Two Jobs Released In Proactive Adjustment

-Two Jobs Released In Proactive Adjustment-

The City of Fort Thomas recently let go two outstanding employees, Jay Treft and David Buerger, from their positions.  Jay was the Assistant City Administrator/ Economic Development Director and David was the Director of Recreation.  Jay had been employed since 1999 and David had been employed since 2005.  The reason these men were let go sounded different to Fort Thomas Matters, which prompted some research and the writing of this article.  You may have read a story on NKY.com about this situation, but Fort Thomas Matters took it a step further; we went to the city council and wanted to know the details behind these men being let go.

The reasons that were given to justify Jay and David being released were the following:


1.      Streamline the delivery of city services
2.       Maintain fiscal stability
3.       Position the city to better address future financial challenges

I understood trying to maintain fiscal stability; less people to pay, more money to “stabilize” the city in other areas.  It is a less than desirable situation when good men lose their jobs, but these are the times that we live in.

The other two explanations didn’t sit right with FTM though.  I wanted more of an explanation of how future financial challenges and streamlined delivery of city services could be justifiable means to relieving someone of their job.  To get my answers I contacted Mr. Don Martin, City Administrative Officer.

I asked Mr. Martin, “In preparing for these future financial woes what if vacating these two positions is not enough?  Could property taxes in Fort Thomas be increased to combat any financial challenges?”

Mr. Martin’s said, “Fort Thomas is fortunate that it generally responds to challenges proactively rather than reactively.  The elected officials believe it is fiscally responsible to address known or anticipated challenges now when they have more flexibility and options, rather than waiting until they are forced to act.  In accordance with state statute the city adjusts the property tax rate annually, and before the city would consider proposing a substantial increase in property taxes I feel confident it would instead focus on reducing expenses or public services.”

I asked Don to explain the “streamlining the delivery of city services” and the part in played into the situation.

Don explained, “One of the goals of the restructuring is to streamline the delivery of city services in a more cost-effective manner.  Effectively the city is delivering the same services it has traditionally provided like grants, economic development, etc. but doing so with fewer employees.”

The one reason behind these terminations that stuck out in my mind was to Position the city to better address future financial challenges.  I thought it sounded different, if not plain wrong, that these men were let go because of a future threat that wasn’t completely guaranteed.  I asked Don to address that issue; this is what he had to say:

“Increased costs and fiscal challenges are guaranteed to a certain extent.  Employee pension contribution rates are projected to rise substantially over the next decade.  The city has no control over these contribution rates and is required to pay the rates established by the state requirement board.  Currently, for police and fire employees, the city is required to contribute 35.76% of the employees’ total pay toward their pensions and this is expected to rise 30% over the next five years.  For non-public safety employees, the city is required to contribute 18.96% of the employees’ total pay and this is expected to rise 20% over the next five years.  When health insurance cost associated with PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), there are additional cost increases which will likely need to be addressed.

Fort Thomas Matters contacted Mr. Treft to get his feelings on recently being let go. 

Mr. Treft explained, “I am very proud of the things that I was able to accomplish for the city during my 12 year tenure.  A few examples include spearheading the community's involvement in the Renaissance/Main Street downtown revitalization program along with creation of a Renaissance Coordinator position.   With the City Administrator and Renaissance Coordinator I was able to secure several state and federal grants for the community, primarily for business district revitalization and community development.”

The grants that Mr. Treft played a part in securing (upwards of $600,000 total) made the following projects possible for the city:

1. -          Improve 8 commercial building exteriors in the Town Center and Midway business districts  
2. -          Construct the sidewalk on Memorial Parkway connecting Fort Thomas to Newport and Bellevue
3. -          Construct the new bandshell at the amphitheater in Tower Park

Mr. Treft concluded in saying, “I am thankful to have served as the lead staff member on several important projects in the community, including the Midway business district street scape plan, initiating its designation as a national historic district. And also developing a historic preservation ordinance that created the design review board and paved the way for what I hope is the city's eventual purchase of the historic homes on Alexander Circle. I'm also proud of the work of the tree commission, most notably in producing a revised tree ordinance to better address development issues facing the community.”

While Fort Thomas Matters is very pleased with the enhancements being done throughout the city; it is unfortunate that two outstanding employees were let go in an attempt to protect the city from future financial hardships.  It should be said that in contacting the city council their comments were nothing but complimentary.  Everyone had great things to say not only about the work that Mr. Treft and Mr. Buerger produced, but also about these men in general!

All of us at Fort Thomas Matters wish nothing but the best for Jay Treft and David Buerger in their future endeavors.  Their work and contributions to the city will be missed.