Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske this morning issued a press release declaring new ideas for fiscal responsibility in city government and calling on support from city officials, after listening to residents’ concerns at a town hall meeting last night.
“It was abundantly clear that the residents attending the meeting last night want the City to put into place fiscal accountability measures before we ask them to pay a parcel tax,” Schipske is quoted in the release.
The key ideas outlined include:
– Establish a “General Fund Reserve” in case of financial emergencies
– Create a seven-member commission to determine if any changes should be made to the salaries and benefits of the city’s elected officials
– Set strict guidelines for the legislative and administrative budget of the Mayor and the City Council
– Transfer 15% of operating revenues from the city’s Gas and Water Departments to the general fund
The rest of the release is as follows:
Schipske says she is proposing measures that focus upon establishing mandated budget reserves; forming a citizens’ commission to review all elected officials salaries (which range from over $200,000 to $30,000); setting the City Council budgets at a set amount (instead of each district having different amounts); and mandating the transfer of surplus water and gas department funds into a City reserve account that will be used for only paying off debt related to municipal improvements.
“There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth over my proposing these measures,” notes Schipske. “But unless we start showing our willingness to be accountable we shouldn’t be going hat in hand to our residents.”
Schipske will asking that the proposed Charter reform measures also be placed on the November ballot along with any proposals to impose a parcel tax.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor