NEW CASTLE Council OKs budget of $11.2 million

Some council members disagreed with a pay cut for the mayor's aide.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council approved an $11.2 million spending plan for 2003 on Tuesday with a few changes from the mayor's proposal.
While the budget has no real estate tax increase, the city will realize an extra 5 percent because of the countywide reassessment.
Council members agreed that the extra 5 percent was needed to help balance the budget.
"Our choices are stark. Do we cut city services? I don't think so," said Councilwoman Patricia May. She attributed many of the city's financial woes to the numerous tax-exempt properties, which include hospitals, churches and nonprofit organizations.
Council President Richard DeBlasio added that the city has been trying to save money by not replacing those who retire or quit, but the extra 5 percent was still needed to balance the budget.
Salary cut criticized
DeBlasio and Councilman Mark Elisco took exception to one budget proposal to decrease the salary of the mayor's aide in the coming year.
Elisco noted it was the only salary decrease in the budget.
The mayor's aide, who earned $23,000 in 2002 and had a proposed increase to $25,233 next year, was cut to $20,000.
"I cannot call this cut fiscal responsibility. Rather I am going to call it as I see this as a personal and political attack on the mayor and his aide," Elisco said.
Councilman John Russo said the position should pay less because the mayor's longtime aide, Ted Saad, is no longer in the position. It has been filled for the past year by Kelly Adamczyk.
"I don't believe a new person should make more [than Saad]" Russo said. Russo, May and Christine Sands voted to approve the change.
Police contract
Council also amended the budget to reflect the newly approved police contract.
Under the new contract all 37 police officers will be full time. There are now seven part-time officers. Annual salaries for patrolman go from $24,500 for a new officer to $43,812 for top of the scale.
City officials have agreed to never let the number of full-time officers go below 32 patrolmen for the five-year contract.
Public works, recreation
The new budget also reflects a change in the city's public works and recreation departments.
Mayor Timothy Fulkerson had proposed that Robert Natale serve as head of both departments at an annual salary of $48,000, but Natale declined to hold both jobs.
Council agreed to reduce Natale's salary to $47,000, and he will remain city public works director. Jason DiMuccio was named city recreation director at an annual salary of $28,000. DiMuccio had been maintenance supervisor, earning $26,000 per year. That job will not be eliminated, council members said.