Mayor Sanders wants to eliminate 300 positions. That number, combined with 372 current vacant slots at city hall, would bring the number of posts eliminated in the next year to 671. Despite deep cuts in the workforce, Sanders says he doesn't expect that services to the public will be affected by the layoffs.
Sanders : My FY08 budget proposal locks in place the same municipal service levels that we have had this year, albeit in a more efficient manner: our residents' trash will be picked up on the same schedule; library hours will be the same; rec center and pool hours will continue as planned; funding to our arts and culture commission -- and the many institutions, they in turn fund, will continue.
Those who remain on the payroll are set to receive raises of about four percent. The city plans to hike police officer pay by nine percent to help stop an exodus from the department and attract recruits. Meanwhile, firefighters are seeking a raise but Mayor Sanders is against the idea. A four percent raise for firefighters would cost the city $4 million.
It's $4 million that we don't have and money that I do not have programmed into the budget. If the council wishes to give this raise, they will have to cut some other vital city service to do so. Over time, the raise is also worth much more than $4 million annually, because it compounds.
The budget does include $38 million to fix San Diego's dilapidated sidewalks and 135 miles of city streets. Next year's spending plan also includes a $165 million payment into the city's retirement system, which has a $1 billion deficit due to years of under-funding. Another $25 million is expected to go toward the city's retiree health benefits, which is 1.9 billion in the red.
Sanders : Left unaddressed, the liability could double within the next 10 years and further threaten the city's treasury and financial stability.
Mayor Sanders will present the budget to the city council on Monday. He's also planning town hall meetings in each of the council districts.
