Councilman Larry Carr said it best when he told reporter Michael
Moore:
”
One of two things has to happen
– either the per unit labor costs have to go down, or the number
of units, or people, has to go down.
”
It’s quite simple, really, though one should not confuse simple
with easy.
City, school district facing massive budget deficits
Councilman Larry Carr said it best when he told reporter Michael Moore: “One of two things has to happen – either the per unit labor costs have to go down, or the number of units, or people, has to go down.” It’s quite simple, really, though one should not confuse simple with easy.
The city of Morgan Hill and the Morgan Hill Unified School District face the same budget crunch every other city, county, school district and public agency is facing: A decline in revenue has officials scrambling to close massive budget deficits that threaten to drastically alter the way we do business.
Millions have already been cut, but more slashing needed
The city council cut about $2 million last year by trimming administrative expenses, eliminating 16 unfilled staff positions, and laying off one employee. That leaves almost no more stones to turn except salaries and benefits, which comprise about 55 percent of the city’s $28 million general fund. Layoffs are almost a given, unless the city’s three bargaining units agree to wage reductions.
Facing a $2.8 million deficit, the school district slashed 12 elective periods for the 2010-2011 school year and approved sending out 28 pink slips to teachers. And that comes after the district sliced about $9 million in the past two years, including 16 classified employees, such as maintenance workers and bus drivers, and several teachers. Salaries and benefits comprise 87 percent of the district budget.
Unions must reopen contracts and help close deficit
So where does that leave us? There are few, if any, programs and services that can be cut without negatively affecting residents and students. The idea to shut off street lights and let park grass die is a bad one.
All city and school unions need to voluntarily agree to renegotiate their contracts. Yes, we understand it’s been done before. And, yes we understand no one wants to be the first, but someone has to step up to the plate. There is nowhere else to turn. Do you want to take a small pay cut, or perhaps see your colleagues lose their jobs? And, like the general leading his army into battle, management needs to set an example and forego raises, and even take a small a pay cut. It’s a new era, and everyone needs to be part of the solution.
