Oro Valley may go into the contingency funds to pay for some expenditures. The article, in the "Northwest Explorer", highlights just how out of touch "Hizzonah the Mayah" and some of his council cohorts, like Dankwerth are from those of their constituents.Dankwerth warns : Basically, the citizens of Oro Valley are going to have to learn to pay their way."
Yes, the town is wrestling with its budget. And what town doesn't. There are always trade-offs and choices that need to be made, especially in Town Government, whose main source of revenue appears to be what they can get from our pockets.
"Some Oro Valley Town Council members have questioned why the Town Manager’s recommended 2007-2008 budget leaves the town with less money at the end of next year." And well they should! Just like each of us has to when we make our own personal budget. If we have less at the end of the year than at the beginning, then we spent more than we made. Problem for us is that we can't reach into someone else's pocket to make up the difference. They can. And they seem all too willing to do so.
"Anticipating a time when the town will have to ask voters to approve a new tax, Councilman Barry Gillaspie said the council should, instead of depleting the general fund, make every effort to cut programs first. Otherwise, he said, “The citizens won’t consider (a tax) as a proposition.” We agree Barry. Take a look at every line. Look at every service. Consider both how to cut costs and who should pay for them.
In a related article, Councilman Kunisch notes that taking money out of Oro Valley's contingency fund to fund the budget is "... like a person taking money from his savings account to pay the bills." Al, we see it more like a person who can't afford it, buying a 50" plasma TV on his credit card which already has a balance of $10,000.
We wonder: When will Oro Valley learn to live within its means?
2 comments:
The empire builders among the Town's staff want to dip into the "savings account." Why is this not a surprise?
People who've owned a business or raised a family know that very often the only way to avoid bankruptcy is to cut spending. Why is this concept so foreign to public employees?
Instead of doing so, why not delay some of the plans for expansion? Could we not order every department head to cut spending or face termination? Firing is an excellent management tool.
And does Oro Valley need an advertising agency, whether or not it has a conflict of interest?
We're certain others will have similar questions and suggestions about cutting costs, rather with further burdening taxpayers.
Another example of wasteful spending is the recent hiring of 18 more personnel to Town Staff at a time when the budget is in peril.
Yes, we have a low crime rate in OV but perhaps that could have something to do with demographics? Do we really need more police personnel?
And have you asked council who is paying for the police substation at the OV Marketplace....? That's right, it's not Vestar, the mega-developer! It's the taxpayer again and again and again....
And think back to all the money OV wasted in fighting its own citizens....case in point - the recent SOVOG/OV litigation.
I don't mind paying my way, Ms. Dankwerth, just as long as my money is spent wisely.....Can you honestly say it has?????
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