New Haven Independent

Finance Panel Shaves $1.9M From City Budget

by Allan Appel | May 1, 2007 8:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

boa%20financ%20004.JPG After a long and occasionally tempestuous session, the Board of Aldermen’s Finance Committee (including Alphonse Paolillo and Jorge Perez, pictured) approved a new city budget that spends nearly $2 million less than originally proposed by City Hall and boosts projected revenues by $2.5 million.

That translates into a one mill drop in the proposed mill rate — provided the aldermanic changes receive final approval of the full BOA in June. And that’s by no means a foregone conclusion.

The Finance Committee vote took place Monday night. The committee cut the mayor’s proposed $445.2 million budget to $443.3 million.

The lion’s share of the spending cuts, about $1.5 million, would come from the police and fire departments. The fire department would delay by six months, from June 1 to December 1, the “seating” of the new class of firemen. The police department would freeze a number of civilian vacancies; other cuts will be realized by the reduction of the size of the new police class, combined with seven new previously unanticipated retirements.

boa%20financ%20001.JPG The panel also cut $100,000 from the $900,000 subsidy for Tweed Airport. Newhallville Alderman Charles Blango (pictured at the far left) wanted to lop off another $100,000 and turn the whole place over to the state; he was not successful.

The committee also reduced by about $95,000 “water cooler funding,” a budgetary designation for miscellaneous supplies and expenses across all departments, not just water.

The revenue increases recommended by the committee will come largely from boosts in city permits, in particular an updated and more rigorous penalty schedule for parking and other traffic fines. Committee chairman Sergio Rodriguez (pictured above, in the center) said the city will charge new penalties for non-payment after 30 days. “Every city has that but us. It’s time.”

Nevertheless, with these changes, quite slight in the context of a $440-plus million budget, the aldermen in effect took the very significant step of passing the mayor’s budget with its general contours largely unchanged, including all the school bonding authorizations.

boa%20financ%20006.JPG While BOA President Carl Goldfield (on the right, with Rodriguez) said, “We heard the voices of the people to reduce taxes and we’ve tried,” he and many committee members also expressed a dissatisfaction (echoed by a number of unhappy budget protesters in the chamber) that they had not done more. Or, as Fair Haven Heights Alderman Alex Rhodeen said, “Budget time is not the time to cut the budget. We have to start dong this, thinking about this, way back when we conduct our labor negotiations, because these expenses get locked in and are untouchable. You can’t start complaining about school construction when the schools are being built, but before.”

In an argument over the elimination of a police public information position, Alderman Perez said, “The public said to us, ‘You’re breaking our back’ and still all we can come up with is trying to eliminate one position? Man, that is bad.”

boa%20financ%20003.JPG After a spirited debate (Rodriguez: “the position is non-essential and duplicative”; Al Paollilo: “No, this could be a blow to community policing”; Andrea Jackson-Brooks, pictured: “It’s immoral to eliminate the job of a real person and then add other job lines to the budget”), that position, budgeted at $65,000, was in fact saved. In another amendment Alderman Perez asked that $50,000 currently budgeted for outside attorney fees in the office of Economic Development be eliminated. “Why can’t Economic Development use the skills of corporation counsel?” Perez challenged.

“Because we need top-level attorneys,” said Goldfield, “with specialized expertise to represent us in complicated deals like Shartenberg. We can move nimbly and faster, and it will be an investment in the economic vitality of the city.”

“What can you get for $50,000?” Perez pursued his amendment. “If we don’t have the expertise in Economic Development, maybe we should create a position?”

“When we’re trying to eliminate others?”

boa%20financ%20005.JPG One of the creators of the “Citizens’ Budget,” Mona Berman, was seething throughout the proceedings. “Do you hear them? They said the people at hearings called for an elimination of 10 percent, yes, but that was across all departments. And what do they do? They eliminate 10 percent from the Tweed subsidy. Where are the reductions for the rest of the departments? And they don’t touch the Board of Education, which accounts for so much of the budget! I’m outraged. I’m furious. This is smoke and mirrors and spineless. Shame on them.”

boa%20financ%20008.JPG After the formal proceedings ended, Berman and another budget activist, David Joyner (with his hand raised, though not in threat), heard Goldfield admit, “Look how painful it was to try to eliminate one position, of somebody we all know. It’s all in the salaries, that’s where we can work, but it’s so painful. It’s people. If we eliminate 10 percent, that’s 30 or 35 bodies on the floor! How can we do that? What we have to do is, as Alex Rhodeen and others have said, is to get smart and work on our systemic problems with the budget over which we have control like labor contracts; we have to begin to replace these very expensive defined benefit plans for retirees with defined contribution plans. As he says, altogether, out of this whole budget, there is maybe $65 million over which we have some real control.”

