OCT. 30, Â 2014
Dear Mayor,
We, the Council are eager to meet on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 2 p.m. in special session to discuss the various aspects of your budget and we appreciated the diligently efforts you and your Department Heads have devoted to this process. This has been a daunting task over the past months and we look forward to a positive conclusion.
As presented, the Council is pleased to have reduced it’s budget by 11.45%, in absolute dollars, $66,761. Actually, the only Department in the City to have reduced it’s spending over the previous year, in the efforts to balance the administration’s budget to move our City forward.
I applaud your action in excluding your salary increase valued at $2,011 plus associated payroll cost of $154 . Leaders should lead by example. Per the record, the Council choose to retain it’s 2% across the board salary increases in line with the City’s rank and file, but retain the reduction in other areas of our budget, namely, the consulting expense totaling $80,000 We are pleased to contribute in helping obtain your needed balanced budget. As a result of the large reduction in the consulting line item, this will require even more addition time to be dedicated in the performance of our duties.
I pose this resolution, I will make a motion to rescind the salary ordinance pertaining to the Council Member’s salary increase of 2% should the Mayor’s Department consider matching the composite reduction of 50% of the Council’s. Once the Council salary increase of 2% is eliminated and the associated cost of the salary increase valued at $3,795 the total dollar reduction of the council will be $70,556 which is the cost plus $8,000 of keeping one swimming pool open this coming summer. Consequently, your Department would match a total reduction of $35,278 or 50% of the Council. In doing this, we will be showing the world that the Council and the Mayor are all on the page of cooperation in moving our City forward in the efforts of balancing your budget. Between both our Departments, this will total $105,834 nearly enough to keep two pools open.
As President of the Council, I will make the motion and fully expect it to be seconded.
If the motion fails to receive support, sadly enough, I would expect you to rescind your offer.
Look forward to your proposals on Friday and please do not hesitate to contact me about my offer.
Thank you
John