PINCKNEYVILLE - Layoffs of city employees appear to have become a reality three weeks after the city council first discussed the cost-saving measure.

The council will discuss the issue in executive session tonight as part of its regularly scheduled meeting, said Mayor Joe Holder. After the executive session, he expects action to be taken by the council.

In addition to the regular treasurer's report, the council also will hear a presentation from a contracted accountant on the financial state and stability of the city, Holder said. The mayor has heard that most city employees plan to attend the meeting.

"If I worked for the city, I'd probably go to find out if I have a job or not," he said.

After the council's Oct. 24 meeting, Treasurer Rick Reese said the city's unrestricted funds account balance had reached about $346,000, compared with $586,000 last year. In 2003, the account held about $1.2 million. Reese added that payroll expenditures for the first 10 months of 2007 were $56,000 lower than the same period the previous year.

The council will also be discussing and possibly taking action on a new, three-year contract with the Fraternal Order of Police, Holder said. The city's negotiating team has met about four times through a three-month period with representatives of the FOP to work out details of the contract. The city's negotiating team consisted of Holder, Commissioner Martin Beltz, City Attorney Roger Siebert and Police Chief Paul Day.

Holder did not wish to disclose details of the contract before the council meeting. Commissioners August Kellerman, David Stone and Ruben Davis were not able to review the contract before the meeting, and Holder wanted them to have the opportunity to ask questions before releasing the information.

"You never know what's done until the vote is in," Holder said.

The previous FOP contract expired on Oct. 31. After the city ratifies the agreement with the FOP, it will begin negotiations with the laborers' union. That contract expired earlier this spring, but the union agreed to wait until the police contract had been renegotiated.

Holder said there are "some significant changes" in the contract that he will discuss after tonight's meeting. FOP negotiator Jerry Lieb was not available for comment Monday.

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