TROY, Mich. (WDIV) – Ten Troy police officers were issued layoff notices on Tuesday in the city's effort to address its current "budget challenge."
In a release, the city said the layoffs take effect July 8, the day before the first pay period of the upcoming budget year.
The city said the cuts are part of a four-year plan aimed at reducing costs within the department. Beginning in 2009, the city said there would be between 43 and 47 eliminated by July 1, 2013.
"The Department has made significant strides toward those numbers, mostly through attrition and the elimination of non-filled positions, however between 21-23 Police Officer positions remain scheduled for elimination," the city's statement said.
The city is negotiating a concessionary agreement with its police union, the Troy Police Officers Association.
The union's current bargaining agreement does not expire until June 30, 2013. But, recognizing the seriousness of the current budget shortfall, the union agreed to open the contract and attempt to achieve an agreement that would result in at least 10 percent cost savings to the city. The city said the negotiations have not resulted in an agreement supported by enough members of the union to pass.
Troy Police Chief Gary Mayer said the decision to lay off the officers was difficult but that he has hope negations would continue and an agreement would be reached.
“I remain confident that the on-going negotiations with the Police Officers Association will be successful and these notices can be recalled," Mayer said.
Troy Police Officers Association President, Officer Michael Geise, said the union represents 94 police officers in the city.
"The Association regrets that the city of Troy has issued lay-off notices to 10 of our members effective on July 8, 2011," Geise said in a release. "The Troy Police Officers Association is actively attempting to negotiate changes to our contract which expires on July 1, 2013. We are confident these changes will result in cost savings to the city of Troy and will also ensure the recall of the lay-off notices.”
The layoff notices are for officers with two to five years on the force.