Vallejo council pegs budget crisis as city's top priority

Who wrote this article, the Fire Union?

First:
"The city must cover $4.2 million in costs stemming from the failed efforts to cut fire staff."

The 4.2 mil didn't "stem" from the "failed efforts". If there had been no "efforts" it would still have cost the city 4.2 mil.

Second:
"The general fund is facing a $10.1 million deficit next fiscal year, as a result, partly, of lower than expected revenues, and an arbitrator's decision preventing the city from cutting Vallejo Fire Department staff."

Again, the city would have the 10.1 mil deficit regardless of whether there was an arbiter or not.

The failed battles against the FF's 10% raise increase did cost the city some dollars (maybe 500k), but it didn't cause a 14.4 mil deficit as implied here.

Great, just what we need. A 3.5 hour discussion to decide the obvious, at an exorbitant cost (a consultant plus 30 other employees who were there but didn't actively contribute?).

In the meantime, City employees are starting to work with the unions to bargain away our future yet again.

It's time to get out of this city.

well let's see.... it took the city and council in a mind boggling meeting to deside what the citizens of vallejo have known all along. wow, what brain power. a one brain cell each the grand total was astounding. they could have asked a drunk on the street corner what should be the piority and could have gotten that answer between him throwing up. fire all police and fire and start over with new job discriptions and lower salaries. next, set a budget allowing a percentage of their salaries to be a set percentage of the budget. when the new bunch gets in washington, there will be a lot of labor available willing to work for far less. so brace for the impact and costs of up to over 40 million new people more then willing to work for minimum wage.

Too bad for the citizens that can not leave! If looking to move here think again. More like the City of LOST opportunity.. Sad..

The city counsel and the mayor need to figure it out. They need to bring large company and businesses into Vallejo. Why do Police and Fire always have to bail the city out. The city shouldn't agree to contracts and pay raises if they can't keep their word. Plan for the future,and make Vallejo a great city. Cutting Police and Fire services will deeply effect the citizens!

Masterpiece well said. I believe the police and fire unions did not break the city. The city leaders over the last 8 to 12 years broke themselves. The city leader knew this deficit was coming a long time ago. They just stood around and stared at each other hoping it would go away.

By scaring off big business and not allowing new business into Vallejo, we have lost millions.
I am so tired of hearing how Vallejo could of had an Indian Casino, a prison, mall etc........ the point is that our city leader never wanted any of these big money makers. All the other cities around Vallejo have made much better decisions with business. It is never too late, hopefully with our new mayor in charge, we can bring in some big business to Vallejo. It is all about business tax folks.

You guys need a shot of reality. The Fire Union buys the council members through campaign contributions (4 members currently). The council gives the Fire Union a sweet **** deal. What's so complicated about this.

Also contracts are not some holy scriptures from god. Contacts can be changed, renewed, and legally broken, ie chap11.

This idea that just because the former Fire Union's bought council agreed to the contract, Vallejo should just bend over, is the type of ignorant ideas that got this city in this mess in the first place.

To RES,

I work in finance in the private sector. Chapter 11 is not the way to go. It will cost Vallejo 9 plus million in attorney fee alone. There are so many other negative factors to chapter 11. Chapter 11 is what you do when you don't know what you are doing or you don't care anymore.

The city needs to bring in more business and the city employees have to come back to the table.

How about a pay CUT for the City Manager to start...His paltry deal is worth 452.000$$$$$ per year SHAME ON THE MESS..

I agree with you Vali, we have been very poor business managers. hopefully we have learned from our mistakes.

To Vali,

I agree to what your comments regarding about the city needs to bring in more business. But why the Police Dept. constantly harassing businesses to the point that business owners are tired of dealing with the harassment & phony charges to the point that they will close business or the Police Dept. will. The Police Dept. are suppose to protect and serve the community, but it's just the opposite. The police constantly harassing any businesses that deal with the sales of liquor: restaurants, bars & liquor stores. Instead of finding a solution to the problematic of such businesses, the police dept. will file charges and have that business branded as public nuisance, then they have the power to close it down. Businesses provides income for the city,as well as providing jobs to the community. But the police dept.priorities seems in not same page as the mayor, city council etc. Perhaps the new mayor should ask the police dept. if any pending litigation or investigation about businesses that will affect the income for the city, as well providing employment. As you well aware, high unemployment locally will translates to high crime activity. Before you know it, the police dept. will no longer have any businesses to close, just hearing the closing of cell doors.

The city does need to bring in more business, with the recent increase in violent crime, we are not a very attractive place.
The citizens in Vallejo need to face reality. Having police, fire protection, nice infrastructure COSTS MONEY. The deficit of $14 mil would mean a tax of $120 per person, 10 bucks a month and lots of piece of mind and perhaps companies might take a look at Vallejo if the felt that the community was truly supportive of creating a nice safe , clean community. There are cities in the bay area that have attracted business, which attracts educated workers who demand good schools, good infrastructure, and are willing to pay for it.
The last election was a good example of how little the community supports anything. low voter turnout is a example of a community that does not care about its future. There is an element and a mentality in this city that wants, cheap housing,
social benefits, mediocre schools, turns a blind eye to drugs, alchol abuse, gang crime etc. because it guarantees their current lifestyle.
With police and fire personnel retiring in droves, impending budjet cuts, Vallejo could be the next Oakland in terms of crime.
If citizens truly want a livable community that has job growth, education opportunities, and a community that people want to move to, then they need to pay for it!!! Paying 3-4hundred dollars per household is cheap.

