Internal Auditor: Elorza's Claimed Savings on Firefighters' Contract is Off $7M
GoLocalProv News Team
Internal Auditor: Elorza's Claimed Savings on Firefighters' Contract is Off $7M
The errors were found as part of the City Council Finance Committee’s continued vetting of the administration’s precedent-setting 5-year proposed agreement with the firefighters’ union, a hearing was called on Tuesday evening to receive the administration’s formal testimony and supporting financial documents. During a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal note provided by the administration, the City Council’s internal auditor discovered that the administration overestimated its savings in personnel changes by $7 million.
In a memorandum addressed to Finance Chairman John Igliozzi, internal auditor Clarkin states that based upon “the proposed personnel changes associated with the reduction of the minimum manning requirement to 88 from 94 per shift, the decommissioning of three pieces of apparatus, and the addition of 12 battalion chiefs, it is projected that these changes will result in a net savings of approximately $9.1 million . . . the Administration projected in its fiscal note that the change to minimum manning clause would result in savings of approximately $16 million during the [five year] period of the [tentative agreement].”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“To date, we know three things about this proposed agreement,” said Igliozzi. “We know that the administration is still requesting to foreclose on a critical opportunity for pension reform in the next decade. We know that the platoon problem they created 13 months ago by refusing to pay firefighters appropriately has left an outstanding liability of around $12 million. And now a $7 million shortfall in the savings publicly touted by the administration has been revealed.”
Igliozzi says the Finance Committee will hold additional hearings to continue the vetting process. A public hearing will also be held in the near future to give the people of Providence an opportunity to weigh in on the terms of the contract.
Providence Firefighter Tweets
Paul Doughty responds to a post by Elorza on another subject, to steer the fight back to the firefighters.
A photo meme that was orginated by firefighters in social media, before being used on signs during a recent firefighter rally at City Hall.
The fighfighters take to Twitter to convey their positions on a number of issues.
Local 799's Derek Silva tweets a cartoon "fantasty" Tweet with Elorza.
Elorza's post recognizing fire chief Cunha's service gets minimal interaction.
On May 21, when Elorza announced the platoon shift, he tweeted instead about a volunteer event he attended -- and not of the firefighter decision.
Other press coverage of Elorza is often commented on by Doughty on Twitter.
Doughty uses Twitter to show the contrast of a prior Elorza statement, versus his current position.
A pro-union tweet garners significant Twitter interaction.
Doughty takes to social media to tell firefighter supporters than any threats against the Mayor would not be tolerated.
Doughty often comments on other actions by Mayor Elorza in an effort to bolster the firefighters' position.
Doughty takes immediate social action after the Mayor weighs on about the recent court decision.
Media coverage on the fight is often retweeted by Doughty -- something which Elorza does not do with firefighters.
A pro-union post retweeted by Doughty; the firefighters often engage other unions' support.
