Fireworks Is Not the Best Use of City Funds Right Now

A few months ago--immediately after the City Council raised taxes and water utility fees--City Staff suggested renegotiating current loans so as to take advantage of lower interest rates. It seemed a good idea, so the Council agreed and the City will soon have an extra $100,000.

Last week councilman Mike Cero suggested that this money be put toward the City's fight against the planned tolling of I-90. City Manager Conrad said it was possible, but that staff had been hoping to use the funds to pay for fireworks during the City's Summer Celebration. Tomorrow (Monday, Mar. 4th) the City will ask for the Council to approve the allocation of $50,000 of this windfall to fireworks.

I like fireworks, but spending another $50,000 on this seems foolish AT THIS TIME. The City has been crying poor--which is why they claimed they HAD to raise taxes and why they needed the fire station levy. The City has also announced that the Fire Department's equipment savings fund (a.k.a. the Sinking Fund) will run out of money in 2016.

The City is entering into a big, expensive fight to try to prevent tolling of I-90 and dipping into the Contingency Fund to do it. The City intends to be frugal, but legal help is expensive, so they may need to spend more than they initially budgeted. Holding onto these funds just in case seems a wiser thing to do.

Furthermore, it's possible that the City could lose the fight and I-90 will be tolled. If that happens, the Island expects to experience a lot of economic hardship, which will also result in a severe loss of revenue for the City. This is why fighting the toll is important--as is saving any extra money that might be needed to offset the economic devastation if tolling happens. Residents reeling from the effects of tolling won't want to be hit by more increases in taxes.

If the City wins the fight against tolling--well, then perhaps fireworks will be in order.