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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > May > 15 > Entry
County department outlines staff cuts
At this morning’s commissioners’ meeting, officials from the Department of Environmental Services shed more light on how they plan cutting local water bills by up to 10 percent.
And just as was rumored earlier this week, the plan is expected to be carried out thanks to nearly two dozen staff cuts and paying down existing debt.
Sue Vance said that 22 1/2 positions will be cut, split between union and non-union positions. The reduction is equal to about 16 percent of the department’s workforce.
“We have had some very difficult decisions to make particularly as they involve employees,” Vance said this morning.
Customers are expected to realize an average decrease of 10 percent on water bills and 15 percent on sewer bills, effective in 2009, Vance said.
Commissioner Don Dixon’s first response: “Wow.”
“You followed our instructions (to reduce bills and streamline the department) specifically,” Dixon said.
Commissioners said the biggest hurdle in trying to lower bills for their customers has been the unwillingness of the city of Hamiton to work with them on decreasing county rates. For more on that story, click here
“I think we should take another run at the city of Hamilton,” said Commission President Chuck Furmon. “As it stands now, we’re limited on our choice.”
Commissioners said they will table the issue for at least another 30 days to give them that opportunity.
“My heart goes out to anyone who feels like they’re on the bubble right now. It’s a most difficult day in our department,” Vance said.
Is your water bill worth local jobs?
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Comments
By Kathy
May 15, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE IDIOT IN MIAMI COUNTY THAT THREATNED EVERYONE AND THEY GAVE HIM HIS JOB BACK WITH A WEAPON!!!!!!!!!!!!By Kathy
May 15, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE IDIOT IN MIAMI COUNTY THAT THREATNED EVERYONE AND THEY GAVE HIM HIS JOB BACK WITH A WEAPON!!!!!!!!!!!!By Scott Singleton
May 15, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Mr. Greber , In the article “County department outlines staff cuts”, is the last line “Is your water bill worth local jobs?” a quote from someone else or is it your question/opinion? Thanks.By VietVet
May 15, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
This is nothing new. Private industry has been downsizing for years. I was caught up in a downsizing at P&G in 1994, then again in 1999 at General Cable, then again when they closed the technical center at Black Clawson in 2002.Happens all the time in jobs outside the government. Welcome to our world of job instability.By Dawn
May 15, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Is your water bill worth local jobs - NO! 22 more people on unemployment & searching for a job is not what this county needs. More people moving to search for employment means more vacant homes on the market. Our community is drying up, because we have nothing to offer - but an expected decrease in our water/sewer bill! - Give me a break. Great job commissioners.By Matt Hurley
May 15, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
I don’t think Dawn actually lives here in Butler County because I’m seeing lots of really good things to talk about. We have some of the lowest tax rates in the state; near as I can tell, we’re gaining jobs while other parts of the state are losing theirs, and things continue to look pretty good on the horizon. Or you can believe Dawn…that Butler County sucks and we’re all going to hell in a hurry…or something.By Matt Hurley
May 15, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
I don’t think Dawn actually lives here in Butler County because I’m seeing lots of really good things to talk about. We have some of the lowest tax rates in the state; near as I can tell, we’re gaining jobs while other parts of the state are losing theirs, and things continue to look pretty good on the horizon. Or you can believe Dawn…that Butler County sucks and we’re all going to hell in a hurry…or something.By Matt Hurley
May 15, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
I don’t think Dawn actually lives here in Butler County because I’m seeing lots of really good things to talk about. We have some of the lowest tax rates in the state; near as I can tell, we’re gaining jobs while other parts of the state are losing theirs, and things continue to look pretty good on the horizon. Or you can believe Dawn…that Butler County sucks and we’re all going to hell in a hurry…or something.By Dawn
May 15, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Well Matt, I do live in Butler county - I never said we were going to hell in a hurry, but it’s not sunshine and roses either. People are losing their jobs by the minute - check out the butler county job fair. I thank God I have a job and don’t believe that my small “expected” savings from a water bill is worth 22 people losing their jobs!By Matt Hurley
May 15, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
There you go again…people are NOT “losing their jobs by the minute”…there are no breadlines…there is no food rationing…there aren’t lines stretching for miles at the unemployment office. Things are pretty good here in Butler County. If we had a media outlet that bothered to report such things, maybe people like Dawn wouldn’t need anti-depressents.By Matt Hurley
May 15, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
There you go again…people are NOT “losing their jobs by the minute”…there are no breadlines…there is no food rationing…there aren’t lines stretching for miles at the unemployment office. Things are pretty good here in Butler County. If we had a media outlet that bothered to report such things, maybe people like Dawn wouldn’t need anti-depressents.By Matt Hurley
May 15, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
There you go again…people are NOT “losing their jobs by the minute”…there are no breadlines…there is no food rationing…there aren’t lines stretching for miles at the unemployment office. Things are pretty good here in Butler County. If we had a media outlet that bothered to report such things, maybe people like Dawn wouldn’t need anti-depressents.By kathy m
May 15, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
no, my water bill alone may not be worth someone losing their job; however the collective savings of 22 jobs to save all the customers in butler county… yes it’s worth it.By Nomoretaxes
May 15, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
This is just 22 more people that have to go find real jobs after living the life of one guy digging, two guys watching, and another two guys supervising.By Susan
May 15, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Why should citizens be forced to pay higher water rates than necessary? There are other jobs.By Suzie
May 15, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Actually the biggest hurdle is the unwillingness of the residents of the City of Hamilton to subsidize Butler County’s water rates. Hamilton expanded its capacity at the request of Butler County. This expansion helped in all of the recent developments in the County the past 10 years.By Leonard
May 15, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
I do think that it is terrible that the abuses of a few are now being paid for by the lowest positions who did not benefit from nepotism and favoritism. This whole fiasco started at the top and now it’s being paid for at the bottom. The Journal should investigate that a little closer.By Interested Taxpayer
May 15, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
If the jobs to be eliminated are those gotten because of patronage and/or family ties to officeholders or GOP higher ups, yes, it is worth it. Unfortunately, those people will either keep their present jobs or will be reassigned, not cut.By In the know
May 15, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
That’s exactly what has happened, a few (2) high paid put-ins are axed, as Mr. Greber rudely put it, but the rest are basically entry level or low seniority people that have just lost their income, pension, and insurance to pay for the Commissioners abuse of a money-making dept.By null
May 15, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Leonard and Interested Taxpayer got it right. There are people who should have been on the list who were not and many on the list who should not have been. The department was top heavy due to many “favors” and unfortunately very few of those were the ones to go. Further, how can they justify paying their director 130K a year, a deputy director 120k and two division heads 100k+, and several other staff members over 100K (just look at the pay/postions spreadsheets Josh posted and do the math)with no pay cuts for any of these people if they are in such dire straits? Even a 10% paycut would have saved many jobs. Matt - can’t wait to see you on the breadline - should give you a new perspective.By Need answers
May 15, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
I’m would like to see more info on a couple other posts: Is Dixon living with McGary? Is she retired and double dipping with an 80K salary? Did he have a water line moved to connect to his property? If so, where?By Jay
May 16, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
There are a lot of BCES salaries paid out of 2 accounts. These should also be looked into. If you cut more top level managers you could save more than cutting from the general office and union staff.By JJ
May 16, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
The largest department in county government and the most expensive is the sheriff’s office. Are the commissioners going to have someone come in and look to see where saving can be had there? There is about as much chance of that as looking at the board of elections, old buddy Donnie Dixon will take care of this friends and lovers.By John
May 16, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
I agree with need answers, Josh you need to spend sometime looking at Dixon. He may not have any family working in county goverment but how is he handling is job as commissioner when the board of elections is at issue. I recall his childish tantrum because the new building for the board of elections was moving as fast as is girl friend at the board of elections wanted. I guest the answer is just live with but don’t marry anyone in county government if you are a commissioner.By Matt Hurley
May 16, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
And the witch hunt continues…you people are something else.By null
May 17, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
Matt, glad to see you learned how to post a comment just once. I think questions are allowed and it’s only a witch hunt if they turn out to be false accusations. From looking at your other blogs on blogspot, it appears you may be a bit biased towards republicans and possibly work at a computer most of the time. You may want to stick to commenting on jobs you have actual experience with. I’m sure your hands are callus free.By null
May 17, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
Kathy M. I agree that collectively it would make sense but the expected average savings per household is less than $10. I don’t feel that will go back into the local economy. It will give a few people 2.5 more gallons of gas. Is that worth 22 jobs, possibly more foreclosures, the 20K income tax the city will lose?By null
May 17, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
nomoretaxes, taxes don’t pay for these jobs. I’m wondering if you’ve ever been a ditch digger?By null
May 17, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
They could save a lot more money cutting from the top down and adding a few more of the “put-ins” to the layoff list. They did it by position, not senority, so they could get rid of who they want to and spare their buddies. The employees should expose what is really going on behind closed doors.By Fatso
May 19, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Gee, I wonder if the $500 a month gas allowance for the managers or free parking spots will continue???