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In a recent article published on Herald-review.com, the financial struggles facing Decatur have come into sharp focus, with city officials announcing significant layoffs across multiple municipal departments. This move is part of a broader effort to address a projected budget shortfall of $1.6 million for the upcoming fiscal year. City Manager Ryan McCrady broke the news on Friday, revealing that 20 positions will be eliminated, with six of those coming directly from the fire department.
The impact of these cuts will be felt across various sectors, with 12 current employees being let go and another eight vacant roles not being filled. Employees received notice this week, with the changes set to take effect before the end of the fiscal year on December 31st. While all departments are expected to feel the pinch, some, like the police department, which typically doesn't fully utilize its staffing budget, and the water department, which operates independently through user fees, will be spared.
McCrady cited stagnant revenue projections, such as sales and food and beverage taxes, as a major factor in the deficit. Meanwhile, expenses continue to climb, particularly in the area of pensions, which have surged by 10%. Among the positions being eliminated are two senior clerk typists, four clerk typists, a human relations officer, a human resources training officer, a plan examiner, a plan development manager, a senior long-range planner, a rehab construction specialist, and two engineering technicians. Notably, four of the firefighter positions were already vacant.
Despite these cuts, the city insists that no fire stations will close. However, there will be an increased reliance on "brownouts," where fire engines are temporarily shut down. Currently, the city operates with nine fire companies, but this will drop to eight. McCrady acknowledged the potential risks of reduced coverage, stating that if multiple emergencies occurred simultaneously, response times might increase. He emphasized that while this isn’t ideal, the city believes it can still maintain adequate protection.
The workforce in Decatur has already been shrinking, dropping from 576 employees five years ago to 490 today. Rising pension costs have been a persistent challenge for the city's operating budget, leading to repeated cuts. While city council members have resisted raising property taxes to offset these costs, Mayor Mike McElroy recently expressed concerns that such measures might become inevitable if the cuts continue indefinitely.
As Decatur grapples with these economic pressures, residents are left to wonder how these changes will affect their community in both the short and long term. With the city's finances under strain, finding sustainable solutions will likely require difficult decisions and careful planning moving forward.