Sunday, January 30, 2011

Libraries Win, Libraries Lose in a San Jose Let-the-People-Decide Budget Exercise


Residents try hand at San Jose budget cuts. (San Jose Mercury News, 1/29/2011)

Excerpt:   San Jose officials Saturday printed up a bunch of money, handed it to a roomful of neighborhood leaders and asked them to sort out the city's budget mess.

Alas, the money wasn't real. But city leaders and residents alike found the exercise worthwhile in setting priorities as the city confronts a 10th straight year of red ink -- $110 million in the next budget year
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[snip]

His group ultimately decided to ax not only the additional firefighter per truck but also to delay the scheduled opening of two new branch libraries under construction, Calabazas and Educational Park, until 2012. That would save $6.7 million.

The group saved graffiti control, main and branch library hours, children's health care, neighborhood traffic calming, code enforcement, community centers, streetlights, and park maintenance and restroom availability
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