By Megan Matteucci
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County will have fewer new police officers and other workers, one fewer police precinct, a closed library and delayed road work under this year’s approved budget.
On Monday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution obtained plans from DeKalb’s department directors detailing the impact of $33.6 million in cuts in the 2011 budget. The reports show dozens of workers will lose their jobs and others face furloughs of two to 18 days.
“People’s pay and jobs are at stake with these cuts,” CEO Burrell Ellis told the AJC.
Last month, the County Commission rejected a tax increase and approved a $530 million budget that included cuts to every department.
Ellis maintains those cuts are not sustainable and has asked department heads to detail the effect on services. He also has asked the commission to approve an “interim” tax increase for six months.
Chief Operating Officer Richard Stogner said the county’s 6,800 employees should know in the next two to three weeks if their jobs are affected.
Commissioners want to delay layoffs until June. Commissioner Lee May, chairman of the budget committee, said they are still looking at the operational plans but have no immediate plans to raise taxes to cushion cuts.
“Our law department says there is no such thing as an interim tax increase.” May said. “We are still looking at the operational plans, but any reaction to lay off people now would be a knee-jerk reaction.”
Some departments already have begun making cuts. The library board voted to close the Scott Candler branch on McAfee Road. Other libraries will see reduced hours.
The police department has grounded helicopter patrols and is notifying recruits scheduled to attend the June academy that they no longer have a job.
A memo from Police Chief William O’Brien says he plans to cut 46 police officers, including the 40 vacancies the June academy was scheduled to fill and six new cadets.
The chief also is looking to close the Flakes Mill Precinct in south DeKalb and limit responses to theft, fraud, harassing phone calls, vandalism, gambling and other non-emergency calls.
The fire department’s proposal calls for cutting 197 positions to privatize ambulance services. That includes 89 current employees and 108 vacancies. Of the 89 current employees, 83 are now in the fire training academy, according to a memo from Fire Chief Eddie O’Brien.
Copyright 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution