The City Council will be voting tomorrow night on the budget recommended by the Finance Committee. Barring any major changes proposed and debated on the floor, this budget will produce an increase of 1.99 mills, or an overall tax increase of just under 5%. A good portion of this increase, near 78%, is due to increases in education and public safety. Increased cost of health care, and energy increases are also significant cost drivers.
The BOE is receiving a little over $2 mllion from last year's original approved amount, a large amount no doubt, less in percentage than recent years. (Last year's appropriation was adjusted up due to a return of a part of the BOE's surplus, but this figure was not used as a "base.").The committee considered the excess paid to ACES for Edison School tuition, both in the current fiscal year and the proposed budget request for FY2006-07. The Finance Committee also factored in an expected increase of funds to come from the State for both special education and increased energy expenses. If the State does not grant these funds to the BOE, the Finance Committee will need to consider other appropriations for these costs to the BOE.
One of the few areas where the Finance Committee increased the City Manager's recommended budget was in the Police Department. Based on a recommendation from Council leadership, an increase of $170,000 to the Police overtime budget was inserted. This amount was approved by the Finance Committee as a necessary expense to increase the operations of the Crime Suppression Unit, in order not only to suppress crime in our inner city, but also to prevent it. The Finance Committee also added in $30,000 to assist funding of next year's Daffodil Festival, a line item that was not funded in the City Manager's recommended budget. Although this year's event enjoyed superior weather and crowds, which will raise funds for all involved, it is important that the City continue its support for this signature event.
This is my 11th budget since first elected to the Council. They get tougher every year, and I hear the constituents' pleas to cut. Unfortunately, the "Big Idea" for cutting taxes was not forthcoming, either by the City Manager, the Finance Committee, or the public. Unfortunately, the costs of government are impacted by many areas where we do not have control. The War on Terrorism, Katrina rebuilding, an unstable energy environment, and the Bush Administration's tax cuts all seem to require that the Federal Government decrease appropriation to the states. The states in turn must decrease the level of fundings to the municipalities, without reducing previous mandated legislation from both the federal and state level that cities and towns must implement. The ones left at the bottom of the hill are the local property owners, you and me. I pay the taxes too, and wish there were a way to reduce them. At best, we were able to minimize the increase. And next year brings revaluation....
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3 comments:
Looks like things have been quite a bit boring around here, Steve. No one wants to add any input; maybe they are just resigned to the fact that no one will listen to them. It was a difficult budget to hammer out, I'm quite sure. There were some "big ideas", but it seems as though they fall on deaf ears. Cut the education budget! Its the biggest expense, and always isn't enough. The BOE will have find ways to live within their budget, though they will do it "kicking and screaming". We have to drop this insane belief that we have to "do the right thing", aka spend more money, for our kids. The more money we spend, the lower the test scores and higher the absence and expulsion rates - something obviously isn't working here. What the heck is taking so long for some sort of decision to be made on all these city vehicles, maintenence and gas perks to be addressed? I'm sure they are not all contractual perks and can be abolished more promptly. Why can't someone just make a decision, rather than "study the issue" further. At the minimum, let the taxpayers know what is being done (and please don't say "we're looking in to it" One more comment (rather a question), not particularly related to this post. What is the function of the City Manager? I thought we had a "ceremonial mayor" and the City Manager runs the show. From my understanding of the City Charter, the mayor should be out shaking hands, kissing babies, attending ground breakings, grand openings and also serve as the chair of the City Council. Seems like we somwhow got the roles mixed up.
A frustrated and soon to be broke taxpayer.
You're right, it's been pretty quiet and boring. I'm not sure why: no one listening? Well, blogs are a small niche in the world of thought. As I said in the beginning, this is just a place for me to note my observations on what's going on around the Council, when I can fit it in. The budget took a lot of my time the past few weeks, as well as my job at a new employer. But, still, I respond whenever anyone asks me too, and there haven't been a lot of questions lately. I gave people the opportunity to offer ideas, and there were a couple, but by and large, most people just let the people they elected do their job.
The BOE is always a good target, because they're so big. It costs a lot to teach kids, and the cost of goods sold there are staff. We did slash their requested increase, and they are not happy, but everyone gave at the office this year. We'll see what they can do with the budget they got. The only area we really increased was police overtime, and that's to beef up crime suppression and prevention. Everyone seems to be in favor of that.
The City Manager gave a long dissertation on the city cars at the last Council meeting. Watch it on cable if you can to hear what he is doing about it. The issue is not being ignored or "studied." Unfortunately, it's mainly a matter of bargaining with the unions, and he is doing that. It will take time to right itself.
The City Manager is the chief executive officer of the city, charged with implementing the policies and directives of the City Council. He is the Council's sole employee (well, the Corporation Counsel is too). The buck stops with him. The mayor does pretty much what you've deduced his role from the City Charter. However, as chief elected official, he does sit in the "bully pulpit," and our mayors have been known to use that forum quite often.
Thanks for giving me something to write about. And, don't forget, I pay the high taxes too.
At some point in time we will cross the point where taxes will stay where they are and the city will be faced to cut them. All the residents are feeling the pinch and although they only went up 1.99 mills it still hurts. I don’t see myself going to my employer and asking for a raise because my taxes went up. The same needs to be done when managing the city budget.
In the big picture this is a small increase but it is an increase none the less. The city manager made a statement at one of the council meetings (I do not have the exact date it was made) that the residents wouldn’t mind a small increase in their taxes for the services they are receiving. If he doesn’t think its bad, he’s more than welcome to pick up mine.
As for the city cars, this whole “perk” needs to be disbanded. This is a huge cost to the city and grows every time the gas price increases. 55 cars are used?? Even taking out the cost of gas, what is the cost for maintenance and insurance?
I take exception to Mr. Lamontagne’s comments “This has been a well established practice. I have been doing this job since 1988 and it was the practice before then” (R-J “Council looks at Vehicles” 1/23/06). Well things have changed.
The department of Public works makes over $100K a year gets $300-400 a month in travel allowances and gets free gasoline from the city? No wonder we can’t cut taxes!
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