city news
What to Expect from this Year’s
City Budget
By Scott Laird
Vemonia is about to enter a new fiscal year, and with that comes the presentation and
acceptance of a new budget. As many of us have heard, either directly or through the
grapevine, Vemonia finds itself in a difficult position as it begins the budget process-
namely a shortage of funds.
The community was told last year that things were tight and to expect them to stay
that way for the next few years. So city council passed a budget that relied on inter
fund loans and transfers, and some belt tightening to balance. This year, on the heels
of a devastating flood, the city finds itself in worse shape than last year.
It might be useful for people to know more about what things cost when it comes to
operating a city. The following are just an example of some of the expenses through
the end of March 2008, or 75% of the fiscal year:
Budget Item
Cost
t of Appropriation
Office supplies
$2,106.19
35.1
City Hall electricity
$4,558.98
48.3
Legal services
$15,381.43
52.6
Building inspection salaries
58.876.22
68.7
Library electricity
$2,752.31
76.5
$191,843.80
77.6
Police uniforms and gear
$3.506.53
70.1
Airport insurance
$2,215.00
88.6
Cemetery equip., oper., and maint.
$1,731.82
20.5
VCLC Electricity
$1,387,72
77.1
Police salaries
VCLC Directors Compensation
$28,858.33
75.2
Parks and Recreation Salaries
$23,643.65
56.9
Parks Electricity
$9.905.03
87.8
Water Fund Salaries
$91,435.98
102.1
SeWer Fund Salaries
$58,793.13
59.1
Street Fund Salaries
$29,296.12
97.9
The chart of accounts, and actual line items Were changed over the last
ihg more detail as to where the city is really spending it’s money. The city has been
capturing expenses more accurately this year, so the next budget should better reflect
expenses in the line items where they are being spent.
At the recent presentation of the audited budget from 2006-07, the auditor told city
council, with the current shortfall of funds, there are really only two things you can
do- increase revenues or cut services. Many members of the community are still
trying to recover from the flood, there is a rising cost of living, and there are already
high utility rates here. Increasing revenues in the form of higher property taxes will
prove to be a hard sell. There are few other places that the city earns reyenue- from
business license fées, utility franchise fees, fines and forfeitures, building and elec­
trical permits, and from parks use fees. Of those revenues, the only fees that aren’t
paid almost entirely by residents, either directly or indirectly, are the parks fees. The
parks committee raised some of those fees last year, and have recommended raising
more this year, but this will have little impact on 5+ million dollar budget.
That leaves us with cutting services. No one wants to be told they are going to have
less than what they had before, but the reality is, that is exactly what Vemonians
should expect for the next few years. Services cost money, and every citizen has
services that they value more than others. Every department and service will be
looked at to see if there are ways to cut costs and save. Currently the Police Depart­
ment and the Public Works Department are operating short one person. It is doubtful
those positions can be filled this year. The Community Learning Center is in the first
year of a five year plan to grow it’s programs and operated at a loss this past year.
It will need to be looked at. The parks are holding their own, but Vemonia has more
park lands than most small towns our size. There could be an opportunity to find
some funds there. The Library is open about forty hours per week, and has purchased
almost $5,000 in books.
The current budget tried to rein in Administrative costs. The city has been working
without a Public Works Director. Two city employees have shared the duties of City
Administrator, City Planner and Finance Director. Office staff is at a bare minimum.
A cut in hours of operation at city hall and part time employees will be considered.
City Council
By Brett Costley
First I ’d like to introduce myself to those who don’t know me. My wife and I
moved to Vemonia in 1998 from Houston, Texas. I work at Intel and my wife is
the “Jazzercise Lady.” We have two young children who are native Vemonians.
I ’ve been on the city council since 2002. I previously served on the Planning
Commission.
I am the council liaison to the Public Works Committee which is chartered with
oversight of streets, water, sewer, and storm water. As most of you are well
aware, Vemonia’s needs in these areas are tremendous and our resources few.
With much help from city staff we are looking at options to plan for and make
improvements in these areas while being sensitive to the citizen’s wallet. This is
a tough task, especially after the flood, but I am optimistic that with hard work
we can get things done.
One thing that has become clear to me through my years on council is that it is
imperative to balance short term desires with the long time good of the com­
munity. I believe that many of Vemonia’s problems stem from focusing on the
short term. Particularly now, as we deal with the flood recovery, we are faced
with this balancing act. I firmly believe that making tough decisions today will
pay off in the future. Another balancing act w e’ve been faced with due to the
flood is balancing gathering input versus making decisions so that recovery can
begin. Meetings earlier this year regarding implementing ordinances regarding
the flood plain Certainly must have seemed rushed, but quick decisions allowed
recovery to begin and, I believe, will increase the opportunity to receive funding.
Not enough thanks can be given to the volunteers on the Planning Commission
and on the recovery committee for all the work they’ve done to facilitate coun­
cil’s work!
I have heard recently some comments that city council does not listen to the citi­
zens. I ’d like to note that city council is not required to allow citizen comments
in our regular meetings. We are only required by law to take public input on cer­
tain items that require public hearings. However, even in our regular meetings
we try to accommodate citizens and take input. I understand the difficulty of at­
tending meetings - with a wife who works at night and with two young children
I have trouble attending myself - but citizen input is critical, and if you don’t
talk to us, we can’t listen. Reach m e outside the meetings if necessary. I cannot
promise to vote the way you’d prefer, but I do promise to listen.
Vefrionia will be facing tough times over the next few years. Please work with
council, committees, the school district, and others to do what is best for Ver-
nonia. Challenge us when you think we are doing something wrong - we aren’t
perfect - but please do so in a constructive manner. A number of citizens do this
already, and I very much appreciate it.
City Accepts New Waste
Management Rates
The Vernonia City Council approved new rates for waste collection by Waste
Management and a plan to begin mandatory curbside recycling for all custom­
ers. This is the first rate increase in five years. Waste Management will provide
sixty-four gallon carts for each customer for recycling. Customers will be able
to co-mingle the following items, except glass, in this single container : news­
paper, magazines and scrap paper; flattened cardboard and wax cartons: plastic
bottles and jugs, nursery pots 4 ” and larger, and five gallon buckets; and metal
cans including aluminum, tin, aerosol cans, and scrap metal. Recycling will be
picked up every other week. Garbage pick up is being offered either once per
week or once per month. It is anticipated that some residents, by participating in
the recycling portion of the plan, will be able to reduce their volume of garbage
and reduce the number of cans or the number of pickups thereby mitigating the
increased cost in rates.
RE-ELECT JOE
Ip
lllll
CORSIGLIA
■ I
COLUMBIA COUNTY
COMMISSIONER
POSITION #1
Some creative ideas will be needed when the Budget Committee and City Council
meet to begin discussions for the 2008-09 budget.
The proposed budget was presented to City Council and the Budget Committee on
May 5th The Budget Committee will meet to discuss and formalize a recommended
budget beginning on May 13th and again on May 15th. The public is invited to at­
tend and offer suggestions. Council will have to approve a budget before June 30.
m
Paid for bv the comittee to re-elect
jo e Corsiafia Columbia County Commissioner