West Mifflin Budget Includes Layoffs

WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) -- The borough council in West Mifflin approved a 2012 budget on a 4-to-3 vote.

The millage rate remains at 7.27 mills, the same as the current year's rate.

However, the new budget means there will be fewer police and public works employees in the borough next year.

The spending plans calls for the layoffs of a dozen public works employees and four vacancies in the police department next year will not be filled.

"I don't really think that we'll be able to do the job correctly with that many layoffs," Jeff Walter, a 39-year veteran in the Department of Public Works, told KDKA-TV. "So, it's gonna affect snow removal, every day service – I don't think we can do it like that."

West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly, a former police chief in Homestead and Baldwin Borough, threatened to veto the new budget, because among other things, his concern about the failure to fill police vacancies, mostly due to retirements.

"We cannot send officers into harm's way, without adequate protection," Kelly said.

If there is a veto, it would require five votes to override. The council gets two new members next week.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More West Mifflin News