I have to apologize…
My concerns about the budget last week were truly out of place. Although I have not heard any news about the Council sitting down in public and working out a solution to the $51 million budget shortfall, I guess something is going on.
I know Members of the Council have been quoted in the newspaper about how the budget problems are compounding week by week as nothing gets done, but surely they must have a plan and the newspapers are just slow in getting the information out.
My confidence in the Council’s swift action was heightened when I saw their meeting agenda for the week. Here is a link for the Mayor & Council Study Session so you can take a look yourself:
http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/agdocs/20081104/20081104ssag.pdf
First and foremost is a discussion of the Use and Disposal of Plastic Bags. There does not seem to be anything on the agenda related to the budget, but they are a clever bunch. A solution is forthcoming.
The newspaper said pools are closing and recreation programs for children and seniors are being reduced or eliminated without Council action.
Who really cares?
Our Council is tackling the real issues of our community…plastic bags.
I am really excited!
I just received my “I’m Going Green!” sustainable canvas tote bag from the City! And what’s better, it was absolutely free!!!
If my taxes cannot go to support programs for my boys, I can at least get a free bag out of the deal – and know there is one less plastic bag in the landfill!
There are plenty of streets for our children to play on. We can all watch them play together, while we're holding the bag.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
It has been noted how successful leaders dare to be unpopular when they have to make tough decisions. As we stand in the midst of incredibly challenging times, it will be interesting to see if our current leaders have the ability and the courage to make the difficult choices for Tucson’s future.
I am not optimistic given a recent action by our Mayor & Council.
Tucson is facing a significant budget crisis with about a $51 million projected shortfall this fiscal year. On Tuesday (21 October) the Council told City Manager Mike Hein to come back in December with recommendations for additional cuts. (Of note – December marks the end of the first half of the fiscal year. The problems will assuredly compound as each week ticks away.)
I believe the primary responsibility of our City Council is the creation and stewardship of the budget. The budget is THE policy document of the City’s Governing Body. It is the possession and responsibility of the Mayor & Council and serves as a declaration, of sorts, of the policies, programs and initiatives each City Council supports.
Mike Hein, the guy some on the Council tried to fire, was not elected to make decisions regarding the City’s direction or broad policies. The action by the Mayor & Council demonstrated cowardice and a significant lack of leadership.
Based on what we have seen from this Council I imagine the discussion might go something like this…
Council: Mr. Hein, come back in a few months and tell us what to do.
Two months later…
Hein: Here is what we have to do to balance the budget. There are a lot of tough choices which must be taken.
Council: Can we sell public assets or take out a payday loan (issue some magical bonds)?
Hein: You could, but it would not be in the best interest of the community, it does not resolve systemic issues and it will make the problems worse next year.
Council: You apparently do not have the best interest of the community at heart.
Hein: You should have taken me out when you had a chance. Vote monkeys vote!!!!!
Okay, so maybe I have an over-active imagination. I don’t think they will literally say “payday loan.”
We should give them credit for cutting $2 million from Outside Agencies, but a full dissection of this part of the budget would provide a lot more opportunity for saving the public’s money.
I fully understand we are in some of the most difficult economic times in our Nation’s history and it is easy to point fingers. But I do not come without a suggested solution, similar to one employed by a previous Council tasked with trimming $100 million from the budget.
The Mayor & Council need to own the budget. They should begin now and not wait for December. They should sit down at the Study Session table at least twice a week, take the budget apart and put it back together again in full public view. Simple and straight forward. We could call it “Project Runway – the Budget Edition.” Ideas can be walked up and down the table and Tim Gunn can tell the Council to “Make it work!”
The Council will have a better understanding and appreciation of the budget with this process.
I know at least one member of the body has told me public safety, transportation and parks are a priority.
Begin the process by making sure these are funded to meet the needs of the community. What next? Identify the next priority and fund that. When the money runs out begin cutting.
For example, did the taxpayers really need to slaughter goats and buy tequila for friends of the Council? Would the folks living in the City rather fund the Vagina Monologues in Spanish or have the potholes fixed in their neighborhood? (Hint: they paid for the monologues.) I appreciate my sustainable canvas tote bag, but I would rather keep another pool open.
Each Council Member and the Mayor get $400,000 for Back-to-Basics. A decade ago the program made a difference. In recent years it has been used by politicians to reward friends and feather nests. That is an easy $2.8 million cut.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) are used by other communities to pay for needed City services. In Tucson they are used to fund outside agencies. Here is an opportunity to funded City programs which may end up on the chopping block when Hein comes back to the Council in December.
Sun Tran has become a regional system. With some thoughtful planning it ought to be turned over to the Regional Transportation Authority approved by the voters. Freeze the current general fund subsidy and give it over to the RTA. There will not be immediate savings, but over time it will help protect other priorities.
Privatize the Tucson Convention Center. Turn management over to a private sector company who can assume risk and use the facility to its best advantage - $3 million dollars back in the General Fund.
I am convinced there are many other opportunities to find savings. The challenge becomes the will to lead and take bold decisions.
The solution poses problems. It forces politicians to really expose what they care about and makes them work together toward an end. It also provides focus for City Staff and prevents Council Members from spending tax dollars to discover what impact backyard gardens and keeping chicken and ducks will have.
Yes, City Staff is currently unraveling the mysteries of chickens, ducks and your Grandmothers prize lima beans. I wish I was joking.
I am not optimistic given a recent action by our Mayor & Council.
Tucson is facing a significant budget crisis with about a $51 million projected shortfall this fiscal year. On Tuesday (21 October) the Council told City Manager Mike Hein to come back in December with recommendations for additional cuts. (Of note – December marks the end of the first half of the fiscal year. The problems will assuredly compound as each week ticks away.)
I believe the primary responsibility of our City Council is the creation and stewardship of the budget. The budget is THE policy document of the City’s Governing Body. It is the possession and responsibility of the Mayor & Council and serves as a declaration, of sorts, of the policies, programs and initiatives each City Council supports.
Mike Hein, the guy some on the Council tried to fire, was not elected to make decisions regarding the City’s direction or broad policies. The action by the Mayor & Council demonstrated cowardice and a significant lack of leadership.
Based on what we have seen from this Council I imagine the discussion might go something like this…
Council: Mr. Hein, come back in a few months and tell us what to do.
Two months later…
Hein: Here is what we have to do to balance the budget. There are a lot of tough choices which must be taken.
Council: Can we sell public assets or take out a payday loan (issue some magical bonds)?
Hein: You could, but it would not be in the best interest of the community, it does not resolve systemic issues and it will make the problems worse next year.
Council: You apparently do not have the best interest of the community at heart.
Hein: You should have taken me out when you had a chance. Vote monkeys vote!!!!!
Okay, so maybe I have an over-active imagination. I don’t think they will literally say “payday loan.”
We should give them credit for cutting $2 million from Outside Agencies, but a full dissection of this part of the budget would provide a lot more opportunity for saving the public’s money.
I fully understand we are in some of the most difficult economic times in our Nation’s history and it is easy to point fingers. But I do not come without a suggested solution, similar to one employed by a previous Council tasked with trimming $100 million from the budget.
The Mayor & Council need to own the budget. They should begin now and not wait for December. They should sit down at the Study Session table at least twice a week, take the budget apart and put it back together again in full public view. Simple and straight forward. We could call it “Project Runway – the Budget Edition.” Ideas can be walked up and down the table and Tim Gunn can tell the Council to “Make it work!”
The Council will have a better understanding and appreciation of the budget with this process.
I know at least one member of the body has told me public safety, transportation and parks are a priority.
Begin the process by making sure these are funded to meet the needs of the community. What next? Identify the next priority and fund that. When the money runs out begin cutting.
For example, did the taxpayers really need to slaughter goats and buy tequila for friends of the Council? Would the folks living in the City rather fund the Vagina Monologues in Spanish or have the potholes fixed in their neighborhood? (Hint: they paid for the monologues.) I appreciate my sustainable canvas tote bag, but I would rather keep another pool open.
Each Council Member and the Mayor get $400,000 for Back-to-Basics. A decade ago the program made a difference. In recent years it has been used by politicians to reward friends and feather nests. That is an easy $2.8 million cut.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) are used by other communities to pay for needed City services. In Tucson they are used to fund outside agencies. Here is an opportunity to funded City programs which may end up on the chopping block when Hein comes back to the Council in December.
Sun Tran has become a regional system. With some thoughtful planning it ought to be turned over to the Regional Transportation Authority approved by the voters. Freeze the current general fund subsidy and give it over to the RTA. There will not be immediate savings, but over time it will help protect other priorities.
Privatize the Tucson Convention Center. Turn management over to a private sector company who can assume risk and use the facility to its best advantage - $3 million dollars back in the General Fund.
I am convinced there are many other opportunities to find savings. The challenge becomes the will to lead and take bold decisions.
The solution poses problems. It forces politicians to really expose what they care about and makes them work together toward an end. It also provides focus for City Staff and prevents Council Members from spending tax dollars to discover what impact backyard gardens and keeping chicken and ducks will have.
Yes, City Staff is currently unraveling the mysteries of chickens, ducks and your Grandmothers prize lima beans. I wish I was joking.
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