Lauderdale Lakes Considering Cutting Staffers' Pay

LAUDERDALE LAKES (CBS4) - Lauderdale Lakes city commissioners are considering cutting employees' pay to help stem their financial bleeding.

Faced with a $5 million deficit, commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday on a number of cost cutting measures which include terminating two police sergeants along with a code enforcement officer and reducing what they pay into the city's pension fund, according to The Sun-Sentinel.

They're plan also calls for a 10 percent salary cut for employees who more than $70 thousand a year and cuts between three and seven percent for everyone else.

Just last week it came to light that the city was more than three months behind on payments to the Broward Sheriff's Office for police and fire services. The sheriff's department wants its money and has contacted the Governor's Office. According to state law, once a city falls more than three months behind on its payments for services, the state can intervene.

Lauderdale Lakes City Manager Anita Taylor said they know they're behind, but the city just doesn't have the money. She said sharply decreased property values combined with major revenue projection errors and a limited commercial base have left them short on funds.

In an effort to shore up their finances, 36 city positions have already been cut and emergency medical services transport fees have been raised.

Source: The Sun-Sentinel