GIRARD City to eliminate ambulance service to reduce deficit

The mayor is negotiating to station a private ambulance service in the city.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The city-operated ambulance service will be eliminated effective Dec. 31 to help reduce a $1.3 million general fund deficit.
Mayor James J. Melfi announced Wednesday that he was also laying off two of 15 full-time firefighters and will not allow the use of part-time firefighters.
In addition, the position of street commissioner held by Larry Kren is being eliminated as part of an administrative reorganization.
The actions have been anticipated for some time.
The city has been in fiscal emergency since August 2001, and the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission that oversees fiscal aspects of the city has been pressuring Melfi to reduce the accumulated deficit.
By eliminating the ambulance that is operated by the fire department, Melfi said he estimates that more than $330,000 will be saved annually.
"Obviously, any time you cut services to the people, you're not really pleased," the mayor noted.
"No one in my position wants to cut services," Melfi said. "I'm committed to bringing this city back to fiscal health, regardless of the difficulties of the task."
Melfi pointed out that other municipalities in the Mahoning Valley don't operate their own ambulance service, including Youngstown, Niles, Warren and Hubbard. The Newton Falls service is operated by the fire district, not the city.
Layoffs
The cost of the service has exceeded its revenue, Melfi asserted, resulting in the layoffs of the firefighters.
The mayor explained the city will save $143,000 in furloughing the two firefighters, $75,000 paid the part-timers, $70,000 in overtime and $50,000 by not paying for maintenance, supplies and insurance.
The move does not mean residents will be without ambulance services. Those needing an ambulance will call 911 and the police department will dispatch a private emergency vehicle.
Melfi said he has been negotiating with private companies to station an ambulance in the city. It will provide quick response time and its employees will pay income tax, he said.
There are no layoffs in the police department. It has been reduced from 27 to 19 officers through attrition from 2000 through 2002.
Elimination of position
By doing away with the position of street commissioner, the city will save the $45,000 annual salary paid Kren, who has more than 30 years of service with the city.
Kren's duties will be assumed by Service Director Jerry Lambert and the engineer's office. Kren supervises between two and five jobs a day, depending on what work needs to be done, Melfi explained.
"It's an antiquated position," he said.
The moves, the mayor insisted, will result in balancing the $4 million 2004 general fund budget and reducing the accumulated general fund budget by more than $200,000, if current finances are maintained.
Earlier this year, city council decided not to place a 3.9-mill levy on the November ballot to bail out the general fund.
Melfi said he will support placing a safety-forces levy before voters to bring back the city ambulance service and to replace equipment, including 8-year-old police cars.
At the same time, Melfi cautioned that more cost-cutting measures will be made. He would not be specific.
yovich@vindy.com