Union Gap cuts 5 1/2 jobs over heated protests

UNION GAP, Wash. -- Despite protests from about 50 residents and city employees, the Union Gap City Council voted 5-1 to cut 51/2 positions Monday night.

Councilman Dan Vanover cast the dissenting vote.

The cuts will take effect before the end of the year and consist of a janitor, a fire administrative secretary, a legal administrative secretary, a clerk receptionist and a police clerk. Hours for the full-time community resource officer will be reduced to part time.

With the exception of the police clerk, which is classified as a layoff, the other positions are being eliminated. Should additional funding be identified, the police clerk position could be refilled.

"It's a real dilemma," Councilman Dan Olson said about the staff cuts. "Looking at the city as a whole, it's what we have to do, and it's not fun."

Throughout the meeting, numerous people voiced their objections to the council's proposal.

They said the positions are essential to the functioning of the police, court and fire departments. If others are forced to assume new responsibilities, they said fewer people will be available to respond to emergencies. They also said the cuts will result in the city spending more money on overtime.

"It all boils down to priorities," said Sgt. Greg Cobb, president of the Union Gap Police Officers Association. "Dan Olson said we're all in this together. I don't get that impression."

Union Gap resident Don Mittlieder agrees, saying he's mortified by the council's decision and is ready to move because of it.

"There will be a 'For Sale' sign in front of my house tomorrow," said Mittlieder, who's lived in the city for 52 years. "I'm done with this city. ... It's an embarrassment being a Union Gap resident."

Across the board, those at the meeting said the last people hired should be the first ones fired -- not veteran employees. Those affected by the cuts have served the city from two to nearly 30 years. The city employs about 62 people.

Cobb and Wayne Johnson, a representative of Teamsters Local 760, said the city failed to do its research before deciding on the cuts and should have instead explored other possibilities -- such as reductions in the parks department or interfund transfers.

Through the cuts, the city expects its 2010 ending fund balance for general options to total more than $304,107. The projection does not include the elimination of the janitor.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or at esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.