BARBERTON, Ohio — The city of Barberton has announced that its spending proposal for this year will include keeping its jail open and suspending plans to lay off four full-time firefighters.
In a release issued on Wednesday night, the city said that Mayor William B. Judge and his administration made 'very difficult budgetary concessions' in order to keep the city's jail open and keep the four firefighter positions intact.
Barberton City Council is expected to pass the budget proposal at their meeting on March 25.
The city says that working with regional leaders and internally with the Barberton Municipal Court have allowed for a budget that, for now, maintains current operations within the jail and fire department. They emphasized that without operational adjustments and further agreements, current service levels will be unsustainable.
“This budget process has been a significant undertaking with operational and capital constraints, as well as unfunded mandates from the state and federal government”, Mayor Judge wrote in a statement. “With the continued loss of local government funds and the devastating impact of the relocation of Babcock & Wilcox (B&W), financial adversities will continue into 2020. Without additional revenues moving forward, we must take a hard look at re-organization, service evaluation, program necessities, and operational changes as we approach 2020 and beyond."
Judge also praised the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the city's Non-Bargaining employees for their 'understanding and willingness to make concessions to assist the City and our community in balancing this year’s budget.'
