Boardman firefighters in line for raises; trustees perplexed

The clash between Boardman Township trustees and the firefighters union appears to center on $5 million.

That’s the amount the trustees said in April was being carried over from last year and would be used to cover a gap in the operating budget. The township lost about $700,000 in inheritance tax money from the state because of a change in the law.

But as far as the International Association of Firefighters Local 1176 is concerned, the $5 million is a surplus and, therefore, should be used to give its members a pay raise.

Who’s right?

That question doesn’t matter today in light of a binding ruling by Conciliator Gregory Levelle, who was brought in after the trustees and firefighters were unable to agree on a new labor contract through collective bargaining and fact-finding.

Levelle cited a $5 million-plus general-fund balance as one of the reasons township government can afford to give firefighters a $1,250 annual wage increase for each of the three years of the contract.

In his ruling, Lavelle noted that the increase is “fair and consistent with settlement awards to similar jurisdictions and consistent with other bargaining units within Boardman.”

But township Trustee Tom Costello contends the money isn’t as readily available as the conciliator and the firefighters union claim, and that the pay raises will pose a financial challenge for township government.

“We need to find out where we’re going to come up with those dollars,” Costello said. “We’re hoping it doesn’t cost people, but that’s what we’re going to have to take a look at.”

The prospect of layoffs isn’t sitting well with Harry Wolfe, president of IAFF Local 1176, who said such cuts would be “criminal” on the part of the township.

But here’s what Wolfe fails to recognize: The pay raises for his members will place a heavy burden on the general fund, which the trustees control.

Of the estimated $17.88 million budget, $13.59 million is earmarked for salaries, wages and benefits. The rest is for operations.

Given that the firefighters succeeded in convincing the conciliator, Lavelle, that there was a $5 million surplus in the operating budget, we would expect Wolfe and other officers of the union to show the trustees how the pay raises for firefighters can be absorbed without cutting payroll.

Increase in spending

In April, when the 2014 budget was being discussed, fiscal officer William Leicht pointed out that there was a 20 percent increase in spending without including health-care costs.

The trustees were forced to restructure collective-bargaining agreements, shrink department heads’ wish lists and make administrative cuts.

In addition, the township must have a budget carryover of at least $4 million each year because it gets no income in January, February and March.

Against that backdrop, it becomes clear that Boardman Township isn’t flush with cash and doesn’t have millions socked away just waiting to be spent.

The trustees have no choice but to grant pay raises to the firefighters, and that could well result in layoffs.

If the firefighters union has the answer to township government’s financial problems, we’re sure the trustees would be more than happy to hear it.