A presentation on the city's budget cuts this morning was — no surprise — dire again. The city needs to whack another $1.7 miilion out of the current year's spending, and next year is stiil presenting a gap of $24 million to $40 million between projected income and outgo.
But one item got councilman Howard Clement's dander up.
$35,889.
Overlooking a list of which departments have been cut by how much, Clement spotted that number after "City Council."
"I am concerned," he said, that council had not been consulted first.
The cut left the council's budget for 2008-'09 a paltry $537,000. By the end of the fiscal year June 30, the council's budget was projected to show a surplus of almost $40,000.
But principle was involved. Clement persisted: "When will we have the opportunity to discuss the $38,000 [sic] cut in our budget?"
Deputy City Manager Wanda Page said the money is actually being held in reserve, and might be restored if called for.
Clement forged on.
"I don't want to put this off. If you get away with this cut you can get away will all the cuts. ... How could it happen without our involvement?"
Other council members said they had, in fact, been consulted.
"Obviously, we are not on the same page," Clement said. "Thank you so much for letting us know we're not as important as we thought we were."
