When it comes to solving Gilroy’s serious systemic budget
issues, public safety comes first. Why? Because the costs for
public safety
– fire services and police protection – eat up nearly 80 percent
of the city’s General Fund budget.
1. Gilroy’s systemic budget issue can only be solved with Council resolve
When it comes to solving Gilroy’s serious systemic budget issues, public safety comes first. Why? Because the costs for public safety – fire services and police protection – eat up nearly 80 percent of the city’s General Fund budget.
The Council should take a systematic approach to cure the systemic problem. But don’t hold your breath because taking up the issue head on invites political punishment from the public safety unions. Thus far, Council incumbents – especially those like Dion Bracco who are running for re-election – run as fast as they can away from this issue preferring, against all logic, to look the other way and leave the problem to whoever gets elected down the road.
It’s too bad that taking a stand for the long-term benefit of this community takes a back seat to the sacred ritual that guarantees ever-escalating pay and benefits for public safety union members.
2. Four firefighters per engine the worst example of binding arbitration
Let’s take the cash-sapping requirement for four firefighters per engine “won” by Gilroy’s firefighters in binding arbitration. It’s a travesty, really. The only other city in Santa Clara County that holds to that standard is San Jose. So, Gilroy has four firefighters per engine who hop the truck on to go out on calls which are 95 percent medical in nature. It’s incredibly expensive, unfathomable overkill and absolutely unnecessary.
Thus, the first item on the list for addressing the systemic problems which exist is for Gilroy voters to repeal binding arbitration. That law, imbedded in the City Charter currently, allows an out-of-town attorney to settle labor issues that come up between the city and its public safety unions. Step one in launching the effort to repeal binding arbitration is to have the City Council vote to place the issue before voters on a ballot.
3. Council unlikely to take the high road and put the issue to the people
Letting the community decide if the current spending level for pay and benefits for firefighters and police is appropriate is more than a defensible position for any elected Council member. But it’s unlikely to happen. Against all logic and best interests of the community, the issue will likely be masked in vague verbosity, unworkable hybrid proposals and summarily skewered into political chopped liver.
That will merely put off the inevitable, however. Gilroy simply can’t afford the pay and benefits being offered currently. Push will come to shove, jobs will be lost and the quality of life in our town will suffer. Meanwhile, the pay and benefits for firefighters and police will continue to rise.
