Thursday, February 16, 2012

"Welcome to the New Government Economy" (Insert Your City's Name Here)


Our view: City can’t ignore budget challenges. (La Crosse Tribune, 2/15/2012)

Excerpt:   Finance Director Wayne Delagrave said preliminary estimates show a projected shortfall of $1.5 million in 2013, $2 million in 2014 and $1.6 million in 2015. 

That’s why the city is considering a number of different options to cut costs or raise revenue as it prepares for the budgeting process. 

Last year the city included a host of fee increases to help bolster its revenue without resorting to a property tax increase. Now it has been suggested the city look at eliminating or cutting back on curbside collection of yard waste, Christmas trees and leaves, which alone cost La Crosse $151,000 in 2011. Another option on the table is the possibility of selling naming rights and sponsorships to raise money. 

Welcome to the new government economy. With cutbacks from the federal and state government, local government will continue to get less revenue and local aid. And because local government is the body that delivers most of the services, tough decisions need to be made.

Just happened, moments ago, to be revising a PowerPoint presentation for my SLIS class that includes this slide.

No comments:

Post a Comment