Statement from Mayor Art Ward this afternoon:
In light of the budget deficits anticipated in both federal and state governments over the next few years and the impact of those deficits on the municipal budget process, I am requesting that the state and federal governments review the list of unfunded mandates imposed on local governments in order to:
1. determine the extent to which any of these mandates are absolutely necessary
2. to evaluate the potential of prioritizing these mandates for deciding the extent of the impact on the local communities with regard to financial burden and the services intended by the unfunded mandates.
3. to assess the possibility of either eliminating or suspending any of these unfunded mandates until the cities can again realize a solid financial base for continued funding
4. this procedure would include all segments of city government including both municipal and educational venues.
5. If adoptable, this proposal might lessen the financial burden on the communities at minimal/no cost or exposure to the state and federal governments thereby easing the burden on the taxpayer as we approach our pending budgetary process.
1. determine the extent to which any of these mandates are absolutely necessary
2. to evaluate the potential of prioritizing these mandates for deciding the extent of the impact on the local communities with regard to financial burden and the services intended by the unfunded mandates.
3. to assess the possibility of either eliminating or suspending any of these unfunded mandates until the cities can again realize a solid financial base for continued funding
4. this procedure would include all segments of city government including both municipal and educational venues.
5. If adoptable, this proposal might lessen the financial burden on the communities at minimal/no cost or exposure to the state and federal governments thereby easing the burden on the taxpayer as we approach our pending budgetary process.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
21 comments:
Lets see what Wards DEMOCRAT Legislature and Legislators do with this.
It's an effort that needs to be made, but the big spenders won't take kindly to the idea.
Mayor, why don't you do something more realistic, more plausible??
seems to me that if the state and federal government want to be realistic, they will consider something that costs them nothing but saves the taxpayers money - good move mayor ward. hopefully, it will become reality.
Where is the list of unfunded mandates? I though if you knew of a problem you should point it out. Or is this just a point the finger at somthing else.
Nice to see the mayor is genuinely concerned about the tax payers (unlike some other folks who tried to push their own agenda at our expense). Keep up the good work Mayor Ward!
He will then have someone else topoint the finger at when he lays people off.
I am sure that all the unfunded mandates are not the least critical of the sevices provided.
What a shame..must be an election year...the guy has done nothing...for someone who had 13 years of experience on the City Council...what a disappointment..the people of Bristol would not have been any worse off with someone NEW!... someone who is not in the back pocket of the city unions.
Nice to throw the ball into someone else's court!
Why not come up with something YOU can effect!!!
Uh oh ~ 8:43 sounds a little grumpy....the fact that the mayor is working to save us money must be incredibly annoying for some reason....Hmmmmm, I wonder why that is?
8:43
You can thank BOTH Town
Committees for this result!
11:01
Perhaps because for a whole year he has done nothing regarding savings, efficiency etc.
Now he is shiftingthe burden and looking for a scapegoat.
Even putting hisown party on the spot at both levels.
7:23am, 8:43am & 10:18am - would seem to me that if the city didn't have to spend money to do these mandates, the city would save money which would result in them not having to tax us as much - seems pretty simple to me - how 'bout you simpletons?
You three must have been born on a dewy morning because you sure seem to be all wet.
"Perhaps because for a whole year he has done nothing regarding savings, efficiency etc. Now he is shiftingthe burden and looking for a scapegoat."
To the contrary, I do believe he's been actively looking for ways to cut corners and save the tax payers' money all along. The only burden he's looking to shift is the one on our shoulders during these tough economic times. Seems he's keeping his promise to move Bristol forward....and that's really annoying his critics.
You do believe: a stretch of faith.
Any meaningful examples exccept deferring of necessary items?
Keep in mind that there is a purpose for most mandates. Municipalities sometimes try to avoid certain responsibilities, and this is a way to assure that theyu meet their obligations.
What mandates would YOU cut?
probably a lot of mandates in places such as education and social services, possibly even a chance of some duplication of services elsewhere also, so everything is worth taking a look at - thank you mr. mayor.
5:25
Nice blanket coverage.
How about some specifics??
7:09 - how about putting a blanket over it and stuffing it?
Good for the mayor -I am sure it never occurred to the legislature to look at these issues. Whew! Thank God for Art Ward!
Open question to Mayor Ward:
Have you heard ANYTHING back from our legislators on this request?
Did you actually contact them?
Mayor, are you out there?
Post a Comment