Police Union
[ SBN-P, 3/29/2005 ]:
Fight over financial future
3/29/05
By JOSHUA MOLINA
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Santa Barbara mayor takes on colleagues, police union
In a dynamic political battle over money, power and leadership, the mayor of Santa Barbara is colliding with her colleagues and the police union over the city's financial future.
Fearing layoffs, slashed services and higher fees, Mayor Marty Blum said some City Council members are putting the city's budget at risk because of their desire for union endorsements in an election year.
A financial forecast shows that City Council members will need to cut services, raise fees or take other actions to balance a budget deficit in each of the next four years. The city has a projected $3.6 million budget deficit for next year, according to its finance department.
The city has about $25 million in extra money set aside for disasters and budget uncertainties. To help pay for raises for its seven union groups and other costs, the city is on track to dip into those budget reserves and bring them down to $9 million by 2009.
"It makes me sick," said Mayor Blum, who is seeking re-election. "There's fiscal irresponsibility going on here. I see the people who are running for office very worried about getting the police endorsement. Frankly, I think this job of being on the council has a broader perspective than just one (bargaining) unit."
Some council members and union leaders say the budget projections are an extreme "worst-case-scenario," and that the city has plenty of money for the raises. They also believe that the economy is going to get better, bring streams of sales and hotel bed tax into the city, softening the need to make drastic budget cuts.
City Administrator Jim Armstrong said he is in the process of finalizing a budget for the next two years. Changes will need to be made because of the raises, he said.
"That's our best estimate at this time of what our impact will be," Mr. Armstrong said. "We are going to have to adjust service levels so we can live within our means."
As a practical matter, the city is going to have to make up that money somehow. The city has an $87 million general fund, which pays for parks, recreation programs and employee salaries.
The mayor says the outlook is grim.
The City Council has already approved a 5 percent increase for firefighters in each of the next three years. Mayor Blum supported that increase. The city's Service Employees International Union is on track to get a 4 percent raise in each of the next four years and that matter must still go before the full council.
Today, the City Council is set to formally approve the police contract, which calls for a 5 percent raise in each of the next two years. Mayor Blum said she may vote against the contract.
She said she received information late Monday that police officers were trying to organize people to pack City Hall.
"We're going to have to cut back on the number of employees and services," she said. "We won't be able to fix the potholes. That's what makes me sick about the whole thing."
Fueling the fire is the political intrigue surrounding the council.
Mayor Blum believes that her vote in closed session to oppose the police union's 5 percent raises was leaked to the union, in an attempt to hurt her politically. Other council members interviewed confirmed that they believe there is a leak on the council.
Councilwoman Iya Falcone said council members shouldn't say anything in private closed session that they can't back up in public.
"This is a small town and it doesn't take a long time for things to get out," said Ms. Falcone. "I operate from the position that everything gets out."
Ms. Falcone said she doesn't know who the leak is.
"I don't need to hide behind closed session," she said. "I would be just as happy saying in public what I said in closed session."
Councilwoman Helene Schneider said there is "probably some" leaking going on.
"It's impossible to say who," Ms. Schneider said. "It's unfortunate."
City Councilman Roger Horton, who is running for re-election, said the leak issue has come up before.
"Marty has made points at the meetings that this material needs to stay where it is," he said.
The mayor said that whoever leaked the information back to the police was trying to trap her. It makes it difficult for her to vote for the contract in public, because union officials already knew she opposed it in private.
Sgt. Mike McGrew, police union president, said information about individual council members isn't being leaked to him. But he has a good idea of where people stand.
"Roger and Iya are very solid people," Sgt. McGrew said. "When you talk to them they will listen to you. We can gauge the position of the person we are talking to when we speak to them. "If you end up talking to seven different people you are going to end up getting a feel of who's with you and who isn't."
