Catch up on the latest news for municipal leaders.
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Tacoma, Washington, Manager Proposes Debt Refinancing.
The Tacoma (WA) Weekly (8/25, Larson) reported, "City Manager Eric Anderson has offered a debt-restructuring proposal to balance the city's budget for the 2011-12 biennium. His plan would refinance current debts and take on some new debt for some purchases, such as vehicles. Tacoma City Council heard details of the plan during its Aug. 17 study session from Anderson and Bob Biles, the city's finance director. The plan would push obligated payments into the future. Refinancing this debt at lower rates could create $32 million in immediate savings, according to Biles." Anderson stated he plans to "to sell short-term bonds for up to $30 million to pay for some capital projects the city would normally pay for up front. The city would return to its 'pay as you go' approach when the economy recovers, which he said is likely to be during the 2013-14 budget cycle."
Lee County, Florida, Lays Off 59 Transportation Employees.
The Fort Myers News-Press (8/25) reported, "Lee County today laid off 30 employees from the Department of Transportation, County Manager Karen Hawes confirmed. The cuts are among 59 position cuts planned before October." Hawes stated, "We can't pay people to be there if there's no work," Hawes said. "It's an ugly thing to have to do, especially now." The News-Press notes that the transportation department will see the bulk of the cuts. That department also oversees the county's infrastructure budgets, and the "budget for those capital projects is at $80 million this year - down almost 60 percent from two years ago," according to Hawes.
Stephens County, Georgia, Approves Paving Project, Ambulance Funds.
The Anderson Independent-Mail (8/25, Bauder) reported, "Stephens County commissioners have approved a paving project and spending federal money on a new ambulance. Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved spending up to $60,000 to pave Gulley Road." County administrator John Rutan stated "the paving is a priority project for the county," adding that, "The big question is how we are going to fund it, through (special purpose local option sales tax) or public works' budget. I recommend SPLOST V." The Commissioners also "unanimously approved Tuesday a bid of $115,141 from Custom Truck and Body Works for a new ambulance that will be used by Stephens County emergency medical services workers. The county is financing the ambulance through a five-year agreement with First Citizens Bank and using a federal stimulus program called recovery zone bonds."
Omaha, Nebraska, Residents Displeased With Proposed Restaurant Tax.
KETV-TV Omaha (8/25) reported, "Rumblings of frustration are surfacing in response to Mayor Jim Suttle's 2011 budget, which raises property and wheel taxes, and also implements a 2.5 percent restaurant tax." The station reports citizens said they would "start cooking at home under the tax. A restaurant owner said the industry is down double digits in sales because of the recession. An Omaha economist also said a restaurant tax may leave sales tax revenues starving." Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss stated the industry in Omaha may take a $50 million hit. He said, "My estimates are for every 1 percentage point increase in taxes, that reduces spending as much as 4 percent," approximately translating to a 10% loss in sales in every restaurant in town.
Group Protests One-Cent Tax For Light Rail In Hillsborough County, Florida.
Central Florida News 13 Orlando, FL (8/25, Henson) reported, "A campaign regarding a penny tax to support a light rail in Hillsborough County has been getting a lot of attention. There is a group in Hillsborough County sending the message that a penny is not always just a penny when it comes to supporting the light rail." The name of this group is "No Tax for Tracks." Spokeswoman Sharon Calvert said, "not only will the penny tax not cover the cost of the project, it's also bad timing." She added, "It's absolutely more than one cent. From seven to eight cents is what the sales tax will go to will make us the highest sales tax in the state of Florida."
