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Trumbull citizens budget committee recommends cuts to worker benefits
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Heading into negotiations with the unions representing Trumbull County workers, the county citizens budget committee has written a letter to the county commissioners urging them to consider cost savings related to employee benefits.
The committee says its recommendations could save the county more than $2 million per year.
The committee, which the commissioners formed several months ago to review the county’s finances in anticipation of a possible sales-tax increase, plans to offer a full report about June 1, the letter said.
But there are three areas the committee felt should be recommended now because of contract negotiations that have either begun or soon will begin.
First was a recommendation the county change the amount of money it pays toward the employees’ share of their pension, known as “pension pickup.”
The county currently pays up to 90 percent of the employees’ share, but the committee recommends that “management and bargaining units collaborate to eliminate this existing practice.”
Secondly, the committee’s review of the county’s policy regarding conversion into cash of employees’ accrued vacation and sick time suggests the county should reduce the maximum amount eligible to be paid.
And thirdly, the committee recommends negotiating changes to the health care plans for employees regarding premiums, co-payments and deductibles.
“This not only serves to develop employee awareness, but it also acknowledges the growing costs and impending challenges regarding health care coverage,” the letter says.
Where possible, the county should align its policies with “what is minimally required by statute,” the letter said.
Failing to address these issues during negotiations “may prevent or unduly delay the efficient implementation of our recommendations,” the letter said.
Commissioner Frank Fuda, the only one of the commissioners who could be reached to comment, said the recommendations have been referred to Richard Jackson, the county’s human resources director, who is in charge of contract negotiations.
He said it wouldn’t be appropriate to talk about issues that are being negotiated, especially since the commissioners are not involved in negotiations.
At the commissioners meeting Wednesday, they awarded the bid to O.D. Security North American of Texas for purchase of a full-body X-ray machine for use during the intake process at the county jail.
The machine, which will cost $118,750, is part of Sheriff Paul Monroe’s effort to prevent inmates from smuggling drugs into the jail.