The Kansas City-MO City Council has tentatively approved the budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Final approval of this budget comes at Thursday's City Council meeting.
Firstly- the Council PROMISES NO RAISE IN PROPERTY TAXES.
Water rates and sewer rates WILL rise on May 1: 10 and 12-percent respectively. No doubt the council will find other areas to raise fees- charges- etc. too.
Among things barely cut: The $2-million annual payment to the Truman Sports Complex for the Royals and Chiefs' stadiums. The proposal is to reduce this subsidy by a mere $300000 but keeping a $1.7-million annual subsidy.
Among the cuts: The police department by $6-million which city officials "hope" will be made up my other taxpayer monies.
The city's busiest police patrol divisions frequently have no cars available at peak call times on weekends. In additions- a shaky economy brings more crime.
The police department can't afford any cuts.
Closing of 3 fire stations- one out south (Station 1?)- one station in midtown (which one? City needs them ALL there) and one fire station in the Northland (short on KC-MO fire protection as it is).
There is no mention how the City is going to fund another "new" public safety radio communications system to the tune of $30-million-plus in those cuts to police and fire.
Also- the city's parks and boulevards- already in shaggy shape- would actually get LESS attention under this new budget.
There was absolutely NO mention that the city council members would take a cut in pay to help the city's coffers. Amazing since most council members could afford such a cut.
However- 332 positions from the general fund, including 20 labor positions and 127 management positions will be eliminated.
The rest of the city labor force will see pay and benefit cuts (no mention if the City Council's included in this).
Bleak days ahead for city residents but not to worry if you're a developer.
The TIFs and 353's are still being doled out.
____________
2 comments:
Quit buying those expensive L.E.D. light bars. The ones they had were good enough.
Actually, those LED light bars are necessary. The old strobe and incandescent light bars have a draw on the electrical system of 100-150 amps. That's a lot of power. They get hot, burn out, and aren't nearly as visible.
The LED lights never burn out, are brighter, and use FAR LESS amperage to run which means less load on the vehicles and less repair.
Post a Comment