Girard officials mull police budget woes

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

Officials say the issue is being addressed.

GIRARD — The city police general and overtime budget may be a little too short to make it through the end of the year, but officials say there are various plans to address the issue being considered.

“Of the original appropriations by council, there is only 38 percent of the police department’s original budget left with 41 percent of the year remaining. Of the original overtime appropriations, there is only 20 percent left,” said Auditor Sam Zirafi.

The police overtime and budget were a point of discussion at a recent council finance committee meeting. Committee members agreed to bring the issue before council as a whole.

Zirafi said the funds are needed to make up any difference in the amount being spent on overtime in the department and what was appropriated by council. Those additional funds, he said, could be taken from another department that has not used its full appropriation.

The funds could also be transferred from the general fund without forcing that fund back into the red.

The city was placed in a state of fiscal emergency in 2001. The city’s general fund was in the black at the start of this year for the first time since the city entered fiscal emergency, but the city has yet to meet all the requirements necessary to leave fiscal emergency.

“Knowing what we know today, the city can cover the amount [of additional money needed in the police budget]. There should be money available in the general fund to cover the amount should council choose to do that,” said Zirafi.

Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert said any shortages in the police budget have not gone unnoticed by city administration.

“We are going to be reviewing recommendations that have surfaced from the acting chief of police to help with those reductions in costs,” Lambert said.

Capt. John Villecco has been serving as acting chief, but at a captain’s rate of pay, since former Chief Frank Bigowsky was demoted to patrolman. Bigowsky is fighting that demotion in a hearing set for today.

Overtime in the police department will likely be a part of Bigowsky’s hearing process.

City officials, in a complaint lodged against Bigowsky earlier this year, say Bigowsky, among other things, failed to properly monitor, enact procedures and otherwise take action related to the approval, review and control of overtime expenditures in the police department. That charge was a part of the reasoning behind Bigowsky’s demotion to patrolman.

jgoodwin@vindy.com