Eliminate the Forestry Dept and when needed, outsource these services.
4)Eliminate the City Sign Shop and outsource when needed.
5)Consider the sale of the Municipal Golf course.
6)Down size our bus fleet with smaller busses.
7)Reduce the service area and schedule of bus service.
8)Make all special events pay for police security (overtime) if needed.
9)Consider outfitting garbage trucks to be able to plow snow.
10)Look into the Sanitation Department employee scheduling and routes.
11)Consider a secretarial pool for City Hall general secretaries.
12)Evaluate whether parking meter maintenance and attendant labor is offset by revenue income. If not, consider eliminating parking meters altogether.
13)Offer incentives to those that pay bills by electronic methods verses at the bill collection area at City Hall.
14)Eliminate the 24/7 schedule on the complaint desk at OPD.
These are just a few ideas. Without question, the most important factor is the current negotiation sessions with the various bargaining units representing city employees. The city negotiation team must be willing and able to put forth a stern demand to the bargaining units for dramatic wage and benefit concessions. I would support taking an austere offer to arbitration and making my case to the arbitration body that the taxpayers in Oshkosh have set the tone to be far more frugal with wages and benefits for city employees.
Don't accept the easy way out and just pass the problem to the taxpayers with higher property taxes.You must DEMAND that the City Manager and his Supervisors give you far more, well thought out options...options to reduce, eliminate or consolidate positions and services within the City Government. People are truly upset at this entire series of events. We expect you as elected councilors to represent the taxpayers of this community, not the city staff and department administrators and bureaucrats. Please listen to us and demand cuts before you consider any added property taxes.
Council Members:
These are some random observations after watching the recent budget work shop –
1)I am appalled at the concept promoted by the Water Department Supervisor and approved and supported by the City Manager to re-classify two meter reader positions as “Valve Turners” when the new water meter system is installed. We allow for these two new positions and yet consider staff reductions in public service. That is simply wrong thinking.When it originally asked whether the new system would lead to any employee downsizing, both the City Manager and City Water Supervisor said no. The two employees who current read meters would be re-classified to new positions as valve turners. The reasoning was that no one currently performs these duties and they would be crucial positions currently not performed by anyone in the water department. In the follow-up meeting held last Tuesday, again the question was posed. This time further clarification was given that each of these two employees only read meter 20 hours each week. The other half of their week they perform other duties.I am truly skeptical here. If the two positions in question only are required to be out checking meters for 20 hours each week, it would seem to me that on occasion, the other remaining 20 hours could have been used for valve turning and avoided the extreme jeopardy we are facing per the Managers comments.My bottom line is I do not believe this. I think that when pushed to justify the two positions to be eliminated, the Manager then back-peddled and tried to sell you on the positions are used for other duties beyond meter reading.
2)When discussing staffing reductions, the number of 9 police positions was the number offered. When pushed for more detailed information, it was discovered that some number like 6 of those 9 positions are not currently filled. Only 3 actual employees would be affected by the layoff.This all seems a bit like the old “Shell game”. When a number is offered as to positions affected by layoffs, most people would assume that employees currently hold those positions, not that they are open spots on a table of organization. When dealing with layoffs, you’re considering peoples livelihoods! Accurate numbers need to be given.I am apposed to any fee for garbage pick-up. I am apposed to any additional property tax in place of the fee. I feel there are countless areas in our City Departments to absorb cuts. I would also support layoffs and lesser services in some areas if required.
Specific areas for consideration –
1)Outsource all general janitorial duties.
2)Combine all vehicle maintenance duties to the central garage and run multiple shifts.
3)Eliminate the Forestry Dept and when needed, outsource these services.
4)Eliminate the City Sign Shop and outsource when needed.
5)Consider the sale of the Municipal Golf course.
6)Down size our bus fleet with smaller busses.
7)Reduce the service area and schedule of bus service.
8)Make all special events pay for police security (overtime) if needed.
9)Consider outfitting garbage trucks to be able to plow snow.
10)Look into the Sanitation Department employee scheduling and routes.
11)Consider a secretarial pool for City Hall general secretaries.
12)Evaluate whether parking meter maintenance and attendant labor is offset by revenue income. If not, consider eliminating parking meters altogether.
13)Offer incentives to those that pay bills by electronic methods verses at the bill collection area at City Hall.
14)Eliminate the 24/7 schedule on the complaint desk at OPD.
These are just a few ideas. Without question, the most important factor is the current negotiation sessions with the various bargaining units representing city employees. The city negotiation team must be willing and able to put forth a stern demand to the bargaining units for dramatic wage and benefit concessions. I would support taking an austere offer to arbitration and making my case to the arbitration body that the taxpayers in Oshkosh have set the tone to be far more frugal with wages and benefits for city employees.
Don't accept the easy way out and just pass the problem to the taxpayers with higher property taxes.You must DEMAND that the City Manager and his Supervisors give you far more, well thought out options...options to reduce, eliminate or consolidate positions and services within the City Government. People are truly upset at this entire series of events. We expect you as elected councilors to represent the taxpayers of this community, not the city staff and department administrators and bureaucrats. Please listen to us and demand cuts before you consider any added property taxes.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 9:43 AM
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