The potential cuts in the fiscal year budget that will cause some employees to loss their jobs was the main reason the March 4 Council Chambers were filled to over capacity, including all three local TV networks.
Speaker after speaker, many of them Oro Valley police officers spoke and implored the council to not cut services of any police.
What came out of the discussion, other than the emotional pleas from those that would be either directly impacted, or having their fellow officers impacted were some indisputable facts.
Mayor Loomis pointed out that OV receives the majority of its revenue from three sources: Sales Tax, Construction Sales Tax and State sharing. All three are less than expected, and the town MUST have a balanced budget, which presently shows a $5.2 million deficit.
David Andrews pointed out that each department was mandated to present their budget and offer the number of positions that could be eliminated.
When it came time for a motion, there were three attempts, and each was defeated 4-3.
After an additional 5 minute break, it was determined the inevitable (the mayor's term) would wait until the budget is fine tuned.
It appears, come April, the number of town employees will be cut by perhaps 26 to 33 personnel.
As Paula Abbott noted, this was probably her most difficult meeting (decision wise) in her 6 1/2 years on the council.
With people's livelihood at stake, we can understand Paula's comment.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Utility Tax Will Continue On A 4-3 Vote
Those of us that were at the Oro Valley Council Meeting this evening (March 4) heard the first speaker of the night. It was John Fink, Chief of GRFD who announced that the room was filled to over capacity, and the doors must remain open.
To say the whole OV police department was in attendance would be an exaggeration----although it may have looked that way.
By my count, John Musolf & I spoke against renewing the Utility Tax. The other ten or more speakers, including some police officers spoke in favor of renewing it and all received a large round of applause from the audience.
That was not a surprise as many were (rightfully) concerned about the next item on the agenda----potential job cuts.
When it came time to vote on the tax, only Paula Abbott, KC Carter & Bill Garner stood up against the vast majority of the audience, and voted "No."
Mayor Loomis, Barry Gillaspie, Al Kunisch & Salette Latas were the four that voted to continue with the tax that was due to "sunset" come April 1.
We expected Loomis & Kunisch to vote yes. We thought Gillaspie and/or Latas would join the other three.
It didn't happen!
To say the whole OV police department was in attendance would be an exaggeration----although it may have looked that way.
By my count, John Musolf & I spoke against renewing the Utility Tax. The other ten or more speakers, including some police officers spoke in favor of renewing it and all received a large round of applause from the audience.
That was not a surprise as many were (rightfully) concerned about the next item on the agenda----potential job cuts.
When it came time to vote on the tax, only Paula Abbott, KC Carter & Bill Garner stood up against the vast majority of the audience, and voted "No."
Mayor Loomis, Barry Gillaspie, Al Kunisch & Salette Latas were the four that voted to continue with the tax that was due to "sunset" come April 1.
We expected Loomis & Kunisch to vote yes. We thought Gillaspie and/or Latas would join the other three.
It didn't happen!
The Explorer Addresses Tonight's Oro Valley Council Meeting On Potential Layoffs
It is certainly not a pleasant time when people lose their jobs, and that possibility exists for some Oro Valley town workers when the council meets tonight. (March 4)
Obviously, Oro Valley, like every other municipalities is suffering with financial woes due to circumstances beyond their control. However, the council, hopefully will decide what actions to take in an unemotional, but fiscally responsible way.
Please read The Explorer article on this subject, including some of the potential cuts under consideration.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/03/04/news/doc49adba78a289e972640023.txt
Obviously, Oro Valley, like every other municipalities is suffering with financial woes due to circumstances beyond their control. However, the council, hopefully will decide what actions to take in an unemotional, but fiscally responsible way.
Please read The Explorer article on this subject, including some of the potential cuts under consideration.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/03/04/news/doc49adba78a289e972640023.txt
Jeff Jones Echos Our Position: Do Not Renew This Unneeded Utility Tax
In his letter to The Explorer, Jeff Jones lets the editor know, the utility tax is "not optional" and should not be renewed. We couldn't agree more.
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Taxes aren’t an ‘option;’ OV ought to kill this one
Mr. Perry,
One might assume you don’t live in Oro Valley since you think the current, and up for renewal, utility tax is “optional” for the payers. I don’t recall seeing an option to pay the tax or not on my monthly bill. In fact, is there any tax that is “optional?” If this, or any other tax were “optional,” how often do you think it would be paid?
While it may be at the “option” of the town council to levy this tax, we don’t have the “option” to not pay it. I hope the current council exercises their “option” to not renew this unneeded tax.
Jeff Jones, Oro Valley
The publisher / editor is an Oro Valley resident. – Ed.
Here's the link to Mr. Perry's editorial of Feb 25.The Explorer Endorses Keeping Oro Valley's Utility Tax
*********************************************************************************************************
Taxes aren’t an ‘option;’ OV ought to kill this one
Mr. Perry,
One might assume you don’t live in Oro Valley since you think the current, and up for renewal, utility tax is “optional” for the payers. I don’t recall seeing an option to pay the tax or not on my monthly bill. In fact, is there any tax that is “optional?” If this, or any other tax were “optional,” how often do you think it would be paid?
While it may be at the “option” of the town council to levy this tax, we don’t have the “option” to not pay it. I hope the current council exercises their “option” to not renew this unneeded tax.
Jeff Jones, Oro Valley
The publisher / editor is an Oro Valley resident. – Ed.
Here's the link to Mr. Perry's editorial of Feb 25.The Explorer Endorses Keeping Oro Valley's Utility Tax
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