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County’s print shop closing
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Five more county government positions are being cut as Howard’s print shop is closing next year in a push to save money in tight budget times.
“This is symbolic of the efforts we have undertaken to ask questions” about the county government’s efficiencies, County Executive Ken Ulman said.
The print shop, which includes seven positions, provides large-volume copying and large-format printing for Planning and Zoning documents, among other duties, said Ira Levy, director of the Department of Technology and Communication Services.
Many departments rely on outside printers, such as Office Depot and Staples, making the county-run operation unnecessary.
Thousands of forms and internal documents once printed out also will be eliminated in favor of electronic forms, further reducing printing needs, Levy said.
Some of the county’s print operations will be absorbed into other departments, such as Planning and Zoning, and departments will work more with vendors for their printing jobs, he said.
One position is being transferred to Planning and Zoning.
The cuts, effective June 30, are expected to save at least $600,000, and the county won’t have to invest in upgrading the printing equipment, he said.
The county’s Human Resources Office is working closely with the five people whose jobs were eliminated, and likely most of them will find opportunities elsewhere in county government, such as in the records management division, Levy said.
“I do think obviously it’s pretty serious any time someone has been told their position is [being eliminated],” he said.
The cuts come about two months after eight people were told their jobs will be eliminated with the closing of GTV, the county government television station. The station will be consolidated into Howard Community College’s station, saving about $500,000.
“These are tough decisions, but we have a slowing economy and we have state [funding] cuts,” Ulman said.
“We did feel this is something that made a lot of sense without major cuts to services.”
Ulman said there wouldn’t be “widespread” job cuts but that county officials will continue to look for ways to be more efficient.
Print shop employee Douglas Hargett declined to discuss the cuts.
smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:40 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Ulman looks for savings amid state cuts, declining revenues"
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8:50 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008
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5:40 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008
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2:12 PM MST on Sun., Jan. 27, 2008
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5:42 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008
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4:21 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 17, 2008
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Examiner Reader said:
Ken Ulman is a donkey's you know what. Now we are not only going to pay for his health care program for the lowlife, but we are now being forced to pay for their dental care. Socialism is alive and well in the Socialist Republic of Maryland, especially with the likes of Chairmen O'Malley and Ulman.
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Examiner Reader said:
Going paperless may make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but don't be fooled for a minute that Ulman will be saving money as a result. He will just spend the "savings" elsewhere. In the GTV closing, the county council has requested HCC to broadcast more than GTV had been doing. Now how can a station with no county employees be responsible for that? And imagine the logistics of downloading a 3-hour council meeting from YouTube. This is what was proposed as an alternative to GTV, and it's just as ridiculous as the print shop closing. Ulman isn't saving, just routing county dollars to serve his and his supporters own interests.
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Examiner Reader said:
Human Resources will help the employees find work? Ulman fired the HR person in charge of this after her 30 years of service. If tough budget times are your concern Mr. Ulman, try not creating NEW positions and NEW departments, then cry when the state may cut funds. Do you call that efficient?
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Examiner Reader said:
It'd probably save money not hiring high school buddies for County jobs. Art McGreevy was a bartender for crying out loud!
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Examiner Reader said:
Maybe they wouldn't have to save money if Ulman didn't buy land in a sweetheart deal with a contributor. Buying new computers every 3-4 years (instead of 10)might save on energy costs, but what about the cost of the computers? These numbers don't add up. He exaggerates the savings like his resume. "Secretary of the Cabinet" Ulman should be replaced.
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William said:
Saving money here, spending more there... this guy is no better than MOM. Putting his buddies in county office and buying property for the county from his campaign contributors. Firing those who've been with the county when he was still in high school.
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