41 Sullivan County jobs saved for next year

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — With the county facing an extremely tight budget in 2007, county officials predicted that as many as 41 current employees would be let go at the end of this year. But at the financial committee meeting on November 9, county manager David Fanslau said those layoffs are now “off the table” as a way to balance the upcoming budget. Some 183 vacant positions will still be eliminated next year, but the announcement that no current employees will be fired came as a relief to county lawmakers.

Jonathan Rouis, chairman of the Sullivan County Financial Management Committee, praised Fanslau for quick action and said now “the employees will be able to concentrate on their jobs,” rather than worrying if they will still have a job.

The principal reason for the brighter employment picture is a better-than-expected response to a retirement incentive plan unveiled by Fanslau at the meeting.

Fanslau said, “We have had several serious inquiries into this program, and I believe the financial savings the county will realize in utilizing this program will allow us to mitigate other aspects of the 2007 tentative budget.”

The program would allow eligible employees to choose one of three retirement incentive programs. The first would allow the employee to take a $20,000 lump-sum payment in cash, or to be placed in a health insurance bank to be used to offset the cost of the retiree’s health insurance premiums. The second option calls for the retiree to take an annual payment of $3,000 for 15 years, which would be placed in a health insurance bank to be used to offset the cost of the retiree’s health insurance premiums. The third option calls for an increased buyout of the retiree’s back sick time; buyout for sick time in excess of 100 days will be paid at a rate of 50 percent of the employee’s rate at the day of retirement.

Minority Leader Rodney Gaebel said, “No one here wanted layoffs to be an issue, but at the time of the tentative budget release, there was no other choice. After collaborating together and with the union leadership, we are now able to remove that possibility, which is good for everyone involved.”

The resolution authorizing the retirement incentive program was passed unanimously at the financial management committee, and will be voted on by the full board on November 16.