ST. JOHN | Tighter restrictions on take-home cars could be in store for St. John police as the town seeks ways to cut expenses and close an estimated $1.7 million deficit in its general fund.
The town asked Police Chief Fred Frego for recommendations regarding the vehicles, and he is expected to make those recommendations next month to the Police Commission. The goal is to cut down on fuel expenses, Town Manager Steve Kil said.
Kil said he expects that, under the anticipated changes, officers will retain their take-home vehicles. But, the vehicles can't be driven outside town limits when officers are off duty. Officers who live outside town limits wouldn't be able to drive them off duty at all, he said.
The existing policy allows officers to drive take-home cars when they're off duty, as long as it is within Lake County. Officers who live more than 15 miles from the police station don't get a take-home car, but no officers live that far away, Frego said.
Ultimately, the changes are up to the Police Commission, Kil said.
Four take-home vehicles were "parked" last week, meaning they'll remain at the town and used only on town business. Employees who had been driving them instead now are driving their own cars to and from work.
Officials also eliminated some town-issued telephones and cut two town employees.
During Thursday's Town Council meeting, employees packed the room in response to rumors about layoffs and salary cuts.
The council clarified those rumors, and Councilman Mark Barenie explained how the town needs to reduce expenses and increase revenue to cover the estimated $1.7 million general fund deficit.
Aside from cutting longevity -- a yearly stipend for full-time employees that it based on how long they've worked for the town -- officials plan to freeze salaries in 2009 and are exploring the possibility of instituting a garbage collection fee.
St. John pays for residential garbage pickup. The cost is $15.07 per household per month, a figure that will increase in May to $15.82 per household per month.
In 2009, the expense is expected to reach $900,000, Kil said.
At this time, the Town Council has no other proposed fees in store, he said.
