Politics & Government

Mayor: 'Layoffs are Not Off the Table'

In light of looming state budget cuts, the mayor said it is a "difficult time for all local governments."

With the possibility of $750,000 in state money being cut from Stow's budget over the next two years, Mayor Karen Fritschel said reorganization is going to be key to avoid any potential layoffs in the city.

The mayor has continuously said that she wants to avoid layoffs and "It's something I do not want to do unless it's absolutely necessary." Reorganization of city departments, along with other plans, are still the focus over any layoffs, she said.

Stow would see its state funding halved during the next two fiscal years if the budget, now in the Ohio Senate, is passed as-is.

Find out what's happening in Stowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also, if the section about removing the estate tax for communities is put back into the budget, Stow could lose up to $500,000 annually beginning in 2013. 

"We have to make some really tough decisions with the loss of these funds," Fritschel said. "Stow and every other municipality is in the same boat. We’ll have to make even more cuts."

Find out what's happening in Stowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City council passed a $26.5 million budget in January with a 4-3 vote.

Cuts already in place include a hiring freeze, a pay freeze for non-union employees, elimination of some part-time jobs, 36 full-time vacancies, energy efficiency incentives and limits on overtime, Fritschel said.

There are currently 201 full-time employees in Stow.

"This is a difficult time for all local governments – a great challenge," Fritschel said. "We’ll figure out ways to handle all of this ... find ways to keep Stow a great city, but it will be challenging."

The mayor started the Joint Committee on Reorganization and Revenue Changes to come up with ideas on how to tackle the state cuts inevitably coming to the city.

Along with Fritschel, members include council President .

Raising taxes is not being considered, Fritschel said.

"I will not support raising city revenue through increased taxes and fees," Riehl said.

Riehl, along with fellow councilmen Mike Rasor and Joe Hickin, voted against the budget this winter. 

"During our budget talks this year, I specifically warned about the strong likelihood of state cuts, especially the estate tax, and I urged them to lower the budget," he said.

Cuts are coming however, and Riehl said reorganization was the focus over layoffs.

"The mayor has stated numerous times throughout the past year that layoffs are off the table. I take her at her word," Riehl said. "The mayor mostly talked about the reorganization of departments at our first meeting."

Several more meetings with the Joint Committee on Reorganization and Revenue Changes are scheduled to discuss Stow's direction.

"We are looking at how to reorganize the current staff for the best way to get jobs done," said Fritschel. "There's  a number of ideas on the table. We're waiting to decide the best way to go."

The committee is also going to talk about the possibility of sharing services with other communities. 

"Navigating through this continuing financial turmoil is going to require outside-the-box thinking," Riehl said. "Stow will be able grow and thrive by being a leader in promoting smart business development. Increasing revenue through higher taxes, more fees and more regulation is not the path."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Stow