Budget Cuts Get No Support at Public Hearing

It took less than 10 minutes for the mayor and City Council to show their lack of interest in a budget-cutting proposal during Monday night's public hearing for property tax rate Ordinance 928.

A 56-cent tax rate was first after Miller and Councilman Mitch Shank came up with roughly $1 million in potential budget cuts.

Only two residents spoke during the hearing—former City Councilman Joe Kochenderfer and resident Rodney Gaston—addressing the mayor and City Council on various issues, mostly budget-related.

The only other people in attendance were newly elected City Councilwoman Barbara Wagner and her husband, George Wagner. Neither spoke during public comment.

Kochenderfer addressed the mayor and City Council first, explaining he thinks of the city's tax rate and budget as the "chicken and the egg," and explained he's never sure which comes first, so he would address all of his budget concerns.

Kochenderfer explained he's always been of the opinion that elected officials should not get "too liberal" with the budget.

"I urge you not to get to the point where you have starved yourselves for various things," he said, giving the example of the trash fund and explaining the city including the Paddocks in trash collection will cause an additional $10,000 or $11,000 increase in trash rates in the fiscal year.

Kochenderfer also mentioned the rising cost of fuel prices and how he believes that should be considered into the budget.

"I think you need to make sure there's enough funding for that sort of thing," he said.

Before closing his comments, Kochenderfer said though he had heard many capital projects wouldn't be pursued unless they included grant opportunities, he thinks projects should still be considered.

"I urge you not to shy away from capital projects," he said, adding he believes the city could get a "better bang for their buck" in the depressed economy.

Gaston said he had questions about the exact figure in the proposed increase of the base water rate, which Mayor Wayne Dougherty said he would provide to the resident following the public hearing.

(See below for budget calendar)

Gaston's next question brought a moment of pause from all on the dais, as he inquired about a proposal for more than $1 million in budget cuts—which was , when .

Gaston said that during the last council meeting, council members indicated they needed a week to review the proposal and possibly come up with some cuts of their own.

Last night, the resident followed up, asking if council had adequate time to review the proposed budget cuts and if anyone would be willing to share their thoughts on Shank and Miller's proposal.

Dougherty briefly chimed in, saying, "Council, it's up to you, we have one more work session."

After a momentary pause, councilman Fred Cullum spoke up, agreeing to address the proposal.

"At this point in time, there's only one thing I would support," he said, indicating he would support the removal of a parking enforcement employee from the budget, but nothing else.

"We've been cutting things out of the budget for the past three years," he said, citing a decrease in state and federal funding as a reason for the budget's former trimming.

"I just don't think I can support it," he said.

Upon hearing no further comments from the public or council members, Dougherty adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.

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FY 2011/12 BUDGET CALENDAR

Initial Department Budget Requests

January 31

Mayoral Review

Feb. 1- March 21

Submission of Proposed Budget to City Council

March 21

Public Work Sessions

April 11, 6:30 p.m.

April 25, 6 p.m.

May 17, 6 p.m.

Tax Rate Ordinance First Reading

April 18, 7 p.m.

Constant Yield Tax Rate Public Hearing Advertisement

April 15

April 22

Tax Rate Ordinance First Reading Reconsideration

May 2, 7 p.m.

Tax Rate Ordinance Public Hearing

May 9, 6 p.m.

1. Water/Sewer Rate Ordinance First Reading
2. Tax Rate Second Reading & Adoption

May 16, 7 p.m.

Water Sewer Rate Public Hearing

May 23, 6 p.m.

1. Budget Ordinance First Reading
2. Water/Sewer Rate Ordinance Second Reading & Adoption

June 6, 7 p.m.

Budget Ordinance Public Hearing

June 13, 6 p.m.

Budget Ordinance Second Reading & Adoption

June 20, 7 p.m.