Aurora still working to finalize 2010 budget

Aurora's 2010 budget will be completed about a month later than expected and likely will include at least 10 more layoffs, officials said Monday.

Mayor Tom Weisner promised earlier this year to present aldermen with a balanced budget by mid-October and then pushed that date to the end of the month.

Although no budget presentation is on the agenda for this evening's city council meeting, Assistant Chief of Staff Carie Anne Ergo said not to worry.

"It's a little bit late but the mayor still intends to have a budget to the finance committee in November, with plenty of time for the council to approve it by the end of the year," she said.

Ergo said many of the city's revenue sources have been getting their projections in later than expected, especially counties still calculating their equalized assessed valuations.

"In earlier years, when property values were climbing, communities were able to assume an increase and get their projections in early," Ergo said. "Now, they're forced to wait until later to get more accurate numbers."

She warned the city is also still "in concession talks" with each of its unions.

Aldermen are expected to approve an agreement today with AFSCME Local 1514, which includes 130 public works and water and sewer maintenance employees. That pact would provide members with an average annual 1.93 percent raise through 2012 and guarantees no members will be laid off through 2010, including the four given layoff notices last month.

Early last month, Finance Director Brian Caputo provided aldermen with an update indicating revenues had fallen more than originally anticipated, leaving a projected $5.6 million general fund shortfall in 2009. Caputo estimated the 2010 shortfall could reach $19 million unless the city reduces operating costs.

Since earlier this summer, Weisner and Caputo have warned that reductions in personnel costs are essential to balancing the city budget because they account for nearly 82 percent of the general fund expenditures.

In a memo from Weisner to AFSCME Local 3298 President Krista Heinke, dated Oct. 14., in which he attempts to persuade Local 3298 members to take a deal similar to Local 1514, Weisner warned city employees they could expect more of the same.

"This is not a year in which I can foresee balancing a budget without significantly reducing employee costs. We already have laid off salaried employees, as well as announced freezes, furloughs and benefits adjustments for those who remain," he wrote.

"As you know, we also have announced layoffs in your bargaining unit. I regret to advise you that, given the current economic situation, we will need to lay off additional bargaining unit employees before the end of the year - by my estimate I believe at least 10 more in addition to those announced earlier."

The current budget expires at midnight Jan. 1, 2010, but Ergo warned cuts may come after the budget has been approved if the changes were not significant enough to pull the city out of the deficit.