Was Berman satisfied? Not quite. She wanted to know how many alders had jobs in the Board of Education and why couldn’t some of that budget be cut. “Talk to the Board of Ed,” he advised her. “And, look, we did read your Citizens’ Budget, and, frankly, there wasn’t a whole lot of guidance there about what we could do, where we could cut.”

“We’re not through yet,” said Rodriguez. “We’ve got more amendments coming in front of the full board. Tomorrow I’m meeting with the fire department to ask them where they can reduce their budget more. And, oh yes, I’m thinking about a hotel occupancy tax as well.”

The next meeting of the finance committee is May 9, “if needed.” On May 29 the full BOA has its special budget session. To learn more about the Citizen’s Budget project, click here.

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Comments

Posted by: cedarhillresident | May 1, 2007 9:14 AM

How many new people in the past 2 months have been hired??? Could we not do some job rearraging and not hire new people? That could of eliminated 20 or so positions with out having to fire anyone right??

Posted by: charlie | May 1, 2007 10:32 AM

A hotel occupancy tax is a horrible idea. It would just reduce the number of people who stay in hotels here.

The best way to raise additional funding would be to cut administrative salaries of $90K+ across the board. There's no reason why Reggie Mayo needs to be making $180K per year.

Posted by: Westrockcairns | May 1, 2007 11:10 AM

Kudos to Mona Berman for getting into the trenches and staying there to fight the good fight! The Board of Education is a sacred cow that we keeping stepping around even when it is in the middle of the road. Since the school buildings are now a fact, why not look at all those "administrative" positions (created for retired principals and others). What the heck do they actually do? How effective have they been in bringing up the scores of New Haven public school children? They, and others, should be held accountable. It's our money, and we can choose to spend it in another town or city willing and able to give us value for money.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | May 1, 2007 11:34 AM

I'm beyond furious. These yahoos stuff the budget full of new positions and consulting contracts at the board of ed; new positions in the police department, the fire department; longevity pay, special pay for being an EMT when 80% of the calls are medical related -- the absurdity of it all is maddening.

You can put lipstick on this pig all you want...and hand it a purse...it's still a pig with a purse full of our family's money. These people have not the spine or the will to do what's right no matter how we plead, what suggestions we give them. I say throw them all out including the mayor..and let's start over. There should not be one new position anywhere in city government -- not one, unless there is a surplus to pay for it. The idea that the Board of Education with the mayor's hand picked cronies on it will every participate in a meaningful way to expense reduction is insane. This finance comittee and the board of aldermen have not listened in the four years I've been going to these budget meetings -- and they aren't now.

Posted by: Philo | May 1, 2007 11:40 AM

"Look how painful it was to try to eliminate one position, of somebody we all know. It's all in the salaries, that's where we can work, but it's so painful. It's people. If we eliminate 10 percent, that's 30 or 35 bodies on the floor! How can we do that?"

Holy God, is this guy kidding? Clearly he has no idea about the fiscal/fiduciary role he is supposed to play as an alderman. No wonder New Haven taxpayers are being SCREWED with someone like this at the helm. No surprise that the Destefano likes this guy. He poses absolutely no counterbalance at all. With the BOE budget at $200 million+, they can't find a dime? Patronage is alive and well in New Haven!

Posted by: Wjay | May 1, 2007 12:25 PM

Pure exercise in futility. The Mayor forwarded recommendations, most of which,
were seeking to delay hiring for six months,
with a bottom line of nearly 2M in cuts. The alders had a perfect opportunity to impose their authority. However, they failed miserbly to offer any kind of a plan which could be sent back to the mayor with more thoughtful innovated recommendations. Instead, the alders debated cutting four or five positions and $200k for the airport. All recommendations failed due to seven alders who offered nothing, except providing cover and support, while carrying the mayors water. The shame here is that true debate did not occur, nor did the will of the people surface. Shame on all of you who did not see fit to represent your own interest. Did you really believe the alders would do that for you?? You still have a chance to redeem yourself by calling your alders and express your concern AGAIN. More importantly SHOW UP @ the full board hearing on May 29th.

Posted by: wjay | May 1, 2007 1:54 PM

Not even a smoke screen...
Mayor cuts general fund budget 1.931M
Mayor submits revenue generating admendment (parking tag fine increase) 1.972M.
Net increase to budget 41K.

Nice job Alders...by the way, your FIRED.
The Donald

Posted by: I_am_tired | May 1, 2007 3:16 PM

These alders are KILLING ME!!! It is YOUR JOB TO MAKE THE HARD CUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF!!!!!
Do a hiring freeze now!!
A pay freeze now!!
Cuts across the board!!!
And all of the campaign friends and or relatives , that were all just put into jobs pink slip them now! You owe only the people that live in this city not all the people that are your campaign friends!!! By the way did you ever find jobs for the 6 women you fired?? That you are hiring new people but not them!!!! You did not seem to care so much when you cut there jobs did you!! So don't throw that load of crap at us!!
And get rid of more funds to the dang airport than what you did!!
I wish all employers where as nice as you; but most are for profit and have to make cuts to keep there companies a float. New Haven is non-profit and has a money tree called the residents!!

