The City Manager will release the list of proposed cuts to balance the city budget today (March 29). These cuts are based on no concessions from any of the labor unions nor savings gained through outsourcing of janitorial services (among others) to save money.
Money saved from outsourcing could help pay for library hours or the aquatics program, for example. The question of concessions has been out there for months and could be included in the budget. Agreement would need to be reached in early April since layoff notices would start going out April 19. If concessions are made then some of these cuts could be avoided but in lieu of an agreement in hand here are some of the proposed/likely cuts.
As it stands now, 802 positions would be eliminated, of which 656 are filled positions, which closes the deficit of $118.2 million. In addition, there were services that were funded last year with one-time funds ($7,476,000), such as library hours, community centers and the SJPD horse-mounted unit, which will be going away as well, accounting for 77 filled positions.
Library:
Eliminate 104 positions to save $7.4 million in 2010-2011 and $7.9 million in 2011-2012. Neighborhood branch libraries would be open three days a week and the MLK Main library would reduce hours 12 percent. Delay opening of new Seven Trees and new Bascom libraries saves $2.3 million for library staffing. Does not include community center staffing costs.
Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services:
Eliminate 38 positions to save $4.3 million in 2010-2011 and $5 million in 2011-2012. Close smaller community centers.
Eliminate 12 positions, saving $836,000 in 2010-2011 and $854,000 in 2011-2012. Reduce maintenance staffing at parks; restrooms open only on weekends except in summer. Eliminate 10 park rangers, saving $634,000 in 2010-2011 and $848,000 in 2011-2012. Eliminate 24 positions, saving $630,000 in 2010-2011 and $637,000 in 2011-2012. Reduces aquatic program to only 2 pools in San Jose. Eliminate two positions in Code Enforcement, saving $302,000 in 2010-2011 and $323,000 in in 2011-2012.
Fire:
Eliminate 90 positions (88 are filled), saving $12 million in 2010-2011. 2011-2012 costs determined through binding arbitration. Reduce/suspend fire apparatus and fire fighters at station 30 Auzerais, Station 33 Communications Hill, Station 34 Las Plumas, Station 35 Poughkeepsie, Station 3 Martha Street and one other station yet to be identified.
Police:
Eliminate 160 positions (153 are filled), saving $25.5 in 2010-2011. 2011-2012 costs determined through binding arbitration. Reduce police patrols; eliminate funding for new officers; reduce Metro Unit; reduce Investigations unit; reduce Downtown services unit; delay opening of Police Substation; reduce Financial Crimes unit. Reduce the Crossing Guard program by 8.3 positions to save $354,000 in 2010-2011
Transportation:
Eliminate 12 positions for capital projects, including transit and bike/pedestrian projects. Saves $1.4 million in 2010-2011 and $1.6 million in 2011-2012. Eliminate 9 positions for Neighborhood Traffic Calming. No more traffic studies and no implementation of traffic calming tools. Saves $921,000 in 2010-2011 and $999,000 in 2011-2012. Eliminate five positions for residential street sealing. Saves $375,000 in 2010-2011 and $415,000 in 2011-2012.
Convention Center:
Eliminate 25 positions to save $1.9 million 2010-2011 and $2 million in 2011-2012.
This list is not comprehensive and may/will fluctuate based on final Council adoption of the budget in June.