Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: Westminster Finance

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Monday, January 23, 2017

April 1994 Capital Improvement Program City of Westminster Carroll County MD

https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/1994/04/april-1994-capital-improvement-program.html

https://www.scribd.com/document/337286450/April-1994-Capital-Improvement-Program-City-of-Westminster-Carroll-County-MD

April 1994 Westminster Finance, Westminster Finance Bud 1994 1995, Westminster Finance Budget

https://www.scribd.com/document/337286450/April-1994-Capital-Improvement-Program-City-of-Westminster-Carroll-County-MD

April 1994 Capital Improvement Program City of Westminster Carroll County MD by Kevin Earl Dayhoff on Scribd

Introduction

In October 1991, the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Westminster adopted an ordinance adding a new Chapter 20, entitled "Fiscal Matters" to the Westminster City Code. The ordinance provides that the fiscal year of the City shall commence July 1 of each year and end on June 30 in the following year. As part of the City's annual budget process, the Mayor in coordination with the Directors of the City's various Departments shall prepare a six-year program for capital improvements, which is to be approved by the Common Council on or about the date of budget approval. Following adoption of the Capital Improvements Program, no capital improvement project may be added to the program, unless a public hearing is held and, thereafter, a revised program is adopted by resolution of the Mayor and Common Council.

Statement of Objectives

The Capital Improvements Program is an important way of putting the City's comprehensive plan into action. It is the City's objective to coordinate the Capital Improvements Program with the City's comprehensive plan and development regulations such as zoning and subdivision ordinances. The type, scale, timing, and location of new development will affect the public costs of providing facilities and services. The Capital Improvements Program can save the City money by coordinating capital projects and through advance acquisition of land for future facilities. Public facilities also play an important role in determining when, where, and how much private sector development will occur.

The Capital Improvements Program can be thought of as the public sector's development plan, which will show

1) What capital projects and facilities will be built, repaired, replaced, or purchased;

2) Where these projects are located; and 3) when the projects are scheduled to take place.

Currently there is a growing awareness of the value of budgeting for public facilities. This is especially true since the end of federal revenue sharing in 1987 and the recent reductions in funding from the State of Maryland. The decline in intergovernmental transfers has placed greater fiscal pressure on the City of Westminster to fund capital improvements with local revenue. To the greatest extent possible, the City has tried to minimize debt financing in favor of pay-as-you-go funding of capital projects. If Westminster must borrow funds for capital improvements, bond-rating agencies have urged the City to adopt a Capital Improvements Program, which may lower finance charges paid by the City.

Capital Improvements Program Schedule

By January 15th of each year, the Mayor shall furnish the Planning and Zoning Commission a copy of the proposed six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and capital budget for its review and recommendation to the Common Council. After affording the public, an opportunity to express views on the proposed CIP, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall submit its recommendations to the Common Council on or before March 1st of each year.

On or before May 1st of each year, the Mayor and Common Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed capital budget and six-year CIP. The Common Council may increase or decrease any appropriation item in the capital budget. The capital budget, as amended, shall be approved and funds appropriated not later than May 30^th of the year in which it is submitted. Prior to June 1st of each year, the Common Council shall make tax levies deemed necessary to finance the capital budget.

General Information

Historical Capital Outlays

Capital outlay appropriations for the last six years are shown in Table 1. The historical data indicate a fairly consistent spending pattern with the exception of the $4.1 million appropriation from the City's sewer fund in FY90-91. A notable increase is also evident in the appropriations for General Government, which increased from $9,000 in FY89-90 to $863,000 in FY91-92, and then nearly doubled again in FY92-93 to $1,693,000. This increase in FY92-93 is attributed towards municipal building renovations, particularly the renovations for the building to be used by the Westminster Police Department. Historical capital expenditures will be used as a guideline in determining the reasonableness of projected capital funding levels.

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See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf

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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/search/dispatcher.front?target=all&spell=on&Query=Kevin%20Dayhoff&sortby=display_time%20descending#trb_search

Carroll County Times: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/search/dispatcher.front?page=1&isSearch=true&target=all&spell=on&Query=Kevin%20Dayhoff#trb_search

Westminster Patch: http://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff?page=1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

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Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

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April 1994 Capital Improvement Program City of Westminster Carroll County MD

https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/1994/04/april-1994-capital-improvement-program.html

https://www.scribd.com/document/337286450/April-1994-Capital-Improvement-Program-City-of-Westminster-Carroll-County-MD

April 1994 Westminster Finance, Westminster Finance Bud 1994 1995, Westminster Finance Budget

https://www.scribd.com/document/337286450/April-1994-Capital-Improvement-Program-City-of-Westminster-Carroll-County-MD

April 1994 Capital Improvement Program City of Westminster Carroll County MD by Kevin Earl Dayhoff on Scribd

Introduction

Statement of Objectives

The Capital Improvements Program can be thought of as the public sector's development plan, which will show

1) What capital projects and facilities will be built, repaired, replaced, or purchased;

2) Where these projects are located; and 3) when the projects are scheduled to take place.

Capital Improvements Program Schedule

General Information

Historical Capital Outlays

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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/search/dispatcher.front?target=all&spell=on&Query=Kevin%20Dayhoff&sortby=display_time%20descending#trb_search

Carroll County Times: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/search/dispatcher.front?page=1&isSearch=true&target=all&spell=on&Query=Kevin%20Dayhoff#trb_search

Westminster Patch: http://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff?page=1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

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*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Westminster slow on Public Information Act request

Westminster slow on Public Information Act request

Thursday, July 8, 2010 By Marc Shapiro, Times Staff Writer

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_558b96c4-8a30-11df-a3e0-001cc4c002e0.html

While most towns in Carroll County, as well as the county government, have financial documents easily accessible, the city of Westminster has not responded to a Public Information Act request filed more than 30 days ago, a violation of state law.

A recent survey of Carroll County municipalities, county government and the city of Frederick showed how easy, or hard, it can be to get financial documents from public officials.

The Carroll County Times sent a PIA request to Westminster City Administrator Marge Wolf, who is the city's custodian of records, Mayor Kevin Utz and City Attorney Elissa Levan on June 3 for its general ledger and comparative analysis for the most recent available month, preferably in electronic form if available.

As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, the Times had not received a definitive response from Wolf.

On June 8, Wolf said Westminster would have to hire someone to look through various documents in order to produce a general ledger and comparative analysis, and that she was going to come up with a price for it.

On June 23, Wolf said Levan just got back from vacation and they were to talk that afternoon. On July 1, Wolf didn't have anything new to report, and said the PIA request was at the top of her list to talk with Levan about on July 6. She did not explain why it wasn't discussed on June 23.

Wolf did not return phone calls seeking comment on Wednesday.

Officials from other towns and cities, as well as county government, say they have these documents readily available… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_558b96c4-8a30-11df-a3e0-001cc4c002e0.html

20100708 CCT Shapiro Westminster slow on PIA request

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Friday, June 27, 2008

19470627 State Revenue Sharing

Carroll County To Received $531,108.73 Additional State Revenue Through Gov. Lane — Democratic Advocate, June 27, 1947.

With the beginning of Governor Lane's new fiscal program of July 1, Carroll County will start to receive $531,108.73 additional in State revenues annually for the cooperation of its government functions and relief of taxation at the local level.

The $532,108.73 is Carroll County's share of the $20,411,348.18 in additional State revenues to be allocated each year to the political subdivisions of Maryland.

Of the $531,108.73 increase to Carroll County, some of which will be shared by incorporated towns, $338,710.00 is for schools, bringing the total received by the County yearly from the State for this purpose to $739,087.00. The new school incentive fund adds another $42,416.00 yearly.

Additional road funds for Carroll County to be divided among Cities and incorporated towns on a mileage basis total $71,413,30, bringing the State's yearly allocation for highway purposes to $308,186.71.

Democratic Advocate, June 27, 1947.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

20080619 Westminster city FY 2009 budget update memo

20080619 Westminster city FY 2009 budget update memo

MEMORANDUM

TO: Fellow City Employees

FROM: Marge Wolf City Administrator

DATE: June 19, 2008

RE: Update on Budget

Preparing and obtaining approval for the FY 2009 budget was a real challenge because the City is struggling to maintain the current tax rate AND continuing to provide the level of services our residents expect.

