We’re not alone in our budget woes
News outlets across the United States picked up the story of Des Moines’ decision to switch on its street lights and the tragic story that preceded it, making the city a temporary symbol of budget woes.
But it’s not as if we’re the only city to pinch pennies this way. Tulsa and Tacoma, to name just two examples, have tried the same tactic of shutting off street lights.
And the bigger issue is not lighting; it’s the general budget desperation that cities of all sizes are feeling.
Here’s how Tulsa cautiously led into its 2004 budget presentation: “For the past three years, the Tulsa Metro Statistical Area’s economy has been experiencing a steady contraction . . .”
And in Bremerton, Wash., city officials introduced a $4 million budget cut for 2004 like this: “The city of Bremerton has endured many years of restrained budgets due to limited population growth, modest sales tax revenues and restrictive property taxes . . .”
In small Montebello, Calif., they decided earlier this year to eliminate five police officers from the traffic unit, reduce the number of crossing guards at schools and cut 12 firefighter positions. In big Pittsburgh, they recently quarreled over a parking tax.
Across the nation, cities mirror the situation of many families: living well, surrounded by fine possessions, but not prepared for the financial future.
So what are our counterparts doing to get by?
In Albuquerque, voters approved a 0.25 percent sales tax surcharge that added about $27.6 million for public safety.
Since 1990, Anaheim, Calif., has eliminated six departments, cut 186 full-time positions, reorganized 18 divisions and privatized its major-league stadium, information services and golf operations.
Up in Minneapolis, the 2005 budget boosts property taxes 13-14 percent, depending on parcel value, and bumps up utility costs 3.8 percent.
We shouldn’t cite other cities’ problems as excuses for our own, but we do need to keep looking everywhere for good ideas and checking on the results of budget experiments.
And our leaders need to make sure they’re not surprised by unexpected costs arising from all of these major projects, as they seemed to be surprised by the projections for operating the library now under construction.
The question that will determine our future is, do we keep spending and subsidizing to keep the momentum going? Or is it time to put a little money in the bank?