Good news for the taxpayers?
I'm not sure. But despite resistance to transparency in government, it is a possibility that the taxpayers will learn what benefits they receive for the millions of tax dollars collected in the past few years and the additional $100,000 or so that, going forward, would be collected annually... if I can garner the support of at least one member of the majority. (For some details on where your tax dollars go, see here).
Anyway, if I can get that support, there may be some good news for Cheshire's tax payers... and I think at least one member of the Council majority may be willing to support a cost/benefit analysis.
But who is it?
Of course many TWL readers know, despite Matt Altieri's recent call for the Council to act in the Town's best interests in a nonpartisan manner, I have not yet gotten a commitment from him to support my call for a nonpartisan cost/benefit analysis for the Town's rainy day fund. See the brief history here, here and here. I don't know why he hasn't given me his commitment, but he hasn't.
Nonetheless, this week's Herald notes:
Budget Committee member Elizabeth Esty said it was (the Council's) obligation to do long-term planning for the town and to try to keep taxes down. "People want to keep their hard-earned dollars, but they also want to be protected," she said.
I don't know about you, but that sounds to me like a reason to support a cost/benefit analysis. Otherwise, how can the Council do proper long-term planning and ensure that we're doing a good job with the proverbial balancing act of taxes and services?
Perhaps I'm dreaming.
Consider... the rainy day fund is currently 9.4% of the annual operating budget. And as the Herald's Josh Morgan reported the facts that were provided to him:
The recommended percentage from town staff was for 8 percent of the annual expenditures, so it is up to the Council to determine where to allocate the other 1.4%.
again...
so it is up to the Council to determine where to allocate the other 1.4%.
huh?
oh! I get it. Silly me! I was under the impression that the Council sets policy, including the size of the rainy day fund. But I guess I was wrong.
Tim White
9 comments:
What good news? We have been overtaxed the last few years for sure and how many before? Give us a break and use the excess surplus to lower this years "real" budget. Town council members have to fight for a fair budget for everyone. All that is being done every year is approving the recommended budgets. Get a commitment to approve a "REAL" budget this year and future years and then there will be good news for the taxpayers.
Is the reluctance to do the cost/benefit analysis due to the cost of the cost/benefit analysis? If so, what would be the cost? (and would that figure into the cost/benefit analysis? :) )
Matt Alteri will not support the cost/benefit analysis for two reasons. One it would go against the agenda by the dem's and second it would show the old way of doing business has no value and is wrong.
Any business that wants to make intelligent business decisions always uses a cost/benefit analysis to help clarify the situation and decision making. Sorry, forgot. we are speaking about government, logical decision making processes are not welcomed here.
we hav a savings account in our town?
That is a good thing.
Let's keep it that way!
It's a good to thing but how much if enough? Sometimes it's used against us. Let's find a happy median...
Some towns have no savings accounts
Cheshire has a good one
There is another positve sign for our great town
We still borrow a lot of money. Why? We are spending more than we take in. Let's only spend what we can afford and then it will be a positive thing. Look at Wolcott the collection rate is going down Why? People are in over their heads and it's going to come back and bite us. We must watch what we spend..
Is the reluctance to do the cost/benefit analysis due to the cost of the cost/benefit analysis? If so, what would be the cost? (and would that figure into the cost/benefit analysis? :) )
There should be no cash outlay, just a few man hours.
Anyway, I may try to compile one myself.
It can't hurt to have a savings account
It is something every household has
The town has a good one
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