As reported by Chris Mayhew on cincinnati.com Alexandria is facing a proposed budget with a $182,000 shortfall requiring the use of reserves to find a balance.
Some council members demanded more cuts instead at the June 2 meeting.
Alexandria looking for a budget “knife”
9:08 pm, Jun 2, 2011 • Written by Chris Mayhew
ALEXANDRIA- Facing a proposed budget with a $182,000 shortfall requiring the use of reserves to find a balance, council members demanded more cuts instead at the June 2 meeting.
Mayor Bill Rachford cited projections decreasing revenues in property, payroll and infrastructure taxes as the primary things causing the city “grief” where it comes to budgeting.
“So, we lost revenue in three significant areas, and we’ve never been faced with that before,” Rachford said.
Rachford said his recommended budget included up to three percent merit raises in salaries city employees would only be eligible for if their supervisor recommended it.
Council member Barbara Weber was first to question line items in the budget.
Weber said she didn’t think the city should spend more money than is coming in and dip into reserves to increase department budgets.
The raises will cost the city about $40,000, she said.
“I don’t think it’s wise to raise salaries when you have a budget shortfall,” Weber said.
Council member Stacey Graus said he could make recommendations for cuts if need be, but he thought council could come to an agreement on the budget.
“Maybe we sit down with a sharp knife and see where there is a little bit of fluff,” Graus said.
Newcomer to council Joe Anderson said he was against raising salaries, and recommended sitting down and talking about cuts with the mayor.
“Looking over these papers here, I’ve got questions that could run us into the night,” Anderson said.
Finance committee council chairperson Scott Fleckinger said the expenses in this year’s budget are up $157,00 compared to last year, and the revenues are down $125,000 compared to last year.
When the finance committee started its work, the gap between revenues and expenses was about $500,000, Fleckinger said.
“We’ve worked it down to where it is currently,” he said.
