Painting scenarios, mayor tells Council of tiers of possible cuts

POLICE and fire layoffs, bimonthly trash pickup and up to 30 library closures were among the grim scenarios presented yesterday as Mayor Nutter briefed City Council on possible budget cuts.

The gloomy four-hour discussion marked the first time that Nutter has spoken publicly about the cuts he's pondering as the city works to close a second $1 billion budget gap in its five-year plan.

Nutter asked all department heads to provide scenarios to show how 10 percent, 20 percent or 30 percent cuts would affect their ability to provide services. Before department heads explained their findings to Council members, Nutter stressed that these were only hypothetical scenarios and that no action has been taken on next year's budget.

"No decisions have been made with regard to any of the proposals that you see," he said to the group of Council members and senior staffers at the meeting in the Municipal Services Building.

Nutter's budget approach has changed since last fall, when he met with Council behind closed doors to discuss his plans to close the first $1 billion hole, drawing criticism over a lack of transparency.

This time around Nutter decided to take no chances. Yesterday's session was part of a massive public budget process, which includes neighborhood visits, televised data sessions and community budget workshops. Nutter is scheduled to present his budget to Council on March 19.

Police and fire departments, which spend the bulk of their budgets on personnel, would see massive layoffs under the budget scenarios provided yesterday.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said that a 10 percent reduction would mean losing 929 sworn officers through layoffs and attrition, a 20 percent cut means a loss of 1,765 sworn officers and a 30 percent cut means losing 2,598 sworn officers.

"Obviously it would cause us to greatly reduce the operation as it currently is," said Ramsey, adding that a reduction would force him to close specialized units.

No explanation was offered during the briefing for why the 30 percent figures, for instance, were not exactly three times the 10 percent figures.

The Fire Department also presented a tough set of scenarios. A 10 percent cut would eliminate 163 jobs, a 20 percent cut 395 jobs and a 30 percent cut 627 jobs. Those cuts would include the shutdown of engine companies, ladder companies and medic units.

Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers acknowledged that such cuts could impact service.

"We believe there would be decreases in the ability to reach locations in time," Ayers said.

City services could also undergo major changes if some of the ideas discussed become reality.

The Streets Department weighed a number of options in its proposal, including reduced trash collection, charging fees for trash pickup and cutting street cleaning, said Commissioner Clarena Tolson.

Library service would be significantly reduced under any of the budget cuts, said Free Library Director Siobhan Reardon. A 10 percent cut could close 10 branches or mean reduced service at 49. A 20 percent cut could close 23 branches, or it could close 17 branches with 23 others taking half days.

Reardon acknowledged that the impact of a 30 percent cut was "draconian" - closing 30 branches.

Recreation centers could also take a major hit. At a 20 percent cut, 28 centers would be closed or 40 would go to half-days. A 30 percent cut would close 58 centers.

The data presented to Council will be used at the four public budget workshops, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania Project for Civic Engagement, and kicking off on Thursday.

Last year, Nutter laid off city workers, eliminated fire equipment and delayed tax cuts to close the first $1 billion gap. *