Councilman Wilson also notes that at this point in the process, with budget adoption only a month away, "there is still a substantial amount of uncertainty" because Council has yet to receive the latest sales tax numbers, the details on the Business and Professional Licensure Tax (BPOL), as well as the impacts of other revenue re-estimates. He concludes "We do not expect to receive any good news. If anything, this additional information will probably reflect at least an additional $1 million of revenue reductions.""On April 13th, at 4:00 PM, City Council will have another public hearing on the proposed budget. On April 16th, each member must submit their preliminary add/delete worksheet. At this point in the process, every proposal for addition
or deletion to the City Manager's proposed budget must be included, and any addition must be offset by a deletion or an increase in revenue (tax or a fee).
On April 20th, the City Council meets to reconcile the proposals made by each member. This is where the proverbial 'sausage-making' occurs. Coming out of this work-session, there is generally consensus leading into the adoption on the 27th.
In accordance with state law, the City Council is required to 'advertise' a ceiling for any increase that we might make in the real estate tax rate. Under the law, the Council can adopt a real estate tax rate lower than the advertised rate, but not above. The current proposed budget includes a 4.2 cent tax increase--which keeps the average residential real estate tax bill level in 2009.
After a lengthy discussion the City Council voted to advertise a maximum rate increase of six cents--a possible increase of 1.8 cents above the City Manager's proposed increase. If the City Council chose to use the maximum increase available under this advertised rate, the average residential tax bill would increase by $86 over the course of the year."
Monday, April 06, 2009
The Money Pit
The City's budget for FY 2010 continues to move forward. Councilman Justin Wilson's recent constituent newsletter detailed the upcoming schedule of events:
The adds and deletes are usually quite interesting, so the Growler will take a look at them when they come out.
Meanwhile, readers might find it amusing to peruse the 2010 budget memos. These are analyses requested from staff by the Mayor and Council, and they offer an interesting window into the elected officials' thought processes. The memo about the cost of City employee bonuses should set off a few alarm bells.
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27 comments:
Unfortunately I could not get the budget memos link to work but maybe it is for the best as I have a sinking feeling that Ms. Hamer is on the list of bonus recipients.
Re: the "bonus" memo. If every employee gets a bonus, then it is a "pay supplement." And the City Council's claim that they are "freezing pay" for city employees is Horsesh-t. Just smoke and mirrors.
And, I CANNOT believe we have a Wellness Program for City employees. Free yoga at lunch? Free use of the rec centers? Are you kidding me???????? Now I know why my property taxes have QUADRUPLED in the past decade. God, how soon can we get Frank Fannon in office? Or any other republican.
"If every employee gets a bonus, then it is a "pay supplement."
Nor could I get the budget memos to work. Can you summarize the content as per staff?
"Don't forget that the City is like a corporation and its employees are normal, qualified people. If benefits go, so will the good people"
So are a member of the city's employees union because your drivel reads like drone. A corporation runs with much greater efficiency and corporate CEOs, COOs and CFOs are not afraid to cut the budget in down times. Look at Ford's recent budget cuts. Sorry, but Alexandria operates more like GM. Council depends on taxpayer bailout to justify policy. What is ARHA if not a taxpayer bailout? And please spare me the affordable housing crap. This neighborhood has lots of affordable housing for sale right now.
I would rather subsidize employees living in the city than subsizide their yoga. That way, the city employees would be more invested in the City.
In fact, the memo in question said that they could not substantiate that the cost of the wellness program reduced their health care costs. So I say eliminate it. In this budget environment, we cannot be subsiziding yoga for city employees. Please.
"Don't forget that the City is like a corporation and its employees are normal, qualified people. If benefits go, so will the good people"
Now you've got the Growler seeing red. Our politicans seem blithely unaware that many Alexandria taxpayers are undoubtedly worried about keeping their jobs and benefits. If you read the Post you'd know that there have been recent layoffs of professionals like architects and lawyers (firms are shedding associates and even partners during this slump. And now this morning we read that federal defense contracting may be constricted, affecting those who work for firms like CACI and SAIC. Nonprofits big and small are also hard hit.
