Trending
TORONTO -- To offset a decline in revenue triggered by the coronavirus, Toronto officials have ordered a freeze on new hires while looking at ways to curtail spending, including postponing the city's spring cleanup.
Following Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor John Parker said he and other city officials, including the finance committee chaired by Councilman G.R. Dickinson, had anticipated a 6 percent to 10 percent drop in revenue while developing the $13.2 million budget approved by council in February.
The city is expected to lose tax dollars from the many local businesses ordered by Gov. Mike DeWine to close on March 19 to prevent spread of the virus.
Parker said a vacancy in the sanitation department and an impending vacancy in the water-sewer department, following the retirement of a clerk, won't be filled at this time in an effort to save money.
He said council also has saved by approving a new contract for Tim Miller, the city's water superintendent.
On Monday council agreed to accept Miller's resignation so he could receive a pension and benefits from the state while rehiring him for a three-year period.
Parker said there currently aren't plans to hire summer help, which typically numbers 20 to 25, until he and others have determined whether the city's swimming pool and parks will reopen.
Parker said it's unlikely to occur on Memorial Day weekend, as it usually does, but he's hopeful it might reopen in July. He said the pool is heated and could remain open later in the season, if only for pool parties where attendance could be limited.
He said applicants for this year's summer help positions are on file and could be contacted when that determination is made.
Parker said the spring cleanup, normally held the week after Mothers Day, was postponed because it involved five or six sanitation crew members working closely together. He said it might be held in the fall instead.
The mayor added to keep spending down, focus will be placed on the most important projects.
He said street paving will be reduced to the higher traveled and more worn roadways but crews will be patching potholes elsewhere.
On Monday Parker asked council to identify alleys that could be tarred and chipped by crews with the Jefferson County Engineer's Department. He said such efforts have saved the city money in the past while resulting in a surface that has held up to the city's own heavy trucks.
In addition to lost taxes, the city will see a decline in payments for its water, wastewater treatment and sanitation services.
In response to the lockdown, the city's board of control -- which includes Parker, Services Director Alex Porreca and Safety Director William Scalley -- announced utility payments would be waived for affected businesses with 25 or fewer employees, local churches and residents placed on leave by their employers.
Parker said about 25 residents and most of the eligible businesses and churches applied for and were approved for the waiver.
He said the move means a short-term loss for the city that ultimately can help prevent smaller businesses from closing as well as helping residents weather financial difficulties.
Parker said he'd like to see the waiver extended for 30 days after the businesses have reopened, to help ensure their stability.
"As long as we can do it responsibly, we're going to help them," he said.
Also impacted by the virus is TIMET, the city's largest employer, where more than 200 workers have been sidelined by a downturn in the airline industry, for which it supplies metal.
Parker said he's not critical of the governor's actions.
"I think DeWine has done a great job and has saved lives by what he's done," he said.
And Parker said he's optimistic the gradual reopening prescribed by DeWine on Monday will restore the local economy.
"Once our economy is unleashed, I see everything coming back pretty quickly," he said while stressing the need to follow the precautions ordered by DeWine.
"The virus is still out there. It hasn't gone away. We have to act responsibly as the governor has outlined," said Parker, who also is the county's emergency management director.
"We'll get there faster if everyone is responsible. Every person really makes a difference now," he said.
To comply with recommendations for social distancing, council met on Monday by videoconference, with the meeting livestreamed on the city's Facebook page.
Council President Frank McEwen said the panel plans to do that again for its May 11 meeting and May 26 meeting, the latter moved from its usual date because of Memorial Day.
Both meetings will be held at 7 p.m.
McEwen is encouraging community members with issues they would like council to address to approach a council member or call the mayor's office at (740) 537-3743.