In the world of Santa Barbara politics, Mayor Blum is considered a lock for re-election. She's a Democrat in a liberal city with a wide voter base. She won the hearts of residents and of casual observers and those who don't care about city government when she battled back from a double mastectomy and returned to City Hall a week later.
Outspoken, she has criticized the war on Iraq and President Bush's policies. Foes aren't willing to challenge her because they can't beat her, political insiders believe.
That could change. Sgt. McGrew said the police union may look for someone else or not endorse anyone in the mayor's race.
"This election is hers to lose," said Sgt. McGrew. "But if she keeps doing what she is doing, she is going to end up causing someone who is qualified to step up and take her on."
The rift between the police union and Mrs. Blum has been building for the last few months. Sgt. McGrew was hurt by comments the mayor made in a newspaper article. Mrs. Blum complained about the $200 a ticket cost to attend a political roast to benefit the children of police and firefighters. She did not attend because she was out of town.
She ended up being the focus of several jokes at the roast. But the mayor said the sole issue for her is the city budget.
But on this issue, the mayor could find herself alone.
Other members of the council and union groups have a vastly different opinion about the budget.
They say that the financial forecast is a worst-case scenario.
"Generally, I think that the assumptions used in the projections are very conservative as they relate to city revenue growth," Ms. Falcone said. "Those assumptions historically do not mirror the reality of growth experienced by the city on a regular basis. In addition, we continue to make the city organization more efficient in its operations."
Councilman Roger Horton said the financial forecast is merely a spreadsheet and those numbers can be easily changed.
"I don't think this is the only road map to 2009," Mr. Horton said. "Am I willing to get deep into these reserves by 2009? No."
He suggested that the city keep doing what it has been doing -- freezing positions, stopping major purchases and delaying work.
Police officers and firefighters should be a priority, he said.
"I am supportive of what's been done for public safety," Mr. Horton said. "People want top-notch public safety. That's the most important thing a city can do."
Mayor Blum believes other members of the council may be pandering to the unions during an election year.
Ms. Falcone and Mr. Horton are both seeking re-election. Councilman Dan Secord, who is in his final term, did not return repeated phone calls seeking comment for this story.
The endorsements of the public safety unions are sought after because the police officers and firefighters often walk precincts, distribute literature and call voters to get their candidates elected.
City fire Capt. Pat McElroy said every time the city enters negotiations it's always a worst-case scenario.
"We have heard the Ôsky is falling' scenario before," Capt. McElroy said. "They say everything is going to hell in a handbasket. We say that no it isn't."
Of the seven members of the council, only Das Williams wasn't endorsed by the union groups.
"There are four people running for office," said Councilman Brian Barnwell. "They are all keenly aware of the importance of those union endorsements."
Mr. Barnwell supported the raises, but said that he's at his limit.
"We spend more money than we make," Mr. Barnwell said. "That's not good. As far as I am concerned we have gone as far as we can with salaries. In my view, we don't give more salary increases."
The councilman said he is grateful that previous councils saved money for the current council.
"Thank God when we were flush, we set the money aside," he said.
Councilwoman Schneider said she is willing to spend reserves because it's necessary to recruit and retain employees.
"I would rather spend money on paying for a fair and equitable wage than spending money on the impacts of low morale, high turnover and low productivity," said Ms. Schneider, a former human resources manager.
Mr. Williams said his support of the union groups should come as no surprise to anyone -- he's always been pro-labor. He separates himself from those who are running for re-election.
"Because I didn't get the police and fire endorsements, I didn't owe anybody anything," he said. "So in that sense I had the freedom to do what I thought was right."
Mrs. Blum thinks she is doing the right thing, too. She said she is willing to stand by her actions, even if they hurt her politically.
"If I don't get re-elected because I believe we shouldn't be spending our reserves, I am going to have to do something else than be mayor," she said. "I don't want to be on a council with no reserves. I am happy to be fiscally responsible and if people don't like that, there's an easy way they can get rid of me."
[ SBN-P online edition:
Fight over financial future ]
Fight over financial future
3/29/05
By JOSHUA MOLINA
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Santa Barbara mayor takes on colleagues, police union
In a dynamic political battle over money, power and leadership, the mayor of Santa Barbara is colliding with her colleagues and the police union over the city's financial future.
Fearing layoffs, slashed services and higher fees, Mayor Marty Blum said some City Council members are putting the city's budget at risk because of their desire for union endorsements in an election year.
A financial forecast shows that City Council members will need to cut services, raise fees or take other actions to balance a budget deficit in each of the next four years. The city has a projected $3.6 million budget deficit for next year, according to its finance department.
The city has about $25 million in extra money set aside for disasters and budget uncertainties. To help pay for raises for its seven union groups and other costs, the city is on track to dip into those budget reserves and bring them down to $9 million by 2009.
"It makes me sick," said Mayor Blum, who is seeking re-election. "There's fiscal irresponsibility going on here. I see the people who are running for office very worried about getting the police endorsement. Frankly, I think this job of being on the council has a broader perspective than just one (bargaining) unit."
Some council members and union leaders say the budget projections are an extreme "worst-case-scenario," and that the city has plenty of money for the raises. They also believe that the economy is going to get better, bring streams of sales and hotel bed tax into the city, softening the need to make drastic budget cuts.
City Administrator Jim Armstrong said he is in the process of finalizing a budget for the next two years. Changes will need to be made because of the raises, he said.
"That's our best estimate at this time of what our impact will be," Mr. Armstrong said. "We are going to have to adjust service levels so we can live within our means."
As a practical matter, the city is going to have to make up that money somehow. The city has an $87 million general fund, which pays for parks, recreation programs and employee salaries.
The mayor says the outlook is grim.
The City Council has already approved a 5 percent increase for firefighters in each of the next three years. Mayor Blum supported that increase. The city's Service Employees International Union is on track to get a 4 percent raise in each of the next four years and that matter must still go before the full council.
Today, the City Council is set to formally approve the police contract, which calls for a 5 percent raise in each of the next two years. Mayor Blum said she may vote against the contract.
She said she received information late Monday that police officers were trying to organize people to pack City Hall.
"We're going to have to cut back on the number of employees and services," she said. "We won't be able to fix the potholes. That's what makes me sick about the whole thing."
Fueling the fire is the political intrigue surrounding the council.
Mayor Blum believes that her vote in closed session to oppose the police union's 5 percent raises was leaked to the union, in an attempt to hurt her politically. Other council members interviewed confirmed that they believe there is a leak on the council.
Councilwoman Iya Falcone said council members shouldn't say anything in private closed session that they can't back up in public.
"This is a small town and it doesn't take a long time for things to get out," said Ms. Falcone. "I operate from the position that everything gets out."
Ms. Falcone said she doesn't know who the leak is.
"I don't need to hide behind closed session," she said. "I would be just as happy saying in public what I said in closed session."
Councilwoman Helene Schneider said there is "probably some" leaking going on.
"It's impossible to say who," Ms. Schneider said. "It's unfortunate."
City Councilman Roger Horton, who is running for re-election, said the leak issue has come up before.
"Marty has made points at the meetings that this material needs to stay where it is," he said.
The mayor said that whoever leaked the information back to the police was trying to trap her. It makes it difficult for her to vote for the contract in public, because union officials already knew she opposed it in private.
Sgt. Mike McGrew, police union president, said information about individual council members isn't being leaked to him. But he has a good idea of where people stand.
"Roger and Iya are very solid people," Sgt. McGrew said. "When you talk to them they will listen to you. We can gauge the position of the person we are talking to when we speak to them. "If you end up talking to seven different people you are going to end up getting a feel of who's with you and who isn't."
In the world of Santa Barbara politics, Mayor Blum is considered a lock for re-election. She's a Democrat in a liberal city with a wide voter base. She won the hearts of residents and of casual observers and those who don't care about city government when she battled back from a double mastectomy and returned to City Hall a week later.