flj wrote:

The city does need to bring in more business, with the recent increase in violent crime, we are not a very attractive place.
The citizens in Vallejo need to face reality. Having police, fire protection, nice infrastructure COSTS MONEY. The deficit of $14 mil would mean a tax of $120 per person, 10 bucks a month and lots of piece of mind and perhaps companies might take a look at Vallejo if the felt that the community was truly supportive of creating a nice safe , clean community. There are cities in the bay area that have attracted business, which attracts educated workers who demand good schools, good infrastructure, and are willing to pay for it.
The last election was a good example of how little the community supports anything. low voter turnout is a example of a community that does not care about its future. There is an element and a mentality in this city that wants, cheap housing,
social benefits, mediocre schools, turns a blind eye to drugs, alchol abuse, gang crime etc. because it guarantees their current lifestyle.
With police and fire personnel retiring in droves, impending budjet cuts, Vallejo could be the next Oakland in terms of crime.
If citizens truly want a livable community that has job growth, education opportunities, and a community that people want to move to, then they need to pay for it!!! Paying 3-4hundred dollars per household is cheap.

Placed in this proper perspective I wouldn't mind paying an extra 10 a month to get Vallejo out of the hole or at least flush.
However I would want a contract with the city to provide excellent professional and sane management in return.
Get salaries, pensions and overtime in line.
Start aggressively courting business, and light industry.
My overall impression is that there isnt a lot of
particularly creative or intelligent thinking in our city government, they all seem to be hold overs from the Navy-Gravy days when all the city staff had to do was sit on their asses push papers around and collect the money from the Feds for Mare Island,section 8 programs, and all the other financial perks a city gets for dealing with undesirable or unsavory elements.

Right on Seabee. Time for a change, let’s clear the decks. 20% compensation package cut for all management. 15% Compensation package cut for safety unions. If people want to leave OK, let’s swallow the bitter pill now. Bankruptcy – OK as a last resort. You say what? With this new low pay we won’t attract good people? Let’s take that chance. Economic development team, you’re all fired. Economic development commission, thank you for your service you are dismissed. Fresh start, new blood.

I moved to Vallejo, because of a business transfer, but I also realized that it was centraly located with easy access to Sac., SF, East Bay, S Bay etc. It is also a very pretty city with a tons of opportunity if the city and voters could just get their act together.

In the 3 years I have lived here, nothing has been done to lessen the crime, make the old downtown area, waterfront, Mare Island a very inviting place.

On Sat. I went to the farmers mkt., the number of closed storefronts on Georgia St. is apalling. When I first moved here, we had a difficult time finding parking around the market, there is a huge drop-off in attendance due to some of the rough looking characters who hang around during this weekly event. I manage a number of stores in the North Bay, I am concerned about the safety of the employees who work in the Vallejo location.
I do not woory about my locations in Fairfield, Napa, Vacaville, Marin County, Santa Rosa, Sonoma.

Mare Island should be a jewel in the crown for this city as well as your old downtown and the waterfront. Mare island seems to be just deteriorating before our eyes. Redevelopement has to be a priority for all 3 of these areas. American Canyon has built a number of projects during these 3 years, which have taken tax dollars from Vallejo. Where have the city policy makers been? Vacation?

If the citizens allow this city to lose control of crime because we are unable to keep essential safety people onboard, this city will be a little Oakland or Richmond with no hope that downtown will ever be redeveloped or Mare Island etc.

We need to cough up a few extra tax dollars, insist that the city be accountable for how they spend them, and do anything possible to attract business developement so that there are good paying job opportunities for its citizens as well as better schools, art, recreational opportunities.
This city can be attractive, it has history, it is centraly located, it has a ton of beautiful old neighborhoods.

It lacks leadership, it lacks citizens who give a damn or think that all of the good things come free. Spend a few bucks now or pay the price later.

SeaBee

If the public safety takes a 15% pay cut, they wouldnt "Be inline", they would be at the bottom. As far as their pension goes, that is paid by PERS, which the employee also funds. Once they retire, the city doesnt pay their pension.

FLJ when's the last time you were downtown Oakland Their downtown is busy and thriving. You can't find many empty store fronts and their night life and eateries are all making good money.

And FNB, I would do some more research as the city does continue to contribute to some of those that have left to work in other cities and and retire. I believe they still have to pay a portion of the retirement for the period of time they worked here.

To Fighting Back,

I don't know the procedures for the police, but there has to be a check and balance with the alcohol industry. I don't think running stings on business that serves alcohol will close them down.

I personally don't want minors buying alcohol. Look at the problems that exist with alcohol.

I am also aware of a program the police offer all the businesses who sell alcohol. It is funded by grants, so it does not cost the city any money.

I am going to find out more on how many grants the city gets. They must have a few.

FNB wrote:

SeaBee
If the public safety takes a 15% pay cut, they wouldnt "Be inline", they would be at the bottom. As far as their pension goes, that is paid by PERS, which the employee also funds. Once they retire, the city doesnt pay their pension.

What's with the presumption that I'm referring to the public safety sector ?!!!

Enlightenment wrote:

FLJ when's the last time you were downtown Oakland Their downtown is busy and thriving. You can't find many empty store fronts and their night life and eateries are all making good money.
And FNB, I would do some more research as the city does continue to contribute to some of those that have left to work in other cities and and retire. I believe they still have to pay a portion of the retirement for the period of time they worked here.

No they don't pay any of the retirement. They do pay for medical, but not the pension.