Ok Pete, we get that you don't like taxes. Tell everyone then, how should our local government generate revenue to pay for the upkeep of our infrastructure? Should we only spend the bare minimum on maintenance? Cities all across the US have been doing that for decades and now face huge expenses to replace sewer & water lines, power plants & related equp., roads, bridges, etc. all because they didn't spend the money to maintain what they already had. Its much more expensive to build a new ice rink than to spend the money necessary to maintain the rink we have. Or combine what we would have spent on maint. with private funds to construct a new arena. How do you expect Janesville to attract ANY new businesses unless we maintain both the city and leisure services we already have. To decide whether to fund a particular project based ONLY on the expense is foolish. There is a cost/benefit ratio associated with all expenditures. Many individuals that live and work in the surrounding area value the parks, golf courses, bike trails, ice arena and other recreational opportunities available in Janesville. Area businesses (and local govt. coffers) profit from those who come here to shop and play. With interest rates at all time lows, NOW is a perfect time to invest in our future. It matters more that our government spends wisely and invests in the future of Janesville. Not setting aside money NOW to make the necessary repairs on existing infrastructure will only cost us MORE later. Cuts in funding for current facilities will NOT increase our standard of living but serves only to reduce our standard of living. These are not "pie in the sky" projects under consideration by the city council but legitimate future investments.

Hey Pete, whats the number for the pizza place down the street, I'm getting hungry!

Yes; I know how bonds work. 15% would be the total amount paid in interest then, and not the actual interest rate. I was going to say if they were paying a 15% rate (as in annually) they have lost their mind in this city, even worse then I have suspected. Do you know how long that $2.4 million in interest is over (the maturity of the $16 million in bonds sold)?

Pete:
They are really borrowing this $$ at a 15% interest rate? What kind of a credit rating does this city have? My God, they would probably be turned down for a Sears card if that is really the case!

janesvillean must be one of the members of the city council. Quality of life this quality of life that. You are obviously trying to justify spending money we dont have. In your private life you must be so far in debt so that you can justify the quality of life you live. If you dont have the money to spend then dont spend it. I think maybe the city should call Suzie Orman to see if they are approved or denied.

So city employees are asked to turn down cost-of-living (that was bargained for)because the city is in financial crisis. Oh wait, projects are not being cut, I guess they have the money after all.

Tax increases are working so well in other places. Just look at places like Detroit, LA, NYC, Chicago.. Un-employmnet explodes, home foreclosures sky rocket, property values sink by the day, and finally people just vacate the area in mass numbers. Of course when that happens, your tax base just shrinks even more, and then the wizzards of smarts will propose raising taxes even higher on those remaining.
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Janesville is just THRIVING..We have what is it now...15% unemploymnet? 5% higher then the national average. Yeah; lets just hike the taxes up. It's such a proven economic winner everywhere it's tried. Heck; maybe we can then hit depression levels. Get unemploymnet up to 25-30%. We really have some economic geniuses running things here!

If the Council isn't going to take the City Managers advice, what's the point of paying for a City Manager?

Well I read all of the article and the comments. I picked up the phone and called Yuri. He answered and listened to my opinion and views very nicely. I suggest more do the same.

I am so outraged by this!! I will be calling all of these numbers and voicing my concern! Who do these council members think they are???? It is my money they are dealing with I am stretched as it is and I don't need anymore taxes!! When are the next elections for the council?? Let's vote all of them out this time. what were you people thinking that voted these guys right back in?? Get them out!!!!

I suggest that people call the numbers Pete has listed and ask council members whether Pete's fears of a doubling of taxes in five years are realistic. More likely, they will say they are doing everything possible to balance Janesville's quality of life and level of services in an environment of lower tax revenues and state allocations at a cost that Janesville residents can bear. It is not an easy task, and every one of those items, no matter how much someone like Pete sees them only as a price tag, has a constituency of supporters in the city. Those people are also calling the council.

Here we go again, its only another $7.38 here and $7.38 there. Now add them all together. Hundreds here and hundreds there now add them all together. Thousands here and thousands there. The madness needs to stop. Please city buy my house so that I can get the hell out of here.

Janesville City Council has always been out of touch with reality. Now the Ice Arena and youth baseball fields are somehow more or equally important as the fire station and public services like trash pickup?? Ridiculous.

"No public hearings are scheduled, but residents can speak on the borrowing at the beginning of the meetings."
The city council has made it clear to the public , they do not care what we want .Thanks for nothing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pete: I think your math is a little fuzzy.

Janesville needs to stop borrowing and instead cut spending. The same thing families have to do. Endless borrowing and kicking up the tax bill is a prescription for failure.

7 Million for a firehouse? Sorry, that's obscured for a just a building. One third of the Parks budget for youth baseball? And I thought the school district was out of touch.

Why no public restrooms at Rotary Gardens?

The only upside of borrowing now is that interest rates are low. If it is a NEED now or in the near future, then borrow now. If it is a "want" then cancel it until this community sees what the real fallout of GM will be (once the severance, unemployment and education money runs out).

The ice arena should be closed as it is poorly managed & taken care of like the Tallman house, which should be given back to who ever gave it to the city.