"We're still in dire economic times," Democratic Common Council majority leader Thomas Serra said today explaining a budget proposal which differs considerably from the one put forward by Mayor Sebastian Giuliano. "It's unfortunate there has to be an increase."
Giuliano's proposal would increase the mill rate from 25.5 to 27.3, a 1.8 mill increase. The Democratic proposal increases the mill rate to 26.4.
The Democratic caucus will present their alternative budget proposal at a special Common Council meeting tonight (Thursday) in Common Council chambers at 8 p.m.
In order to achieve a balanced budget with a smaller increase Democrats have made an across-the-board cut in all departments except those areas in which expenditures are bound contractually.
No Fireworks, No New Hires. No BOE Payroll Switch, No Increase for BOE
"Unfortunately, the annual July 4th fireworks dispay had to be cut," Serra said. "But we've kept all other events, including the 5k, the Cruise Night and Motorcycle Mania, in the budget."
In addition, the Democratic proposal rejects the shift of payroll dollars for non-educational, union employees on the Board of Education staff, onto the city side of the payroll. This shift of payroll dollars had been suggested by the mayor as a means to keep the city true to charter language, and to prevent the Board of Education from shifting those payroll dollars into other line items.
"We've done some investigation of the legality of that proposal," Serra said. "And we're investigating a charter revision to change that language. We're only one of three municipalities who has that language in our charter.
With the exception of one police officer, the Democratic budget calls for no new hires of municipal employees.
"We're extremely disappointed in union leadership, not rank-and-file, for not considering extending the contract and delaying raises," Serra said. "That would have provided us with about another million dollars to work with. It's too bad that union leaders don't understand that this is a different budget, with different revenues and at a time when state funding is not what it once was. I think their reasons for rejecting concessions are shallow and hollow."
Serra praised town educators for taking 0% increases in salary and no step increases for this budget year.
"We are only giving the Board of Education what they asked for last year," Serra stressed. "There will be no increase there."
Serra also indicated that the Democratic budget will not "raid the General Fund," to make up for budget shortfalls.
Serra praised the work of his caucus which met five times on the budget proposal in meetings that lasted 3-5 hours, and particularly cited the chairperson for the caucus Hope Kasper, and the co-chair Grady Faulkner, who used his computer skills to help track the proposed budget changes.
8 comments:
I wonder what gimmicks and lies the Serra gang used this time around!
City department heads have previewed the budget and they did cut contractual obligations. So, when your islands aren't mowed, streets plowed, lights fixed or any other mirade of public services are substandard please don't call the Mayor's Office. Call the Office of the Common Council to complain. The Board of Education spends millions in line items not disclosed in the original budget; the Water & Sewer Department is bankrupt yet passes on a 12% increase to the citizens for years of mismanagement AND their budget remains in tact. This Council is old and worn out and needs to be replaced. The question is will anyone remember this in 18 months.
I think the Common Council is doing the right thing. I am also disappointed that these unions did not give up raises during these economic times. No one I know is getting a raise these days and many more are losing (or have lost) their jobs. Shame on you. And why are they trying to shift who prints their paycheck? Who cares? Either way you get paid, unlike millions of others out there. What a waste of time, energy and probably more taxpayer dollars for legal input.
I think cutting fireworks at 60K a pop (no pun intended) is quite a sensible sacrifice to make.
Anon May 13- are you kidding? The Unions DID give up raises- that is all the unions EXCEPT the BOE union. NO ONE is getting raises but the superintendent. They gave up raises to keep everyone employed. It matters who does the paycheck because if the city does it then the BOE can't cut the custodians and nurses etc when they have to make budget sacrifices and give the rest raises. You obviously only read at a rd grade level if that.
City Unions such as MMPA and 466 made/will make concessions this fiscal year and last - which means giving up something boys and girls- Some facts:
1.Because of concessions they will not get raises this year nor did they last year.
2.Because of concessions,they pay more for health insurance premium wise, and co pay wise.
Retirees pay for health insurance should they continue to take it
No tax payer money is put into pension funds. Again not free.
3.Despite urban myths, is no free lunch or coffee for City employees. There is no secret cafeteria in the basement- there are cash-money vending machines in city hall & a coffee pot upstairs that city employees bring in their own coffee and cups for.
4. There is no flex time, and all but necessary over time for police and emergency staff, not including plow drivers, has been cut from budget last year and this year.
5. On average, office employees work 8:30- 4:30 with a 1 hour lunch break and a 15 min morning coffee break. And its never been any more than that. That's a full day.
6. City vehicles are used for city business only, and anyone who violates this is disciplined.
Taxpayers get a full days work out of the employees; who's salaries are generally lower than that of the private sector equivalent, although in exchange for this lower wage, and union dues, unions bargain against lay offs and are sometimes successful. They call it "collective bargaining." Saturday and Sunday, also another perk brought to the public by Unions.
It is easy where in an recession those not in a union can be jealous of this protection and react with allegations of misconduct. Life is unfair, I'm sure everyone's job has its advantages and disadvantages.
I would like to thank the mayor and common council for costing me my home. If the taxes go up again, yes I said again. I will no longer be able to afford my home. Will you be there to explain this to my children? Will you be there to help us figure out where to go? Where you be there to explain to them why? Last year the mayor authorized reassesments of property value, which caused my taxes to increase 50%! And now they want to raise them agian. We had the chance to vote these leaders out but no one did. You can not complain about what they are doing if you put them back into office. I am disappointed, disguested, and terrified of what lies ahead. The sad part is that no matter how much the residents beg and plead the council and mayor will do as they do. Perhaps someday there will be real change.
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