Belmont delays budget vote

The city faces a $1.3 million deficit and sought wage concessions from four labor groups to the tune of $455,000 to help trim the deficit.

Three of the four labor groups the city negotiated with have already agreed to wage concessions but city workers in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union have yet to make a deal with the city, noting inconsistent budget figures presented to the group by city staff.

Kurt Buckman, shop steward with the city, said AFSCME employees have been given multiple numbers for the same piece of information.

"Information has not been provided to us,” Buckman told the council Tuesday night. "Firm numbers have never been provided.”

Vice Mayor Coralin Feierbach warned AFSCME that if it does not present the city with a suitable amount of concessions by today, that layoffs or service reductions would be likely.

"If an offer is not in by Thursday, we may have to take the next step,” she said.

Three labor groups, the Belmont Police Officers Association, Mid-management and Confidential Employees Association and AFSCME submitted $640,000 over three years in concessions to the city in April, Buckman said.

"There was no acknowledgement from the city regarding our offer of concessions,” Buckman said.

Buckman also challenged the staff’s contention that its $2 million in reserves is dwindling rapidly, saying the staff does not project reserves to dip below $2 million until 2014. The city’s reserve was more than $4 million just two years ago.

"I don’t want to see that trend anymore. I’ve seen enough,” Councilman David Braunstein said.

The council met in closed session prior to Tuesday night’s regular meeting to finalize negotiations with some of its labor groups, a last-minute decision that left Feierbach and Braunstein just a bit uncomfortable.

"We need to have time to look at these documents,” said Braunstein.

The city’s general fund is approximately $14 million. The city’s total budget for fiscal year 2010-11 is roughly $58 million, which includes the Belmont Fire Protection District, Redevelopment Agency debt service and the city’s sewer enterprise fund.

Critical city services, such as police, fire and parks and recreation, are paid for out of the city’s general fund.

The city is currently without a city manager and will conduct private interviews with potential candidates this Sunday.

Finance Director Thomas Fil and Police Chief Don Mattei have been the city’s chief negotiators with its labor groups over the past few months.

The council will meet Tuesday, June 29 to vote on the budget. The budget is due by June 30.

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.