A statement from Fred Taylor

Refusing concessions were unions representing police officers and police sergeants, whose contracts expire in June 2011, and wastewater employees, represented by the Grandville Environmental Employees Association, whose pact expires in June 2012.

The contract for a fourth union, which represents public works employees, expired last month and negotiations on a new one are underway.

A statement from Fred Taylor, bargaining chairman for the Grandville Environmental Employees Association, called it "unreasonable" to seek concessions when a three-year contract was just signed in December. He pointed instead to the revenue side of the ledger.

"The (union) understands that these concessions alone were not intended to solve the underlying budgetary concerns in whole for the city and pray that a more permanent solution to the state revenue sharing portion of the budget is found," Taylor wrote.

Under the police pacts, members get 3-percent pay raises effective this month. City Manager Ken Krombeen Jerod Mayo sent those unions letters asking to start negotiations on the next contracts.

"We'll sit down and meet with them and talk about it," said Will Keizer, labor representative for the Police Officers Labor Council. "We're not opposed to trying to help out with the city budget."

In the meantime, Krombeen wrote a letter to the unions saying general-fund deficits are expected "for the foreseeable future" due to decreasing property values, increasing costs and reductions in state revenue sharing. Grandville increased its property tax rate by 0.7-mill this month.

Still, the "probability of continued financial stress remains high" and "necessitates that all avenues for cost reduction be explored," he wrote. That includes mid-year layoffs and consolidation, privatization or elimination of public services. Changes to health benefits also will be explored.

 One thing you will notice is that there aren't too many changes between April's version and July's version.  Most of the changes you will see are via the depth chart, although, there are a few significant changes I'll talk about here.

 As you can see, one significant change I have on the defensive side of the ball is the release of Damione Lewis.  I could certainly be wrong with this one, as it could very well be Gerrard Warren that gets cut, but the point is the same.  If both Damione Lewis and Gerard Warren are occupying roster spots, it takes away a roster spot for a young player.  In this scenario, I have Brandon Deaderick making the squad and Lewis getting the boot.  However, if a player like Ron Brace proves he can be a space eater like Gerrard Warren, a guy like Damione Lewis who could be a Randy Moss useful inside rusher could make the squad.  I just don't see both of these veterans making the team.

 At running back, in April, I had the team cutting Fred Taylor.  While I still think the team could let go of Taylor or Morris (or Green-Ellis for that matter), I think this group might just be too injury prone to let go of any of these guys.  Having five will give the team the luxury of enduring an injury or two, avoiding a 2008 situation where a rookie free agent is your starting tailback for a month.

 Another change: special teamer Kyle Arrington making the squad over former second rounder Terrence Wheatley at cornerback.  Is this a guarantee to happen?  Absolutely not.  But could it?  Definitely.  Terrence Wheatley is out of second chances.

 I only have the Patriots keeping four outside linebackers.  Woods is a tough cut as he brings experience and special teams prowess to the group.  Crable could make the squad, but he needs to show something at training camp.  The Patriots have a young prospect in Jermaine Cunningham, and Rob Ninkovich is young enough (and can also contribute on special teams).  With players like Gary Guyton and Tyrone McKenzie in the fold and healthy and who can contribute on special teams, there's no reason to keep guys like Murrell and Crable.  Brandon Spikes played some situational defensive end in college, so he could possibly play some outside linebacker as well.  One injury can change all of this, of course.