Some Budget Numbers
Last night I had to attend the Shade Tree Commission meeting upstairs in City Hall while the budget presentation took place in the library. I look forward to reading reports from Mark and Alexi.
However, in the afternoon I did take a fast spin through the budget statement (a summary document required by the state, not the big budget book) and found a few interesting numbers.
Police salaries, which totaled $12,766,420 in FY 2008, show a 7 percent increase to $13,720,950.72 for FY 2009. There probably isn't much that can be done about that figure, as most of the force is at the top of the salary scale. Fire salaries are up 3.9 percent. The council and budget committee can ask Fire Chief Cecil Allen and Public Affairs & Safety/Police Director Martin Hellwig about what is contributing to these increases.
Recreation shows a 6 percent salary increase, from $704,564 to 4748,298. Recreation Director Dave Wynn will be called on the explain the difference.
The mayor's office has a 5 percent increase, from $137,572 to $144,331.
If the figures in the statement are correct, Public Information salaries will increase 67 percent, from $77,728 to $130,391. Other expenses will increase 51 percent, from $72,676 to $110,000. The mayor has said recently that the two-person division really needs three people. The city also advertised for a media consultant to help out. But given the poor results over the past three years, pouring money on the problem is something the council and committee will have to justify if they agree with the administration's allotments.
Municipal Court shows a 14 percent decrease in salaries, from $910,181 to $779,765. Last year, the court had a decrease in revenue from fines and penalties as crime also decreased. Maybe that is a factor.
The salary amount for Community Relations and Social Services doubles, from $56,567.96 to $108,402 and other expenses increase 74 percent from $2,500 to $4,351. These are small amounts in the overall budget, but will still require explanation.
The part of the meeting that I did hear was encouraging, as new Finance Director Douglas Peck described a focus on better management. Too bad Peck is the fifth person in that seat since the administration took office in 2006. Thirty-three months are up this month and only 15 are left to do better.
--Bernice Paglia
However, in the afternoon I did take a fast spin through the budget statement (a summary document required by the state, not the big budget book) and found a few interesting numbers.
Police salaries, which totaled $12,766,420 in FY 2008, show a 7 percent increase to $13,720,950.72 for FY 2009. There probably isn't much that can be done about that figure, as most of the force is at the top of the salary scale. Fire salaries are up 3.9 percent. The council and budget committee can ask Fire Chief Cecil Allen and Public Affairs & Safety/Police Director Martin Hellwig about what is contributing to these increases.
Recreation shows a 6 percent salary increase, from $704,564 to 4748,298. Recreation Director Dave Wynn will be called on the explain the difference.
The mayor's office has a 5 percent increase, from $137,572 to $144,331.
If the figures in the statement are correct, Public Information salaries will increase 67 percent, from $77,728 to $130,391. Other expenses will increase 51 percent, from $72,676 to $110,000. The mayor has said recently that the two-person division really needs three people. The city also advertised for a media consultant to help out. But given the poor results over the past three years, pouring money on the problem is something the council and committee will have to justify if they agree with the administration's allotments.
Municipal Court shows a 14 percent decrease in salaries, from $910,181 to $779,765. Last year, the court had a decrease in revenue from fines and penalties as crime also decreased. Maybe that is a factor.
The salary amount for Community Relations and Social Services doubles, from $56,567.96 to $108,402 and other expenses increase 74 percent from $2,500 to $4,351. These are small amounts in the overall budget, but will still require explanation.
The part of the meeting that I did hear was encouraging, as new Finance Director Douglas Peck described a focus on better management. Too bad Peck is the fifth person in that seat since the administration took office in 2006. Thirty-three months are up this month and only 15 are left to do better.
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 8:13 AM
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