Budget to force layoffs

More city police, but busing at risk

Fifteen city employees would be laid off and 28 other jobs would be eliminated under the proposed budget that Mayor James E. Harrington sent to the Brockton City Council this week.

Proposed funding for the School Department is $5 million less than what was requested, raising the possibility that bus service will be cut. And, to further cut costs, some of the city's economic development work would be transferred to the quasi-governmental Brockton 21st Century Corporation.

The Police Department, however, would escape the budget cuts and actually gain 10 new officers in the next fiscal year, under the mayor's proposal. Four of those jobs would be funded by the state. In light of the recent street violence, public safety is a priority, said a mayoral spokesman.

The $315 million budget, for the fiscal year that begins July 1, would eat up much of the city's $10 million-plus of free cash. But use of the free cash would avoid additional layoffs, the mayor said in a budget message to the City Council.

The cuts to city services are far less severe than what the mayor feared would be necessary when the budget process began in February.

He stressed this week that a drop in state revenue and a spike in fixed costs such as health insurance have made budget-balancing difficult.

The Legislature should restore aid to cities and towns and consider Governor Deval Patrick's proposals to close tax loopholes for telecommunications companies and to allow municipalities to impose meal taxes as a way to generate revenue beyond property tax increases, he said.

"The restrictions on our financial flexibility imposed by state funding decisions, mandates, and laws have caused financial distress," the mayor said in his budget message. "I would hope that by next year, the state has renewed its partnership with the cities and towns of Massachusetts to attack our mutual fiscal problems."

To save jobs, the mayor has also proposed letting voters decide on a Proposition 2 1/2 override, to increase tax revenue by more than the 2.5 percent allowed annually under state law. The mayor did not say how much he would request in the override, saying he would work with the City Council to determine a figure. But in the past he has said he would like to generate revenue to fund an additional $1 million for the Police and Fire departments, $2.5 million for the schools, and $700,000 for the library system.

The council would have to approve putting any override question on the ballot. An election vote would not come until fall.

In the past, councilors have said they would be wary of an override. Brockton voters last faced an override question in 1991, when the city was in financial crisis, and they rejected it.

Moises Rodrigues, director of the city's community services, said the mayor wants to let voters decide which departments should be cut.

"It's not fair to the citizens of the city for you to propose to cut down services without giving taxpayers a say first," he said.

Rodrigues said that the mayor has not specified which departments would be hit by layoffs.

Police Chief William Conlon said that, even with the proposed addition of 10 officers, the department will still be below standard staffing levels. But he said the additional officer power will at least help stabilize the department, considering he expects as many as six officers could retire next year.

The chief said the department has also requested capital funding for new police cruisers, although adding officers is the priority.

"A couple of months ago, we were looking at not hiring anybody, and laying off from what we had," he said. "The picture has improved, but it's not perfect."

Other departments would fare worse. The Fire Department could be forced to leave eight positions unfilled, and any more cuts could force the closure of an engine company. And departments throughout city government could see positions left vacant.

Rodrigues said the mayor zeroed in on departments duplicating services, and mergers could streamline services and cut spending. As part of that process, the city would take back management of the Campanelli Stadium and Shaw's Center from the 21st Century Corporation to allow the agency to focus more on its core mission of economic development.

The budget includes $132.2 million for core school funding, which is less than the $137.1 the School Department had requested. Still, the figure is $5 million more than the school district received last year.

Also, the mayor has proposed $5.95 million in what is known as non-net school funding, for transportation and other non-foundation-related costs. The figure is $3.65 million less than the School Department requested and is $1.8 million less than last year. While the cut could result in a loss of bus and other transportation services for students, it is not expected to result in layoffs, Rodrigues said.

The mayor said he crafted his financial plan mindful of preserving teachers, public safety personnel, and core services. But he also stressed the budget was already bare-boned. The mayor cut $3 million in his first year in office, and $5 million in his second year. This is the mayor's third budget process.

"It should be clear that the city needs an infusion of new revenues," the mayor said in his budget message. Without help from the state, "the city will confront the same difficult choice which many communities recently have faced: Raise the property tax or significantly reduce service levels, including public safety."

Milton J. Valencia can be reached at valencia@globe.com.