When 30 people show up to voice distaste for a large-scale art project, but show no interest in sharing thoughts on the city finances’even while complaining elsewhere about high taxes, something is wrong.
That, anyway, was the reaction of Clarkston City Councilman Charles Inabnit after virtually no one showed up for a pubic hearing of the 2009-2010 budget June 8.
Next year’s finances are set for council approval at the June 22 meeting’after a final public hearing.
‘It’s terrible,? said Inabnit. ‘We get 20 or 30 people that show up with a petition to complain about a mural’and that’s fine, they have every right to do that’but where are those people when it comes down to the bread and butter??
Residents, he said, stop him on the street to inquire about getting a break from high city taxes.
‘People have told me they don’t care about police or DPW issues,? he said. ‘They want tax relief.?
As of June 8, revenues for the 2009-2010 budget year, which begins July 1, were estimated at $800,700. Expenditures hovered around $ 785,900.
Although the budget committee has been meeting on a twice-monthly basis for the past five months to implement a new format, several members of council have been vocal about a number of issues.
Police department motorcycles are a hot-button topic for Inabnit.
‘For a city our size I feel it’s ridiculous to spend $4,000 a year on a lease for two motorcycles,? he said. ‘It’s a complete waste of taxpayer money.?
Inabnit said he wouldn’t support a budget that includes funds for motorcycle lease.
Police Chief Dale LaCroix, however, said he feels the bikes are money well spent from his budget, estimated for next year at about $287,500.
‘We use them for a number of events,? LaCroix said. ‘This little city has four parades every year, we have Taste of Clarkston, Concerts in the Park; we need an extra vehicle.?
Often, he said, both cars and the bikes are used for traffic control, and to keep an eye on large crowds when there’s no room to get a car in.
The bikes, he said, also save gas, as well as wear and tear on the patrol cars, which the council and LaCroix both agree need replacing.
‘They’re very inexpensive for the use we get out of them,? he said. ‘They’re brand new, so there’s almost no maintenance; everything is under warranty. Yes, it is a little perk for the guys certified to ride them, but more than anything the bikes are an inexpensive tool for us.?
Councilman Jim Brueck said the motorcycles are a luxury.
‘If we can afford it, the motorcycles add value and visibility to the department,? he said. ‘But if it comes down to making the budget, I’ll vote against them.?
Councilman Cory Johnston agreed, and said he also took issue with a number of other items in the budget.
The DPW budget has been a sore spot with Johnston since his first term on council.
Setting total DPW expenses at $13,650, as stated the second-to last revision before approval, he said, is ‘a total misrepresentation of the DPW.?
‘Why all the secrets?? Johnston said. ‘That number is totally erroneous.?
But, Johnston clarified, he wasn’t accusing anyone of wrongdoing as much as looking for governmental transparency.
‘If, after all the time I’ve spent going over these budgets, I can’t read that line and know where the money is coming from or going to, then how is the public going to know?? he said.
Johnston also had issues with lack of funding of sidewalks, and said the city was ‘heading for a lawsuit.?
Trees, he said, are also in dire need of attention’for example, several large dead branches can be seen hanging high above the heavily used Depot Park. One looms over the children’s playground area.
And, while he agreed with Inabnit and Brueck, who both said they’d like to see more people at council meetings, Johnston said he doesn’t feel surprised by the lack of attendance.
‘The perception is the city is totally unresponsive to the residents,? he said. ‘They don’t feel their comments have value and they just don’t want to be at meetings. I doubt the general population has any idea where their money is spent. They see a police car, the streets are plowed, and maybe that’s all that matters.?