As I See It - the 2010 budget

I commend City Staff for their hard work in preparing the 2010 budget proposal. Compiling a budget is time consuming and involves long tedious hours of calculating and adjusting figures. Even though staff did an excellent job in trimming expenditures so that no tax increases were necessary, I still could not support the proposed budget.

Our community has been facing tough economic times for many years now. I am well aware of our population decline; many who have left cite high taxes as one of the reasons. I have also compared Wellington's taxes with neighboring communities, and while we do not have the highest taxes of the Cities around us, we are certainly near the top of the group.

But now we are facing even tougher times. The economic climate nationwide is poor. Cities, Counties, States, our Federal Government, and private industry alike are facing financial difficulties and making drastic cutbacks.

In light of those difficulties, we have chosen not to budget for a wage increase for our City employees next year. I understand that, and I can whole-heartedly support that. But it is my opinion that if times are tough for our employees, times had better be tough all over. There were some planned expenditures included in the 2010 budget that, in my opinion, were not indicative of tough times. And while some municipalities are not only freezing wages but in fact, exercising layoffs, I would not be able to face those employees who serve us, tell them there was no money for raises, while at the same time watching the development of projects that I did not feel were a priority at this time.

As an example, funds are budgeted in 2010 to resurface the 9th Street tennis courts. While the tennis courts are an important part of this community and are showing signs of age, I do not feel that tennis courts rank among services such as public safety, water, electricity, sewer, and our employees. I felt the tennis court project could have been postponed until the economic times turned around. I am not against recreation; I have been a strong proponent in trying to get a skate-board park in town. We have budgeted some funds to start the project, but because of our economic times, I have not pressed the issue forward. A skate-board park would be a great addition for the recreation of our children, but this is simply not the time to start the development.

So in short, I realize times are tough and I agree that we cannot afford to fund raises for our employees. But in my prioritization of necessary City services, I do not rank tennis courts in that group either.

2010 City budget passes

The 2010 City budget passed at the Council Meeting August 18th by a vote of 5-3. Councilmember Craig was absent from the meeting and the resulting vote, after the Public Hearing and discussion, was 4-3, with Councilmembers Granger, Valentine, and myself voting "no". Since Ordinances require 5 votes to pass, the Mayor was then allowed to vote and he cast the fifth "yes" vote. A link to the budget draft can still be accessed from my website at www.johntracy.net.

Street/water projects underway

Work has begun on the "B" Street water line, a project which will replace the water line on "B" Street from 16th to Lincoln. Once the water line project has been completed, the street itself will be renovated the entire route.
Repairs are being made in the 500 block of East 9th where the street was completely renovated with new concrete poured. Currently, concrete is less expensive than asphalt. Once 9th Street has been finished, renovations to Harvey Street, from Woodlawn to the cemetery will begin. The water meters on Harvey have been set back to allow for widening of the street.
Repairs are also underway on Lincoln Street near the cemetery. While repairing potholes, it was found that the street base was in bad condition and needed repair. The entire street and its base were removed, with the holes being filled with base rock. Once the rock has been compacted, several inches will be removed from the top and asphalt will be added. Lincoln Street is scheduled to be renovated next year after a new water line is installed east of Woodlawn.

Sewer rates to increase

At the August 4th Council Meeting, an Ordinance was approved increasing sewer rates for Wellington customers. The rate increase is necessary to cover the costs of recent improvements to the wastewater treatment system. Projects included are the new Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Beaver Creek Sewer Line, the Hargis Creek Relief Sewer, and the "H" Street Sewer Line. (See my Projects page at http://www.johntracy.net/projects.html). The increases will generate nearly a million dollars a year which will be necessary to pay off the debt service incurred because of the system rehabilitation. How will the increases affect you? Costs are based on water usage. A chart showing the base rate, along with rates per 1,000 gallons of water used can be found on the City Clerk's website at http://www.cityofwellington.net/images/content/files/clerk/sewer_rate_adjustment.pdf.

City Codes now on website

With the recent recodification of the City Ordinance manual came the opportunity to provide a digital copy for public viewing and research. The City Codes can be reviewed by clicking on the following link. http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=14514&sid=16

Public Hearing for 2010 Budget

At the August 18th City Council Meeting, a Public Hearing is scheduled to receive input from the citizens regarding the 2010 City Budget proposal. This is an opportunity for citizens to voice their opinion on planned expenditures. I encourage you to attend and make your comments known.

2010 Proposed Budget

The 2010 Proposed Budget for the City of Wellington has been posted on the City's website. You can review the proposal at http://www.cityofwellington.net/images/content/files/clerk/2010_prelim_budget.pdf