Voice of the People: Fact or Fiction, You Decide Part Two

Now that we have dealt with city staffing and their compensation, and exactly how much tax we would all pay, let’s take a look at some other little ditties you may find interesting. Another issue that was brought to my attention is the assertion that the city is going to rehire all the people that have been laid off over the past couple of years if Measure C passes. The fact is that there are no plans to rehire anyone. If the tax measure passes there will be no money for any rehires. Any new revenue will just fill the hole left by redevelopment. Another bit of misinformation that permeates the blogosphere is that the city has “over $700,000 per year excess.” The fact is that Resolution No. 2013–26 says in plain English that the City had $300,152 in the bank and a budget deficit of ($674,713) at the beginning of the fiscal year 7-1-2013, and after additional cuts have been made and all the expenses have been paid, on Dec 1, 2013 the city will be ($212,861) in the hole. Just like the average household, the City has to balance its budget, and with no additional revenue if measure C doesn’t pass, will be forced to cut all but mandatory services. These cuts would include cutting an additional sheriff’s deputy, closing parks, closing city hall to 2 days a week, eliminating senior center spending and the list goes on, and will end the fiscal year 6-30-2014 with approximately the same $300,839 in the bank as it started with on 7-1-2013. That is assuming there is no emergency spending that comes with this winter’s rainy season, much like what has happened in the past and what happens in the average everyday household. Most households find it prudent to keep a small fund to cover the “whatever happens.” I believe the City should as well. The $300,000 balance represents approximately 1% of the general fund budget. This is hardly excessive.