The South Hutchinson City Council has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday night to discuss significant cuts to city staff, including potentially eliminating up to a third of the city’s police department.
The meeting agenda indicates the council plans to go into an executive session to discuss nonelected personnel. The agenda did not show any votes scheduled, other than going into closed session, and it includes no time for public comment.
The council on Aug. 6, voted unanimously to adopt a $6.3 million 2019 budget with 43.847 mil levy – a 1.92 mill increase over 2018.
The council then voted on a split 3-2 vote to cut $349,000 in “annual reoccurring expenses” from its general fund budget. As part of the motion to cut the general fund, the council designated the mayor and two other council members – Luke Herren and Stephanie Harris – to meet with city department heads from General Government, Police, Fire and Public Works to discuss how to accomplish the cuts.
South Hutchinson Police Chief Mark Thompson said, based on discussions in the meeting, the council is exploring layoffs of at least five full-time employees, including two police officers and the police department’s lone clerk.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)