Dear Editor:
I guess as a voter and taxpayer I should not be surprised by this proposed fairy tale called a 2018 budget as was introduced recently on first reading to the city council.
Am I the only concerned taxpayer who has many questions regarding the “Shell” game being offered as a budget for Noblesville in 2018? The discussion in the Oct. 13 Reporter presented by the hired Controller Spalding / city employee and mayor designate was not acceptable.
Thirteen new employees to do what plus a great/whopping five percent increase in pay? How can this be when many outside services are performed by subcontractors and others? Who else has this luxury in these times other than local government to even consider this type increase! How about reducing staff and/or using more technology?
A dollar contingency going from 13 million to 5 million using accounting gymnastics is not acceptable to me or others I’ve talked with. What are these dollars for? Aren’t these funds owned by the taxpayer? Tax rate reduction may be a good place to use these funds . . . This offering was inclusive of a budget overall five percent + increase as I recall with limited funds for local services that the taxpayer and city may use . . . What a sham and no suggestions or comment on proposed tax rate?
ZERO BASED BUDGETING CRITERIA IS DEFINITELY NEEDED!
Is there any effort to use that surplus or contingency as they say to pay for the trash fee imposed upon the taxpayer? More street paving? Sidewalk repair? Or is this just a slush fund fed by the perpetual COIT/TAX distribution for use as may be appropriate at the time!
Jim Williams
Noblesville