It is time to start calling Hartford people!! Investigation Time as far as I can see!

Posted by: I agree | May 1, 2007 5:49 PM

I agree with I am tired. It's time for an investigation. I also have noticed that no reporter or alder has followed the suggestion of looking at building permit fees, special agreements, and the corrupt deferral program. This city will be in shambles within the next two years, with or without Johnny. No one can fix the mess they made. I am a former memeber of the finance board, before the alders did away with us because Altieri didn't like us looking into his business. Now that he left the smoke and mirrors don't work as well. But he sits in Madison laughing at us all. Hell, he got a full pension plus a $90,000/yr contract. How many other scum bags are getting their pockets lined. Get the feds in town NOW!!! Please

Posted by: strangerthanfiction | May 1, 2007 11:40 PM

The property tax is very unfair but it could be argued that no where is the property tax more brutal than in New Haven -- where 50 percent of the real estate is tax exempt. Yale is wonderful but it is an untaxed goliath that has a huge competitive advantage in the New Haven real estate market and takes properties off the tax rolls. The property tax system is broken, like so many other features of middle class life right now. New Haven will continue to be the poster child for property tax reform until we get a Democratic governor.

Posted by: JBZ | May 2, 2007 12:09 AM

I do believe a full scale investigation of this mayor (along with his main sidekicks)will happen someday. The sooner the better for the health of the city. I wonder if there is a mayoral candidate who can get elected without selling their soul? I'd love to see a candidate that doesn't have people like Boise Kimber standing behind them. And yes, I believe every alderperson who doesn't make a huge effort to cut taxes should be voted out. I think citizens need to unite in various neighborhoods to choose independent candidates- potentially ignoring the local democratic party's nominee. Goldfield has got to go for sure. That quote of his is incredible. The people in his ward don't have representation because he's busy representing individual city employees??? Time to try out a whole new regime from Mayor on down.

Posted by: East Rock | May 2, 2007 8:20 AM

Is there a place to see the minutes from these meetings. It would be nice to see how Alder people vote on these budgets. As of right now I intend to not vote for any incumbent that runs again for any position in this city staff.

Enough is enough. As someone earlier said, you are not hear to make friends. You are here to make the tough choices. Start running this city like its a business.

Posted by: East Rock Resident | May 2, 2007 8:18 PM

East Rock, JBZ, others -
Here are the people on the finance committee -
Rodriguez (Chair), Silverman (Vice-Chair), Perez, Jackson-Brooks,Colon,
Shah, Blango, Shalek, Rhodeen, Sandman, DePino.

My alder isn't on the finance committee, so I can't get too pissed at him- but these other people really need to contacted and worked over before their next meeting. I think that a fair mil rate for the first year of the phase-in would be 40mil, the second year would be 38, the third year 36, the fourth 34, the fifth 32. That would make me happy. I think the alders are getting there, but haven't made the tough choices to get it done.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | May 3, 2007 9:35 AM

Credit should be given to Perez for putting forth a nominal effort; Jackson-Brooks for having integrity -- she's right by the way. Why fire 6 people with jobs, and then stuff the budget full of new positions? It's past time to dump the lumps -- these people who do nothing but carry the mayor's water and get patronage jobs or have conflicts because of where they or their spouses work are a huge problem. It means that taxpayers will forever be at their mercy. This really is taxation without representation circa 2007 -- Dump The Lumps!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | May 3, 2007 4:41 PM

I understand they are hard cuts to make but the new hires should of been halted at the get go!

Gary made a very good point... "taxation without representation". We, all the citzens of the city of New Haven should have representation in this budget planning.

Come on you alderman know were the cuts need to be made and I know it is not easy to do it. So if you can't in your hearts do it then get creative but if you can't get creative then you guys need to do the cuts.

Gary's comment also brings up the historical sceen at the harbor of boston hmmm what was it called ...oh ya
The Boston Tea Party!

we have the harbor and we have a group of over taxed colonists. The Alderman can be stand in's for the British so all we need is the tea.

Just kidding but really 1 mill is not enough we know you guys can do it. Do it for everyone that voted for you.

Posted by: Nancy Drew | May 5, 2007 5:11 PM

Hey I am So Tired & Gary Doyens: I agree with you both, however the 6 women who's positions were eliminated were laid off- not fired.

Remember the official reason the City gave was the grant they were paid from was reduced, but then the City hired someone the same week of the layoff from the same grant that was "reduced".

When you need to reward the people who helped your failed gubernatorial campaign (in debt nearly $400K) there is no grant shortage.

Just wait until the new fiscal year. Lots of patronage jobs and promotions comming down the pike. To be continued.........

Finance Panel Shaves $1.9M From City Budget

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