Undoubtedly many who read this blog may be facing the prospect of no raise -- much less a bonus this year -- and may have already experienced furloughs as well as cuts in pay and benefits.
In these circumstances, why should City employees (who have apparently never experienced a significant RIF and only recently started contributing to their health insurance) get a better deal than the taxpayers who foot the bill?
As for the notion that good City employees would flee if their compensation was not boosted -- where would they go to? Fairfax County, where furloughs are already in the works? Or other distressed Northern Virginia or Maryland counties? Who's hiring right now? The vast majority are going to stay put.
There are two points I agree with here. 1. City doesn't know how to manage anything. 2. City has a history of under paying it's employees.
Now, do we take it out on the employees that times are tough all around? I once spoke with a city employee that was living in arha for a few years. Come on now, that makes me see red when this is a city sitting on some of best bond ratings in the country and claims poverty to us and the need to raise our taxes.
Vote against them all this coming election if you ask me. Or we will get more arha bailouts with the melvins running the show.
If the good employees left, what exactly would happen?
There seems to be this fear that we dont want to piss off the good employees, but I think they are more pissed than in many cases they have to subsidize incompetence and make up for crappy policies in other areas.
You think the city's public housing mess doesnt contribute to problems with hiring good social workers or mental health therapists?
I dont think the lack of a pay raise is going to affect good employees leaving. I think the lack of a pay raise will just cut pay to incompetents.
Lack of a pay raise will cut pay for incompetents?
That's just great. Sit comfortably behind your computer while the incompetent deputies live in the jail with the criminals and protect you from their devious behavior.
Drink your wine while the incompetent fire fighters are pulling people out of burning buildings and putting their life on the line when they have families of their own.
Enjoy your sleep when the incompetent police are running through arha at 2 in the morning chasing people with drug and weapons.
Enjoy your morning paper when incompetent EMS personel are saving someones life from a stroke, or getting assulted by mental patients or drug users.
Most of all enjoy the fact that you have all the answers and can lump all city employees into one catagory.
I would rather live in a city that appreciates the people who keep us safe than in one that believes that it's "employees" deserve to be under paid and called incompetent.
As an ex-marine I could tell that you probably have never served or sacraficed your safety for anyone others than yourself.
On a positive note, special thanks to all city employees that keep my family and I safe. You men and women deserve better than the previous poster states. You also deserve to be paid equally to whatever the surrounding cities/counties are paying. The mistakes and mismanagement of city staff should not be taken out on all of you.
I hope I'm not alone in feeling this way.
First Sgt. K. Anzalone, Retired
Parker-Gray resident
I would be curious as to how many city workers actually live in Alexandria. I suspect that the majority of them live in Maryland and other counties further south and west.
I don't get the feeling that many workers live in the city and maybe this is why we have such problems with the BAR and ARHA (as 2 examples). If you don't live here then your policies and decisions don't affect you as much as if you lived, worked and saw the effect of your work on a daily basis.
"If you don't live here then your policies and decisions don't affect you as much as if you lived, worked and saw the effect of your work on a daily basis."
I agree with this, but I believe the BAR members and the ARHA Board members all are required to live in the City.
The increase in my property taxes over the past few years, this year included, staggers me. Although the council members crow that we have one of the lowest rates in the area, I'd like to point out that we actually have one of the highest tax burdens in terms of actual dollars, as our median house price is so high. So enough of that, please.
In reviewing the budget memos quickly, here are two areas that come to mind where we could generate/save money. First, parking enforcement. We have been SCREAMING for increased enforcement in our neck of the woods. The City could make TONS of money handing out tickets, but by their own admission, they don't enforce parking here unless we call in with a specific complaint. So frustrating.
