TRUMBULL COUNTY Levy's OK won't return ambulance, Melfi says

Without an increase in revenue, there will not be an increase in manpower, mayor says.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Passage of a 3-mill fire levy on the Nov. 2 general election ballot will not bring back the city-operated ambulance service, says Mayor James J. Melfi.
Melfi suspended the service operated by firefighters in December 2003 as a cost-cutting measure.
Melfi asserted that it was too expensive to operate and that cities have gotten out of the ambulance business. The city has a contract with Rural-Metro Ambulance to provide the service with the user responsible for paying the cost.
In addition to the fire levy, voters are being asked to approve a 3-mill police levy. If approved, the combined issues will generate about $3.8 million over five years.
Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss pointed out that since the language in the levies calls for maintaining current staff, the ambulance can't be brought back on line even if the levy passes.
If there ever is an increase in staffing in the department, the chief explained, his priority is to bring back the service.
Melfi said voters must know the facts and face the reality of the city's financial situation, having been in state-imposed fiscal emergency since August 2001.
$1.6 million deficit
Despite cuts in manpower, renegotiating contracts with vendors, and eliminating such services as the ambulance, the city still has a $1.6 million accumulated general fund deficit.
Without added revenue, there will never be an increase in city employees, he said. The police department has been decreased from 27 to 19 and fire department from 17 to 13.
Because the fire department ran out of budgeted overtime money, the department has been unable on some turns to man the department with three firefighters as required by the city contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 1220.
Bornemiss said the union has filed eight grievances with the city since Aug. 4 that center on the staffing issue.
As the city population declines, Melfi asserted, there may not be a need for added manpower.
The mayor noted he doesn't see any new large businesses starting up in the city with workers paying taxes on their $50,000 annual salaries as during the heyday of the steel industry.
If the levies receive voter approval, Melfi said, manpower levels will be maintained, but there is no guarantee they won't decrease if revenue declines in the future.
The mayor emphasized that if the levy fails, there will have to be added employee reductions,
"There will be layoffs, especially in the fire department," Melfi warned.
yovich@vindy.com