City Budget Passes on 1st Reading;
'Significant' Changes Expected
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Bradford City Council passed on first reading a budget that, as is, would mean a tax increase of about 4 mils. But Mayor Tom Riel and all four councilmen said they would not pass it on final reading next month unless significant changes are made.
“I’ll never vote for this sort of tax increase,” said Councilman Jim Evans during Tuesday's council meeting.
“The tax increase that’s proposed by this (budget) is way out of line with what our citizens can afford,” said Councilman Fred Proper.
Proper also noted that the last page of the ordinance says it “shall be effective upon final passage,” which would be December 28.
Riel reminded everyone that, just like last year, the first reading of the budget doesn’t look good and, last year, it looked as if a huge millage increase would be necessary, “but we shaved that down to almost nothing.”
The anticipated total general fund expenditures for this year are $8,219,233. The submitted expenditures for 2011 are $8,598,206.
Riel said council knows that between now and the final reading of the budget they will have to find ways to generate revenue, “cut fat, cut services, and try not to reduce personnel.”
“The next five weeks are going to be tough,” Riel said. “They’re going to be tough for City Council. They’re going to be tough for employees. We ask that the residents bear with us. We’ll get through it, but there are going to be real controversial things.
“Perhaps we need to break down some political walls and look at the way we do business in Bradford. Perhaps we can do it just as well, or better, by doing it differently, and start looking at best practices rather than past practices,” he said.
“It’s no secret that we’re in trouble with this budget,” Riel said, adding that’s why council sought help from the state’s Early Intervention Program. He said he would not vote for a budget that’s anywhere near what was presented Tuesday, and he knows other members of council would not vote for it either.
“A lot of changes have to be made, and they’re changes that are going to be painful, and the pain shouldn’t be felt by just the taxpayers. It should be felt by the city government and, unfortunately, sometimes our city employees,” Riel said.
In other matters, council granted permission for participation in a “Police Regionalization Study” through the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.
The study will be done at no cost to the city, and Riel said he hopes other municipalities in the valley will participate.
“We have nothing to lose by taking part in a free study to find out what the experts in Harrisburg think we can do about our police departments in this valley.”
Also Tuesday, council approved a new sewer line hookup on Euclid Avenue for a new commercial building.
After the meeting, City Clerk John Peterson said the building is intended to be a showroom for an auto dealership. The area is not zoned for that type of business, however, so a Zoning Hearing Board meeting is scheduled for November 30 on the matter.
Also Tuesday, council approved an $8,000 payment to Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena for the purchase of a used Zamboni for the Callahan Park Ice Rink.
Councilman Rick Benton noted that the money came from the Blaisdell Foundation and another private donor who wishes to remain anonymous, so there was no cost to the city. Parks director Chip Comilla noted that Clayt Troutman offered to bring the Zamboni from Jamestown to Bradford at no cost because it’s “for the kids.”
Council also granted free parking in the business district starting Friday and running through December 31.
As in years past, Riel noted, “all merchants and employees are asked to refrain from parking in front of their stores or buildings, as happens very often during this season."
WESB/WBRR News Director
Bradford City Council passed on first reading a budget that, as is, would mean a tax increase of about 4 mils. But Mayor Tom Riel and all four councilmen said they would not pass it on final reading next month unless significant changes are made.
“I’ll never vote for this sort of tax increase,” said Councilman Jim Evans during Tuesday's council meeting.
“The tax increase that’s proposed by this (budget) is way out of line with what our citizens can afford,” said Councilman Fred Proper.
Proper also noted that the last page of the ordinance says it “shall be effective upon final passage,” which would be December 28.
Riel reminded everyone that, just like last year, the first reading of the budget doesn’t look good and, last year, it looked as if a huge millage increase would be necessary, “but we shaved that down to almost nothing.”
The anticipated total general fund expenditures for this year are $8,219,233. The submitted expenditures for 2011 are $8,598,206.
Riel said council knows that between now and the final reading of the budget they will have to find ways to generate revenue, “cut fat, cut services, and try not to reduce personnel.”
“The next five weeks are going to be tough,” Riel said. “They’re going to be tough for City Council. They’re going to be tough for employees. We ask that the residents bear with us. We’ll get through it, but there are going to be real controversial things.
“Perhaps we need to break down some political walls and look at the way we do business in Bradford. Perhaps we can do it just as well, or better, by doing it differently, and start looking at best practices rather than past practices,” he said.
“It’s no secret that we’re in trouble with this budget,” Riel said, adding that’s why council sought help from the state’s Early Intervention Program. He said he would not vote for a budget that’s anywhere near what was presented Tuesday, and he knows other members of council would not vote for it either.
“A lot of changes have to be made, and they’re changes that are going to be painful, and the pain shouldn’t be felt by just the taxpayers. It should be felt by the city government and, unfortunately, sometimes our city employees,” Riel said.
In other matters, council granted permission for participation in a “Police Regionalization Study” through the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.
The study will be done at no cost to the city, and Riel said he hopes other municipalities in the valley will participate.
“We have nothing to lose by taking part in a free study to find out what the experts in Harrisburg think we can do about our police departments in this valley.”
Also Tuesday, council approved a new sewer line hookup on Euclid Avenue for a new commercial building.
After the meeting, City Clerk John Peterson said the building is intended to be a showroom for an auto dealership. The area is not zoned for that type of business, however, so a Zoning Hearing Board meeting is scheduled for November 30 on the matter.
Also Tuesday, council approved an $8,000 payment to Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena for the purchase of a used Zamboni for the Callahan Park Ice Rink.
Councilman Rick Benton noted that the money came from the Blaisdell Foundation and another private donor who wishes to remain anonymous, so there was no cost to the city. Parks director Chip Comilla noted that Clayt Troutman offered to bring the Zamboni from Jamestown to Bradford at no cost because it’s “for the kids.”
Council also granted free parking in the business district starting Friday and running through December 31.
As in years past, Riel noted, “all merchants and employees are asked to refrain from parking in front of their stores or buildings, as happens very often during this season."
.jpg)
Comments