FRT
03-21-2008, 07:25 AM
Mayor Robert Correia cuts city spending by over $13,000 a year by reducing the number of city-issued cell phones and by not using the Mayor's car.
PRESS RELEASE
March 18, 2008
FOR RELEASE: Immediately
SUBJECT: Mayor Robert Correia cuts city spending by over $13,000 a year by reducing the number of city-issued cell phones and by not using the Mayor's car.
Fall River, MA - In an effort to reduce city expenditures and bring about a greater level of responsiveness to Fall River city government, Mayor Robert Correia has completed his review and needs assessment of the city-issued cell phone list managed by the Municipal Information Systems (MIS) Office. As a result of this evaluation, 22 cell phones have been cancelled since Mayor Correia took office on January 6. This measure will bring an approximate savings of $7,560 per year. The monthly standard cost of each cell phone is $28.64. A total of 59 cell phones are paid through MIS, 38 of which are assigned to the Police Department.
During his appraisal, Mayor Correia took into consideration whether cell phones were needed as part of the employees' job functions. "In today's world, cell phones are a commodity we have learned to live with. Nevertheless, part of my job as Mayor is to make sure that cell phone use is minimized. Cell phones should be used only when it aids employees in carrying out their duties efficiently and effectively or for emergency situations that are related to the employees' job functions," stated Mayor Correia.
The departments which will continue to use their city-issued cell phones are: Animal Control, Assessor's Office, Community Development Agency, Council on Aging, Code Enforcement, Health and Human Services, Municipal Information Systems, Traffic, and the Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer's Office cell phone was kept because it was part of the Treasurer's employment agreement. The Community Development Agency reimburses the City for its cell phone use. The cell phones are monitored by MIS to ascertain that employees are not using their cell phones outside regular work hours, with the exception of emergency personnel.
The Mayor's Office, including the Mayor, does not use cell phones paid by the City or any other governmental agency.
The cancelled cell phones spanned across the following departments: Auditor's Office, Community Development Agency, City Council, Code Enforcement, Harbor Master, Law Department, Mayor's Office, Municipal Information Systems, Traffic, and Veteran Affairs. The Traffic Department, for example, changed over to walkie-talkies, which are more affordable.
Mayor's Car
As part of his cost saving measurers in the City, Mayor Correia also turned over the Mayor's 2000 Crown Victoria car with 88,000 miles to Chief of Police John M. Souza to use for official duties in the Police Department. "I am certain that you have vehicles in far worse mechanical shape and I am sure this car will help to that end. I will be using my own personal vehicle for both city and personal use," Mayor Correia stated in his letter to the Chief of Police.
This measure will save the City approximately $5,573 per year in insurance, automobile repairs, and gas.
The total savings to the City, as a result of the reduced cell phone use, and return of the Mayor's car, will be approximately $13,133 a year.
"$13,000 may seem like a small amount when one takes into consideration the City's annual budget of over $200 Million. However, these are examples of how during my administration I will look for ways to save the City money in areas I believe the expenditures are unnecessary."
PRESS RELEASE
March 18, 2008
FOR RELEASE: Immediately
SUBJECT: Mayor Robert Correia cuts city spending by over $13,000 a year by reducing the number of city-issued cell phones and by not using the Mayor's car.
Fall River, MA - In an effort to reduce city expenditures and bring about a greater level of responsiveness to Fall River city government, Mayor Robert Correia has completed his review and needs assessment of the city-issued cell phone list managed by the Municipal Information Systems (MIS) Office. As a result of this evaluation, 22 cell phones have been cancelled since Mayor Correia took office on January 6. This measure will bring an approximate savings of $7,560 per year. The monthly standard cost of each cell phone is $28.64. A total of 59 cell phones are paid through MIS, 38 of which are assigned to the Police Department.
During his appraisal, Mayor Correia took into consideration whether cell phones were needed as part of the employees' job functions. "In today's world, cell phones are a commodity we have learned to live with. Nevertheless, part of my job as Mayor is to make sure that cell phone use is minimized. Cell phones should be used only when it aids employees in carrying out their duties efficiently and effectively or for emergency situations that are related to the employees' job functions," stated Mayor Correia.
The departments which will continue to use their city-issued cell phones are: Animal Control, Assessor's Office, Community Development Agency, Council on Aging, Code Enforcement, Health and Human Services, Municipal Information Systems, Traffic, and the Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer's Office cell phone was kept because it was part of the Treasurer's employment agreement. The Community Development Agency reimburses the City for its cell phone use. The cell phones are monitored by MIS to ascertain that employees are not using their cell phones outside regular work hours, with the exception of emergency personnel.
The Mayor's Office, including the Mayor, does not use cell phones paid by the City or any other governmental agency.
The cancelled cell phones spanned across the following departments: Auditor's Office, Community Development Agency, City Council, Code Enforcement, Harbor Master, Law Department, Mayor's Office, Municipal Information Systems, Traffic, and Veteran Affairs. The Traffic Department, for example, changed over to walkie-talkies, which are more affordable.
Mayor's Car
As part of his cost saving measurers in the City, Mayor Correia also turned over the Mayor's 2000 Crown Victoria car with 88,000 miles to Chief of Police John M. Souza to use for official duties in the Police Department. "I am certain that you have vehicles in far worse mechanical shape and I am sure this car will help to that end. I will be using my own personal vehicle for both city and personal use," Mayor Correia stated in his letter to the Chief of Police.
This measure will save the City approximately $5,573 per year in insurance, automobile repairs, and gas.
The total savings to the City, as a result of the reduced cell phone use, and return of the Mayor's car, will be approximately $13,133 a year.
"$13,000 may seem like a small amount when one takes into consideration the City's annual budget of over $200 Million. However, these are examples of how during my administration I will look for ways to save the City money in areas I believe the expenditures are unnecessary."