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A Message from Mayor Carolyn Kirk, Inside the city budget numbers

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CNB Note: Every once in a while we check on our sister city in Massachusetts to see how they are doing. Just like the City of  Gloucester NJ they too are dealing with financial problems. Below is a budget message from Mayor Carolyn Kirk, Mayor of the City of Gloucester City, MA

May 15, 2010

The Mayor's Desk Carolyn Kirk

The administration has presented for City Council review and approval the proposed annual city budget for fiscal 2011, which begins on July 1, 2010 and runs through June 30, 2011.

We are seeing a rebound in city service levels due to three factors:

A three-year freeze on city wage increases.

A prudent use of the new revenue available.

Continuous re-evaluation of existing spending and migration toward high priority areas.

However, in my judgment we are experiencing a one-year reprieve.

The fiscal 2011 school budget is built on $717,000 of ARRA funding. Next year, the charter school tuition bill arrives and the ARRA stimulus funding disappears.

The administration encourages the School Committee to control wage increases, make the most use of new revenue available, and continuously reprioritize existing spending in order to make progress in funding its priorities.

The bottom line net available funding for fiscal 2011 is $81,766,330. This represents a 1 percent — or $974,762 — increase over fiscal 2010. Two-thirds of this available new revenue has been allocated to the School Department. Regarding revenues, the state revenue picture remains troubling.

We anticipate a 4 percent local aid reduction, and note the new meals and room taxes recently passed by City Council has merely plugged the hole created by the cut in state aid. We are budgeting an increase of $425,000 on these new taxes, but local aid has been cut by over $520,000 heading into fiscal 2011.

The local revenue figures for fiscal 2011 have been conservatively estimated due to the continued economic condition of local, state and national economy. In addition, the administration remains determined to improve the overall financial health of the city by being conservative on revenues to help restore the general fund's unreserved fund balance and generate free cash.

Regarding expenses, the administration continues to adjust spending to reflect its priorities. We are pleased to be able to accomplish some very important goals with the portion of new revenue allocated to the city along with the continued readjustment of existing spending and the three year hold on wage increases.

After hitting an all-time staffing low in April 2009 in the Gloucester Police Department, the budget includes the hiring of two police officers. In addition, many equipment needs identified in the recently conducted Police Department Audit are funded such as new portable radios, a generator, and a mobile data terminal for use in patrol vehicles.

The Fire Department budget includes the hiring of two paramedics. In addition, the administration funds the creation of an assistant chief's position as recommended in the Fire Department Audit commissioned last year by City Council. Included also is a capital expenditure for a new forestry vehicle and a fire engine to replace equipment more than 20 years old.

The budget is responsive to the increased demands on the Department of Public Works in order to better satisfy resident expectations and to manage the enormous load of capital projects that are bearing down on the city this year and in the years to come.

With the addition of the city engineer (PE), for the first time in many years, there will be a full complement of management support for the department freeing up the director to focus on capital planning, and productivity of the department.

In addition, the appropriation in the ever-underfunded snow and ice accounts has been increased by $200,000. This is specifically in response to our downtown community in which economic activity can slow to a crawl with insufficient snow clearing and removal efforts.

We have also turned the corner on other services. Sawyer Free Library has operated under a waiver for the last few years and we have formulated a plan to make up the lost ground over the next few fiscal years and get out from under waiver status altogether and back to certification level. Staffing at Rose Baker Senior Center is being provided with relief with the increase of one part-time position to full time.

This budget funds a full-time veterans services agent. The position had been vacant for over a year, and last year was staffed with a part-time contracted agent.

The fiscal 2011 budget is now under review by City Council and residents during upcoming public hearings.

In the coming weeks, I will address other aspects of the budget including water and sewer revenues and expenses.

Carolyn Kirk is mayor of the city of Gloucester, Gloucester City Massachuettes

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