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Twitter| 11/5/2008 3:31 AM | Email this article  • Print this article  |
Council discusses budget concerns This article has been read 763 times. By Terri T. Johnson Staff writer ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com
Projecting an 8- to 10-mill increase in land tax only, council expects to generate enough funds to meet projected expenses. Each mill generates about $4,350. In February, council, including three new members, reopened the 2008 budget and instituted a 30-mill increase in land tax only. Council also is reviewing raising the earned income tax by 0.15 percent, which would generate an additional $120,000. In addition to the anticipated tax increases, council has vowed to "tighten belts" is every city department. Facing a current $70,000 deficit, Councilwoman Virginia Ullom suggested each council member take a year without accepting a salary or health-care benefits. She said eliminating council salary and benefits could generate nearly $85,000, but all of council would need to agree. Currently, council members and their families receive benefits without any premium costs, similar to other city employees. "I don't use the health care. You're a burden on the taxpayer," Staniszewski said to Ullom.
Ullom became upset, and the exchange began. "You don't know about my health," she snapped. "If you really care about this city, you'd give up your salary and your health care." The city has faced financial problems, including receiving court permission for a $2 million bond issue in December to pay bills to the end of 2007. With rising costs expected in 2009 - health care, pensions and contracted salaries - the city is faced with increased expenditures and lower revenues. Denny Adams, city controller, said collection of mercantile taxes for this year are lower as spending in the city is down. He blamed the loss on the economy. "There's no fat in anybody's budget," said Ullom, director of the department of accounts and finance.
As in the past, Staniszewski said he is opposed to any tax increase. His repeated statements prompted Ullom and Mayor Sonny Spossey to ask him for solutions. "This guy doesn't want this to work," Spossey said. Ullom said of Staniszewski, "He's running for office. You're never going to vote for any tax increase. You are out of the loop." Staniszewski is up for election in the spring primary. Spossey said the city must continue to work toward a stable financial status. "We have to get our credit (rating) back," Spossey said. Speaking of the city's past financial problems, Ullom said, "This has been going on for 25 years, and it caught up with us." Much of the city is tax exempt, including schools, county property, the hospital and Washington & Jefferson College. "None of us here is doing the popular thing when we're talking about (raising) taxes," said Councilman Terry Faust. First reading of the tentative budget is set for a 9 a.m. special council meeting Nov. 24. |
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Brat Matt : 11/5/2008
How can council get him to just SHUT UP? He acts like a little spoiled brat that you cannot get to do anything... if you want him to do something, he throws a temper tantrum...Boy do I feel sorry for the rest of the officials.
Proud of Matt : 11/5/2008
Matt seems to be the only one ever challenging the stupid decisions of some council members. He has a backbone and I wish more council members would use theirs. Thanks Matt for all you help.
Proud of Matt : 11/5/2008
Matt: You are the only one who seems to credit yourself here. You are sooooooo transparent. Folks are not as dumb as you think. You are a joke. Don't post too many times, they know who you are.
Matt Mayhem Again : 11/5/2008
This kid is nothing but a nightmare. He is the rudest, most annoying person on coucil in decades. Every comment made must become a confrontation with him. He needs to learn how to work with others. His past jail time has obviously done nothing for him and if the citizens of Washington elect him for another term, they will get everything they deserve. Grow up Matt! No one is amused by your games. You are a waste!!
city budget : 11/5/2008
Matt is part of the "check & balances" theory. He always questioning things. We need someone like that. Heck, there are times that when he does that, I finally get a better understanding of what's going on re: that particular subject. I will be voting for Matt is he decides that he wants to run for office again. I sure know I wouldn't under the current administration.
Childish behavior : 11/5/2008
The childish behavior at city council meetings just seems to get worse. And Staniszewski seems to start the majority of it. As for his comment.... he apparently doesn't understand a darn thing about health care because the cost doesn't come from how much or if you use it. It comes from paying the premiums in the first place. So generally someone with poor health would cost less than someone healthy. The premium differences are based on age and if you smoke or not etc...
Stand tall Matt : 11/6/2008
Matt keep up the good work.We need more people on the council like you who will stand tall and fight for the tax payers.As the saying go's rob Peter ( tax payer ) to pay Paul ( city of washington ) . It's time city council starts to open their eyes and see what's going on here. The Washington Hospital,W& J College and the Washington School District are the ones who benefit from all of this. Stop and think about it, they are tax exempt. Now when you go to the Washington Hospital do you get a discount and when you send your kids to W & J College, did you receive a discount ? No but they will buy up half the city and get the tax exempt and then charge you full price. So now who has to pick up the tab, the tax payer like always. Spossey and Ullom thinks this is the right thing to do for the city. If they were smart, they would try to find a loop hole and tax these people and not the tax payers. No they would rather fight with Matt and say he doesn't want this to work. We know Matt is for the tax payer, so come on Spossey and Ullom stand behind the tax payers and find that loop hole and support the tax payers like you said you would . Keep up the good work Matt, maybe one day you'll have Spossey's job . We need someone like you and I'm glad you have a backbone.
childish behavior : 11/6/2008
Wasn't Ullom the one who chidishly called Staniszewski a stupid little rat in the paper? Thank goodness Staniszewski is there to be the checks and balances. I guess Ullom isn't used to having people question her from her high horse. Now with health care? So what you're saying is that someone who spent one million dollars in health care at a hospital actually costs less than someone who is completely healthy?? Is that Ullom math there or what?
Ullom and Spossey : 11/6/2008
Dear Ullom and Spossey - while you're not busy taxing us to death, how about you also quit posting all these anti-matt comments? it's a bit childish.
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