Post by mikesnyder on Aug 16, 2024 18:25:55 GMT
Last night (8/15/24) was a great meeting. Appreciate hearing from staff how they came to where they did on their proposed budget. This was however the same presentation that the City Manager gave to us at the Saturday meeting.
It would be really helpful if everyone looked around and figured out what they could do without. I know that it isn't easy. We haven't see a revised budget at all from the City Manager. I would have thought that after 3 Councilpersons saying that we weren't going to raise taxes, that SOMETHING would have changed. But, here we are with nothing changed. There is a majority on Council that is ok with things as they are and 3 people who want to limit the growth of government.
So, how do we do this? The 3 who don't want government to grow are being asked to just go with it and not make changes. The 3 are asking the 4 what they can do without because we can get to consensus on those things very quickly.
My understanding is, that if 5 do not vote for a tax increase, then it will not happen. So, maybe we should look at some cuts to the budget? Also, this would be unchartered territory on things as well. I am also under the understanding that if Council does not approve the budget by the deadline, then the one proposed by the City Manager prevails. However, the City Manager's budget is so far different than the NNR, that we would need reserves. But, we don't have reserves as the budget last year took us to within a few thousand $$ of our 20% reserve.
So, what's the plan. I don't mind being called every name in the book. At the end of the day, the people have spoken to me. Those that don't mind a small increase in taxes just don't trust the majority of the City Council to be good stewards of the money.
Can we start by taking away the Council food budget? No more Salt Grass and other items? We eat before we come to Council meetings on our own?
It would be really helpful if everyone looked around and figured out what they could do without. I know that it isn't easy. We haven't see a revised budget at all from the City Manager. I would have thought that after 3 Councilpersons saying that we weren't going to raise taxes, that SOMETHING would have changed. But, here we are with nothing changed. There is a majority on Council that is ok with things as they are and 3 people who want to limit the growth of government.
So, how do we do this? The 3 who don't want government to grow are being asked to just go with it and not make changes. The 3 are asking the 4 what they can do without because we can get to consensus on those things very quickly.
My understanding is, that if 5 do not vote for a tax increase, then it will not happen. So, maybe we should look at some cuts to the budget? Also, this would be unchartered territory on things as well. I am also under the understanding that if Council does not approve the budget by the deadline, then the one proposed by the City Manager prevails. However, the City Manager's budget is so far different than the NNR, that we would need reserves. But, we don't have reserves as the budget last year took us to within a few thousand $$ of our 20% reserve.
So, what's the plan. I don't mind being called every name in the book. At the end of the day, the people have spoken to me. Those that don't mind a small increase in taxes just don't trust the majority of the City Council to be good stewards of the money.
Can we start by taking away the Council food budget? No more Salt Grass and other items? We eat before we come to Council meetings on our own?