The proposed Bossier City budget for 2010 has been released and reflects about a 9% cut in overall spending, and will reduce the fire department by 40 positions, the police department by 40 positions, and will cut 37 other city jobs.Except for the mayor's staff.
The budget proposes a 5% increase in pay for the mayor's staff, as well as doubling the travel budget for the mayor's office.
Really?
The mayor, of course, has no comment and will not speak to the media at all, leaving the dirty work for the city council.
Last week up to 100 people showed up at the council chambers for the meeting. The media was there and will be there tomorrow for the 3PM meeting.
Are you going?
Mom and I will be there!
ReplyDeleteI'll be there. Won't be anonymous either.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the news media will be reporting on the 5% pay increase to the Mayor's staff...
ReplyDeleteI will be there!
Everyone should keep in mind that this is a proposed budget. There is no question that it will change so just relax and see what transpires.
ReplyDeleteIf we relax we know what will transpire.
ReplyDeleteYea, we have obviously been relaxed for too long. Don't bring that "relax" crap if you show up tmorrow.
ReplyDeleteWill there be any cops and firemen at the council meeting tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteDoubt that the administration will allow them to attend.
ReplyDeleteI heard that they would not be allowed to attend.
ReplyDeleteThe police officers were "asked" not to attend the council meetings.
ReplyDeleteThe budget proposes a 5% increase in pay for the mayor's staff, as well as doubling the travel budget for the mayor's office.
ReplyDeleteI find this statement a little ironic because if the budge passes my families travel budget will double too. My husband will have to drive to Shreveport to get to work.
The police officers were asked not to attend because the city council abd mayor were angry that they showed up to last week's meeting. They complained to the chief of police and I am certain that both veiled and unveiled threats were passed along. These guys are so drunk on their own egos they could not even fathom that these people would have the audacity to hold them accountable. The city councilmen and the mayor all fear having to face those who will now be punished for their irrespondiblity. The police and firemen may have been asked not to show up, but that is all the more reason for them to not only show up but bring as many citizens as possible to these meetings and force our coward of a mayor and spoiled brat councilmen to face them.
ReplyDeleteI understand that personel cost is the most controllable expense but can also be the most costly in the end. I pray that the safety of the police left on shift is being considered.
ReplyDeleteAnd the person in need of medical attention must be considered, every second counts.
Then if we cut the fire personel will we close a station or 2? If we have to close a station I hope they consider the homes that need the most coverage I would think the older homes. There are still many ways to trim a budget down. If the city needs help budgeting I'm sure there is enough people to form a finance committee! Any anyone can justify what they want for their project. I'm sure this is not the first year we should have been paying attention but I bet it won't be the last. the Police and Fire are there when we need them so please come in their support tomorrow, 3:00pm Tuesday.
the proposed budget should be posted with justification of where the money is needed compared to where and what was spend the last few years. does the city have to go out on solicitation for projects? Is there a minimum of how many they solicite bids from?
ReplyDeletejust asking? not accusing...
I believe there is more to all this personel budget cut.
ReplyDeleteWhy if this effects the police and firemen so strongly are they being "asked" not to attend and not to speak of this issue. Reprisal if they do.
You have got to be kidding. Firemen and policemen are going to be layed off because of money problems in Bossier City and yet the Mayor can give his staff a raise, they are paid too much already. This is a slap in every citizens' face. Seems like the Mayor is just showing us who is in charge and who he cares about and its not the citizens, the ones who voted him into office.
ReplyDeletethe mayor has a secretary and receptionist, cut one and learn to do more with less. Less is not always easy but it cuts the budget.
ReplyDeletehttp://sos.louisiana.gov/Portals/0/elections/pdf/RecallpetitionRev3-02.pdf
ReplyDeleteRecall Lo Walker....we will not tolerate any more!!!
Since the 6.5 million dollar deficit came to light I have been trying to do some research on where the money that the city spends is going to. I thought maybe the majority of the taxpayers do not realize what i found. Lo Walker wants to eliminate about 88 fire and police jobs. Thats not the problem. The problem is the debt that Bossier City has incurred.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has interest in this I encourage you to read
http://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/2009/10/spending-not-revenue-problem-...
Also another article
http://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/2009/10/bossier-city-officials-to-bil...
Please read these articles and make comments on them.
As for my opinion the spending has got to stop. We have paid for arena, a parking garage, a cyber innovation center and more. Per the article 25% revenues in the city of bossier will go for just paying off the debt. This debt does not include the bonds they want to sell to build the sewer plant. All this means if you plan on moving to Bossier I would rethink because the taxes will skyrocket due to the debt. I am now thinking of selling my house and moving cause I cant afford to pay off the debt from all the spending the mayor and city council have done. I usually never speak out on issues but I think this is one that needs to be talked about. I am tired of the Bossier City government thinking we can do anything and get by with it. Bad thing is its a bit late for all the debt Bossier City has taken on because we all are going to have to pay for it.
My links in the above comment did not totally show up. Here are the good links
ReplyDeletehttp://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/2009/10/spending-not-revenue-problem-causes.html
http://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/2009/10/bossier-city-officials-to-bill-citizens.html
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ReplyDelete