City Mangement’s Financial Decisions Questioned By Terry Wright
(NOTE: Lucy Fess is the 5th Ward Piqua City Commissoner. Terry’s letter is posted verbatim as received.)
March 11, 2008
Dear Lucy,
I am writing to you because I believe that you make a difference.
The front page article of the Piqua Daily Call on March 1, 2008, entitled “Piqua City Manager Says No Truth to Layoff Reports,” Will E. Sanders quoted Enderle’s memo to city employees that “before reductions occur we will be looking at reorganizing functions and/or reallocating positions and/or tasks or functions through employee attrition.”
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, attrition means “a reduction in numbers usually as a result of resignation, retirement, or death.” I have seen numerous instances where words on behalf of the city have been unclear, vague, manipulative or easily misinterpreted as to meaning.
Instead of talking about layoffs of safety employees why isn’t the city addressing the long desired need of an additional fire and ambulance service on the west side of the city?
When I worked for the Miami County Commissioners there was a full time grants person who worked directly out of the commissioners’ office. That person was responsible for applying and securing monies which assisted many property and business owners. Wouldn’t a grants person be more useful to our community over additional added positions such as a full time law director that never seemed necessary in the past?
Today, March 11, 2008, I read Susan Hartley’s front page PDC article “City Studies Financial Shortfall,” It reports “Enderle and his staff presented several suggestions on how the city could begin saving money – as well as grow revenues by increasing the costs of permits and other city fees.” And, “We’ve systematically been raising fees for water, sewer, utilities.”
According to the same article Enderle stated, “We didn’t get here overnight.” Weren’t the commissioners alerted to financial problems before rumors of layoffs and “attrition” began circulating?
Secondly, isn’t it interesting that when the city experiences financial difficulties, the city manager’s first idea is to single out property owners for increased inspection fees, services, permits and fines?
According to the same March 11th article, “A discussion of the Piqua Health Department was also on the agenda Monday. If commission decides to eliminate the department, the city would see a savings of $52,867. However, Enderle said, the city would then have to contract for services with the county health department, which could end up costing even more.” Where did these figures come from? Do you have itemized documentation on this? Why not contract the entire health department’s services with the county? Can you get itemized documentation on this savings?
The cost of contracting for services with the county health department has worked for this city in the past unless, of course, the city now sees the use of the health department as a primary revenue raising source. I know that when Richard Slone got his High St. property inspected recently due to a request by the City Planning Dept., it was the county inspectors who inspected it.
Another point mentioned in the article was the possibility of closing the city pool if there are less than 25 patrons present. As a parent who purchases annual pool passes for their children, there would be a problem with selling annual pool passes only to find that the pool would be closed at indeterminable times due to attendance. Perhaps annual sales of pool memberships would need to be discontinued.
Finally, we need to be proactive in the community, which I believe you are. The city needs to be looking for ways to help its citizens instead of finding new ways to punish individuals.
On June 1, 2008, I will be retiring from teaching after 31 years with the state. I hold a M.A. from the University of Dayton in Pre-Law and an M.A. from Wright State University in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Development. I also have certification as a Paralegal. I would be willing to serve on a meaningful city committee that would begin to look for ways to obtain grants, a way to secure a much needed additional fire station and ways to assist all of the business and property owners in the city.
Thank you for your kindness. I appreciate all that you do.
Sincerely,
Terry D. Wright