Outspoken, she has criticized the war on Iraq and President Bush's policies. Foes aren't willing to challenge her because they can't beat her, political insiders believe.
That could change. Sgt. McGrew said the police union may look for someone else or not endorse anyone in the mayor's race.
"This election is hers to lose," said Sgt. McGrew. "But if she keeps doing what she is doing, she is going to end up causing someone who is qualified to step up and take her on."
The rift between the police union and Mrs. Blum has been building for the last few months. Sgt. McGrew was hurt by comments the mayor made in a newspaper article. Mrs. Blum complained about the $200 a ticket cost to attend a political roast to benefit the children of police and firefighters. She did not attend because she was out of town.
She ended up being the focus of several jokes at the roast. But the mayor said the sole issue for her is the city budget.
But on this issue, the mayor could find herself alone.
Other members of the council and union groups have a vastly different opinion about the budget.
They say that the financial forecast is a worst-case scenario.
"Generally, I think that the assumptions used in the projections are very conservative as they relate to city revenue growth," Ms. Falcone said. "Those assumptions historically do not mirror the reality of growth experienced by the city on a regular basis. In addition, we continue to make the city organization more efficient in its operations."
Councilman Roger Horton said the financial forecast is merely a spreadsheet and those numbers can be easily changed.
"I don't think this is the only road map to 2009," Mr. Horton said. "Am I willing to get deep into these reserves by 2009? No."
He suggested that the city keep doing what it has been doing -- freezing positions, stopping major purchases and delaying work.
Police officers and firefighters should be a priority, he said.
"I am supportive of what's been done for public safety," Mr. Horton said. "People want top-notch public safety. That's the most important thing a city can do."
Mayor Blum believes other members of the council may be pandering to the unions during an election year.
Ms. Falcone and Mr. Horton are both seeking re-election. Councilman Dan Secord, who is in his final term, did not return repeated phone calls seeking comment for this story.
The endorsements of the public safety unions are sought after because the police officers and firefighters often walk precincts, distribute literature and call voters to get their candidates elected.
City fire Capt. Pat McElroy said every time the city enters negotiations it's always a worst-case scenario.
"We have heard the Ôsky is falling' scenario before," Capt. McElroy said. "They say everything is going to hell in a handbasket. We say that no it isn't."
Of the seven members of the council, only Das Williams wasn't endorsed by the union groups.
"There are four people running for office," said Councilman Brian Barnwell. "They are all keenly aware of the importance of those union endorsements."
Mr. Barnwell supported the raises, but said that he's at his limit.
"We spend more money than we make," Mr. Barnwell said. "That's not good. As far as I am concerned we have gone as far as we can with salaries. In my view, we don't give more salary increases."
The councilman said he is grateful that previous councils saved money for the current council.
"Thank God when we were flush, we set the money aside," he said.
Councilwoman Schneider said she is willing to spend reserves because it's necessary to recruit and retain employees.
"I would rather spend money on paying for a fair and equitable wage than spending money on the impacts of low morale, high turnover and low productivity," said Ms. Schneider, a former human resources manager.
Mr. Williams said his support of the union groups should come as no surprise to anyone -- he's always been pro-labor. He separates himself from those who are running for re-election.
"Because I didn't get the police and fire endorsements, I didn't owe anybody anything," he said. "So in that sense I had the freedom to do what I thought was right."
Mrs. Blum thinks she is doing the right thing, too. She said she is willing to stand by her actions, even if they hurt her politically.
"If I don't get re-elected because I believe we shouldn't be spending our reserves, I am going to have to do something else than be mayor," she said. "I don't want to be on a council with no reserves. I am happy to be fiscally responsible and if people don't like that, there's an easy way they can get rid of me."
[ SBN-P online edition:
Fight over financial future ]
Posted by Malcolm on
3/29/2005
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