Second, the DASH bus has always puzzled me. Why do we have duplicate service through Old Town? The AT3 line is virtually identical to the to the 10 Metrobus route all the way from Hunting Towers to the Braddock Road metro. Why do we pay twice?? I know they are proposing reducing the AT3, but why not reroute it all together to get expanded coverage to parts of the City that are not served?
And, sorry, no, we should not be subsidizing yoga and weight watchers for city employees.
City Council can grant grant residency waivers for board and commission appointees, and has done so on occasion. One of the unsuccessful candidates for the ARHA Board earlier this year would have required a waiver.
Mr. or Ms. Anzalone -- public white pages seem to indicate you live on Holland Lane at the Meridian. If that's correct, you are not a "Parker-Gray resident."
"I think a lack of a pay raise will juct cut pay of incompetents."
Are you speaking off all city staff or just a few disfunctional services? That statement can be taken more than one way.
Personally, I've not met an incompetent Alexandria police officer, sheriffs deputy, fire fighter, or EMS. In my experience, they're all hard working, competent, etc.
But I still don't want to subsidize their yoga, nor do I want to give them a pay raise. In this budget environment, it's just not right.
And I'm a public servant. And have been for almost 20 years. Now is not the time.
Does anyone have any news about all the proposed development in the neighborhood? Is the Payne St project still on track? How about The Madison? Bland??
I personally consider a cost of living a raise. Especially with the inflation rate the way it is. That's just my opinion.
I hate to say it but the yoga and weight watchers tom foolery have to go. I can just see city staff working out in the rec centers with all the troubles when they can take advantage of discounted gym prices and gyms that are set up through out city buildings.
Growing up in Philly, I never saw a fire station without a workout room.
Anyone know what the difference is between a cost of living increase and a raise? I've been told the teachers were able to get a slight cost of living increase with all the money coming in through the stimulus package.
"Anyone know what the difference is between a cost of living increase and a raise?"
Is a cost of living increase not pegged to inflation, a raise performance?
"Comment deleted
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Tue Apr 07, 09:19:00 AM EST"
Whatcha bet many of us agree with the censored poster!!
I'm not voting for ANY Democrat.
I BULLET VOTING for FANNON and the Republicans.
re: the DASH 3. This bus does not duplicate the Metrobus 10A/10B in Old Town. It runs down Pendleton like the 10s but then turns onto Royal Street. It does not meet up with the 10 Route until it hits Jefferson Street where it turns back onto Washington Street. Because of all of the proposed bus cuts (no 3-4 or 4 weekday mid-day or weekend south of Braddock Metro, elimination of weekend and after 9 pm service on the Metrobus 10A, and 50% reduction in weekday evening service on the 3-4, no service on the AT 2 between Braddock and King midday and weekends) bus options to get to Old Town will be significantly reduced. See: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64064081737
"bus options to get to Old Town will be significantly reduced."
Thats why God invented walking.
"re: the DASH 3. This bus does not duplicate the Metrobus 10A/10B in Old Town."
It's close enough. And those of us who live along the City's designated bus "highways" will welcome the increased peace.
I think its funny how some say they will vote for fannon and the R's. He is kissing melvin miller's ass more than the D's are. They had the courage to take him on. Frank is just driving around with him and saying yes sir to all he says. And then Frank is turning around and telling us the opposite and saying he won't support money for melvin. At least the D's are straight about what they want.
"I think its funny how some say they will vote for fannon and the R's. He is kissing melvin miller's ass more than the D's are."
Wait a minute. Can you elaborate? The ARHA mess is the number one issue for me and my neighbors, as we live across the street from a dysfunctional ARHA project and it's been like beating our heads against a brick wall getting ARHA to respond to us or make any improvements.
I had high hopes for Frank FAnnon. If he's in bed with ARHA, I'm not voting for him. Please please be specific. Thanks!
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