- April 24, 2024
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The public got a chance to have their say on the budget process May 20 at a Town Hall Meeting at City Hall.
“The purpose is to get feedback from the public and a direction for the budget,” said City Manager Joyce Shanahan.
Nine citizens attended the meeting.
Modern technology has now taken over the process at city meetings. In past budget meetings, the participants placed stickers on posters to rank spending items in importance. The stickers would then be counted. Now, audience members are given clickers, so their votes are tabulated instantly and shown on a screen in the front of the room.
“It gives everyone a voice, even if they are shy,” Shanahan said. “It’s immediate and accurate.”
At the May 20 meeting, the public first got a test on their knowledge of the budget process.
The first question: What is the main source of revenue for the city? The choices were Property Tax; Other (sales tax, communications tax); and Utilities (water, garbage, etc.) Half of the audience believed it was “Other,” but the actual answer is … Utilities, which provides 39% of the budget, or $25 million.
The second question: What is the largest expense for the city? The choices were Wage and Benefits, Operating Expenses (fuel, contracts) or Capital Projects (roads, water mains, etc.) The audience was correct, guessing Wage and Benefits, which cost $25 million per year.
Third: What is the biggest expense in employee benefits? The choices were Retirement, Social Security and Workmans’ Compensation. The correct answer, which the audience got right, is retirement, which cost the city $5 million per year.
“Four or five years ago, it was half that,” said Finance Director Kelly McGuire. She explained that investments are not earning as much so the city must contribute more funds.
The audience was asked for input on what service is most important for the city to provide, and the overwhelming winner was parks and grounds. Getting zero votes were The Casements and Performing Arts Center, and getting a few votes were city-sponsored sports, gymnastics and athletic field maintenance.
Asked if they believe they get a good value for their tax dollar, the audience overwhelmingly voted yes.
Mayor Ed Kelley said he would like to hear from individuals who feel they don’t get a good value.
“It would be interesting to get their comments,” he said. He mentioned that his phone number is on the city website, and people are welcome to call. He said if someone leaves a message he will get back to them.
Commissioner James Stowers echoed the sentiment, encouraging citizens to speak to the Budget Advisory Board or their commissioner.
Another question was whether it is more important to keep the tax rate the same, or keep the same level of service. Two-thirds of the responders said to keep the tax rate the same.
The only audience member who spoke was Rita Press, who encouraged the commissioners to tackle the abandoned housing problem. She said that deteriorating houses lower property values in the neighborhoods, thus costing the city money. (See related story on page 3.)
More opportunities will be available for public input, until the commissioners have the first public hearing on the tax rate on Sept. 2.
