BAY CITY -- “The idea that we are not going to negotiate is ridiculous,” said Pat Lochinski, president of the union representing Bay City patrol officers. He made that comment after City Commission President Chris Shannon said the union wasn’t willing to make a deal.
Lochinski said most officers make an average of $52,000 a year, and feel under compensated as it is, but will do what they can to meet a requested 10.8 percent in concessions.
“We are going to go through the contract and we’re more than likely going to find the 10.8,” he said. “It’s not going to be with wages, but it will be with other cuts (including fringe benefits),” he added.
Chief Michael Cecchini presented this year’s budget to commissioners in a Tuesday afternoon workshop, about $4,000 less than last year at $6.3 million. The department has 57 officers now, but could lose 6 positions (5 in patrol and one in command) if concessions are not reached.
“We would have to focus on core services like road patrol, investigations and drug enforcement,” Cecchini said, if the cuts became reality.
“That would devastate our community policing program,” he said, hinting that the city could lose a vital community policing grant that helps fund part-time officers.
The city also has a grant from the United States Department of Justice that allows them to hire three officers. They would need to maintain staffing at 57 to keep the grant, but may lose it if reductions take shape.
The commission tentatively passed the budget, with all eyes on the union to see if the job-saving concessions are reached.
