By Richard Zowie
Leader Staff Writer

Tough times call for tough measures, the saying goes, and at the August 12 Village of Oxford council meeting, a longtime employee’s job was eliminated in a cost-cutting move.
The treasurer position, held by Maureen Helmuth, will be phased out and merged with the clerk position currently held by Daniel Luick.
Helmuth, whose final day as treasurer will be September 19, has served in the village for about 20 years. She was appointed treasurer back in July 2007 and has also been a utility clerk and deputy treasurer.
Council president Chris Bishop said the cut is needed due to the water plant deficit and the impending water bond sale in an effort to reduce the amount of water rate increase to as minimal of an amount as possible.
‘It’s the best deal for the taxpayers and the most value for their dollar,? he said.
Luick told the council that he feels he’s capable of the added responsibility of also serving as treasurer.
He’s served the village as clerk since November 2007 and said he enjoys being able to work with the local residents.
While the elimination of Helmuth’s position will save the village tens of thousands of dollars annually, council members made it clear that it comes at great reluctance on their part.
According to Bishop, Helmuth’s salary amounts to nearly $40,000 annually and, with benefits, $65,500.
‘It’s a difficult decision,? said Tom Benner. ‘I hate to see anyone laid off and for them to lose their position. I’m not sure how much it’ll change the debt or the water rates, but I’m in favor of it strictly as a water issue.?
Helmuth, who declined to be interviewed for this article, directed all questions about her service to the Oxford Village offices.
Benner said he regretted they were not aware sooner of the water plant budget crisis, adding that if they had known sooner, they could’ve solved the problem and avoided this.
The vote was 3-2, with Benner and Teri Stiles voting no. Benner said that initially he was in favor of the proposal to do the ‘financially right thing,? but at the end chose to vote no. ‘I wasn’t comfortable with Helmuth losing her position,? he added.
Bishop estimated that about 40 percent of the water deficit could be served by this job cut. ‘I think it’s incumbent upon us to keep the cost of being an Oxford resident at an absolute minimum,? he said.
While the council considered the painful decision strictly budgetary, some local residents were very vocal in their disgust for how Helmuth’affectionately nicknamed ‘Mo?’was being treated.
‘In my 20 years attending meetings, I’ve heard the board’not this board, but prior boards’say that if they need money, they’ll take it out of the water fund,? said Bob Scott, a local resident.
‘Now all of a sudden, after all these years, the water fund isn’t there anymore. Where did it go? [The money] was supposed to be repaid to the water department. And now it astounds me that you people would throw a good, faithful employee out the door because you’re going to pick up $20,000 to $50,000 for the water fund. I just can’t fathom it.?
Bishop told Scott that in tough times they have to look at the budget and try to work with it and do what’s best for the residents. He also didn’t recall any time that money was taken from the water fund and thought that might’ve been before his time.
Bishop added that with the additional duties Luick will take on, it’s possible he could get a pay increase.
The potential pay increase didn’t sit well with resident Jeri Scott, who said that such an increase would defeat the purpose of eliminating Helmuth’s job to cut expenses.
Mrs. Scott added: ‘I would be more than happy to pay 15 percent more on my water bill to keep Mo. I am absolutely sick over this.?
Bishop said that though they’re uncertain how much of a pay increase Luick would receive, the increase and its duration haven’t been discussed and would be menial.