Much was said about the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority at Monday's City Council meeting. Citizens, PMUA workers, officials, friends and foes had their say, as did Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs. Given the hour at which I am starting this post (almost 3 a.m.), I will have to write on that subject later on.The budget situation deserves some commentary. The council wants to change back to a calendar year, but I think it will require another six-month transition year as it did when the council switched to the fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. The projected $3.4 million shortfall is mind-boggling. And as much as council members press for stringent measures now, I can't help but remember this from a Plaintalker post on the SFY 2009 budget process:
While many governmental and private systems turned to furloughs, layoffs and givebacks, Plainfield proposed just one layoff for savings of only $10,000. A large tax increase was warded off only by the dubious measure of deferring pension payments, which must be paid back with interest over 15 years starting in 2012.
More later on these and other topics.
--Bernice
I just have one thing to say about our inability to prepare for this, "Thank you Sharon."
ReplyDeleteMy granny used to call that maneuver, "Robbing Peter to pay Paul!"
ReplyDeleteThe 6 month transition to a calendar year budget will allow for trickery of Bonding the shorted year budget, thereby giving taxpayers a break [which will only have to be paid off 'later', sort of a kick the can down the road approach]
ReplyDeleteWith a 3.4 million shortfall, both the administration and council have to share the blame on this one. In order to close this budget gap, there will be massive layoffs. I suspect anywhere between 40 to 60 people including police and fire. Salaries and benefits are the biggest expenditure.
ReplyDeleteThis had to be a surprise to our free spending leader...or worse yet, not much of one.
ReplyDeleteTo all the employees who are going to be laid off...Thank Sharon and Jerry! This is what happens when you practice the fine art of bury your head in the sand.