Last week the City Council barely passed the Mayor’s 2014 budget with a 7-6 vote. I voted against it, and as a member of the Finance Committee I voted to trim about $1.5 million from the Mayor’s proposed budget. These suggested cuts included hundreds of thousands of dollars in specific line items, and an even 1.25 percent cut to hundreds of other line items.
I know these cuts would have had an impact on many departments, and that employees could have been subject to potential layoffs or furloughs. However, the reason for the cuts wasn’t to hurt people. It was to balance the budget for this year and take a step towards being prepared for the future. There just isn’t enough revenue to cover the projected expenses – it’s really that simple. We need to find ways to trim expenses and reduce the growth rates in labor, expenses, and benefit costs.
I have prepared a couple of web videos to explain the problems with the budget, and the challenges the city faces in meeting its future obligations. Based on the City’s expenses, obligations, revenue, and maximum possible increases in revenue, I think it’s mathematically impossible to meet our obligations.
This is a very strong statement, but it’s true. Sad, but true. We’re about $120 million short over the next five years, and that’s assuming the maximum tax increases allowed under Prop 2 ½. You can review the videos, spreadsheets, and backup documents online at http://www.cityofwestfield.com/2014-budget.
I’ve received very good feedback from several people who have reviewed them, and I’d encourage you to send me feedback, questions, concerns, or suggestions via email at [email protected]
Some of you have been receiving nice emails about me from Mr. Dondley of “Save Westfield Schools”, and some of the city employees have been hearing slanderous statements about me from administrators and union leaders. I’d encourage everyone to think for themselves, and do their own homework, before coming to any conclusions. I truly care about the best long-term interests of Westfield, and I believe that we have to deliver great services to residents and taxpayers in a cost-effective manner, and that we should do our best to honor all of the obligations the City is making to employees with regards to pensions and long-term health care. Some things are impossible. Sometimes that means we have to talk about “reality” and make some very hard decisions. The Mayors and City Councils have passed the buck for long enough. The City is clearly making promises it can’t keep in the labor agreements. Taxpayers are ultimately on the hook for all these unrealistic promises. We have to stop it now. Otherwise, the City may be forced – by basic mathematics – to renege on the promises that have been made, and could end up in bankruptcy like several other cities around the country. This wouldn’t be good for anyone. We all need to work together, in reality-land, to solve the problems.
Have a wonderful summer. I hope to see some of you at the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration or at some of the wonderful music programs planned for downtown.
Dave Flaherty,
Westfield City Councilor
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
