By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

TROY — In an effort to plug a $5 million hole in the Troy city budget, council approved a plan to trim city staff, including police, by offering buyouts, although city leaders said residents shouldn’t notice the staff reduction — much.

In a 5-1 vote City Council approved voluntary separation incentive programs for city employees, including Troy police command officers, at the Nov. 10 meeting. Council member Mary Kerwin opposed the measures. Mayor Louise Schilling was absent due to illness. 

“I’m not a fan of early retirement,” Kerwin said. “I wish we could pursue some alternatives. We’re losing a wealth of experience.”

“I’d rather do something like this, if operational police can still be maintained,” said Council member Robin Beltramini. “I’d rather do that than cut 10 percent at all levels. It’s a good way for us to do what we have to do.”

Under the incentive program, 13 command officers would be eligible for the buyout, although Police Chief Charles Craft said that he doesn’t believe all who are eligible would retire. “If they did, we would have to replace a portion of those employees,” he said.

He assured the council that the Police Department is not currently overstaffed. “We have ample work for all those officers,” he said. “In ideal times, I would not be supporting this.”

Craft said the incentives would not affect the number of patrol officers, detectives and other operational positions.

He said the staff would absorb the workload of those who take the separation package. “This will not have an impact on our ability to respond,” he said. “You will see a change in the level of personalized police service. People are surprised when they get (a) call back from the police chief. Those calls probably won’t be as timely.”          

Assistant City Manager John Lamerato said he guessed that three or four command officers would take the buyout. “We’re looking at a minimum of three and a maximum of six for this program,” he said.

Under terms of the buyout, staff would transfer accrued pension funds from a defined contribution plan, handled by a third-party consultant, to the city’s retirement plan, and retire.

The city will also offer separation incentives to 94 other city staffers. Lamerato told the council that although he didn’t have a feel for how many staff members would accept the buyout, he estimated that it would be 20 employees, at most.

The incentives include one week of pay per year of service and an incremental service time stipend.

Of those who accept the buyouts, Lamerato said that 14 city staff positions would not be replaced and that departments would be restructured to absorb the workload. According to a cost analysis, eliminating 14 positions would result in a savings to the city of $1.3 million. Lamerato explained that figure is based on fringe benefits for staff members at the “high end” of the salary grade.

To fill gaps left by departing city employees, Lamerato said the city would look at blending units and combining services.

You can reach Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1054.