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Tampa Council Nixes Plan To Privatize Janitorial Work

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 27, 2008

TAMPA - City council members on Thursday rejected Mayor Pam Iorio's proposal to turn janitorial jobs over to the private sector, a move that preserves the jobs of 27 employees but forces the city to figure out other ways to save money.

The council voted 6-1 to deny the award of a contract to United Services Group, the Clearwater company the administration had selected to do the work. Councilman Charlie Miranda voted against the motion to deny.

Last year, as taxpayers demanded property tax reform, Iorio created an Efficiency and Effectiveness Task Force to come up with ways to save the city money. The task force recommended, and the mayor supported, a proposal to turn janitorial and security work over to the private sector.

This month, the city nixed the security idea after realizing that cost savings were minimal and because officials had other concerns. However, Iorio's administration liked United Services Group's $940,000 bid for janitorial work.

Officials estimated the city would save about $430,000 a year by turning the work over to United Services Group. Twenty-seven city employees would have been laid off.

Councilman John Dingfelder started criticizing the plan last year, arguing that some of the city's lowest-paid workers would be affected.

Thursday, five other council members agreed with him. They were influenced, in part, by the pleadings of a few city janitors Thursday morning.

Service attendant Robert Tracy, 54, said he was worried about losing his job and health care.

"The way they're doing this is not the proper way," Tracy said. "I cannot walk out there and start all over."

Amalgamated Transit Union President Martha Stevens said, "Any time there is privatization, we are in opposition."

Council members said they were concerned that laid-off employees would be unable to afford health insurance. Even if some were hired by the private firm, the pay scale starts at about $9.50 an hour, barely enough for some employees to make ends meet, Dingfelder said.

Jeff Chapman, a United Services Group vice president, said his company could do the city's work for less money because his group can be more efficient.

That drew a sharp response from several council members, including Mary Mulhern.

"Why can't our staff be more efficient?" Mulhern said.

Councilman Tom Scott asked whether the administration has considered outsourcing senior management.

James Buckner, the city official who heads the efficiency panel, said the whole purpose of the group is to come up with ways to be more efficient. Privatizing janitorial work is just one example, he said.

Miranda said the city had to find ways to save money as taxpayers demand lower property taxes and, in effect, smaller government. Unfortunately, he said, losing some government jobs is part of that new reality, especially as government has to pay more for fuel and chemicals.

"I hate to say this: We're on a respirator. We're about to go into a coma."

Dingfelder said: "If we can't find $400,000 out of a half-billion-dollar budget, we don't deserve to be here."

The city's budget generally tops $700 million.

After the vote to reject the contract, Dingfelder suggested turning down the administration's suggestion to spend $250,000 on new illuminated street signs. The issue was postponed for three weeks.

Several council members said they were committed to finding $430,000 to cut in the budget.

In other action, the council:

•Decided to ask voters in November to amend the city charter to allow the council sole authority to hire and fire the city council attorney. The existing charter language is unclear on the role of the mayor in that process.

•Unanimously confirmed Iorio's appointment of Chip Fletcher as city attorney, replacing David Smith, who is returning to private practice. Fletcher starts in July.

•Voted 6-0 to give final approval to an ordinance designed to make the city greener. The ordinance offers incentives to developers that build environmentally friendly buildings and requires new city buildings to be constructed according to green standards. Scott was absent for the vote.

•Awarded a $150,000 contract to artist Bruce Marsh for a photo mural at the southern edge of the Riverwalk.

•Gave Joe Redner and his son, Joey, final approval to sell alcohol at a microbrewery they plan to open in September at the elder Redner's headquarters. The council voted 5-2, over the objections of the Carver City-Lincoln Gardens Homeowners Association. Council members Gwen Miller and Scott voted against the wet-zoning petition. Redner owns Mons Venus and is running for a seat on the Hillsborough County commission.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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