WILLIAMSPORT -- The mayor of Williamsport is asking city employees to pay a portion of their health care costs and to renegotiate changes to pension plans to save money.
Mayor Gabe Campana believes that if the city's police and fire unions do not agree to those concessions, the 2013 budget could face a shortfall of up to 20 percent.
That could mean a tax increase or a combination of layoffs and outsourcing.
“I do like unions, however the days are over when city government can afford to … pay 100 percent of health care without city employees paying towards the premium,” said Mayor Campana.
Williamsport City Council could begin looking over next year's budget by late November.