Do you support or oppose the adoption of the revised 2013-2014 and proposed 2014-2015 budgets by the City Commission?

Oppose

I agree with another poster in that, no matter what I write here, the decision to approve the budget, like every other city government proposal (schools too), has already been made. I believe that no matter how many planning meeting you attend to express disapproval of the ever growing Decatur Government Leviathan, the decisions of Amanda, Lena and others, all big government cheerleaders, will be approved no matter how many negative opinions are posted here or at the commission meeting for final approval. So I STRONGLY oppose the proposed budget and suggest we start over with a 10% across the board reduction in every department except police and fire protection. I STRONGLY OPPOSE new regulations like the tree ordinance, green building codes, and lighting restrictions. I STRONGLY OPPOSE money being spent to empower a college intern to shackle the police department with more diversity regulations that will only lead to weaker public safety. I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposal to turn Church Street into a bike freeway. And one more thing, I STRONGLY FEEL BETTER after making this comment. May God continue to bless the City of Decatur, our great state of Georgia and the United States of America.

Oppose

I, also, oppose this based on the 3% wage increase. That increase is not mirrored in wage increases in budgets for employees of other government entities. My opposition to the 3% increase is not personal, just a matter of accountability and responsibility. If inflation cannot justify 3%, it is a very wrong thing for the City to use our tax money for it here.

Support

This seems to be the most feasible.

Support

Oppose

First off, I have no confidence this is being read and considered. Feedback here on at least one previous issue (particularly the tree ordinance) was dismissed by the mayor and assistant city manager publicly. Isn't this a substitute to attending meetings at City Hall for those who cannot attend?

I have 2 issues in the budget: 1) the wage increase is too high. Inflation is less than 2% (SSA COLA is 1.5%) and there is no evidence to support a 3% or 2.5% cost of living increase. I would suggest a 2% and 1.5%, even those numbers are outpacing inflation. We should be boosting workers' pay consistently with inflation, for better or for worse.

2) The reserve fund is too high. Carrying such a high reserve fund is not an efficient use of tax funds. If the city got into trouble the tax rate could be raised the next year. The millage rate should be decreased to reduce revenue by ~$700k. Alternatively homestead exemptions could be increased, but there is no reason to keep the extra revenue.

Neutral

Why would I post my opinion here? It is nothing more than theater.

The only purpose of this forum is to provide you with the veneer of an open process and the community with the illusion that they have an effect on the final outcome.

As you demonstrated with the tree ordinance, you will do what you want regardless of the opinions of the members of the community.

Disgusted.