More Layoffs at JSO

[Elwood]

Again, if the city had made their contributions to the pension fund during the strong economic years, then there would be no shortfall now. Fiscal responsibility, or the lack there of, is the real issue. Don't spend imaginary money, and fund what you contractually agreed to.

[carpnter]

Is he saying that the JSO will only save $3.3 million when 319 positions are eliminated?  That comes down to $10,345 per position, I doubt that any single position at the JSO costs only $10,245 after you factor in salary, insurance and all of the other taxes associated with a position.  Even at a very modest $30,000 per position you would save over $9.5 million on 319 positions.

[Dapperdan]

   I think about 75 of those positions are vacant anyway, so  he is not cutting that much as it makes it sound. He is getting rid of the Community Officers, which, if you look around folks, most cities have already done. Heck, some cities are about to pay their firefighters and police minimum wage. Some cities are even going bankrupt.
   This is not jsut a  Jacksonville issue. Property tax fallout and ballooning pension costs are the culprit. Its a nationwide issue. Raising taxes may help a little, but Payton kept raisng taxes and fees for this and that and it never seemd to help anything. We seem to keep having  budget shortfalls year after year after year, even with garbage taxes and stormwater fees.

[Dapperdan]

It could be alot worse.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-bernardino-bankruptcy-20120712,0,2433019.story

[Bridges]

I've never liked the idea that we should feel fortunate cause "look how bad we could have it".  I'd rather not race anyone to the bottom.

[If_I_Loved_you]

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-police-fire-and-dpw-unions-file-motion-for-contempt-against-mayor-who-slashed-salaries-1.1341634  Min Wage for all City Workers in Scanton, Pa.

[Doctor_K]

Thanx, Alvin, you sorry pathetic excuse for a mayor. You're a disgrace to us JU grads!

Is it Alvin's fault?

Or is it the Council's fault?

Or what about the vast majority of the people in Jax with the lovely "Taxed Enough Already" mindset?  Y'know - the ones who elected those first two choices in the first place?

[carpnter]

There are plenty of inefficiencies at JSO that could be addressed to save some money.  It may not be enough to meet the budget constraints but it could reduce the number of positions that need to be eliminated. 

[Scarlettjax]

120 living, breathing taxpaying citizens of our county will be out of work August 24 and on unemployment due to the layoffs.  Not all of these positions are vacancies.  Not sure how this is growing jobs in Jacksonville.

And, when the Community Transistion Center closes, so does the Matrix drug treatment program run by River Region Human Services.  There is no way that agency will be able to absorb the personnel currently running that program without the city contract, so look for layoffs there as well.

The ripple effect of these layoffs spread far and wide. 

[duvaldude08]

Thanx, Alvin, you sorry pathetic excuse for a mayor. You're a disgrace to us JU grads!

Is it Alvin's fault?

Or is it the Council's fault?

Or what about the vast majority of the people in Jax with the lovely "Taxed Enough Already" mindset?  Y'know - the ones who elected those first two choices in the first place?

You know? This is what Jacksonville wanted. We screamed when Peyton raised taxes again, so we asked alvin not. He said he wouldnt. So............where are we now? lol But there are things JSO can do to run more efficent. For example, not sending three police cars when someone is pulled over speeding. As far as the community services officers.. I know one.......THEY DONT DO SHIT. When I asked what he does, he either sits someone parked or drives around all day waiting on a call about an accident, etc etc. So maybe we can do without them. Im not for people losing their jobs, but there are something JSO can do better.

[RMHoward]

Well life is good down here in good ole conservative Clay County (Fleming Island). No cuts here by the good ole boys.  Things run efficient here, a real tight ship for you Navy vets.  The occasional rukus down here is usually caused by escaped gangstas from Duval County (west side mostly, some northside).  Now, they won't have any reason to leave Duval.  Good on ole (deer in the headlights) Alvin.  Cut to the bone.  Make em squeal. Some of them heffers can barely fit in uniforms anyway.

[Timkin]

^

[Scarlettjax]

It's likely the secure drug treatment program at CTC has done more to prevent future crime than any other crime fighting effort, but it is difficult to measure what has been prevented.  Just locking addicts up does absolutely nothing to address their addiction, which they will engage in upon release along with the ancillary crimes necessary to obtain the substance they need. 

Even if we legalized all the now illegal substances tomorrow - and, some do need to be legal, just as one of our most abused substances, alcohol - we would still need treatment options for some of our citizens.  We have far too few of these programs now, and the elimination of one with proven positive effects make no sense.  Or, at least as much sense as laying off people to grow jobs does.

If you, or the ones you love have been ravaged by addiction, having treatment available is often your best and last hope. 

[mtraininjax]

Well life is good down here in good ole conservative Clay County

Thanks to the conservative Clay County, Duval County may get the silly red light cameras too! Thanks Conservatives!

[Timkin]

^another waste of money.  And silly.