April 30, 2010

Stortz: 'The worst is yet to come'

A letter from former Mayor William Stortz:

We read and hear where Bristol, and other municipalities, continue to experience difficult financial times. And as I have said before, the worst is yet to come. Bristol, like other cities has to make cuts and raise taxes, to be able to balance the budget and still provide services. In reality, if the problem was addressed at the outset, things would not be this dire.
Following my last letter commenting on the fiscal situation, which included some suggestions on cost cutting and revenue enhancement, I received many additional ideas from city employees and non-city employees alike. The people are interested, and have some interesting ideas and observations. Some, but not all, are included in this letter.
But the key concept is that Bristolites, if encouraged and taken seriously, are willing to help. And City employees, considered by some to be part of the problem, can very well and should be, part of the solution.
Some of the ideas may not be doable, but the point is that people are thinking and want to help. Suggestions include: look at the high and increasing cost of outside Attorneys. Look at the city’s effort for sidewalk snow removal: why multiple departments, and should the routes be re-evaluated. Review the way workers are scheduled and utilized during snowstorms. Many people thought that the snow removal process should be looked at. Again, duplicate streetlights, especially North Main Street were mentioned. Lack of coordination between Departments with same or similar functions. A number of out of state registrations were seen in employee parking lots, let alone throughout the city. Cash flow and other procedures were mentioned. Some suggested going back to a 40-hour week to reduce OT and also to reduce staff and equipment needs over time. Early Retirement combined with flexibility for City to reassign staff. Combine Departments where feasible. Why do some supervisors get ½ automatic OT each day? Why get up to 5 days/yr off for good attendance?
There were many others, and hopefully there will be an effort to solicit ideas from those possibly willing to come forward. The situation is dire, and will be for some time. Besides the actual deficits, a Virtual deficit has been created: we are years behind on road maintenance, equipment maintenance and replacement are lagging, a number of millions have been taken from the Fund Balance, other infrastructure needs attention and money.
Once the budget is set, the BOF has done their job. Then it is up to management to live within that budget AND for management to try to make those changes that result in cost savings and revenue enhancement.
The State will be floundering for some time. The City should not count on increased support from them. The City must work to control it’s own destiny. These efforts should be year long, not be thought about at Budget time. Management must step up be proactive, and get as many people as possible involved. That can only result in more and different ideas.
As I said before, Bristol is a good city, with many good people. Working together, we can work our way through this and come out of it even better prepared for the long term.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness someone is making suggestions, bringing ideas forward and talking to people instead of working in a vacuum! Go Stortz!

oh well said...

too bad that you didn't have this outlook when you were mayor rather than your negativity.

Anonymous said...

this is may one torr not once has he go to any boards meeting with his ideas some of this are being talking about now. if you would listen . you right it can be bad the next two years but this we will come out of this a better place [yes by working as a team for bristol ] lets go bristol

Anonymous said...

But he did have that outlook!
Remember, he cut OT by a huge amount and got higher copay in one contract.
Also, the pressure and need wasn't klike it is now.

Anonymous said...

"A number of out of state registrations were seen in employee parking lots, let alone throughout the city."

i'm with ya, bill.

hopefully the new "boot on tire" program will catch some of these vagrants who are driving around with out-of-state license plates on their cars.

these people are breaking the law and need to have their vehicles registered with connecticut license plates within 30 days of moving into the state.

we all have to do it, so why do these people think they're so special??

-billy from bristol

Anonymous said...

I dont always agree with STORTZ but hes on the money we need cuts not just TALK.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Stortz, there's something to be said about riding off into the sunset...

Anonymous said...

Thank God for Bill Stortz.

Anonymous said...

Bill we need cuts start the noise tell us whats going on. Some one with balls should be in office. Not this group of lemons.

sick of games Ward plays said...

WARD HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE IS DOING - LET ALONE BE MAYOR. WARD CAN GIVE A RAT'S A@# ABOUT THE TAXPAYERS.

WARD CARRIES TO MUCH OF A GRUDGE AGAINST STORTZ TO ACCEPT ANY OF HIS IDEAS. PUT YOUR BIG HEAD EGO AWAY WARD AND LISTEN TO THE TAXPAYERS.

Anonymous said...

we need some one who can take control,who knows how to use the word NO!!!And stand up to the unions.

Anonymous said...

6:43: Obviously, the one with the grudge is you.

Anonymous said...

It's a beautiful day Mr. S. You should be outside enjoying it instead of sitting inside blogging about yourself!

Anonymous said...

Our taxes SHOULD BE LOWERED, NOT RAISED!!! Downsize and bring everyone who is a salaried employee up to a 40 hour week, not 36!!! This would allow for a 10 % personal reduction. Imagine the benefits cost savings!!!! If the municipal employees and their unions don't like it, put all those "services" out for public bid and privatize all those "service". We would likely see a 30% to 40% drop in taxes!!!
Hmmm, the unions would sure scream then, huh? Municipalities have always operated outside the law of the jungle in the private sector.
Do more for less or loose your job!!!
Oh, by the way, I wonder if everyone on the city payroll still receives yearly pay raises without performance reviews each year!

Anonymous said...

We keep talking and then forget and vote them back in. This time remember.

Anonymous said...

Sick of games (let's just call you "Sick"): The only GRUDGE being carried here seems to be yours!

Anonymous said...

6:43 you said it correctly. Just becasue you state facts doesn't mean its a grudge - but then again Ward's butt kissers wouldn't know that.

Anonymous said...

HAven't seen this administration taking any cost cutting measures yet.

Waht are they waiting for?

tsk,tsk,tsk said...

6:43 - repeat after me, slowly and quietly, - ANGER MANAGEMENT.