[RP TownTalk] no vote will be taken at the budget hearing

Tue May 22 15:24:10 UTC 2007

If repairing the roads all at once saves us money, I don't see how
this is a bad thing for the future of the town.

On 5/22/07, CHRISTINA DAVIS <book-smart at verizon.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> The budget historically has been delivered the week before the election (in
> election years), and preparation with town staff began 1-2 months earlier.
> Perhaps this has changed more recently, but it might be a good system to go
> back to. It is unusual in the town's history for a proposed budget hike of
> this size to have not been discussed during a campaign, either pro or con.
>
>
>
> Also, I have been hearing much about road improvements; streets that were
> repaired 5-10 years ago are being redone again now. This is not unusual if a
> utility company destroys them and pays for the complete over-hall (usually
> after much legal wrangling). But, if these newly done streets did not
> survive their proposed 20-30 year life span, then perhaps the road repair
> company should be taken to task and repair them at reduced or no cost.
>
>
>
> A now-deceased mayor from the 1960s touted himself as the "road-paving
> king," and did all of the town streets at once. Then, in the 1980s and early
> 1990s, they all failed at the nearly same time (as their life expectancies
> all expired at the same time), a problem which my generation of
> councilmembers inherited. A more moderate approach seemed to be warranted,
> as it would not seem prudent to pass this problem along to your children
> after the town had learned such a valuable lesson then.
>
>
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>  From: towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org
> [mailto:towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org] On Behalf Of
> Dwight Holmes
>  Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 3:50 PM
>  To: TownTalk
>  Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] no vote will be taken at the budget hearing
>
>
>
> Roland--Thank you for the information here you've given us that I was not
> previously aware of, and which is good to know. The value of this thread
> continues to accumulate. However, I'm puzzled a bit by your citing of my
> earlier email. What I wrote was "Like some have already said, I think it's
> too bad the discussion couldn't have started somewhat sooner -- it does feel
> a bit rushed, for something as momentous as this is. But it is good to know
> that there are at least a few meetings to go before things are finalized."
> You took a piece of that out of context.  I think it misconstrued the
> meaning of what I wrote.
>
>  And whether we are eventually talking about tax hike of 27% or 18% or even
> 10%, I think it's fair to say that it is momentous.  I would argue at the
> very least that it *should* be seen as such.  I'm not advocating for or
> against any particular proposal at this point. As a new homeowner in  the
> town, I want and need much more information. That's why I've appreciated and
> expressed as much for the current thread(s) we've got going here.  Without
> this email list I would know nothing of any of these issues.  It's really
> too bad more of our residents don't join in.  But mainly, I'm just saying
> that a tax increase of any amount in that range (10 - 27%) is certainly not
> inconsequential, is certainly significant, and may be seen by many on tight
> budgets as mom entous.
>
>
>
>
> On 5/21/07, Roland Walker <walker at pobox.com> wrote:
>
> [Dwight Holmes writes]
>  > it does feel a bit rushed, for something as momentous as this is.
>
>  Outside the world of this email list, the budget process is neither so
>  rushed, nor the taxation decision so momentous.
>
>  No vote will be taken tonight -- the meeting is only a hearing, one
>  that is required under the laws that govern the process.
>
>  The mayor's submitted budget represents, in large part, "wishlists"
>  put forward by town staff, gathered up together, and proposed to the
>  council.
>
>  Tonight's hearing publicizes a maximum number, which our taxes cannot
>  exceed.  However, it is expected that the final taxation instructions
>  we send to the county will be lower.  The law gives us the flexibility
>  to move down -- but not up -- from the publicized number.  So we call
>  it first on the high end.
>
>  Right now, what is happening is that your councilmembers are poring
>  over the budget, finding items to remove or add, generally working to
>  bring the budget down by whittling away at staff wishlists.  One
>  councilmember has also found a revenue item which was missing.
>  Citizens have also read the budget and forwarded good money-saving
>  suggestions, and are encouraged to do so.
>
>  The incoming council are the ones that will actually pass the budget.
>  They are on point right now to see that the budget fits their policy
>  priorities as described to voters.
>
>  This is generally a consultative process, not an adversarial one.  Mr
>  Oppenheim's exhortations on the subject may be charitably explained by
>  noting that having served only half a term, he is not very familiar
>  with the process.
>
>  The final tax rate will be lower than the advertised rate.  It will
>  probably represent a modest rise in rates.
>
>  Vernon Archer ran for mayor in '05 on a platform or building up our
>  town, and was unopposed in '07.   Perhaps someone will run in '09 on a
>  platform of cutting police and public works.  In the meantime,
>  measured, steady buildup will continue.
>
>  This was the choice of the voters.
>
>  R
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