By Jessica Caswell
The Fairfield City Council voted Tuesday night to close the curtains on its support for the theater, despite supporters’ pleas. The city is trying to close a $6 million budget gap.
The vote was 4-1 in favor of the proposed budget cuts, with the biggest hit being taken by the Cultural Arts Awards Programs (CAAP) grant.
Many arts supporters attended the meeting to plead with city council to keep the program going.
“One thing I do know is theaters bring in money. Even if they go through McDonald’s, money is being spent,” Pam Spearing, who came to plead the theater’s case said. “We’ve got to work together.”
The CAAP grant contributes to the city’s art programs, which includes funding for the Fairfield Civic Theatre. The city will be saving $116,000 by eliminating the grant.
Sean Quinn, city manager for Fairfield, presented to the council and the public the budget proposal to keep the city from going bankrupt.
“This is uncharted territory,” Quinn said. “If the economy continues to stall we’ll have to cut more than now.”
Quinn said without the cuts he is proposing, Fairfield will be in a deficit within a year.
An 8.38 percent surcharge is included in the budget proposal. It includes technology and indirect cost surcharges for people using the city’s Web site to pay fees, according to a report released on the city’s Web site.
This surcharge is expected to raise $400,000 for the city’s general fund. Without this money, the city will be forced to cut more jobs and services, according to the report.
Councilwoman Catherine Moy was the only member to vote against the proposed budget because of the surcharge.
“I think it’s the nastiest times to raise taxes,” Moy said. “I see this hurting people. What about the seniors? What about the children who need daycare?”
Vice Mayor John Mraz called on his fellow council members to forgo their salaries to help with the budget crisis.
“If I took this job to make money, you don’t need me in this job,” Mraz said.
Quinn is giving up his annual cost of living raise and his company cell phone.
“Save everyone’s job – it’s a matter of sacrifice,” Quinn said.
One police captain will be demoted and another vacant position will be eliminated.
The captain will return to his previous position as a lieutenant.
Five police department vacancies will not be filled, along with one dispatch position.
Two fire inspectors will be laid off and a vacant fire captain position will be left unfilled at the Fairfield Fire Department.
Altogether, the budget cuts will eliminate 35 city jobs. According to the city report, 53 percent of those jobs are currently filled. Seven of those currently employed have the option to move to another position in their department.
“We need to listen to the people in Fairfield,” Councilman Richard Vaccaro said. “We’re stretching the rubber band and it’s definitely going to break."
