Story posted Thursday, February 4, 2010
Incentive Program, Job Cuts In Works
By CRAIG ADAMS Journal & Topics Reporter
Wheeling plans to shed 23 employees, 15 through a voluntary exit incentive program, seven more through involuntary terminations, and one through a consolidation of positions.
Trustees at their meeting on Monday, Feb. 1 authorized the expenditure of up to $441,400 for the incentive program and severance packages. Village Manager Jon Sfondilis explained the village offered the exit incentive program to all employees. Any employee that took the incentive would receive a $10,000 flat fee and an additional $1,000 for every year of service up to a maximum of $20,000 total.
Sfondilis said the village did not call it an early retirement program.
"They may be people that want to switch careers or may be moving out of state," he said. However, many of the 15 employees have been with the village for at least 20 years.
Among those that took the incentive were two police officers, a police records supervisor, an administrative secretary, and several people in public works. Four firefighters and two clerks also took the incentive, but those positions will be replaced to maintain service levels. "We have to provide the level of service that our board expects and our residents expect," Sfondilis said. He explained that remaining workers would need to contribute a little more to make sure work is still completed. "We had to shuffle responsibilities," he said.
After identifying those employees that wanted the incentive package, the village then moved to terminate seven more employees and pay them their severance packages. Those employees include an engineering inspector, a finance clerk, a community service officer, a fire inspector, and additional public works staff.
"It forced the opportunity to look at efficiencies," Sfondilis said. "I really am proud of all of our employees, especially our department heads, that really had to tighten their belts and look beyond the responsibilities of their departments." He explained that supervisors understood that some jobs were not just the responsibility of their department, but were a responsibility of the village that could be consolidated with tasks of other workers.
Sfondilis also eliminated his former position. "I consolidated the position of assistant village manager with the director of human resources," he said, giving the title to Mike Crotty.
The last day for all 22 employees will be Friday, Feb. 26, Sfondilis said. "The savings this year are only reflective of 10 months of salary," he explained, and must offset the cost of the program. "The substantial savings come next year." The village expects to save more than $1.5 million in the 2011 budget.
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