City Proposes Layoffs, Program Cuts to Cover $1 Million Deficit

Needing to cover a deficit of $1 million, Glendora city officials outlined proposed cuts to each department during the first of two community budget workshop meetings.

Department heads detailed the proposed cuts to about 25 community members and city employees at the Teen Center Wednesday evening. The workshop also served as a forum for the community to offer feedback on the proposed reductions. For most departments, many of the reductions will come in the form of layoffs and reduced programming.

While the loss of the city’s redevelopment agency continued to be a source of angst for the city, City Manager Chris Jeffers said city officials must come to terms with deficit and determine ways to continue to provide quality service.

However, that includes recognizing that the city cannot do “more with less,” said Jeffers.

“We are at the point where we’re going to have to do less with less,” said Jeffers.

The Finance, City Clerk, Glendora Police, Library, Planning and Community Services departments have proposed employee layoffs within the departments.

Public Safety, which makes up more than 50 percent of the city’s budget, may see drastic cuts including layoffs of three full-time positions. However, Police Chief Rob Castro said there are a variety of revenue generating options, including increasing fees on Early Morning Parking Permits from $4 to $5, and increasing towing and impounded vehicle release fees.

Program-oriented departments such as the Glendora Public Library and the Community Services Department, will see popular series such as Opera Talks, JPL and Summer Adult Reading Club head to the budget chopping block.

In order to scale back on costs, the Community Services Department will reduce hours for the Teen Center, as well as close the center on Saturdays.

Some of the proposed city budget reductions include:

Finance Department

• Layoff of accountant position - $53,542

• Add part-time accounting support – Increase of $20,000

City Clerk – Net Reduction of $31,937

• Eliminate vacant deputy city clerk position, posting of notices on City’s Website, imaging of city documents

Public Works – General Fund Reductions - $98,787

• Eliminate vacant mechanic position - $54,787

• Eliminate routine traffic signal control contract - $44,000

Glendora Police Department - Total Reductions - $161,558

• Layoff one civilian full-time records specialist - $60,800

• Layoff two community preservation officers (Code Enforcement) - $136,278

• Backfill for detective assigned to DEA Taskforce from Asset Forfeiture Account - $25,992

Library - Total Reductions - $195,356

• Retain current library hours (45 hours)

• Eliminate two full-time librarian positions

• Purchase automated check-in/out system to compensate for staff reductions

• Eliminate delivery of youth programs to schools, preschools and daycares

• Eliminate or reduce teen programs and leadership development programs

• Eliminate or reduce children’s programs and Storytimes

• Reduce children’s information desk staffing,

• Eliminate adult and family programs (Opera Talks, JPL, author talks, Adult Summer Reading Club)

Planning Department

• Eliminate redevelopment and housing staff

• Eliminate one planning/environmental services position

Community Services - Total Reductions - $305,000

• Eliminate sports turf specialist position

• Downgrade one lead maintenance worker

• Eliminate two part-time maintenance aides

• Eliminate in-house tree maintenance

• Close Teen Center on Saturdays

• Reduce Teen Center hours

Human Services Division - $31,278

• Reduced funds to the After Stroke Program

• Eliminate one part-time recreation staff

• Eliminate part-time rental coordinator.

The city will host the second of its community budget workshops tonight at 6 p.m. at the Bidwell Forum at the , 140 S. Glendora Ave.. Childcare will be provided for children 5 to 14 years old.

Pizza will also be served.

For more information, call (626) 914-8200.

Glendora Patch inaccurately reported the total reductions for the Community Services Division as $104,226. The correct figure provided by Community Services is listed above.