BUDGET WOES #2

Kudos to Councilman Storch for presenting the problems facing the Council in trying to adopt the smallest possible increase in the budget for 2009.

Unfortunately, his last paragraph, in part quoted here "All budget decisions will be made knowing that the all important primary election is coming in June." implies that political expedience to remain in office not the economic and service as well as safety needs of the community will dictate the final budget.

However, he does included 5 valid options that could result in a tax payer's more acceptable budget. The positive ones require political decisions. His proposals are limited by the likelihood of legal action from the unions. However all union contracts would be abrogated by bankruptcy, a process I do not advocate.

It would be interesting to see if any of his suggested remedies are incorporated in the budget. At all levels raises should be put on hold. Department and/or division expenses should be maintained at present levels, and if possible reduced. Perhaps a reduction in personnel is in order. The work load efficiency of those remaining would have to improve. It can be done, and there must be a solution for those who refuse to cooperate.

A review of all property that is on the tax exempt list should be done, and those used for purposes that are not germane to the organizations non profit status or are for profit should be taxed.

I again repeat; because of the timing of the State extraordinary funding allocation, a fiscal year that does not coincided with the calender year is asinine.

This is a 7:30 AM slight revision of the original post.