The cost of providing services is constantly increasing, just as your personalbudget is increasing. Here are some examples of the increasing costs the City is facing in FY 2009:

1. Gasoline increased by 40% and more increases are expected

2. Health care premiums increased by 10%

3. Workers Compensation insurance increased by 30%

4. Electricity increased from 6.5 kwh to 11.O kwh, an increase of 38% andmore increases are expected

5. The landfill fees have increased from $61 per ton to $76 per ton andadditional increases are planned

6. The projected premium for the retirees health care benefit was increasedfrom $76,000 to $619,000 to meet the requirements of the GASB rules.

At the same time, the City revenues have been impacted by three major events.

The first is the moratorium imposed by MDE on new building.

The second is the general downturn in the economy.

And the third is the reduction in State and County funding for projects.

In fact, the City revenues have not increased from last year. We have projected a three-year operating budget for the first time. The gap between the revenues and expenditures continues to widen over the next three years so this challenging financial situation will remain with us for some time.

The highlights of the budget approved by the Mayor and Council include:

1. The 3% merit increase will become effective July 1, 2008. No cost of living will be awarded.

2. The deferred compensation program will continue with the 2% matchingcontribution.

3. The employee contribution to health care will be increased from 7% to 14% and the same match will be required for dental and vision plans.

4. The health care retirement benefit for employees will be continued for current retirees and those currently qualified for the benefit will be grandfathered. The benefit will be modified for future retirees and no employees hired after July 1, 2008 will receive the benefit. (These changes reduced the premium from $619,000 to $298,000.)

5. A $3.5M bond will be issued for a major street overlay project to repair andreplace the most damaged roads in the City.

6. Other than multi-year projects or those projects for which the City was required to budget a match in order to receive grant funds, no other capital improvement projects were approved in the General Fund.

7. We have examined our staffing and policies and procedures to provide the most effective and efficient services to our customers. Staffing requirements have changed based on that examination and these changes will become effective in the new fiscal year.

8. The tuition assistance program will not be offered this coming fiscal year.

9. Attendance at conferences and training will be limited to requirements forlicensing and continuing education credits.

In addition to these actions, we will establish several department-wide Task Forces to develop programs in the following areas:

1. Reduce the amount of gasoline consumed. This will include a review of our take home vehicle policy, the use of pool cars and our actual daily operations.

2. Reduce the energy costs in each of our facilities. An energy coordinator will be appointed in each City facility to help develop an energy policy and monitorcompliance with that policy.

3. Reduce the consumption of office supplies. This Task Force will examinecentralizing office supply purchasing and distribution, modifying utilizationpatterns and identifying waste patterns.

4. Additional members will be added to the Health Care Committee to develop along-term strategy to maintain an employee benefit package at a reasonable cost to both the City and employees.

If there are other areas where we need to conserve our resources or ways to use those resources more efficiently, please do not hesitate to make suggestions orrecommendations to your supervisor.

We will be looking for additional ways to economize and conserve to live within our budget. All ideas will be given serious consideration. Only by pulling together can we meet the challenges of this trying financial situation.

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Monday, May 12, 2008

20080511 Bryan Schutt watch

Bryan Schutt watch

May 11, 2008

One of the latest reporters, who write for the Carroll County Times, that I have been following recently, is Bryan Schutt.

He has only been with the paper since March of 2008. He came to the Times after he earned his B.A. in Journalism in December of 2007 at Penn State University. And for a Yankee, he really doesn’t write badly at all.

Of course, as many readers are aware, I read writers. Too often, the headline for any particular article is misleading and the lead paragraph – the slug – is all too often a compromise between a writer and a copy editor who wants to punch up some interest in the piece.

So I read writers – not headlines.

I first met Mr. Schutt at the Main Street Mile event in Westminster and he asked good questions. He is typical of so many of the new young reporters that arrive at the Times; eager and energetic.

Of course, some of the new ones present as clueless and have an attitude. He seems to have some confidence. There is a big difference between attitude and confidence.

However, as I mentioned before, he asked good questions. And for the female readers, he looks like he is an avatar from GQ.

Of course, one of the first assignments they often get is Westminster city government. What a tough assignment as the current administration has mistaken transparent government to mean translucent; and no group of elected officials around manages the news as well as these folks.

As is so often the case with young reporters, especially at the Times, they fail to challenge their sources.

Anyway - one of several pieces I have taken notice of recently were the two articles on hybrids. I own a Prius and I love it.

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As gas prices continue to climb, companies are looking for new ways to power autos In 1985, a Ford Escort was rated at 26 combined miles per gallon. Twenty-three years later, the new heavily advertised Ford Focus is rated at a combined 28 mpg, according to fueleconomy.gov, a Web site that rates fuel efficiency. A 1988 Honda Civic r... May. 11, 2008

Hybrid owners pleased As a retiree, 66-year-old Kenneth Vrtacnik is determined to be economical. “Any way I can save, as far as the environment goes, I try to,” Vrtacnik said. The Westminster resident said he used to commute to Washington, D.C., astride his Ha... May. 11, 2008

Manchester to review fiscal year 2009 budget Fighting the same rising costs of health care, electricity and gasoline prices as other towns, Manchester’s town officials said they worked to save money and create a balanced budget that provides similar services to the town, at similar prices... May. 12, 2008

Taking to the skies: Maryland residents experience one-of-a-kind ride in World War II training plane There were no decorated pine trees, no sprinkled and shaped cut-out cookies and no familiar ringing sounds from the Salvation Army bell but sure enough, it was Christmas at the Carroll County Regional Airport Sunday for two Maryland residents. Vid... May. 12, 2008

Westminster overhauls Capital Improvement Plan Budget concerns became a reality in Westminster Monday, when the proposed Capital Improvement Plan featured a scaled-back fiscal year 2009 budget. The Westminster Common Council was presented with a CIP drastically different from the one originally a... Apr. 29, 2008

Westminster Flower & Jazz Festival offers gift ideas for mom Flowers and mothers go hand in hand, and Westminster has a history of successfully joining the two for its annual Flower & Jazz Festival. Always scheduled for the day before Mother’s Day, the festival is a prime opportunity for last-minute Moth... May. 9, 2008

Driven by her dad’s influence, Nancy Weller isn’t easily intimidated and is certainly capable of pulling her own weight Big-block engines, turbo chargers, and plain-old raw horsepower used to be exclusively under a man’s domain, but not anymore. Video Nancy Weller of Taneytown has been competing against and beating her male counterparts in tractor-pull compe... Apr. 28, 2008

City officials tout budget document's new look Westminster’s new budget document represents a bright spot in an otherwise tough fiscal year to plan, according to city officials, and now, they say it’s time for residents’ input. While the old budget was about 25 pages of numbers,... May. 5, 2008

History lives Today, Dan Graf of Hampstead will be at work as a plant operator for Maryland Paving. Video Sunday, Graf was roughing it outdoors, dressed in his wool Confederate uniform and battling Union soldiers. Graf was one of about 300 re-enactors taking pa... May. 5, 2008

Postage rates to increase Soon-to-be graduates and married couples getting ready to mail thank-you cards and invitations might want to make a trip to the post office to stock up on Forever Stamps before May 12. In tune with other rising costs across the country, many of the U... May. 3, 2008

Special Olympics Sportsmanship, activism primary themes of county games Video Hundreds of athletes and volunteers crowded Westminster High’s Ruby Field for the annual Carroll County Special Olympics Wednesday. Competitors, ages 8 to 58, competed in a range of ... May. 1, 2008

Proposed Westminster plan focuses on water, sewer issues Although city officials say Westminster needs additional funding for street work, water and sewer funds make up the majority of the six-year Capital Improvement Plan that was proposed during this week’s Common Council meeting. The water and sew... Apr. 30, 2008

Carroll Police Brief for Monday, May 12, 2008 Theft Milton Charles Humble, 26, of the 4300 block of Middleburg Road in Union Bridge was arrested Sunday by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and charged with being a fugitive from justice from the state of Pennsylvania. His original charges... May. 12, 2008

Carroll Police Briefs for Monday, April 28, 2008 Driving while impaired - Ryan Dorsey, 35, of the unit block of James Street in Westminster, was arrested by Westminster police Saturday and charged with driving while intoxicated and driving while impaired. He was released on his own recognizance. - ... Apr. 28, 2008

Westminster council delays budget hearing Westminster city officials decided to hold off on the fiscal year 2009 budget public hearing because they believe the city government needs to re-evaluate the lack of funds put forth for city streets in the Capital Improvement Program. Instead, the C... May 6, 2008

Sunday, April 30, 2006

20060430 An analysis of the FY 2007 Westminster City Budget - Why a tax increase is not necessary

20060430 An analysis of the FY 2007 Westminster City Budget - Why a tax increase is not necessary.

An analysis of the FY 2007 Westminster City Budget

Why a tax increase is not necessary.

The following was posted on the Westminster Eagle Website:

www.thewestminstereagle.com

on April 30, 2006.

Related posts: Dayhoff issues and position papers

Feedback on Westminster budget? Here's mine

April 30, 2006 © By Kevin Dayhoff

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=715409&CategoryID=18298&show=localnews&om=1

Feedback on Westminster budget? Here's mine

Why a tax increase is NOT needed • April 30, 2006

04/30/06 By Kevin Dayhoff

Recently the City of Westminster (City) announced a proposed budget of $27,334,713.00 for Fiscal Year 2006 - 2007, (FY 2007) which begins July 1, 2006, ends June 31, 2007, and has requested feedback from Westminster citizens.

The proposed budget includes a 6-cent increase in the City’s property tax. This will raise the property tax from 40 cents to 46 cents – a fifteen percent increase, probably the largest in the City’s history.

There have since been published reports of folks who do not want a tax increase. Well duh, who among us wants to pay more for anything unless we are to receive a commensurate increase in a tangible product or services in return?

The City, in press reports, has said that the 6-cent increase is needed for “rising fuel prices (an increase of $65,000;) health care costs (an increase of $212,542;) the city's growth ($?;) new technology (an increase of $40,000 – G10.-391 and the General Fund’s portion of the last installment on the new financial accounting system - $348,468;) road maintenance (an increase in the road overlay program of $500,000) and ‘so many other things ($?)…’”

What has been lacking in this year’s budget discussion is any published analysis of the budget so that citizens may arrive at an informed decision. Citizens need to know what has been proposed for our health, safety and welfare and just what a 6-cent increase in the property tax looks like to those of us who have to pay the bill.

Moreover, it is imperative upon those folks who disagree to do more than be disagreeable; they must recommend a thoughtful and intelligent alternative suggestion for debate and discussion.

Disagreement is not inherently a negative thing, as long as it promotes a meaningful and constructive exploration of the issues in order to arrive at a win-win consensus that will make as many folks happy as possible.

Westminster has one of the more sophisticated, intelligent and well-educated citizen-bases in the state; and yet, an alternate proposal has not been presented.

So, let’s explore the matter and see what we can do to develop an intelligent alternative approach that says no to a tax increase.

For this analysis of the City budget, it would be helpful if you had a copy of the proposed budget handy. Most of the expenditures and revenues will be identified by their “account number” - a “G” number; for example, “G26.5000” is the identifier for “Hospital Insurance.”

A copy of the proposed budget should be easily available by calling (410) 848-9000 or stopping by City Hall.

Nevertheless, do not worry if you do not have a copy of the budget handy at the moment, as hopefully, I will still be able to explain where cuts are possible to avoid a tax increase.

If, after reading this analysis, you agree that there are cuts available to avoid a tax increase, it would be certainly helpful for the City to know where your suggestions of additional proposed cuts can be found by referring to the “G – account number.”

As we discuss the following numbers, bear in mind that each penny increase in the City’s property tax nets the City $143,947.50. A 6-cent increase will net the City $863,684.00.

The last several budgets have been very difficult.

To be sure, the last number of budget years have been extraordinarily difficult. For several years after September 11th, 2001, the economy was stagnant and municipal revenues greatly curtailed – and in some instances, City revenues got smaller or even disappeared. To add insult to injury, the state balanced its budget on the backs of local government.

All the while, in the last several years, the City has witnessed an increased demand for services and expenses have disproportionately increased.

For example, one line item in the City’s budget, account number G26.5000, “Hospital Insurance,” was $767,920 in FY 2005; $948,054 in FY 2006 and has now jumped another $212,542 for this year to $1,160,596.

The salary and operating cost of trash removal, G12.4300, increased from $752,245 in FY 2005 to $858,134 in the FY 2007 budget or an increase of $105,889.

Fuel costs have increased for FY 2007 by $65,000.

Beginning July 1, 2003, the new police retirement plan, the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS) began an increased expenditure in excess of $364,000 per year.

