City leaders favor spending reserves over more taxes, layoffs
By Jeremy Shapiro
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Higher property taxes, laying off staff, burning cash reserves, no pay raises and reducing or eliminating funding to some agencies were all on the table at the state of Wednesday’s Emporia City Commission meeting.
While none of those options were appealing to commissioners, some combination of them and other cuts will likely have to happen next year. That’s because the second draft of the 2012 general fund budget has a budget deficit of $2.3 million.
After two hours of discussion about how to proceeed, commissioners were most open to not keeping as much money in reserve and eliminating merit pay for city staff.
Raising property taxes and laying off staff were the two alternatives commissioners were least comfortable with.
“In this economy people are not willing to pay more taxes,” said Commissioner Jim Kessler.
No decisions have been finalized but City Manager Matt Zimmerman said he has enough information to prepare for the final draft of the budget. Residents can have their say about it at a public budget hearing Aug. 8.
For the full story, pick up the Thursday Emporia Gazette.
wyankee49 (anonymous) says...
I say sell back the entrance stones, Everytime I pass the one by the shell station I throw-up. It's not that becoming to start with.
July 27, 2011 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Awww, cmon wyankee49, those " Rocks " are going to be what saves Emporia from the " Abyss " !
Those who " know " said so .
July 27, 2011 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Maybe an interview with Matt Zimmerman or some commissioners would be a good idea for the Gazette or KVOE. Some info from the press before budgets are set. Nothing like cutting someones favorite program to get people involved.
July 27, 2011 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
Raise taxes !! Raise taxes !! That will work...more taxes less services !!
More clock towers, More entrance stones !! We need more people to know where they are and what time it is !!!
When in doubt double the spending!!
What we need to do is get a couple people to form a group give them...I don't know say $350.000 bucks and have them try and get more business's/ people to move to emporia area!! It could be called like a regional development....Association. That's the ticket they will save our town !!! the only reason it won't safe us, is if we ( townsfolk) don't give them enough money to spend !!
July 27, 2011 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Layoffs are a dirty word, but but when you have a declining population and tax base your public staff must reflect this. It has already happened with the school district.
While I am glad they are finally getting the message that raising taxes is not acceptable, I don't think sacrificing the reserves is wise, cuts and layoffs are the only feasible options.
July 27, 2011 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pingeon (anonymous) says...
Every business is cutting back to match expenses with revenues. Why is government exempt? Still cannot figure this out.....
July 27, 2011 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Try not to go to layoffs. Everyone is having a tough time and layoffs are not the real answer right now because people can't find jobs as it is. I am all for removing merit raises altogether and cutting spending to the core.
July 27, 2011 at 5:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
I don't get a merit raise every year, but I still keep on working. And I'm darn proud to have a job. Getting laid off is never easy for anyone, especially the one being laid off, but sometimes, it's necessary. When business is down, there is no need to keep a full staff.
I agree with create, remove all merit raises and cut spending to the core. If it's not absolutely necessary, wait until a better time.
July 27, 2011 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
But.....but......but......we have rocks!
July 27, 2011 at 6:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Here, Here and one spending that can be cut to the core is the funding of the RDA, until either the time is right or better or a better professional Develepement Company can be found or hired . You know, one that has a proven track record and refrences to boot.
July 27, 2011 at 7 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
meth, think it would be nice to KNOW just how the RDA has EARNED the money they were given in the past before we finance and RAISE THEIR WAGES. Just what have they done for Emporia? Have we added jobs? We know they gave us the "Rocks", which is very poor taste, what have they done to truly help the people/community??
July 27, 2011 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Sandman,
I can' t really say that there has been that much done by the RDA , since ther inception 18 years ago that would merrit the funding they have recieved. But if they think in their own minds that they are the best Developement Company around, then I guess that is good enough for then and their " Good Ole Boy " buddies .
When the time warrants, I will be suggesting to the City Commission, that they contact a Developement Company I am checking out. This company is proficient in several fields of Development and even has a list of " references " which contain some pretty impressive clients.
Hmmm, I wonder if the RDA has a list of impressive clients over the last 18 years .
July 27, 2011 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Spend the reserves and kick the can down the street. I wonder who they learned that from?
July 27, 2011 at 9:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
WHO CAN TAKE YOUR MONEY.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2eh6...
July 27, 2011 at 10:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.p...
July 27, 2011 at 10:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyberspace (anonymous) says...
I realize the monument stones ticked off alot of folks, and rightfully so, but they are in place and it is time to put the issue to rest and look forward. Unfortunately, city leaders and the citizens of Emporia have some tough decisions to make and putting them off to a later date is not going to make them go away even under the most optimistic estimates. Layoffs will definitely affect the local economy as spending will be further reduced and unemployment benefits only replaces a portion of one's salary. Finding new employment in today's environment is very challenging even with good efforts by the unemployed. Unfortunately merit pay needs to go, if it means keeping your job.
There are business in this town that are losing money and not doing much to cut back expenses and keep going further in the hole. Look at the article about FHCHC in the same Gazette issue. They are losing money($44,000 in June) but they get federal tax dollars so lack the incentive to be efficient.
Again, a very difficult situation that is not going to be helped by sarcasm but by forward thinking leaders and citizens that will most likely have to face reality sooner than later.
Everyone is going to need to practice staying compassionate towards their neighbor and helping out in ways they can because I fear we have long road ahead of us that is going to cause more social change than we have witnessed since the Great Depression.
Many in our society(not all) lived beyond its financial means for a long time. Much of what is occuring today is a correction of the overspending by both individuals and government in the 80s, 90, and early 21st century.
July 29, 2011 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )