Fiscal Accountability and Transparency
 It’s YOUR Money
I pledge that I will ask tough and probing questions regarding the expenditure of your tax dollars.
I know that this is your money and I want to know that it is being spent responsibly and for good reasons.
The City Budget
This is an extremely difficult time for our country and our city. Unemployment is high and people are stretched. Our city government is facing challenges as well.
Sales taxes are down by over 20% from last year, property taxes are projected to be down by about 5% and expenses are increasing from debt service on the 2006 bond package, maintenance of new facilities as well as the addition of police.
This is resulting in a gap between revenues and expenses of about $190 million. As a result, the city faces cuts in many services in order to balance the budget.
I believe that first and foremost, public safety must not be compromised. We must also continue our successes with code enforcement.
This does not mean that these will be completely free from any cuts, but that we must not jeopardize the progress we have made.
There is no doubt that most other areas will be affected including parks, libraries and streets.
It may take somewhat longer to get a response on potholes streetlight problems. But these things will continue to receive attention.
One positive outcome from this otherwise difficult situation is that needed cuts are being made. Departments are being consolidated so that management functions that have been duplicated can be cut. Every function is being scrutinized and ranked.
Also review how I plan to deliver:
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