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Published February 12th, 2014
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Frustration at Every Turn
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| By Nick Marnell |
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At a Feb. 5 special board meeting, the Moraga-Orinda Fire District approved a mid-year budget revision that revealed more bad news. Administrative services director Gloriann Sasser projected that the district will now lose $599,000 in fiscal year 2013-14, nearly $200,000 more than budgeted. Though property tax revenue increased more than $300,000, ambulance revenue dropped nearly the same amount and overtime charges rose nearly $250,000, she said.
Sasser then made an even more sobering announcement to the board: MOFD's long range financial plan projects losses through 2018-19, with its capital fund depleted two years sooner. "In order to eliminate the structural deficit in the general fund, additional expenditure reductions are necessary," she said.
Her presentation did not go over well with the firefighters' union.
"If we take a 9.5 percent pay cut, where will that money be used?" asked Vince Wells, Local 1230 president. "You took the SAFER grant money, but you then cut the staff. And how serious are you about making cuts? This administration is top heavy!"
"That is your opinion. I am not prepared to acknowledge it as anything more," said director Fred Weil.
Wells continued, stating that the firefighters have done what they could to help the district climb out of its financial mess: no raises in six years; health care contributions frozen since 2010; and quickly agreeing to recent staffing reductions. Unswayed, the board unanimously passed a motion that authorized Sasser to further cut costs and present a balanced budget for the next fiscal year.
Weil softened his stance somewhat to the firefighters in attendance. "I am as frustrated as you are that we have to deal with these realities," he said.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA