Not all members of the Clarkston City Council are pleased with the 2006-2007 budget ? meaning there might be some heated meetings and possible amendments in the near future.
The budget passed 5 -2 at the June 26 meeting. Council Members Cory Johnston and Kristy Ottman voted no, while the remaining council okayed the budget which included revenues of $777,514 and disbursements of $753,133.
‘With all due respect to the finance committee, I don’t think the budget cuts what needed to be cut or gives the appearance that we’re making cuts, which I think we need to do both,? said Johnston at the meeting.
‘I think our revenues are less and our expenses can’t get less unless some cuts are made. I think there’s more that should have been taken. I just didn’t see those cuts being made or any discussion as to why they couldn’t be made,? he added.
‘I think everyone feels if there’s a place to cut, let’s do it. But let’s not cut at a need or service that makes (Clarkston) not a place you want to live,? said Catallo after the meeting. ‘I think it’s a pretty normal budget.?
A list created by Johnston and sent to City Manager Art Pappas containing approximately $16,500 in potential cuts from the budget was provided at the meeting causing some debate.
‘Somebody’s going to get a chance at the budget committee because I’m going to move off it,? said Catallo at the meeting in response to Johnston’s concerns prior to the vote. ‘And then you can figure it out, because I think we got through it with a fine-tooth comb.?
‘I don’t know what choice we have from a technical standpoint right now. I understand Cory’s frustration. I think some of these ideas are very good, very valid and we should do them. But here we are in the 11th hour. I guess I’m a little conflicted myself,? said Steve Wylie at the meeting.
While Ottman did not agree with all Johnston’s suggestions, she believed they warranted discussion beyond the comments at the meeting.
‘I voted no because I was disappointed by reactions to Cory’s suggestions about changes in the budget. The whole reason we are here is for checks and balances and a fresh set of eyes can offer different insight,? said Ottman during a phone interview. ‘Everything at this point needs to be looked at. We’re not in a position to say one thing is more important than another.?
The vote followed a special budget meeting on June 6 and a public hearing on June 12.
Prior to the presentation of the budget on June 6, the budget committee ? consisting of Mayor Sharron Catallo and council members Dan Colombo and Scott Meyland ? met with City Manager Art Pappas to work on the details.
‘We’ve tried to make cuts in every way we could. Small incremental cuts add up to savings. We’re asking a lot of our department heads to cut and stay within the budget,? said Colombo in a phone interview, who highlighted not giving Police Chief Ernie Combs a raise this year as one area of savings when asked.
‘We can’t afford to make any mistakes. Our margin is pretty slim. We’ll continue to try and improve our relationship with the township and share some of the resources,? Colombo added.
In a phone interview, Johnston expressed concern particularly about the time frame during which the budget was passed.
‘Given the time, we should have definitely started earlier,? said Johnston, who saw the June 26 meeting as the first real opportunity to discuss it. ‘I was told we have to approve the budget. Maybe that’s true with the timing, but then we needed to start earlier.?
According to Johnston, the council did not receive the budget in time to review it prior to the June 6 meeting and that he abstained from commenting on the budget so as not to color public comment at the June 12 public hearing.
City Manager Art Pappas said he did not think the council had the budget before the June 6 meeting. He also said the only timeline requirements by the city charter he is aware of are having each department’s recommendations in by May and having a budget in place by the end of June.
‘If you have legitimate things that can be changed, we can change them later in the year, but you had to pass a budget so I can write checks (to pay bills),? said Pappas after the meeting.
Council Member Steve Wylie voted yes for the budget despite previously voting no for the 2006 operating millage rate of 13.1979 during the June 12 meeting. He suggested at that time contracting out police services through the Independence Township Oakland County Sheriff’s substation could lower the millage.
‘I would like to see movement towards making some changes in the police department, but obviously in the budget that wasn’t going to happen,? said Wylie after the meeting. ‘I did have a different opinion on the millage, but the millage had already passed over my objection.?
To see a breakdown of major budget expenses visit www.clarkstonnews.com and search ‘Budget hearing becomes heated.?
The Clarkston City Council meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on every second and fourth Mondays of the month at City Hall near Depot Park.