The Need for Changes Cited, Council Defers Budget Vote

publication date: Jun 16, 2008

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author/source: John Fredericks / STAFF

By John Fredericks / STAFF

In a stinging rebuke of Roswell Mayor Jere Wood’s and City Administrator Kay Love’s proposed fiscal year 2008-2009 budget, Roswell City Council members voted unanimously to defer a vote for approval until June 30. The new budget cycle is set by law to take effect July 1, 2008.

At stake is a proposed year over year spending increase of 13 percent, which includes nine more police officers and a new half million dollar benefit program for municipal employees, funded by a $2.3 million property tax assessment increase for Roswell homeowners.

A weakened local economy, soaring gasoline prices and the real estate collapse had residents who showed up at City Hall for public comment up in arms over the apparent “spending spree,” as some Roswell dwellers referred to it.

Longtime Roswell resident Eddie Mathis called the budget, “arrogant,” and led a chorus of public sentiment against its approval during the public hearing portion of the meeting.

Councilwoman Lori Henry mused that it must be, “Party time at City Hall.”

Councilman Kent Igleheart, city liaison for administration and finance, made the motion to defer the vote and criticized the spending as, “excessive and bloated.” He cited Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s call for a 5 percent cutback in all city agencies as a, “Better and more timely example of true fiduciary responsibility.”

Igleheart vowed to make a motion at the next budget meeting to reduce the millage rate (the percent of assessed property value homeowners pay to the city in property taxes) by $2.3 million to offset the tax levy increase. He advocates making the property tax increase revenue neutral.

Wood slammed the idea as folly, and made the point that the average homeowner would save about $40 per year under Igleheart’s plan, while claiming it would wreak havoc on the budget. “Are we going to sacrifice our quality of life in Roswell for $40 a year?” Wood asked rhetorically.

Igleheart shot back, “I want to go further than that, but I am not certain I have the support for a deeper tax cut.” He would need four of the six City Councilmember votes. Wood votes in the event of a 3-to-3 tie and declared he will vote the rollback down if he gets the chance.

Councilman David Tolleson gave pause regarding the rate rollback, and cautioned, “I know there is a desire to be conservative in this climate. We need to be clear about how deep the hole is we dig for our future. If you cut too much you will be cutting back services, parks and public safety. Our product in Roswell is our quality of life.”

‘Big Buildings to Big Budgets’
Henry wasted no time getting in the fray, coining the spending proposal as, “Jere’s big budget.” She added, “He went from big buildings to big budgets.”

“We need to cut the spending and roll the tax back. This is not the time to add another $13 million in expenditures. The current state of the local economy and the economic climate in Roswell does not merit an increase of this magnitude.”

Henry lambasted the budget as, “Irrational, irresponsible, nonsensical and unacceptable.”

She promised to support Igleheart’s recommended spending cuts and millage rate rollback, “One hundred percent and bring common sense to this budget.”

Where’s the Love?
Kay Love defended the spending proposals as being in line with last year’s election results, which gave a mandate to adding resources in public safety and transportation. Her Transportation Director, Vasilios Andreou, apparently unimpressed, resigned last week.

Wood reiterated his support for the budget as presented. “I support this budget wholeheartedly. It is my budget. I support the expense increases as proposed.”

Councilwoman Becky Wynn appeared to be siding with the mayor and termed it, “A good budget.”

Councilman Rich Dippolito said, “We have been charged with focusing on redevelopment and transportation and we need to be sure we do not inhibit those initiatives in any budget we pass.”

The mayor scoffed at the cutback considerations. “They either have to reduce services or pay. If you cut positions you cut services. If you cut police you have less cops on the street. If Kent or Lori think we don’t need more cops or don’t need jailers or don’t want services then let them cite those specifically.”

When pressed for those specifics by Wood on the council floor, Igleheart rattled off a litany of proposed budget cuts that exceeded his $2.3 million target, then added, “This is just a start. There is more to cut, including capital improvement deferrals.”

Wood voiced frustration that the calls for changes did not come earlier in the process, and offered his analysis. “This might be politically astute aimed at winning some kind of public relations victory, but it is not good governance.”

Wood summed it up, “Deferring capital improvements is borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. At some point you have to pay the Piper.”

Henry accused Wood of being, “Out of touch and operating in a vacuum. He is operating behind the walls of an inoculated government that is increasingly bent on serving itself.”

Wood shot back, “I am very in touch with the citizenry of Roswell and their desires.”

The New Council Majority
This latest budget battle essentially pits Igleheart and Henry against Wood. They are for cutting spending and rolling back property taxes in a huge way. Wood is for keeping the millage rate the same and increasing spending by his proposed 13 percent.

The key now is who has the votes. There is no doubt the budget will be reduced, but by how much? The outcome of this is likely to give residents a glimpse of the new governing majority on City Council. Wood has worked feverishly to indoctrinate newcomers Wynn and Dippolito to his way of thinking, and he has lavished them with praise at every public opportunity. Both seem very comfortable with compromise on most issues, and that typically will benefit Wood’s agenda.

It appears that Igleheart and Henry may be abandoned in their mutual desire to get sweeping cuts and a meaningful tax roll back passed. A more likely outcome is a few innocuous cuts that are vanilla in nature and don’t evoke much internal debate.

If Igleheart had the support, he would have attempted to pass his legislation at Monday’s meeting. He’s been around the block a few times and he plays to win. Councilman Jerry Orlans was on vacation and not in attendance, so Igleheart only needed one more vote of the three members remaining to add to his and Henry’s to get his version of the budget passed. He chose to defer. This was telling.

Has Roswell’s infamous gang of four now been reduced to two?