In what will doubtless be a painful budget season, members of the Emporia City Commission hoped for a bigger turnout at its first public hearing Tuesday night to discuss the budget for fiscal year 2010.
With revenues down and expenses up, commissioners are looking for public comment to pinpoint the concerns and answer the questions community members may have.
In addition to the five city commissioners were city manager Matt Zimmerman, County Commissioners Scott Briggs and Rollie Martin and County Controller Dan Slater. Ten members of the public were present at the hearing.
“The commission feels that this is very valuable,” Mayor Jeff Longbine said to open the hearing. “It’s input that we need as we start working through the budget process and we’re deciding what level of service we can provide.”
For 2009, the city is looking at a 7 percent decrease in sales tax collections from last year, and projections show a two percent increase for 2010. At the same time, property tax valuation has decreased 3 percent and expenses have gone up.
Included in the first draft of the 2010 budget are all general fund CIP items, totaling about $5.3 million. The commission’s job now is to decide what to cut.
“Last year we spent between $300,000 and $400,000 on capital projects, so there’s a lot that is not going to make the cut list to balance this budget,” Longbine said. “That’s not unusual. That’s the process we go through.”
Audience member Richard Kennison expressed concern that people have been leaving Emporia because of mill levy increases; he said he was afraid if taxes keep going up, more people will leave.
Longbine called it a balancing act, trying to keep levies flat while funding programs that might bring people and businesses to town and help spread the tax burden.
“I realize the strain that it would put on people to increase the mill levy and I’ll do everything in my power to keep it flat,” Longbine said. “Even though a flat mill levy brings us less money because of the decreased valuation.” He added that programs that would grow the city also cost money.
The commission is looking at ways to balance the budget without raising taxes, Longbine explained.
“That is no doubt going to require a cut in services or some some level of service or programs that we are currently funding that we are no longer going fund,” he said. “... If I hear very strongly from the community that those programs and services and operations are more important than a tax increase, then that’s the balancing I’ve got to do. We have to start identifying cuts. That’s why we’re having three budget hearings.”
Commissioner Bob Agler stressed the need for cuts to avoid having to raise taxes.
“We won’t deficit spend,” Agler said. “Fortunately, Kansas law forbids it, so we either shave significantly or there will be a tax increase. ... To say it will be painless is absolutely absurd.”
Steve Corbin expressed concern at how few people showed up to the hearing, saying there are probably many in the community who have concerns but don’t feel as though expressing them will do any good.
“I think you should look at what it takes to pay for law enforcement and public services we need, and cut everything else by half,” Corbin said to the commissioners. “That should get some people to show up next time.”
Longbine returned to the core of the dilemma the city is facing as it works through the budget.
“When you start dealing with 3 percent loss in valuation and a 5 percent loss in sales tax, you can’t keep expenditures the same because revenues are declining and they’re declining sharply,” Longbine said. “So right now we’re trying to balance the budget looking at capital expenditures and what capital we have to do, and then all the rest of the money has to come out of operations. ... We’ve got to take a look at every single department and every single program we’ve got to get to a balanced budget.”
Commissioners urged the public to get involved in the process by coming to the hearings and sharing their ideas, or by e-mailing their concerns to individual commissioners. The public also is invited to sit in on city study sessions on July 22 and July 29 as the commission works to balance first the utility funds and then the general funds.
“The theory is, ‘Tell us in general what your thoughts are, what are key issues for you,’” Matt Zimmerman said, noting that as commissioners progress through the budget they will consider those concerns. “... Then if we feel like we’re getting a good turnout we’ll come back and say, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do to balance the budget, these are the services we’re going to change, these are the rates we’re going to increase, tell us what you think.’”
The next public hearing will take place at 7 p.m. July 30 at Timmerman Elementary, 2901 Timmerman Drive, and the final hearing will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Emporia Senior Center, 603 E. 12th Avenue.
truelovecharlie (anonymous) says...
WOW!!! Only 10 people showed up for the hearing. All the crying going on and only 10 people. From all the crying going on in these blogs, I would have thought a packed house would have occurred. If you don't participate in the process, you have no room to complain.
July 15, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
truelovecharlie;
With the poor showing at last nights meeting, we could have held it at my bar and had refreshments. Nothing like a couple of ice cold beers while balancing the budget. Like methusla, I think the commissioners will be receptive to comments from the public. This process will be painfull. Everyone has their favorite pet program that they feel needs to be funded. The city must fund its operating budget that includes Fire, Police, Ambulance, Streets, Sewer, Water and Waste. ANY other program funded by our tax dollars must be looked at and if needed cut back or dropped entirely. But like lastnight at a meeting about a tight budget and keeping mil-levies down a question was asked about the possiblility of adding to the countys mill to help the hospital recruit new doctors. Like I said everyone has their projects they think deserve funding, but now is not the time.
I think the next meeting will see better attendance especially if people think their favorite programs will be cut.
taxi coupons
library
animal control/shelter
museum
main street
chamber of commerce
EDA
RDA
mental health center
parks dept.
zoo
golf course
in other words, any program that helps make Emporia a nice place to live, but is not a public neccesity
July 15, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
truelovecharlie
I hope you attended the Budget meeting and were one of the ten concerned citizens that were in attendance. rbow and myself attended and I plan on going to the next two meetings.
I will go thru the 2010 budget that was made available to those who attended last nights meeting and see if I may be able to see some unnecessary services that I believe that I may be able to do or live with out, until our economy may improve !
I implore, no I beg all concerned citizens of Emporia to get involved in Your Citys management process by attending Public Meetings, etc.
You may pickup a copy of the Draft of the Citys 2010 budget proposal, this is the working draft, before approval of the final budget, before cuts, etc. at the City Managers Office. I spoke with the City Managers Office this morning and they are going to see if they can make the draft available to anyone who wants one available on line, so you may print one for your self, if you cannot get to the City Managers Office to pick one up !
I am to call the City Managers Office at 4 P.M. this afternoon and see if the 2010 Proposal Draft will be made available on line ! I will keep you informed !
July 15, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truelovecharlie (anonymous) says...
rbow---
We couldn't do it at your place cuz I couldn't smoke! Maybe gettin the high and mighties drunk could make for easier negotiations--lol. Many a good deals have been struck over drinks. Keep up the good fight Steve. I worked for you many years ago and have always concidered you a straight up man.
July 15, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
I really wanted to attend last night's meeting, but I couldn't find a sitter on such short notice. I also must admit that I am a little intimidated by it all. I would really like to have the 2010 budget proposal before I go so I can be more informed about what I would be approving of or wanting to reject.
Also, I do live outside the city limits, and didn't know how this affects my voice on the issues, as I was not able to vote on city ordinances. Perhaps that is what a lot of people are dealing with, I don't know but that is where I am at.
It's just my nature, I need more info. and lots of it.
July 15, 2009 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
giggles
The City Commission and the County Commission are working on their budgets as a joint co-operative effort between City and County and the County Commissioners were part of the panel giving information and answering questions, together. However there was one County Commissioner absent from the meeting, guess she doesn' t care !
However, giggles, you as a county resident and paying property taxes and any property tax mill levy increase/decrease will also affect you, who live in the county, I believe should have a say in any City or County Budget process.
I spoke with the City Managers Office and they are going to get me more information on the validity of county residents attending Budget Meetings, seeing as the County Commissioners and City Commissioners seem to be working on Budgets as a joint venture !
I will find out more information when I call the City Managers Office at around 4 P.M. this afternoon .
I know that all the public input we can get is a necessary and needed thing.
July 15, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Deepthoughts (anonymous) says...
Here's a perfect example of a cut that makes sense:
City employee has baby. City employee tells them she is not coming back after maternity leave. City offers to pay person FULL TIME PAY & BENEFITS for her to work just 2 days a week. How can City employee say no?
First off, I would like to know who has the authorization to make the above decision on spending tax payer money and secondly since salaries are typically the largest expense a business can have, perhaps the City needs to take a really strong look at the salaries and if all those positions are really necessary. Frankly, the above example proves this needs to be looked into.
July 15, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
deepthoughts
This is just the kind of input the Commissioners need and to answer !
If you can, make a concerted effort to attend one or both of the remaining public budget meetings and voice your opinions and concerns.
