Fiscal Responsibility

Budgeting is hard.  For governments, keeping spending within limits is even harder.  It has now been nine months since the new County Council has taken office.  We inherited a budget that was drafted and approved by the previous administration.  There have been challenges, such as not having an account for staff for the seven-member council, but we were able to work through that and hire an administrative assistant.  As we now near the end of the budget year, we are finding some of the budget items are depleting faster than anticipated.  We are also looking to the next year with several large cost items looming.  This council is committed to working within a balanced budget.  As the recession lags on, citizens continue to struggle, businesses continue to struggle, and governments at every level struggle as well.

Last week, the council took some brave steps in an attempt to maintain fiscal responsibility.  First, the council refused to increase the property tax, and instead opted to keep the tax rate the same as last year.  Further, it refused to introduce Bill 11-0904, which would have authorized the purchase of a $240,000 piece of equipment for the Public Works Department.   Finally, the council unanimously passed Resolution 11-0904, which calls for the parking of county vehicles on county property when not in use for business purposes, and calls for the county executive to submit a written policy regarding vehicle use during this imminent financial difficulty.  Resolution 11-0904 was passed in an effort to stretch the county budget for fuel, which was on track to reach more than $200,000 above the budgeted amount by the end of the year, according to information provided to the council by the director of administration. 

Some are upset with these cuts.  I completely understand that.   The council does not pretend to have all the answers.  Every member of the council is working hard to do the best they can for the citizens they represent.  Part of that is deciding what the county can afford, based on its budget, and what it cannot.  Leadership is about making choices, even difficult ones.