Positions Eliminated

Taken from the December 13, 2009 City Managers report to City Council

Positions Eliminated
Sadly, we continue to work through the details of the 7 layoffs that will occur after the first of the year. I regret that we have any layoffs, but given the financial times we are in, there are very few choices. As Council knows, we also recommended elimination of another 7 unfilled positions from the budget, 4 of which are on hold pending a discussion on finances after the first quarter of next year.

Telling the truth is always the best policy.

God, grant senior City of Middletown staff accountability, honesty and compassion.  May each of these officials know how their actions/inaction affects the lives of good, hard-working citizens.

I hope it's ok if i chime in. Larry Tuttle took over when the previous Chief Building Official retired a year ago. Before this he was one of the inspectors. That department (or division, not sure which) has been steadily shrinking for a few years. Originally there was 1 CBO, 3 inspectors, and 3 office support people. There is now just Larry the CBO, 2 inspectors, and 1 office person. Next year, due to the layoffs it will be just Larry and the office person, along with whatever that redefined position is.

Regarding what Viet said about the top heavy bit, in this instance I think there is some reason to have a CBO, but I'm not sure what it is. It might be something to do with demolishing buildings, but that's only a guess. Also, the less work there is for a department, the more grunt work the head of the department has to do as they get rid of the underlings. The remaining secretary can't inspect a building, but the inspector, or in this case the CBO, can type his own letters and answer phones as well as do inspections. And as you guys have discussed in other forums, at some point, the departments can get absorbed or discontinued, and the work they do gets farmed out. I think that's probably what may happen, if these layoffs keep going next year.

I think this would apply to any business...the less money there is to justify keeping an employee, the more the boss or owner has to do in order to keep the doors open.

We are all expendable, but job security tends to flow uphill, instead of down. Farm out all of the departments; and last one out turn off the lights.

God bless Middletown.

Since the HUD Consolidated Planning Committee was abolished by Ginger Smith, Doug Adkins and Judy Gilleland, the general public has no real access to what is going on behind the scenes in the Community Revitalization Department.  Mr. Adkins has already pointed out that he has plenty of oversight from HUD - Columbus Field Office and Miss Gilleland.  I know better!