The city commission will be talking some about its budget tonight, and will "receive" it Tuesday at its regular meeting.
Ive written about what they have done so far, cutting here and there so as to avoid a tax increase.
The city's valuation went down about $1 million, so that had to be made up. Instead of raising taxes some, they cut services.
The museum will take the biggest hit at about $50,000. It will stay open but will not have money for any special programs. Commisioners hope it will become more self sufficient. The board of the museum could work toward raising money and so forth.
THe museum doesn't get a lot of visitors, according to their stats.
They will also be holding off on buynig some new vehicles, and will move some vehicles around.
Departments working together could also make the city more efficient.
This raises the question... Should the city try to avoid a tax increase by cutting, no matter what they have to cut. Or should the city do what it has to do to provide services?
Would you be willing to pay a little more in taxes to have more programs available at the museum? Just as an example.
Which should be a city priority?
Holding down spending or providing services?
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43 comments:
I just read an article about how small towns are having officers ride bicycles and walk to patrol areas.
I thought that was a great idea. Big cities all over the country have foot and bike patrol. They also use horses.
Anyway, at $4.00 a gallon that provide a huge cut in energy prices.
I am not conivnced it is an either or question. Oops, I am babysitting my granddaughters and need to finish this later. My youngest is learning to crawl and PaPa is relearning how to hide things from lil ones.
It's been a while since we had this age group. :~)
I believe at this point in time, it's wise to cut back. Families are already making lifestyle changes to adjust to hard times. I think it's appropriate for the city to do the same until times are better.
However, I would not support wage or benefit decreases for city workers.
Boy that would be a big laugh, but then it may be good for them to walk or ride bike, just thinking about how many of them would be in good enough shape in a year to pass the yearly physical by acctually being able to make the mile with more than 10 seconds left to finish.
ON THE OTHER HAND JUST THINK OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS THEY MIGHT MAKE BY BEING ABLE TO TALK TO CITIZENS RATHER JUST DRIVING BY LOOKING AT THEM, BUT THEN
They would acctually have to take time to develope people skills and improve their road side manners (ha Ha ha) Becoming friends with the whole community
Guess again. An officer on a bike or foot cannot be at the scene in less than 2 minutes.
In a car...yes.
purchaseing brand new cars for police officers every two years needs to stop!!
Replace them every ten years
Buying the latest high tech toys for the police department needs to stop!!
Police need to get in a decent Uniform, supplied by a uniform company same as the rest of the city employees.
I do not like paying an officer $275 a month to wash his uniform when a uniform company will do it for $50.00
as far as rideing bicycles, i think we have enough thugs rideing these two wheeled contraptions on the city streets, dont need to add to the problem.
No more car allowances for management ( Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Manager)
Lets eliminate some waste
Looks like they have a problem on their hands. The property values are going to continue downward because there has been very little new construction in Ark City in the past 30 years.
The pre-WWII housing that Dotty was trying to protect when she opposed the construction of the new apartments is now approaching 65 to 75 years old, and it is the majority of the housing in AC.
The businesses that Mell tried to protect when he opposed the Lowes are definitely on the decline, especially since 2000, and there has been very little done to create new business or industry that pays city taxes over the last decade for sure.
Maybe it is time to come to the opinion that just protecting what is now in Ark City is not really good enough.
It is like someone who is unemployed taking the attitude that all he needs to do is make sure he doesn't spend anything and to protect his money. He doesn't need to earn. That's what I'm hearing from Ark City. Not good enough.
Guess again. An officer on a bike or foot cannot be at the scene in less than 2 minutes.
In a car...yes.
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DUH, not all of them would be on a bike, so there would be those who could be there in two minutes. It would be nieve to think that officers could cover the whole town with cops on bicycles. But it would be thrifty to put at least some of them on bikes, and some of them in cars. Arkahlala would be an excelent time to test this. Large crowds, in a confined area?It would be a perfect time to test this.
"No more car allowances for management ( Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Manager)"
Not true, I believe the City Manager is the only one that gets a car allowance as part of his contract. Department supervisors do not get a car allowance. I for one think the city should be careful not to let equipment and buildings go downhill just to save money. We the tax payers will have to play catch up sooner or later.
"Buying the latest high tech toys for the police department needs to stop!!"
I will agree with this one. The ACPD is out of control. Maybe the Chief should listen to his cops before he makes them carry a bunch of useless, expensive computers. They don't want them, they don't need them, but nobody is hearing them.
Wow, maybe we DO need a bike lane! Ha-ha!
Well, I would say give them motorcycles, but... I've seen them driving cars. (not a good idea)
Some on bikes, some on foot, might be a good thing since they already know the places that they are gonna frequent. (at least several of them roll in certain areas for hours) Yes, I mean around and around they go. Sometimes they stop, but usually they just go round and round. :)
You might like the idea of cops on bikes until you need one in a hurry. Then you will complain that it took too long to get there.
As for bikes at Arkalalah, they are already of foot, so bike would actually cost us more.
I agree that they get new cars too often, but ten years is ridiculous. Those cars run 24 hours a day. They don't go home with the officers like some departments. That racks the miles up pretty quickly. But again, you don't want them to have a breakdown at an inopportune time.
The new toys do serve their purpose, but having the latest and most expensive equip is not necessary either.
Wow! I agree with SG on this one!
I want my emergency services to have reliable equipment. When there is only four or five officers on the street it may be difficult to rely upon a quick response if they are needed. Bikes may have there purpose uptown during special events when extra officers are assigned, but would be impractical most other times. I have scene the fire department use four wheelers for quick response to ems calls uptown during the parades, seems like a good idea instead of trying to get a big truck through the crowds.
As far as the PD cars I would agree again they get beat up driving these brick streets day and night. They have tried the smaller cheaper cars, but paid the price in repairs.
oh yes, pardon me, i was being sarcastic.
But for sure... they could use a little more wisdom and possibly a little less gas.
;(
Bikes & foot works great in crowded, urban areas. Not so good in semi-rural.
Once, (a long time ago) we needed an officer for emergency. Best I remember, 1 was on the doorstep in about 2 minutes.
I know we gotta cut sump'n somewhere. As I see it, as the economy continues it's downward spiral, and prices continue upward, we all must be willing to sacrifice. Including any "sacred cows". (economically speaking) As James stated, "we have to think differently."
Some times the PD getting to an call just raises the level of the people they are sent to help, peple have an fear of dealing with officers in all sorts of case (no people skills just a law book). Besides can't we as adults most times work out our on problem even if we get a few scratches on our knees (did in the past/can today)
What most historians of public attitudes will tell you that in hard times people get hard about solving problems and a hot headed PO can ignite it even more. They ride up hype with authority and forget really how to make peace between people (ACPD PEACE KEEPERS) MEANS SOLVING THE PROBLEM NOT ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE!!!) Put them all on a bike, get rid of the cars and we could hire 20 more offficers and we could feed the horses on all the uncut yards in town
Not true, I believe the City Manager is the only one that gets a car allowance as part of his contract.
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So take the huge raise he got, and the vehicle allowance away, then buy a GEO for him to drive and call it even. Cutting back every where but with the city manager is crazy. When trimming the fat you start at the top and work your way down. By the time you get to the museum you should be looking at a tidy sum.
Hey, I know! Let's borrow some money from the Chinese. That'll fix it! :)
I made a call in to the PD waited for 20 minutes, no show.! Called them again, gave them info they asked for, 20 min again, NO SHOW!
Finally left the scene. Guessed that the issue wasn't worthy of their time. However, if someone would have gotten hurt, wonder what would have been said. Why didn't they show. I have no idea, but I do know they didn't show. How, you might ask did I know that they 'didn't show'? I stood there for approximately 45 minutes, looking in all directions.
Did they show? NO!!!
Perhaps they were on foot, but the location we were at they could have crawled there in 40 minutes.(I'm pretty sure the cars were rolling in other areas) Give them bikes, or trikes... just kidding, cause they would never get anywhere.
I think reality is imposing itself on the nation. We all would do ourselves well to think differently about the way we manage resources.
When we discuss the things we feel make up a pleasant community, no doubt, entertainment would be included.
When we think of those things (someone will call this a shot at the current governing body but) we have to ask with equal scrutiny, is developing the appeal of the local museum more or less effective use of resources than soliciting donations and spending muni dollars for a one time event such as the local Olympics.
Don't get me wrong. I think the out of box offering could be a nice and successful event. There is no brick and mortar infrastructure for an event such as local Olympic. It has to be reproduced each year or it is lost and we have one less feature to offer in our city. The museum, in contrast, is built and has an existing inventory. It has a collection of items and is staffed with some innovative thinking people who try to make history come alive and relevant to our citizens and visitors.
Compare the one week budget for the museum versus the cost of hosting a one week one time event in downtown on a specific date(s) and see which is the best bang for the buck.
And speaking of bang for the buck, the dollars spent for a twenty minute fireworks display (equal to 1/5 the budget reduction to CSLRM)...
Entertainment, recreation in renewable and sustainable amenities such as Museum, Arts Center and library (existing inventory of books with continued updating) etc may be argued to be the more economical approach.
The corollary is, if those entities could not sustain and went away, what would it cost 1) to replace in the future or 2) to access those amenities outside the community. Would we take our school kids on field trips to Wichita museums? Would citizens travel to Winfield to check out library books or for fine and performing arts?
There is a cost to have and a cost to "not have". Both should be considered.
The cost of the AC olympics will be minimal. Mostly businesses will be paying for it.
But I do agree with your point that "not having" can cost just as much, or more, than "having."
I am not sure that I agree with the commission's philosophy of minimal services.
At the same time, I don't think we take advantage enough of our history.
But we need more forward thinking people involved.
At one point there were people on this blog that wanted to help stage a landrush re-enactment. They were not exactly greeted with open arms.
The city isnt eliminating the museum, but they are cutting all but the basic stuff to keep it open.
The Museum board needs to get busy.
Which is what the city wants.
And speaking of bang for the buck, the dollars spent for a twenty minute fireworks display (equal to 1/5 the budget reduction to CSLRM)...
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Not meaning to pick on you charles:)
The fireworks were paid for by private donations.
Didn't cost the city anything.
You could argue that it cost a little bit of time for the policemen, but they would have been on the clock anyway.
You had a couple members of the PD out raising money and putting it together, and not asking the city for money.
No debate on the who paid for it. The question is, Was it money best spent? Would those folks have given the same dollars for something more educational like bringing history to life at the museum?
Side comment: We did dispense city crews (at OT pay) to clean up on the Saturday after the event. To negate scrutiny because fo the source funds sounds like some of the discussions arund the house when my kids were growing up.
They could always rationalize how prudent they were with their own savings when parents, grands or other relatives were pciking a portion or all of the tab.
My mentor in the ministry always referred to fireworks as putting a match to a dollar. On the 3rd you have $20 dollars in your hands. On the 4th you are standing over a pile of ashes with a broom and a trash bag.
the police shouldnt have the largest budget, be catered to, and their bullying to get what they want should stop. they dont need a SWAT team like the cheif would have us believe, dont need to sell 2 yr old cars with only 60000 or 70000 miles on them, and there def can be some cuts with that dept. speaking of response time, if a cop is out of shape, how is his response time gonna be or how far can he chase anyone? they need to have requirements for them that they maintain their fitness, not get the job and gain 100 lbs. so, put em on bikes and foot, maybe then they can stay in shape, they ride bikes in topeka and other towns. most of em own personal motorcycles and know how to ride, get em some of those for gas saving. and, get em under control, i know many people who have been pulled over and surrounded by four or five at the same time and for what? nothing! they just all want to jump in or bored I guess. the sign says 'protect and serve' but seems they concentrate more on delibertly harassing, seeking out, or entrapping. but must mention to be fair that they are mostly young and inexperienced, seems the city cant keep help in the pd dept anymore either
July 16, 2008 4:45 PM
I agree!!! ACPD needs to work on a lot of things. Wouldn't hurt to have a few on the force with some wisdom.
I have a great deal of respect and apprecition for our PD and its CURRENT members. I feel they do a good job, are effective, efficient, caring, and polite. I also respect and appreciate the current leadership. That said, THEY DON'T NEED ANY MORE MONEY!!!! They have every basic thing they need and don't need more, newer or better AT THIS TIME. They need to make due just like everyone else.
I am hearing that a LOT of the employees of the PD are unhappy since Wallace took over, and that he has a zero tolerance policy for screw ups. One screw up and you get written up, another of the same type of screw up and you're out the door. A lot of the older ones are just biding their time until they can get out, and the young ones (which is most of the force nowdays) don't know any better.
Maybe that's a good thing?!
As a former resident of Ark City and former member of the ACPD, I feel obligated to make a comment in reference to some of the blogs I have read.
A job as a police officer is not an easy task. You encounter and see some of the most horrific scenes. (one reason I left) Some of the things you see stay in your head forever. What I have experienced is the only people that complain about the police are the ones who break the law and get into trouble. If you don't want a ticket don't break the law.
