Morristown cuts city pay and two firefighters

Morristown cuts city pay and two firefighters

By JILL MCNEAL
6 News Anchor/Reporter

MORRISTOWN (WATE) -- Morristown has made $1 million worth of major budget cuts. However, some say what hit the chopping block could jeopardize your family's safety.

The interim city administrator told each department head it needed to cut four percent from this year's budget.

As a result, two firefighters will be laid off and all other city employees will lose at least six hours of work each week.

"There are 90 employees that work for the police department. With those employees, there are roughly 60 spouses and 77 children. What did these families, who did not overspend, do to have the budget balanced on their backs?," Officer Brian Sulfridge asked city council.

He and other officers agreed to solve the problem by all taking a pay cut.

"Every police officer will give up an hour and a half a week so that no officer gets laid off," Sulfridge said.

Police Chief Roger Overholt says the cuts will impact response time, but not dedication.

"Whatever happens here tonight, come Wednesday morning these men and women will get up, put on the uniform, put on the gun and go stand between these citizens and death when needed so I applaud them for the job they do daily," Overholt said.

All firefighters will lose eight hours of pay each month.

Fire Chief Bill Honeycutt said, after cutting all other possible expenses, he saw no other choice but layoffs.

"The effect of such actions could be devastating to the delivery of fire protection to the city of Morristown," Honeycutt said.

Five empty positions across public works and other departments will also be cut.

Some city council members argued the layoffs and pay cuts didn't have to happen, saying  there were other ways to cut costs and raise money.

But they were outvoted by those who said the decisions needed to be made now and the department heads were the best people to make the cuts.

The cuts start December 1.