Finkbeiner to shut down Toledo for 3 days to save $1 million

10/23/2008

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner said Thursday afternoon that the worsening economy and the city s projected $10 million deficit means the government will be shut down for three days this year and four days next year.

The mayor said during a press conference that all non-emergency city departments will shut down on Nov. 26, Dec. 26, and Dec. 31. That means city employees will not be paid on those days, a savings to the city for $1 million. He said the strategy was modeled after a similar one used in the city of Chicago.

Robert Reinbolt, the mayor s chief of staff, said he was "fairly certain" the city would shut down on Jan. 2 as well. The three other days for 2009 have not been scheduled. The mayor plans a press conference for Friday afternoon to announce more 2009 budget cuts.