When you have an emergency the police are usually the first to respond. How many of you have to put on a bullet proof vest before going to work, not knowing if you will come home at the end your shift? With all of the crazy people in this world, I say give the PD what they want as long as they all go home at the end of each day, we know that some don't!
All of the officers I worked with at ACPD were very honest, reliable, and dedicated to the community. Officer's don't do the job for the money, I assure you, they do it because they care about people and want to help.
Clap clap!!!
I think protecting our freedom is government's #1 job. Without the police, we would have none. I think we should make financial cuts anywhere but the ACPD, and we should all give them a big THANK YOU.
I have had my share of tickets and run in's with the police while growing up, but never felt any ill-will towards them. They were doing their job and I owned up to my bad deeds.
One must be able to accept both sides of the job and all the perils that come with and the fact that you may not cme home is one of those things. I bet all the kids who died at the Virgina thought they were going home too. It a fact with the way things are going NO ONE is promised to make it home. Yea they put themselves more at risk but that was their choice and yours, live with it, and sorry they have to live with the bad bad things they see but what about the bad things they do not and the bad they don't feel when 80% of the time they get there after those unbearable things are done. If it is that bad make them see a physcologist and let them say who can stay and who does not rather tha a cheif. they do that for military personal why not ACPD???
"As a former resident of Ark City and former member of the ACPD"
Thank you for your typical interview answer! Please that makes us all feel warm and fuzzy but that is not what makes a cop or firemen. We are adrenelin junkies! We enjoy the unknown and the challenge of fixing a disaster.
Yes, I want to help people too! but bad things happen all the time and most cops and firmen want it to happen on their shift.
Now with all that said it can an is very hard on our families because we put our jobs first many times. We try not to but we do!
Now the ACPD has many good people working for our community, The problem I see is they are micromanaged to the point of frustration and the inability to function without a tight leash from the chief. He seems to have a path to greatness he wants to fulfill and does not care how he gets there.
"He seems to have a path to greatness he wants to fulfill and does not care how he gets there."
OUCH! Have to agree with this one!He has forgotten where he came from and stomps on the ones that make it all work!
We are adrenelin junkies! We enjoy the unknown and the challenge of fixing a disaster.
Yes, I want to help people too! but bad things happen all the time and most cops and firmen want it to happen on their shift.
The problem I see is they are micromanaged to the point of frustration and the inability to function without a tight leash from the chief. He seems to have a path to greatness he wants to fulfill and does not care how he gets there.
July 18, 2008 7:17 AM
Now... I guess we should all feel warm and fuzzy. Your loyalty is outstanding. (putting your chief on the tracks - to cover your frustration) That sells real well to me. NOT!!!!!!
:-(
Leave the firefighters out of your impressions. I enjoy my job and view it as a career that I have invested in. I do not like to see bad things although it is part of my job and we learn to deal with it. We are not here to make you feel "warm and fuzzy" we are here to do a job that we are very well trained to do and we do the job by choice. Just my opinion!
If you like your job then why don't you help get all ( ALL ) fire hydrants cleared so that ALL building in town can be saved. I know of one that the home owner had more pressure through his water hose than what you could get through the hydrant!!!!!!!!!!!
Over the summer they are doing whatever it is they do to all fire hydrants.
All hydrants are being tested and flushed this summer, and just so you know, the pressure is generated by the pumps on the fire trucks not the hydrants. Although volume of water available and the size of the water main can make a difference.
Not arguing just educating.
Thank you for the information Mr. Fireman.
God Bless you
Your welcome, and Thanks a little devine intervention never hurts!
Does that mean that the study done after the house burned down and the city was sued and in the report they stated tha the line in that particuler area was so pluged up that they would have to be replaced that what they have did summer after summer has cleared those lines. To my knowledge and my observation in this particular part of town I have never seen a pig ran down the line to try to clean it out, nor has there been any digging to replace the old lines, does that mean all is okay because they let a little rusty water run down the road. If that is so let the city put that in the news paper so that everyone in that part of town know just how much they can lose or if their house goes up in flames it will be saved. Speicially for the churches in that area!!!!
mr editor call the city and do some investigating please. find out the last time they actually did the hydrant flushing and actually COMPLETED THE PROJECT AND FLUSHED ALL OF THEM. that is another project they tend to ignore and put aside, or only half a** do it right, never get around to night flushing or completing, etc. i know a city worker and they told me this project hasnt been done the last few years nor done right the last few times, will it be done right and COMPLETE this year? doubtful but maybe if we watch and see this time they will actually do it right?
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