During these difficult budget years – through FY 2006: the City built two parking decks; re-built a portion of Uniontown Road, upgraded the parking meters, built a much needed additional parking lot on West Main Street, supported the renovation of the Carroll Arts Center, embarked on an expensive upgrade of the 25-year old - 1978 financial accounting systems, gave the police officers an enhanced pension system - the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System and gave the police officers a unilateral last minute, “triple-step” pay increase for FY 2006, which cost $125,686.

All of this was accomplished without a tax increase. In fact, FY 2005 had $812,000 left over – almost the amount of money generated by a 6-cent tax increase.

How was this accomplished without a tax increase? For one thing, it involved many sleepless nights and an exacting conservative approach to examining each and every budget line item and making many difficult decisions. Not to mention, an overriding conservative approach to keep government as small as possible and meet the many demands on finite resources with no tax increase.

It should be noted that the Westminster Common Council took the $125,686 in unilateral pay increases for the police out of my proposed FY 2006 budget line item of $250,000 set aside to address the increasing salary disparities for the City’s employees. In addition, while take home vehicles were taken away from non-police officers, that benefit was expanded for police officers.

Did the police officers deserve the pay increase? Yes. So do the other employees.

In the last several years, what did not happen is any substantial pay or benefit increase, beyond routine cost of living increases for the out-of-date and uncompetitive salary structure of non-police employees, in spite of the fact that it has been well known that it is needed, since February of 2003.

Needless to say, this has disheartened many city employees.

Where to begin?

The City budget is divided into four funds: General, Housing, Sewer, and Water. Most of the following is a discussion of the General Fund budget.

A review of the water and sewer budget indicates that water and sewer service will never be as inexpensive as it is today. It is a matter that is beyond the City’s control.

In the last number of years, federal and state regulations, (unfunded mandates - laws passed down without the money to pay for the costs,) and changing interpretations of existing water and sewer appropriation laws have caused a great deal of financial strain on the City’s water and sewer service.

And we must not ignore a 1966 court decision that requires the City to provide water to anyone requesting it within a reasonable distance of the existing water service area – whether it is in the city limits or not. It may be time to find a good court test of that decision which causes the city to have essentially no say in many residential annexations, for which we, as a community have made a collective decision, that we have no interest.

We must support the City employees.

First off, the $555,375 for City employee salary reserve that is set aside for pay equity implementation needs to remain in the FY 2007 budget.

The $92,164 - two percent matching contribution to the preferred compensation plan for eligible employees, must be funded.

It has been suggested that to not support the tax increase is to not support the employees. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Scapegoating the employees is unquestionably unfair, especially since the main reason we have not had a tax increase in the last several years is because the hardworking, dedicated professionals who work for the City. They have consistently rolled up their sleeves and done more with less – all the while doing the work for less pay than they deserve. It should also be noted that the City fully funded LEOPS for the police officers without a tax increase or unwanted political attention.

How are we to pay for this?

Let’s not forget the $812,000 unallocated surplus carryover (money left over in the previously audited budget at the end of the year) for this year’s FY 2007 budget - an increase of $258,944.

And this year, for FY 2007, the City will see an increase in state Highway User Fee (HUR) revenue of $96,809.

Tax revenue for the FY2007 budget will increase by $1,706,438 – read: 1.7 million dollars - due to increased property values and increased commercial tax base through annexations. Compare that to a decrease of $11,832 for FY 2005 to 2006.

To recap - please add $258,944 in increased unallocated surplus carry-over; to $96,809 in increased HUR revenue; to $1,706,438 in increased tax revenue and that adds up to: $2,062,191 ($2.06 million dollars) in additional funds with which to balance this year’s budget.

And yet, a review of this year’s budget indicates that it is extremely tight.

Where’s the money going?

Well, it includes the $555,375 pay equity implementation; $212,542 for increased health care costs; $65,000 in increased fuel costs; the general fund’s portion, $110,156, of the last installment of the financial accounting technology upgrades; and trash and waste collections will increase $105,889. Your calculator should say: $983,962.

Okay, something doesn’t add up – looking at the big numbers, we still have approximately $1 million available.

Other additional increases in the proposed budget:

Well, FY2007 proposes an increase in the road overlay program of $500,000 from the previous fiscal year (for a total commitment of $750,000, this year.)

