Boardman trustees must win residents’ hearts and minds

Of all the voices that have been heard on the highly charged issue of Boardman Township’s finances, the one that stands out today belongs to Jim Rosa, a certified public accountant.

Rosa, who works at Hill, Barth and King, doesn’t have a political agenda in volunteering his services, which is why his comments warrant close attention.

“The future of Boardman is in trouble,” he told a meeting Wednesday of the township trustees. And he offered this warning: If the problems confronting the community aren’t addressed, residents will leave, and the quality of life will deteriorate.

A sobering assessment from an individual who makes a living assessing financial strengths and weaknesses.

Voters need convincing

Rosa, who has performed a cursory evaluation of the township’s budget, made it clear that government will not succeed in winning public support for a levy by simply arguing that Boardman has not passed a new tax in 12 years.

A campaign to win the hearts and minds of the taxpayers must begin with a strategic plan that shows how the budget deficit will be addressed and how services will be restored.

Rosa has offered to work with trustees Robyn Gallitto, Kathy Miller and Larry Moliterno to develop such a plan.

Moliterno, who is serving his first year on the board, announced Wednesday that he wants to meet shortly with leaders of the township’s unions and with department heads to begin the process.

But the trustee made clear that there must be an agreement reached on what steps the employees are willing to take to help deal with the budget shortfall.

Quick action

Friday, two of the three trustees approved a new three-year agreement with 27 township union road department employees that includes some concessions. At first glance, that agreement would not seem to provide a blueprint for the kind of economies that Boardman Township is going to have to pursue.

While it provided for wage freezes and a higher copayment on health care costs, it let stand a provision that provides for two-man crews in snow-removal trucks. The township will continue to pay what ought to be the employees’ contribution to the Public Employees Retirement System.

The township laid off 30 full-time and 12 part-time employees last month, but that has not erased the red ink. And the new road contract will allow the recall of three mechanics, which two of the three trustees believe will save money in the longer term.

The new road contract was quietly approved by the union the same night that Rosa offered his initial assessment of the challenges facing the township. (And same night that Moliterno said he was planning to meet with union and department heads.)

The trustees are charged with the responsibly of balancing the wants and legitimate needs of its employees against residents’ need for services and the taxpayers’ ability to pay for those services.

Going the extra mile

It is clear from the rejection by voters last November of a 4.1-mill operating levy that residents need to be sold on the idea that township government can’t properly function without additional revenue.

But as Rosa pointed out, putting an issue on the ballot in a special election in August or in the general election in November would be foolhardy without some firm commitments from the trustees and other public officials.

He offered some general goals, such as trustees, department heads and the administration managing resources prudently. He also advocated the creation of a business citizens committee to assist officials in their accountability to the residents.

As for new revenue, Rosa called for a pledge that the money would not go for pay raises, but to restore services.

On its face, the quickly reached contract with street department employees meets the pay raise criterion. But that is not to say that the contract meets other standards or gives the trustees the kind of latitude they will need in negotiating the best possible deal with other employee groups.