New glasses
Every once in a while, someone accuses the city of out-of-control spending. Here’s part of one comment from a weekend story about companies that owe back taxes in Missoula.
“I don’t see the city or county helping any by cutting back.”
Here’s some help with the view. Last year, Mayor John Engen asked city departments to shave 3.7 percent from their budgets. With revenue coming in short, he’s looking to knock another 2.8 percent from the city budget.
Folks can argue the cuts aren’t enough, or the city should be cutting tchotchkes instead of wingadings. But fact is, the budget is getting smaller.
Those who “don’t see” the cuts now might consider themselves lucky — but they also may notice later on. Last year, Parks and Rec director Donna Gaukler said one of the things her department was doing was holding off on replacing things like sports equipment.
Have an idea for a way to save your local government some money? No doubt your mayor and council folks are all ears. Want to just gripe instead? Sell it somewhere else ”… we’re all stocked up here.”
Engen plans to offer a budget report this evening at a Missoula City Council meeting.
– Keila Szpaller
January 26th, 2010 at 7:36 am
How about the County, Keila? I’m not getting much of a fix on its budget situation.
January 26th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Thanks for asking Carol. The county reporter has been swamped with fair stories and a couple other things — if there’s some budget announcements at a Wednesday meeting, Kim said he’d pass info along. If not, one of us will call — soon, soon — for an update.