With my first year as mayor approaching its midpoint, I want to reflect on the status of city government and the challenges that lie ahead.
I am gratified with how well the council, department heads and I have been able to work together towards the common objective of a better city.
Although there have been disagreements, everyone has had their say and we have moved forward despite the outcome.
While some of the disagreements have had their roots in philosophic differences, council actions have confirmed my belief and hope that at the local level, unlike Albany and Washington, we do not have to resolve issues based on political party allegiance.
Aside from the day-to-day business of administering the government, the council and I, with assistance from department heads, have worked to develop a Multi-Year Facilities and Financial Plan.
It has been important that we do this together because, while we may have differences in how to approach our challenges, a common understanding of the city's circumstances is critical. The highlights of the plan follow.
"¢ The city is in a strong financial position based on significant reserves and debt capacity. That said, the city is in its third year of operating deficits with current revenues not covering current expenses and these deficits are projected to grow significantly over the next five years unless we take action.
"¢ Deficits are driven principally on the revenue side by the reduction in state support and sales tax revenues, two of our largest sources of income. On the expense side we face dramatically increasing benefit costs, as well as compensation increases tied to collective bargaining agreements. Costs related to the city's current and retired personnel consume approximately 72 percent of our budget.
"¢ If we can not find ways to increase revenues and reduce costs, we will either consume all of our reserves within four to five years or have to reduce personnel. We will then have no choice but to reduce services expected by our residents.
Property taxes would have to be increased almost 50 percent if we were to look to them as a solution to this issue.
The plan outlines a series of more than 25 actions to be studied and implemented. Each item has been assigned to a department head who will report to and work with the relevant committees of the Council in pursuing these ways to minimize our economic challenges.
Some of these initiatives will not be controversial, as in reducing our energy consumption.
Others will require study, as in finding a more cost effective approach for our health benefit programs. Many will result in debate, as in the possibility that we will begin to charge for services that have been free in the past.
As these conversations become more widely held, I am sure they will draw attention and result in controversy. We have not made economic estimates at this point of the consequences of some of the more controversial issues that must be discussed such as shared services, government consolidation and payments in lieu of taxes for our not-for-profits.
These subjects could have significant consequences and can not be addressed unilaterally, but could have major positive impact for the community, and are under separate review. When we have a better sense of the facts, we will share them with you, however, rest assured that there will be no reluctance on our part in initiating these conversations.
Additionally, the task force working to make changes in our zoning ordinances, and the Charter Review Commission are making steady progress. Important vacancies in Police, Fire, Code Enforcement and Engineering have been filled. Major road improvements on East, Grand and Cherry streets are being undertaken and new playground equipment is being installed in Wilber Park. The Bresee's project is moving slowly but steadily ahead.
As the work of the mayor, council, other volunteers and city professional staff goes forward, I hope you will enjoy the next few months in Oneonta. It's a great time of the year to take pleasure in, and reflect on, this wonderful community.
Our colleges have finished their academic years sending forth a class of 2010 graduates to contribute to our future. The Farmers Market is open on Saturdays and Tuesdays. The second "First Friday" event was held June 4. The Oneonta Theatre has announced an exciting initial set of programs to begin in late July. The Outlaws are playing at Damaschke Field.
New businesses and arts venues have opened downtown and others are receiving investments in their existing facilities. The Otsego County Fair will be held as usual in August. Murals are being added downtown. The Memorial Walkway was dedicated May 31. The American Idol program at Foothills is great fun on Wednesday nights. These are only a few of the wonderful activities taking place. There is a lot to do and be proud of in this community.
There will be difficult decisions to be undertaken in the future. If we make them on the basis of what is best for our community and each of its entities, surely Oneonta will continue to be the place we have all come to love. I look forward to working with you to that end.
Richard P. Miller Jr. is the mayor of Oneonta.
Columns
Plan focuses on city's present, future challenges
- Big Chuck D'Imperio
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My pal Brucie, savior of Sidney's hospital
Ask any hospital administrators if they've ever heard of a closed hospital in New York state that has ever been re-opened. They will say, "Impossible." In a half century of going through records you can't find any.
Continued ... - Catching a whiff of 'Vermont Vapor'
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- Recalling days of 'Doughnut King'
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My pal Brucie, savior of Sidney's hospital
- Cary Brunswick
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We've become our own worst enemies
The past month has been marked by a seeming unprecedented number of man-made tragedies, as distinct from those caused by violent outbursts of the natural world, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis.
Continued ... - Plenty of blame to go around for Bangladesh horror
- Obama is going against his word on Social Security
- Reflecting on a Florida trip
- Those magnificent spies in their flying machines
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We've become our own worst enemies
- Chuck Pinkey
- Guest Column
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Records seizure is an insult to free press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
Continued ... - The evangelical view of same-sex marriage
- Manor's fate will be Otsego board's legacy
- A closer look at our economy - Part II
- Use fracking to fill budget gaps
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Records seizure is an insult to free press
- Lisa Miller
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A view from above
Fire towers in the Catskill Mountains have always been destination points, built to capture some of the region’s best views. These sentinel stations served an important role for the earliest possible sightings of forest fires in the remote mountain ranges. But the fire towers and those who manned them fulfilled a multitude of other roles as well.
Continued ... - Being a parent is a constant learning process
- Healthy doesn't have to mean expensive
- A family era ends with close of Potter series
- Independent stores make up for loss of Borders
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- Mark Simonson
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General Clinton Canoe Regatta got a new home in 1972
Ever since 1963, when Charles Hinkley and a group of Tri-Town businessmen came up with the idea for what we know today as the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, people lined the shores of the Susquehanna to watch the canoeists as they made their 70-mile trek from Cooperstown to Bainbridge.
Continued ... - Sunday movies in Oneonta finally shown in 1934
- Politics, fitness and landmarks dominated local news in May 1968
- Local people sought income in many ways in 1933
- Local windstorm in 1983 caused tense moments
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- Rick Brockway
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Kids have sparkle in their eyes
When I was in my teens, old Bill Naatz told me about a stream north of Lake George where a man had panned out enough gold to make his wife a wedding band. It was all rumors, but to his grandson and myself, it sounded like the makings of a great adventure.
- People make the outdoors even better
- Turkey season has ups and downs
- Spring air isn't always the freshest
- Adriondacks keep growing and growing
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Kids have sparkle in their eyes
- Sam Pollak
- William Masters
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Schreibman tops Chris Gibson on women's issues
As the time to vote draws near, we need to remember how money can run politics more than we can. Raising funds is a prominent (if not the dominant) task of getting elected. Raising issues is also crucial, but those efforts are subject to distortion and fear-mongering.
- Republicans feelentitled to allthey can garner An entitlement is a legal benefit available from the government to individuals who are within a defined category of recipients, such as needing insurance for unemployment or health services.
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Romney focuses on self; Obama emphasizes unity
Mitt Romney criticizes President Obama for saying a person's success is rooted in his community, and is not all his alone. Romney belittles this with his belief in individual initiative. He is better at the put-down than the push-up.
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Romney shows little regard for common man
The Republicans in Congress have voted over and over, 33 times, redundantly and uselessly, to rescind what they call Obamacare.
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Scouts' gay ban creates problem where none exists
The Boy Scouts of America's "emphatic reaffirmation" of its vow to exclude any and all homosexuals from its hallowed ranks is ill-considered and pathetic, especially in view of its having reviewed the matter for two years.
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Schreibman tops Chris Gibson on women's issues
