Police union accepts 2010 wage freezes

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Ogle County sheriff says the department will reduce costs by not buying new equipment, and participating in only state- and federally mandated training.

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OREGON – The police union has agreed to accept a wage freeze, which may avert layoffs in his department, Ogle County Sheriff Greg Beitel said.

Members of Fraternal Order of Police agreed last week to give up the 3 percent wage increase included in their 2010 contract, Beitel said.

The county Finance Committee is expected to discuss the offer at its meeting tonight.

The concession comes after the committee cut $708,000 from the $6.9 million Beitel oversees. A cut that deep meant he would have to lay off 10 full-time and eight part-time employees, Beitel told the committee late last month.

With the new wage concessions and other moves, the gap has been narrowed, but not eliminated, he said.

“The difference between the 10 percent and what it would take to prevent layoffs is about $302,000. We sat down and reduced some costs. We got really deep and narrowed the gap from $302,000 to $195,000,” Beitel said.

For instance, there will be no new computers or related equipment, no ammunition purchases, and all but state- and federally mandated training for deputies will be eliminated, he said.

“We can do this for a year, maybe two,” Beitel said. “But 70 percent of my budget is personnel costs.”

Beitel said he still needs the Finance Committee to help make ends meet. “They’re going to have to come up with some more money for us,” he said.

Several weeks ago, the committee offered to lend $655,000 from the Solid Waste Fund to the General Fund to help offset the sheriff’s shortfall, in return for wage concessions from the unions. That offer was taken off the table when union members rejected forgoing their 3 percent raises.

The committee since agreed to set up a revolving line of credit from the Solid Waste Fund to the General Fund, if financial reserves are depleted before the end of 2010.

The county board must approve the 2010 budget before the fiscal year ends Nov. 30. The Finance Committee is expected to propose a budget at the Nov. 17 board meeting.

No raises this year 
for city workers

OREGON – The City Council decided this week not to give raises to its employees this fiscal year, which ends April 30, Finance Commissioner Ken Williams said.

When the council approved the budget in July, the city was expected to spend about $3 million and take in about the same amount this fiscal year.

The 15 full- and two part-time employees, including the Oregon Police Department, got a 3 percent raise last year.

“We appreciate their understanding in these difficult times,” Williams said.

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