City’s Legal Costs expected to Skyrocket
The City of Plattsburgh’s preliminary 2008 budget figures show a huge increase in the dollar amount appropriated for legal expenses.
According to recently released preliminary budget numbers - the City of Plattsburgh expects to spend roughly 800% more on legal costs in 2008 than it did in 2007. Theses figures appear to back-up reports that the City has been hit with numerous lawsuits and legal actions after a controversial reduction in force that took place in February 2007.
At the heart of the controversy is whether or not the city was facing the serious financial crisis it claimed to be facing - when several employees were selected for lay- off last February.
Since then - several of the employees affected by the reduction in force have come forward and initiated lawsuits against the city. One suit involves a recent ruling by The New York State Human Rights Commission that found probable cause the City was attempting to rid its workforce of older workers. The commission found that of 5 employees selected for layoff 3 were over the age of 40 and close to retirement at the time they were terminated.
More recently an arbitrator ruled against the city and found two Firefighters had been wrongfully demoted as a part of the same reduction in force. Both Firefighters were ordered reinstated to their former positions with full back pay and benefits.
The preliminary budget figures for potential legal expenses in 2008 appear to suggest the city will spend several thousands of dollars on legal representation and possible settlements with former employees.
City of Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak recently touted a surplus fund balance of nearly$800,000 - however last year at this time the city said it was facing a serious financial crisis when it released figures that showed a one-million dollar budget deficit.
The city is expected to begin mandatory public budget sessions next Thursday - when the Mayor and City Council will begin the task of reviewing and answering questions regarding the preliminary 2008 City of Plattsburgh budget.
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