Local Government TV

▼

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

NorCo Exec Brown Addresses Courthouse Rumors

Exec John Brown and supporters
On Monday, I told you about some of the circulating courthouse rumors, which usually grow during contract negotiations or at budget time. I'm hearing a large number this year because we have a new Executive, it's budget time and there are seven expired union contracts. Late last week, I approached someone who could respond to some of the rumors, but was told all press inquiries must be addressed to Director of Administration Luis Campos. I tried explaining that restriction has no application to bottom-feeding bloggers, but no dice. I sent Campos an email. Instead of hearing from him, County Executive John Brown replied.

1) Does the Executive plan 800 lay-offs, or any lay-offs at all? Response to part 1: "NO" Response to part 2: "We are currently working on our first phase of the budget process. In 2012 Northampton County ran 18M over revenue, in 2013 it was 14M over revenue, the 2014 budget is at 18M over revenue. We need to break the habitual spending habit and examine all possibilities and create a balanced budget without the use of reserve funds. Since we are only in the first phase of the 2015 budget process it is too soon to highlight any specific changes."

2) Have 90 workers put in for retirement this year? "NO. In 2011 we had 81 in 2012 we had 67 in 2013 we had 76 and year to date amount for 2014 is 52."

3) What can you share about union negotiations? "I can not discuss current union negotiations, as we are still in the process."

4) Won't a change in the accrula [I meant accrual] rate have a detrimental impact on pensions? "We are currently fact checking the information you provided and will get back to you on this question."
at

11 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 1:51 AM

    Yesterday, you wrote, "Another proposal under review is a change in the accrual rate from its current calculation of 1/50 to 1/60. If this applies to existing pensions, it appears to me that it will have a detrimental impact. That decision must come from the Retirement Board." Maybe I'm wrong, but I checked the little green retirement book that the County gave me and on the front page it revealed that, since 1/1/1972, the accrual rate is already at 1/60th. Is that what the County Executive is checking? When did it change to 1/50th? Please look into this. This is definitely a HUGE difference.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 6:28 AM

    the answers to those questions didn't provide any concrete answers or did I miss something ?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 6:31 AM

    where does he stand on raises? or increase cost to employee healthcare ?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 7:33 AM

    The fact that the county executive responded to this blog rag is further evidence of his incompetency. His corporate speak is the usual non substantive jive.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 8:33 AM

    The county has no money. Expect layoffs, give backs, budget cuts and a tax increase. It's a story as old as the county and it doesn't matter who's in charge. Use history as a guide and don't be surprised.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 10:58 AM

    Sell Gracedale.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Should have been sold 3 years ago, but now there aren't 5 votes on Council to sell. There are no profiles in courage either willing to raise taxes to pay for the $8.2 million loss or make the cuts in wages and benefits necessary for the home to break even. The surplus is gone. I'm guessing Brown proposes a 14% tax increase and gets no support from the Dems who claim to support Gracedale. What it needs now is tough love. It's time for "hard choices" like privatizing housekeeping, laundry, and food service.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    The problem is Gracedale. Stoffa was right.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousAugust 27, 2014 at 5:19 PM

    An e-mail went out to county employees today telling them pension changes are coming.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bernie O'HareAugust 27, 2014 at 5:28 PM

    I will post it for those who did not see it later.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousAugust 28, 2014 at 3:32 PM

    "The problem is Gracedale. Stoffa was right."

    No John you were not right. It is far more complicated then that.

    ReplyDelete

You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.