Dear Editor,
Regarding the Municipal Budget, I cannot help feeling that the proposed cuts made by Councilman Jason Maur last evening was more political theatre than constructive input.
Councilman Maur had made proposed cuts of $5,394 in total across multiple departments, including a reduction to Social Services and the Stepney Volunteer Fire Department. On a $35,257,112 budget, this translates to a 0.0153 percent reduction.
What is even more telling, after making such proposed cuts, which was voted ‘yea’ by all Democratic members of council, was the 8-0 unanimous approval vote to accept the first selectman’s budget (all three Democratic members Maur, Cathy Kohut and Nina Gagnon and five attending Republican members, Chairman Jonathan Formichella, Enid Lipeles, Vice Chair Dona-Lyn Wales, Sean O’Rourke and Vincent Duva).
I would have thought if the point was to cut the “fat” as cited by Councilman Maur, at the very least, Councilman Maur would have voted no to the Municipal Budget last evening.
We need less theatrics, and more solutions.
Regards,
Sean O’Rourke
Town Council member
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
Below I will copy my statement I put forward after this meeting, which addresses why I am still a “Yes” vote. I excitedly invite Councilmember O’Rourke to perhaps finally join the conversation, rather than the status-quo of silence and a rubber stamp. These Motions were sent to the entire Council ahead of the meeting for due diligence. Not one member reached out with comments, questions, or other ideas. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can make changes to better our town and our budget process. I welcome the so-called solutions. So please, SUGGEST SOME! Join the conversation.
See my original statement below:
Tonight, the Town Council members who were present unanimously passed the First Selectman’s Budget on to the Board of Finance for their review and approval. Overall, this is a strong budget. That being said, I did make some Motions to amend the present budget, all of which were voted down along Party lines.
These changes included reducing some line items for office expenses, printing, maintenance, and operating expenses in areas where we have consistently come in under budget each year. Admittedly, these reductions are small, but over the years, cutting these small amounts, a little bit at a time can add up for our constituents. It is the definition of waste when we consistently over budget in these areas and then find ourselves with a surplus year after year. As has been the case when I have made other similar Motions in the past, these cuts were rejected by the Majority without conversation or comment. Simply silence and a rubber stamp.
In addition, in our official capacity as Councilmembers, we can comment on the Budget prior to voting on it during discussion. Councilmember Gagnon used this time to pass on a recommendation to the Board of Finance to review the cuts made to the Education Budget and to restore at least enough funds to maintain the status quo (i.e. no current positions cut and maintaining current class sizes). Councilmember Kohut made a recommendation to the Board of Finance to introduce an Advisory Question to the Budget Referendum, asking those who vote, in addition to whether or not they approve the Budget, whether they feel the current proposed Budget is too high, too low, or just right. This would allow guidance in the case of a failed budget referendum for Town Officials and Department Heads to make adjustments in accordance with the voices of the people, rather than on an assumption of what those voices would say.
I used this time to echo the recommendations of Councilmembers Kohut and Gagnon, as well as to recommend the Board of Finance look at our revenue assumptions. We consistently underestimate our revenue, creating a surplus in the Budget. We should adjust this to lower the tax burden on our constituents rather than padding our already healthy General Fund Balance. Further, I asked the Board of Finance to make adjustments based on actual insurance cost calculations rather than our initial estimates, as the numbers are coming in somewhat lower than anticipated and can result in significant savings on both the Town and Education sides of the Budget.
The rest of the Council made no comment. Silence and a rubberstamp later, the budget was approved exactly as presented and sent on to the Board of Finance with no adjustment from Council.
This is my ninth budget cycle as a Councilman, and the ninth time that we will again pass on a higher than needed budget to the taxpayers as we continue to pad a town surplus. While these proposed decreases are small, over time they do add up. Further, it is our job, the reason the people of Monroe elected us, to review each line of the proposed budget and be sure it reflects an honest budget and the best for the people of Monroe, rather than simply continue to rubber stamp what is presented each year, without question, comment, or correction.
As I stated, overall, the Town side of this budget has my support, and I joined the Council in voting to move it to the Board of Finance. If you have any questions or comments on the Budget, the Board of Finance is your last place to raise them before the referendum.
Also, thank you to all the Community members who came out tonight in order to make sure their voices were heard. It was very powerful to see and hear the statements from each and every one of you.
Yours In Service,
Jason Maur, Town Council
I have to say, I think it is poor form for a council member to send a letter to the editor criticizing another council member less than 24 hours after the meeting referenced. A conversation between council members seems more appropriate. Instead of petty infighting, let’s have some actual solutions and investment in this town’s future.