And then, for example, there are other increases FY2007 over FY2006:

$40,000 in technology upgrades, G10.-391; $23,750 to replace the carpet in City Hall, G10.-921; $26,660 increase for downtown revitalization, G10.1014; $24,100 for engineering services to correct City boundaries with GPS, G12.21OH/G12.210H2; $400,000 to purchase “workforce” properties for resale to qualified low- income residents, G10.10952; $119,000 to repair the City swimming pool, G18.14103; $223,000 to replace Trucks #40 and 24, G12.61003; $51,428 to replace two police cars, G11.151103; $25,000 for Pa. Avenue phase two streetscape improvements at the intersection with Union Avenue, G12.52PH3; $75,000 for the SHA sidewalk retrofit program, which is the City’s 50 percent share of $150,000, G12.52SW3.

This totals another $1,007,938 – to include the road overlay program brings the total increases to $1,507,938.

Rescind the recent decision to hire a City Administrator.

Not mentioned in this list is the newly created City Administrator position, which has been reported to cost $100,000. Perhaps we may want to amend that cost by adding the $22,500 for the consulting group hired to find this person and additional dollars for benefits, relocation expenses, office space, staff support and computer equipment. It has been whispered that this new position will cost the taxpayers as much as $200,000 – over a penny to the tax rate.

Hiring a City Administrator is an affront to the employees and destroys a sense of team. Westminster citizens “hired” the mayor to do this job. In 1991, the last time the city hired a City Administrator it didn’t work. Previously in the 1980s, the City also did away with the position in lieu of the department-director cabinet form of government. It works. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

Money to be used on the City Administrator is not necessary and could be better spent elsewhere. The City Administrator will only add an additional insulating layer between employees and the elected officials. The City Administrator position does not have support of many employees. Often citizens currently have direct access to city employees and can get things done quickly and efficiently. The City Administrator adds a complicating layer between public and city departments.

A City Administrator is another step towards “Big Government.” Westminster has never been tolerant of “Big Government or “tax and spend” management.

How many additional cuts in the budget are necessary to avoid a tax increase?

The simple answer is that a 6-cent increase in property tax will net the City $863,684. If you would like to avoid a tax increase, $863,684 in additional cuts are necessary.

Please go to the previous section and identify the cuts you would propose.

To get the conversation started, how about considering cutting:

$23,750, G10.-921, to replace the carpet in City Hall; $40,000, G10.-391 in technology upgrades – pay for Finance’s technology upgrades first; $223,000, G12.61003, to replace Trucks #40 and 24 – re-evaluate at half year; $51,428, G11.151103, to replace two police cars – re-evaluate at half year; $25,000, Pa. Avenue phase two streetscape improvements – apply for state grant; $75,000, G12.52SW3, SHA sidewalk retrofit program; $100,000, City Administrator position; $24,100, G12.21OH/G12.210H2 for engineering to correct City boundaries; $300,000 reduction in the road overlay program (that leaves $450,000 for this important work).

That totals $862,278 – and no tax increase.

This is not the year for a property tax increase.

The above is just a suggestion that attempts to spread the cuts over the widest range of expenses, without a cut in core services. Perhaps you may want to develop a different list of cuts and give that feedback to the City for their consideration.

Taking into consideration the precipitous increase in property assessments, citizens will already be paying a great deal more in property tax this year. Add to that, for example, the increased costs of gasoline, gas and electric, and health insurance; this is not the year for a property tax increase. Not to mention the chilling affect a tax increase will have on vital economic development and jobs creation right here at home.

What do you think?

Please get a copy of the proposed budget, review the above proposed expenditures and perhaps identify some different expenditures that we, as a community may want the City to consider cutting.

After doing your homework, write or e-mail our elected officials today. Better yet, attend the public hearing, with your proposed cost cuts and present them to the City. Be friendly, positive and constructive – after all, these folks are our friends and neighbors.

The location of the Public Hearing on the Proposed Real Property Tax Increase for the Tax Year beginning July 1, 2006 has been changed from City Hall to the John Street Quarters of the Westminster Fire Department located at 28 John Street, Westminster, Maryland. The time and date remain the same: 7: 00 P.M. on Monday, May 1, 2006. Please contact the City Clerk at (410) 848.4938 with any questions. If you can’t attend the meeting, the public comment period should remain open for several weeks, so still submit your suggestions.

Putting together a budget is hard work. The choices and decisions are difficult. We are all in this together. Only by putting out heads together and working with the City, we can be sure to arrive at win-win for everyone.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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