Nov. 29, 2010
Mayor: Too Early, Too Many Variables for 4-Day Huntington Work Week Evaluation
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Although several Huntington City Council members have questioned the savings based on the first quarter financial report of the City of Huntington, Mayor Kim Wolfe has said “it’s too early to tell.”
Wolfe sent the memo to employees on November 18 which provided the administration’s analysis of coping with the reduced budget.
“We are in the process of analyzing the results of the reduced work week and its effectiveness,” Wolfe said. “When the decision was made , I was faced with a number of options: across-the –board reductions, layoffs, rolling furloughs and/or the reduction of hours.”
Wolfe’s statement reminded that Huntington City Council voted to exempt the police and fire departments from work reduction, thus, eliminating the across-the-board option. Calling the reduced work week as having “the least impact on services,” the Mayor cited “a number of variables at play” which preclude a definitive “has it been effective” answer.
By contrast, Huntington City Council Chairman Jim Insco has flatly stated , “We are not seeing savings by going to a four day week.”
His statement had been preceded by an analysis of the First Quarter Financial Report by Finance committee chairman, Steve Williams.
“Upon reviewing the results in 1st Quarter Personal Services results, I question whether the administration’s policy of reduced hours and a shortened work week is providing the savings that was projected. I understand only 80 of the nearly 300 employees are affected,” Williams stated, adding, ” I am particularly concerned with the direction of the Salaries and Overtime lines because we have no direct control over those specific lines in the budget.”
Williams opined that personal services have come in as budgeted at 25.81%. “However, a closer look presents a few red flags. The salaries line item is at 26.4% of budget year to date with overtime at 31.96% year to date. Eleven of the [city’s] departments or divisions spent in excess of 27% of their salary line item. [Of those], four spent in excess of 28% of their Overtime budget with three of the four in excess of 33%.”
Insco has questioned how “comp time” is accrued since this line item has increased due to the compressed work schedule for certain employees.
Despite the challenges advanced by several council members, Wolfe told employees , “I will continue to review the expenses that occur across departments , and will work with staff to determine the most effective ways to provide service without creating additional burdens. I am open to any recommendations that you have for us to save money and to do things better.”
First quarter budget results and the savings by closing City Hall Friday’s will be on the agenda Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. for council’s Finance Committee meeting in council chambers.
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Mayor: Too Early, Too Many Variables for 4-Day Huntington Work Week Evaluation
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Although several Huntington City Council members have questioned the savings based on the first quarter financial report of the City of Huntington, Mayor Kim Wolfe has said “it’s too early to tell.”
Wolfe sent the memo to employees on November 18 which provided the administration’s analysis of coping with the reduced budget.
“We are in the process of analyzing the results of the reduced work week and its effectiveness,” Wolfe said. “When the decision was made , I was faced with a number of options: across-the –board reductions, layoffs, rolling furloughs and/or the reduction of hours.”
Wolfe’s statement reminded that Huntington City Council voted to exempt the police and fire departments from work reduction, thus, eliminating the across-the-board option. Calling the reduced work week as having “the least impact on services,” the Mayor cited “a number of variables at play” which preclude a definitive “has it been effective” answer.
By contrast, Huntington City Council Chairman Jim Insco has flatly stated , “We are not seeing savings by going to a four day week.”
His statement had been preceded by an analysis of the First Quarter Financial Report by Finance committee chairman, Steve Williams.
“Upon reviewing the results in 1st Quarter Personal Services results, I question whether the administration’s policy of reduced hours and a shortened work week is providing the savings that was projected. I understand only 80 of the nearly 300 employees are affected,” Williams stated, adding, ” I am particularly concerned with the direction of the Salaries and Overtime lines because we have no direct control over those specific lines in the budget.”
Williams opined that personal services have come in as budgeted at 25.81%. “However, a closer look presents a few red flags. The salaries line item is at 26.4% of budget year to date with overtime at 31.96% year to date. Eleven of the [city’s] departments or divisions spent in excess of 27% of their salary line item. [Of those], four spent in excess of 28% of their Overtime budget with three of the four in excess of 33%.”
Insco has questioned how “comp time” is accrued since this line item has increased due to the compressed work schedule for certain employees.
Despite the challenges advanced by several council members, Wolfe told employees , “I will continue to review the expenses that occur across departments , and will work with staff to determine the most effective ways to provide service without creating additional burdens. I am open to any recommendations that you have for us to save money and to do things better.”
First quarter budget results and the savings by closing City Hall Friday’s will be on the agenda Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. for council’s Finance Committee meeting in council chambers.
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