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Timing of the budget amendment vote?
It was suggested to me today that perhaps there's more than meets the eye to the Commissioner Ivins' decision at Tuesday's meeting to postpone a vote on budget amendments.
The next opportunity to vote on the budget will be at the City Council's first meeting in July, July 7.
On the prior Sunday, July 5, the city's All American July 4th celebration will conclude. Ivins, of course, is directing the weekend-long celebration.
Could it be that Ivins doesn't want be seen cutting the budget -- including eliminating one full time position -- and then spending money on a celebration?
It's possible. Of course, it's also possible that there is no relation at all -- after all, the July 4th celebration has been paid for with donations. It certainly isn't out of school for Ivins to want to delay a vote on a document that he finished revising just hours before the meeting.
Still, the timing has certainly raised eyebrows among those facing cuts in their departments.
The next opportunity to vote on the budget will be at the City Council's first meeting in July, July 7.
On the prior Sunday, July 5, the city's All American July 4th celebration will conclude. Ivins, of course, is directing the weekend-long celebration.
Could it be that Ivins doesn't want be seen cutting the budget -- including eliminating one full time position -- and then spending money on a celebration?
It's possible. Of course, it's also possible that there is no relation at all -- after all, the July 4th celebration has been paid for with donations. It certainly isn't out of school for Ivins to want to delay a vote on a document that he finished revising just hours before the meeting.
Still, the timing has certainly raised eyebrows among those facing cuts in their departments.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
2:25 PM
5 Comments:
Andrew,
No, most of his event is NOT being paid with private donations. Most of it is being underwritten with a Quadricenteenial grant from DEC. And here is $4,000 in the City budget for this "political" event.
So the commissioner is more than willing to spend tax dollars to subsidize what previously was supported by donations. Get a copy of the grant contract. It's all spelled out.
And how much is Ivins' rally costing in police and fire overtime?
anon 6:44 a.m.:
Please excuse the omission, of course, you are correct. A DEC grant is helping to fund the event, in addition to private donations.
6:44,
Before you jump on the cost if the 4th celebration, ask the better question: How much did the still languishing bluesfest and subsequent Beekman Street artsfest run the city?
While celebrating the 4th is tradition, these street events are anything but tradition and thus should be the first ones trimmed from the budget, if in fact they're causing us overtime woes.
But I will say, it's a compelling question one might ask our dear commissioner: How much do these events cost in added police and fire coverage? We have all three of the aforementioned celebrations, at least two parades, hat's off, the final stretch, and the Victorian street walk(am I missing something here?). Commissioner Kim, give us a tally per event. Tell us what they cost. That's a tough question to answer on an election year.
why don't you dig a little deeper than just the July 4 party. Isn't it funny that the city has no money during the year that all but 1 of the city unions contracts are up? Claim you can't give raises, cut the budget, and then come in under budget at the end of the year without giving raises to your employees. Sound like a better story for you.
This event generates alot of revenue for the small businesses to help keep our community thriving. And it also generates alot of tax dollars.
Anyone questioning this event is just trying to play politics, and you ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
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