By Robin Ruehlen
C & G Staff Writer

ROSEVILLE — City Manager Steve Truman knows local unions will have a tough choice to make this spring: Agree to concessions, or face layoffs.

To prove it, Truman offered to rescind his current contract with the city and take a 7.5 percent pay cut, effective June 30. The move would reduce his annual salary from $110,752 to $102,347 — the amount Truman was paid when he accepted the position of city manager in March of 2005.

“I think it’s a fair thing to do, as I prepare to ask these other groups for concessions,” Truman said.

At the March 9 regular City Council meeting, Truman and Assistant City Manager Peter Provenzano said the city is facing a $4 million deficit for fiscal year 2009-10, which will increase to $9.6 million in 2010-11 without immediate action. As personnel costs make up 70 percent of the city’s budget, Truman said, the majority of cuts would be made to payroll and fringe benefit expenditures.

“This is not something we want to do or like to do — it’s something we have to do,” he said.

“The economy is not going to turn around in one year, and council directed us to form a plan to take care of that $9.6 million as soon as possible.”

Provenzano said the average Roseville city employee earns between $80,000-$100,000 per year in wages and benefits. The city’s current deficit reduction plan, which was also announced Tuesday night, would cut 49 positions across all departments, reduce library hours and Parks and Recreation programs, move Senior Center programming to the Parks and Recreation building, and negotiate wage concessions from all employees. Truman said union discussions just began in the past week.

“Plan A does not have any layoffs of police or firefighters. However, Plan B requires both departments to provide some concessions that would equal the amount it takes to keep some personnel,” he said.

“The opportunity is there for police and firefighters and supervisors, if they’re willing to make concessions.”

Mayor John Chirkun said Truman has only taken a 1 percent pay raise in the last four years.

“Steve, you’re doing a good job, and offering this to us now is admirable,” he said.

“Likewise, we have some wiggle room here. We can bring this back up at any time, or table it until June. I think the people bargaining realize you’re an honorable man, too.”

Councilman Sam Aiuto said he would vote in favor of tabling the motion until June to see what the other unions agreed to.

“I understand what Mr. Truman is trying to do, which is set the table that he is serious, and everyone is going to take some pain,” he said.

“The reduction wouldn’t take effect until July 1, so tabling it still has the same effective date.”

The Council ultimately voted 6-1 to table Truman’s contract change until June 1. Mayor Pro Tem Robert Taylor voted against the measure.

“There’s been nothing secretive about it,” Truman said of his move for the salary reduction. “I just feel it’s appropriate.”

You can reach Staff Writer Robin Ruehlen at rruehlen@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1105.