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Michael Jacob recently testified on behalf of the PD policy committee at the Board of Estimates meeting. His testimony included many of the suggestions and concerns of the policy committee. Excerpts from his testimony are below. To catch up on budget matters, please read this blog entry from Brenda Konkel.
From Michael Jacob:
As we all know, these are tight financial times, both economically and "thanks" to the Governor and the State Legislature foisting levy limits onto local governments. As was documented in the Capital Times last week, capital expenditures and the resulting debt service in local operating budgets are not subject to the state limits; so these suggestions will not help ease the strain on this year’s operating budget. But they should be considered in the context of how much is reasonable to ask the taxpayers to pay for capital improvements in tight financial times and whether the credit card nature of such spending is a good long-term policy.
The details are available in this PDF file.
In sum, the Progressive Dane Policy Committee has identified 27 projects that should be cut, delayed or cancelled, totaling more than $21 million in proposed borrowing. We’ve also identified eight projects where enhanced funding, totaling just over $1.1 million, would benefit our city. The net result is a reduction of nearly $20 million in the Mayor’s proposed Capital Budget. This $20 million is all in general obligation bonds and debt maintained by utilities. These cuts can produce significant reductions in the property tax levy, be available for other priorities, or both. If all of the suggestions are adopted, property taxpayers and residents will save an estimated $2.8 million dollars next year and each year that these obligations would take to pay off.
These suggestions take care of essential projects now, enhance the investment in clean water, affordable housing and safe neighborhoods, and put off of delete projects that must be considered luxuries or something well short of absolutely necessary right now.
The debate over the Capital Budget is relatively young. I encourage you to look over these suggestions, and the entire Capital Budget, closely. Visit, as we have the sites of the proposed projects. Think hard about what is needed and what would just be nice to have.
Let me stress that perhaps not all of these projects will be worth having on the chopping block. To the best we could, based on information available from the city and by actually visiting some of the proposed project sites, we’ve determined these projects can wait, be cut partially, or cancelled altogether. As more information is gathered, you may determine that some will indeed need to occur and we may well agree with you. But I think you’ll find this slate of ideas to be realistic, honest and forward thinking, all within the constraints of limited resources.
Posted by prodane at September 14, 2005 08:24 PM
We, the members of Progressive Dane, join together to form an independent political party in Dane County with a major focus on local issues. We pledge to work to improve the quality of life in Dane County for all people, particularly those marginalized by economic and social discrimination. We will work to improve our local government by making it open, easier to understand, and accessible for all citizens of Dane County. We are working to achieve positive policy change by electing accountable progressive officials and mobilizing citizen action.
Progressive Dane's "In The News" blog keeps you up to date on the latest news from (and about) PD. Check here for information on PD's policy initiatives and to read about what our endorsed elected officials are up to.
