Panel talks about need to cut budget

The oversight commission chairman suggests a one-third cut in the police and fire departments.
GIRARD -- Mayor James J. Melfi will recommend to city council that the city return to 1997 spending levels to balance the 2003 general fund budget.
Melfi informed the Girard Financial Planning and Supervision Commission of his intention during a Tuesday commission meeting.
The commission oversees the city finances while the community is under a state-imposed fiscal emergency.
The administration and city council need to cut $1.1 million in expenses to approve a balanced budget.
In 1997
The city spent $3.8 million in 1997, compared with this year's $4.5 million. This means the cut would be about $700,000.
Melfi told the commission that cuts in all departments and the administration will be required while maintaining services.
Commission chairman Joe Gray suggested that because the largest expense in the general fund is for police and fire protection, those departments should be cut by a third.
The fire department has 16 full-time members and the police department has 17.
Melfi, who is also a commission member, countered that the city couldn't operate safely with such a reduction.
Call for layoffs
Gray, representing the state's Office of Budget and Management, expressed frustration that Melfi hadn't laid off more city workers to reduce costs.
"I'm not saying cuts haven't been made," Gray told Melfi, noting more employees should have been furloughed in June.
But the mayor said reductions in the city work force -- four in street and water and eight in police -- have saved the city $750,000 this year.
Gray warned that if additional cuts aren't made, the city will run out of money before the end of 2003. City Auditor Sam Zirafi said that when that happens, he won't write any checks.
"This has been in the making for the last six months," Gray said.
Although Gray admitted he doesn't know how a one-third cut would affect safety protection, he pointed out that, "I just view it as reality."
Gray said he hopes that city council gets the message to make cuts because state law requires them to approve a balanced budget.
There seemed to be a sense of frustration among commission members.
Member Robert Delisio told Gray that his remarks should be directed at city council.
John Masternick, another member, asserted the city needed some "leadership in forming a consensus" of what is required to get the city back on sound financial footing.
The commission will meet again at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in city hall.
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