Early retirements save big money in Cary

Three veteran Cary public works employees are taking retirements, saving the village more than $100,000 in the next fiscal year, officials said.

Maintenance worker Walter Wika, lab technician Diane Knight, and Ron McCarty, the chief plant operator, all have announced their intention to retire within the next 12 months.

In exchange, they get will a compensation package that includes three days pay for every year of service and 12 months of health coverage starting on the day they retire.

Under the agreement, Cary will paying out a total of $56,984.40 to the trio.

The village board approved the retirements last week. Officials say they do not intend to replace Wika and Knight, who retire at the end of September. McCarty is due to retire in April 2011.

Combined, the employees brought 70 years of experience to Cary.

"The village has no concern about the loss of expertise because we've got some experienced, long-serving staff," Village Administrator Cameron Davis said.

In the last five years, Cary has reduced its payroll by 15 positions, going from 82 employees in 2005 to 67 this year.

In the last fiscal year, the board shaved $100,000 from its general fund by delaying the purchase of vehicles, cutting nonessential training, freezing raises for Davis and department heads and curbing coffee purchases.

"We did the program to help with our ongoing downsizing efforts," Davis said.

Although the fiscal year began May 1, the village still is working on a final budget. It should be complete this week, Davis said.

"It's tough times and they're obviously having to make tough decisions," he said, explaining the delay.