I believe at the meeting last night there was mention made of there being, possibly no merit pay increases for city employees and that some staff job openings have not been filled, for now. Whether the no merit pay increase will apply to city managament personel, such as city manager etc., I don' t know about that, it was not mentioned or discussed .
Please, citizens of Emporia, if you have any concerns about the 2010 City budget, make an attempt to attend one or both of the next public budget meetings/hearings and get involved, with your comments and suggestions. Obtain a copy of the proposed 2010 City budget, study it and see if there is anything in the way of extra services, you can live without or at least live with scaling them back .
July 15, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
methusla
I will get a copy but beings you have one or have seen one, I have a couple questions for you. Is the initial budget balanced?
And if not, how much is the short fall from the projected revenue less the projected expenses?
Did anyone ask last night how the numbers look for this year? Are we on pace or ahead of behind?
July 15, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
As Mayor Longbine said last night- If anyone has a concern, go to the City of Emporia website, and you will find the e-mail addresses of the Commissioners and City Staff. Send them your comments, and come to the meeetings. The budget in print now is not in balance- that is the end goal of these meetings, and the budget process. The budgets list everything that the staff feels needs taken care of, and the Commission will weed out those things that are of a lesser priority to create a balanced budget. The Commission is wanting community opinion of what should be kept/what should be cut, and if there is anything so important that a tax increase is worth keeping something in the budget. They are asking our opinion- May not always be the answer, but our participation will let them know where the community is on priorities.. And only 10 of us were there last night, so everyone else must think things are OK? Probably not, so be at the next meeting if you can.
July 15, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
Pacifier
How far out of whack is the budget?
July 15, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
yev_kassem
First, As I look over the initial draft of the 2010 City budget, I believe that I can say without doubt it is far from being balanced.
Second- It appears to me that the shortfall is approx. $4 million dollars. The estimated total City receipts is $17,863,885. The total estimated City expenditures is $22,863,771. Which is a $4,999,886 short fall for 2010.
Third- I am sorry noone asked about how the numbers looked for this year. However the initial draft proposal for 2010 also lists the figures for 2009. The total recipts for the City for 2009 is estimated to be $16,774,941. The total expenditures for the City in 2009 is estimated to be $17,279,025. This means that the 2009 City budget will have a shortfall, defecit of $504,084.
The Citys decrease in revenue and needed infrastructure repair has the Commissioners, both, City and County in a quandry as to what to services to make cuts to, or eliminate entirely, how to make the necessary infrastructure repairs needed and whether they will have to raise taxes. The Commissioners, both City and County are trying to hold the line on not raising taxes. But they would really like to and are asking for the help of the public in this matter. Especially as to what services the public feels can be cut back on or eliminated and how the public feels about having to raise taxes if cuts cannot be tolerated in public services, etc..
To be quite honest with you, this is the first time I have seen any sense of alarm in the faces of the Commissioners or heard any sense of alarm in their voices and I earnestly believe that they need and want the publics input, opinions and help and are willing to listen to everyone.
I am pleased to hear you are going to pick up a copy of the initial draft of the Citys proposed 2010 Budget.
I sincerely hope you and others will make a concerted effort to attend the 2 remaining public hearings.
July 15, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
FYI,
I just talked to the City Managers office about copies of the initial draft of the City Budget proposal and was informed that there may be changes made to the Budget proposal at the Commissions budget study session on July 22.
Therefore it might be best to obtain an unchanged budget proposal and then on July 27 obtain a budget proposal with changes to it to compare to the origional, before the next public hearing on the Citys 2010 Budget on July 30 at Timmerman Elementary, 2901 Timmerman Drive.
Hope to see a good public attendance.
July 15, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
YY4U
That might be something to bring up at the next public budget hearing. I hope you plan on attending and presenting some of your ideas.
July 15, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
FYI, the Citys budget proposal most likely will not be available on line until after the Commissions budget study session on July 22 . I will keep in touch with the City Mangers Office and keep you informed. However they told me they have plenty of the ones that were available at last nights hearing if you can stop by the City Managers Office and pick one up, if you would like one.
July 15, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
YY4U
I sincerely hope you will attend the next public budget hearing, because you do count, everyones voice counts.
