| Viewing Single Post From: Blog and Media Roundup - Sunday, June 28, 2009 | |
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| abb | Jun 28 2009, 05:09 AM |
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http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/opinion/columnists/guests/68-1176129.cfm William V. "Bill" Bell: Citizens helped shape budget : Guest columnist Jun 28, 2009 Bookmark and Share Earlier this year, in addition to being ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 10 best cities in 2009 to live, Durham received yet another national recognition that likely went unnoticed by most people. In an article, "O Citizen, Where Art Thou," April's Governing magazine recognized Durham as the "exception to the rule," for "engaging in regular efforts at bringing citizens into the budgeting process through everything from customer satisfaction surveys to small-scale community/city council meetings." At no time was that more evident than this year, as your City Council, city manager and staff developed and approved a no-frills budget in perhaps the toughest economy in recent memory. For that, I say "Thank you Durham." For without your engagement and your input to set spending priorities, a key piece of a challenging budget puzzle would have been missing. Given our economic realities, we all knew from the very beginning, with declining revenue and without a tax increase that this budget was not going to be typical. We were all going to have to make sacrifices that would affect services and programs we've come to expect. How to do that was the challenge, even with best of suggestions, wants and needs from citizens at Coffees with Council and other meetings. Together, I believe we have met the challenge: Crafting a budget that meets what you, Durham residents, said should be the city's highest priorities -- public safety, core services such as garbage collection, roads, water services, youth programs, job development, improving infrastructure and delivering capital projects on time and on budget. While the 2010 budget is nearly $10 million less than last year's budget, city staff is challenged to continue to provide quality services and programs that you've come to expect. And to do it with fewer resources -- people and finances. As many of you know by now, and as many local businesses are experiencing, the city eliminated 113 positions, and though the large majority were vacant, about 31 employees are affected. At this time, about 18 of those employees have been placed in other vacant city positions, and we are continuing to work to find other suitable positions when possible. Here are some highlights of the Fiscal Year 2010 budget: - Public Safety needs continue to be met, with overtime funds budgeted for targeted enforcement activities; new Fire Station 15 is appropriately staffed; and police and fire pay plans are funded. - A Teen Center opens in September, and other youth programs are strengthened through the Mayor's Summer Youth Works Program; the Junior Fire Marshal, the Youth Employed and Succeeding Programs, Wall Town Recreation Center reconstruction and various Durham Parks and Recreation programs. - Holton Career and Resource Center will open in August to meet the health, career planning and recreation needs of Northeast Central Durham residents. - Housing Code Enforcement is strengthened to continue eliminating vacant and boarded-up houses. - The Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization fund is increased by $250,000 to enhance the tax base, create jobs for Durham residents and reduce poverty and crime. - Solid Waste Management begins collecting recycling every other week starting July 13, saving money by using city staff and using larger bins, rather than contracted vendors. - An enhanced focus on protecting our environment and reducing energy consumption continues, with the purchase of 20 new hybrid buses and funding for the city-county sustainability officer. - Monthly water and sewer rates increased about 9.3 percent, raising $3.3 million for construction needs. Tier 1 or lowest water users will not be affected. For more details, please log onto the city's Web site at www.durhamnc.gov/citybudget. The challenge now is executing this very austere budget without any significant problems, and keeping in mind that the city will be as flexible as our current economic roller coaster dictates. As I write this, fuel costs are increasing weekly. Indeed, next year's budget leaves little margin for extras. With that said, now's the time to start thinking about coming years, and to plan in longer-term increments with our budget in mind. What are this city's priorities over the next three years? What is a reasonable and doable six-year capital project plan? How do we pay for increasing costs for transit services? How do we budget for maintenance projects, including streets, and plan bigger bond projects? How do we incorporate "green" into our building and into existing facilities? Those are just a few of the questions on our radar, as we continue to provide for our citizens and maintain a distinction only 21 of about 22,500 cities across the country enjoy -- a triple A bond rating by all three ratings agencies. As those around the nation constantly tell us what we already know, Durham is "where great things happen." And it's all because of you, Durham residents. William V. "Bill" Bell is mayor of the city of Durham. |
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| Blog and Media Roundup - Sunday, June 28, 2009 · DUKE LACROSSE - Liestoppers | |
10:24 PM Dec 5
