BUDGET WOES

As expected, the State has cut our city budget again this year. This year we could be over as much as 3 million dollars.

Naturally this is a major concern for all of us and difficult decisions must be made.  There has been a lot of talk about cutting expenses or raising taxes, and naturally neither option is appealing to anyone.  Now is certainly not the time to raise taxes with the economy in the shape that it is in.  So that leaves cutting expenses.  Where should we begin? 

I don't have the answer to that question but I want to find out.  I think the City Council needs to hold a series of budget meetings to go over the budget line by line and see where cuts, if any, can be made.  The public should also be allowed to view this information either on line or in print.  This is our money and our budget.  Yes, I know we are legally entitled to this information.  But we need easier access.  Not everyone has the opportunity to attend meetings or visit the Controllers Office during business hours.  We hear a lot of talk about transparency, I think the City of New Albany needs more transparency.  The more knowledge people have the better they become at decision making.