I thought I'd throw out my first blog as a response to the Dallas Morning News article regarding the recent budget meetings in Rowlett.

The article stated that "they (the majority of city council members) acknowledge will require staff cutbacks and reductions in city services."

Well of course it will, but those same council members do not want to cut priority resources or services - they want to focus on unnecessary expenditures - like middle management.  This is no different than what corporate American does regularly.  It's tough but necessary.  Besides, we elected this new city council on the premise of being fiscal conservatives - they are just proving that's what they are.

The article went on to say "Al Alberts and Dennis Alsup said in budget work sessions this week that they could not support reducing city services."

Surprise, surprise, surprise.  And those same two city council members have voted to increase our city taxes year after year.

Again the article says "The cuts he proposed included eliminating merit-based pay raises, cutting eight full-time and three part-time jobs, reducing library operations from 60 hours a week to 50, and reorganizing several departments to eliminate positions. One department head position – the economic development director's job – was also cut."

Many of the cuts proposed - and you'll see this if you read the proposal posted on the Rowlett city website - are cuts designed to make the city council look like the bad guys if they agree to them.  It seems no effort was put into really researching and finding appropriate areas to cut in.  Instead the proposed cuts are cuts that would be very obvious to the public and would likely cause public outcry.  Why would such cuts be proposed?  Because cuts hurt. But sometimes we all have to make cuts in our budgets.

"Council member Todd Gottel expressed reservations about some reductions, such as library hours."  

Hooray for Todd!  Besides, how can cutting 10 hours out of the library per week possibly cut the 2.5 employees (1 full time, 3 part time) that the proposal indicates it would?

"And several council members said they were concerned about eliminating the economic development director at a time when the city is trying to bring in more businesses." 

Instead of cutting the director, why not cut the two assistants.

"While the council did not present specific areas to cut further".

That is not the councils job.  The city staff should make appropriate budget cut proposals.

"Guiding principles" - "Restoring some merit raises, treating public works, police and fire departments as the highest priority. Management, nonessential staff and support staff, as well as nonpersonnel items such as equipment and travel, should be cut, but no "front-line workers" should be cut. Considering economic development, code enforcement and communications departments as second-tier priority departments, while keeping services "at a high level" but within overall budget constraints. Reviewing the remaining departments in the city to determine whether they need to be streamlined or eliminated. Dedicating surplus funds to emergencies or capital improvements."

Hooray for the Mayor and his guiding principles!

"Mr. Owens told council members that they'll have to make trade-offs if spending is to be cut – such as dealing with slower service in the planning department, relying on volunteers more at the animal shelter and offering fewer programs at the Community Centre."

Slower service?  Would that be slower than the current road construction?

"Mr. Owens said, however, that it's difficult to compare cities' tax rates."

No it's not. Ours is 74.72 cents.  Other cities are lower.  It's simple math!

"We don't have the sales tax base for our size; we don't have the commercial base for our size,". 

That's why we need to keep the Economic Budget Director....

"Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Rushing said that she does see inefficiencies – like having middle management where there's not necessarily a need. "There's a point where you need them, but I'm not sure we're there," Ms. Rushing said."

Yes, Yes, Yes!

"I don't think the 5 percent reduction will have a huge effect on services," he said. "If the citizens say, 'You're cutting too deeply,' we'll listen to them."

And that, Mr Mayor, is why we elected you (and Ms. Rushing, Mr. Gottel and Mr Mays).  Because you listen to us!  Thank you!