In 2012 there will be slightly less city services and staff, about $225,000 less money in the city’s savings account, no property tax increase and no water rate increase.
After three months of debate and five budget drafts, the Emporia City Commission voted 4-1 Wednesday to adopt the 2012 budget.
For the second straight year, the city will have a deficit budget. That did not sit well with Commissioner Joel Phipps, who cast the no vote.
“I have opposed a deficit budget all along and will continue to do that in years to come,” Phipps said. “I understand the reasons they voted for approval, but principally speaking I oppose a deficit budget.”
After some final tweaks and fixing an accounting error, the 2012 general fund budget was adopted with revenue of $17,851,721 million and expenses of $18,076,225 million.
That equates to a budget deficit of $224,504. The city’s ending cash balance is projected to drop from about $2.66 million at the end of 2011 to about $2.43 million at the end of 2012.
While none of the commissioners wanted a deficit budget, in the end four of them decided they could live with it.
“I will steal a line from Commissioner (Jim) Kessler: that’s what reserves are for,” said Mayor Kevin Nelson.
Despite another drop in assessed valuation and needing to come up with nearly a half million more dollars to pay off debt, the city commission insisted all along the mill levy should be kept flat. While that resulted in having to make difficult cuts elsewhere, commissioners was satisfied they won’t cause taxes to go up.
“I think we clearly could have made the argument we needed to increase the mill levy,” Phipps said. “The average homeowner is probably paying less than $200 and $300 less in property taxes than before the economy changed. That’s rightfully so. Income is theoretically less and people are watching their dollars.”
For the complete story, pick up the Thursday Emporia Gazette.
lena (Lena Bass) says...
Thank who ever for that.
August 24, 2011 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thank you!
August 24, 2011 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
The average home owner's home is also worth much less.....
I applaud Mr. Phipps for not advocating a deficit budget, but he is looking in the wrong place to balance it.
August 24, 2011 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Ron Paul made this profound speech in 2008 on budgets.
http://www.youtube.com/afpsupporter#p...
August 24, 2011 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The city commission spent a lot of time on this and came up with a workable solution. They deserve our thanks. Thank You.
I will take exception to our County Attorney voicing his concern over the police department cuts. The 4 positions are already vacant and just won't be filled.
Granted with upcoming retirements in future years, there MAY be a need to hire more officers, LATER.
Our city and county population has dropped so city and county employees will have to do more with less. Sorry that is just a fact of life.
It is my opinion only, that if our County Attorney and District Judges strive for less plea bargains, appealed cases and stronger sentencing standards our police would not be overworked arresting the same people over and over again.
but what do I know?
August 25, 2011 at 6:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Judges have sentencing guidelines + there is only so much room in prisons. Even now they are overcrowded and the state won't spend to build any more so what do we do? I agree that repeat offenders need to be put away, but the truth is there is nowhere to put them.
Unfortunately, all these programs designed to prevent it don't always work because those same people are what they are. They have criminal tendencies and they just don't give a damn. I really would love to see us surprise the hell out of them and put 'em far, far away for good.
Again, thanks to the city commission for realizing that this population cannot take one more tax hike.
August 25, 2011 at 7 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Steve, the jail here is getting really old and costly to fix. Some people have to serve their time here rather than prison in Topeka. Kinda off a tangent but do you know that Marcy Carapezza in the murder of Mary Clark has been housed in the county jail for going on something like 3 years due to all the reversals and appeals. I wonder how much incarcerating her here rather than in a state prison has cost us taxpayers? It's probably worth the cost but that just popped into my head - why can't we get her out of the county jail and into a prison?!
August 25, 2011 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
You know, I can recall, back in the day, when a " career/habitual " law breaker/cirminal, just could not stay out of trouble, they were sentenced to be in the military , putting em on the front line of battle, usually will have one of two outcomes !
Society has just gotten soft ! Anyone for bringing back, " Vigilantism "? Just kidding folks .
JMO
August 25, 2011 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The comments about less police protection are nothing more than a scare tactic.
Even the city manager admitted as much when he said it would probably most effect report writing and property maintenance issues.
THESE 4 POSITIONS ARE ALREADY VACANT, AND HAVE BEEN FOR SOME TIME.
There has already been someone mention to me that there will be less revenue from traffic tickets and court costs because of this. Not enough cops on the street to fight crime?
Baloney!
WE ARE BROKE, PEOPLE.
If all of the Department heads, (including the chief of police), cannot do the job with the funds provided, then it is time to look for someone who can. There are plenty of "suits" in some of these departments that can be cut, without affecting the uniforms on the street.
August 25, 2011 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
Scare tactic or not, the problem with the police dept. already being short 4 positions will be a major problem when several pd people retire within the next few months. Long gone are the days of simply handing a badge and a gun to a new hire and telling that person to get out there and do the job. I don't want that and neither do you.
August 26, 2011 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
i think we will all be o.k.
The sky is not falling.
August 26, 2011 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )