Wichita city manager Robert Layton hosted a community meeting Wednesday evening on the city's budget for next year. Most of the comments were directed at a proposal to cut costs on park maintenance by laying off 66 workers and going to private contractors for mowing operations.
Jeffrey Dales, a grounds and maintenance supervisor for the city, said privatizing may work in other communities, but not in Wichita. He said he doesn't believe the contractors would deliver the same type of service that city workers now provide. Local labor advocate Pat Lehman said putting people on the street would hurt the community. State representatives Dale Swenson, Phil Hermanson and Delia Garcia questioned whether the move to private contractors would save money.
City manager Robert Layton said he is open to alternatives that will reduce costs and preserve jobs. He said the city is looking to eliminate 101 positions, but there are 99 other jobs that are open, and he wants to look at moving employees into some of those open positions.
Layton will present his recommended 2010 budget to the city council later this month. A final budget is to be adopted at the council meeting on August 11th.
George Lawson