NEW CASTLE Council faces budget problems

Some want to let the new council and mayor handle the problem.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Problems with the proposed 2004 city budget are apparently larger than first anticipated.
So big, in fact, that the current city council may not even vote on it.
No action by council on the proposed spending plan, however, would be akin to approving it, said city Solicitor James Manolis. An unchanged budget automatically passes at the beginning of the new year, he said.
Despite that, some city council members say they would rather it pass on its own than put their votes behind the $11.4 million spending plan.
"The budget as submitted is irresponsible," said Councilwoman Pat May.
"I think we should leave it on the table to give to the new council and administration," said Richard DeBlasio, council president.
In addition to an $800,000 estimated deficit in the general fund, the city budget is about $1.5 million short in funding its pension fund.
City officials say the only way to make up the shortfall is to raise the earned income tax, property taxes or borrow the money.
No proposal from mayor
Mayor Timothy Fulkerson, who prepared the budget, has proposed none of those actions. He was not present at Tuesday's budget hearing.
"As far as I'm concerned, this is a budget that doesn't deserve a vote," May said.
She contends that Fulkerson added anywhere from five to 10 employees each year of his eight in office. May said the salaries of those employees add up to nearly the $1.5 million needed to pay for the pension.
"In many ways he's responsible for this irresponsible budget," she said.
Fulkerson and three of the five city council members are leaving office this year. The city business administrator is also leaving.
DeBlasio said he would rather let the new council and mayor attack the deficit since there is going to be such a large transition in government next year.
The three newly elected council members were present Tuesday and said it was the first they'd heard of the $1.5 million pension deficit.
"I guess we have to wait and see what the new administration will do," said Karen DeCarlo. DeCarlo, Will Quimby and Rob Ratkovich say they have not yet met with the new mayor, Wayne Alexander.
The budget can only be reopened by the mayor, and then any changes must be approved by city council, DeCarlo said.
Other worries
Problems with the budget's bottom line aren't the only worries.
"I am deeply concerned that there is no director for the code enforcement office. We are finally making some progress," said Councilwoman Christine Sands.
Fulkerson has proposed eliminating several positions to help curb the general fund budget deficit. The cuts include the code enforcement director, parks and recreation director, building inspector and deputy treasurer.
The city is also looking at offering an early retirement to some firefighters.
cioffi@vindy.com