July 15, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gold66801 (anonymous) says...
Lets start where all cuts need to start AT THE TOP. How much does the city manager make a year. what are we paying the city and county commisners?????????????? when we get them down to a smaller salary. Then we can look at cutting else where.
July 15, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
I'm not sure about the commissioners, but I read we now have a county counsel and an assistant county counsel ( the former county counsel back again) and in my humble opinion this is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
July 15, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
gold66801
I don't know about anyone elses salary but I do know the City Manager is being paid $100,000 + per year !
July 15, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
Good comment, gold66801; I believe the many-thousand-dollar-job-study resulted in substantial raises for department heads and asst. heads but little for the peons who actually make the city function day to day. The 'raise' (a %) the working person *may* have gotten [and not all did] was an amount determined by a chart designed by the C.M. and represented a 'raise' of what the worker might have received over the course of an *entire career*. Many people believe any raise (a %) was an hourly amount - it was not. And it certainly didn't compare to that of those described above. I lost a lot of respect when the commissioners awarded the present C.M. a $5K / year raise which, when you add it to his salary and all his other perks, was a mere trifle. He could have turned this down and attained some respect from the city employees; e.g. "I can't accept this if the employees don't get anything." It's obvious he knows nothing of taking care of the employees first. Ethics aside, they are the ones who can make him look good. Considering his pay / benefit package, a piddling $5K would have been money well spent. City employees and family would love to attend and ask some ''challenging' questions but they can't attend or speak out at the meetings: they're under the thumb and it would be suicide. As far as the present commission and C.M. trying to get us out of the mess that a previous C.M. and commissioners got us into over several years time, I applaud their efforts but I'm concerned that it appears they're trying to fix it overnight and that simply won't happen.
July 15, 2009 at 5:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Spectator hit it on the head. Two years ago the City spent how many - 60 THOUSAND dollars rings a bell, for the salary study, only to reward to top dogs.... oh yes, and the Fire Department & some of the Police Dept - the "heros" The reason the study was necessary was that wage scales had gotten SO FAR out of whack because merit raises were not received for 5+ years,and COLA's were a JOKE..... The commission said at the time that fair pay to employees was their priority. The next year they said that they had addressed that priority by allowing the study, but they fell short of implementing the plan presented... I guess asking the questions and ignoring the answers met their responsibilities.... If merits are once again left out, City employees will find themselves behind - AGAIN - very quickly, but, then, the Commission can spend the 60-80?THOUSAND to once again get information they can ignore, because they don't like the answer. .... I agree - Zimmy could have gained miles of respect if he would refuse an increase, but folks - That is NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. And, as my employees asked at the time... how far would $60,000 go to making the little guy happy?
July 15, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
FYI, as I am going over the Initial Budget Draft proposal for the City for 2010, I see that there is a General Fund expenditure titled Personnel Services, amounting to $11,838,640. I am assuming this figure refers to City of Emporia Employee wages. There is also a 2.5% Merit Pay in the amount of $131,882.
There are also a number of expenditures carried over from the 2009 Budget to the 2010 Budget totaling $1,728,771.
What I don' t particularly like about carrying proposed purchases from a previous years budget to the next years budget is, for example, there was the purchase of 3 police squad cars slated for purchase in 2009, that apparently were cut from the 2009 budget and then added to the 2010 budget, along with the proposed purchase of 3 police squad cars on the 2010 budget for a total proposed purchase of, ( as I read it ) 6 police squad cars.
Is there an absolute need for 6 new police squad cars or just 3 squad cars and can none of the present squad cars be repaired or refurbished to last another 3 to 5 years for less expense than 6 new squad cars !
If there are people concerned about the City budget and the budgeting process, you really should go to the City Managers office and get a copy of the initial budget proposal for 2010 and study it, disect it, try and decide what is absolutely necessary, what isn't absolutely necessary, what you can live with less of or without in the way of unnecessary services or what services you would agree to rate hikes on. As I understood from last evenings meeting, there will very likely be a substantial hike in water use rates.
Then attend the next two Public Budget hearings and voice you opinions, concerns and suggestions.
July 15, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )