Toledo budget: Trees or police?

TOLEDO - For quite a while now, FOX Toledo has been telling you about the dire financial situation for the city of Toledo. But did you know the city still has money to plant trees? That has some residents concerned.

After a FOX Toledo story that aired Tuesday night about major cuts across the city, including police officers, viewers contacted us about why the city planted trees in their yard just this week, but is having trouble paying for police officers.

The questions center around newly planted Zelcova trees on Oak Grove Lane in West Toledo. Some of the neighbors out there want to know where the city has money for trees, if somewhere between 40 and 75 police officers are about to lose their jobs.

The answer is that these trees are paid for through assessments, which come from property taxes. Police officers come from the General fund which comes from income tax. Lower income tax collections are one big reason why city unions are now being asked to take a 10% pay cut.

"We know there's a real problem. We know that we have to address it quickly, but right now we don't have a cohesive team," said Alan Cox of AFSCME Local 2058.

Union leaders met with Mayor Carty Finkbeiner Wednesday to talk about how the $28 million deficit can be erased.

"I don't think anybody can be happy but we can at least be satisfied if a reasonable effort is made and everyone gets to participate," said Cox.

City leaders are basically saying because of this financial emergency, union contracts can be suspended. Union members clearly are not happy about that.

"Let's allow the employees some options. You just tell them this is what we need from you and then let the employees decide which of three or four options they will use to get to that point," said Cox.

But the way the system is set up now, fewer trees won't be the answer.

Mayor Finkbeiner said in a statement Wednesday:

"I appreciate the union presidents sitting down with me this morning. We had an open and frank discussion about the importance of working together to help balance the City's budget. I look forward to working with them and resolving these labor issues."

AFSMCE Local 7 is not included in these cuts because that union already has a deal with the city.

Questions or comments on this story: Contact Shaun Hegarty