Is this something in the budget?

http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/councilma...

Just some food for thought:
City Employees have taken many "hits" for the "good of the city" Insurance rates have more than doubled and services have been reduced. As employees have left the positions are not being filled meaning the remaining employees have to do the work of two or three. this would not be so bad if the City of Janesville was not so understaffed already. The old city managers claim to fame was "We have 1/3 less employees per capita tha any other city our size".
Many of our issues stem from the fact we elect new City Council member every 2 years, each comes to the table with an agenda to "listen to the people" and in listening and reacting to all of the thousands of people who have wants and needs the big picture of budget restraint and common sense is lost in all the noise. I am sure everyone is trying to do the right thing but this current counsil while promising to "cut the fat from the citys budgets" found less than 30K they could remove after all the fanfare. It costs money to do EVERYTHING like open a pool, build a museum, build a bike tunnel, host a hockey team, add more police and firemen, have drug sniffing dogs, build a skatepark, add police officers in each school, Pay for intern students to finish their masters programs in collage and god only knows what else we pay for.
What would you be willing to give up to "cut costs"?
Less policemen
Less Firemen
NO? Well thats about 2/3 of the cost of the government right there.
Now of the 1/3 left what would you like to not have?
Trash pickup
Street repair
Water services
Sewer services
The 1/3 of the employees who are doing the work of 2 or 3 now? and getting paid far less than they would be getting paid if doing the same work in a private company?
should we only open City buildings 3 or 4 days a week?
These are your choices, it becomes a little tougher when you must deal with the details.

Where was this retreat held?

I keep hearing voices in my head ... they keep talking about pledging taxpayer money to help build a new ice arena ...

We could save money by going geothermal -- there seems to be a lot of hot air in this thread.

They should not be investing our money period...

Their retreat should've been in the new lounge that they spent all that tax money on! WTP keep your comments to yourself,i'm not blind to the waste,like you?

The council met Tuesday at a retreat and got a first look at a budget.

Hmmm seems to me that if they are looking for ways to cut spending DON'T GO TO A FRICKIN RETREAT!!!!!!!!!

wtp: Does the truth hurt your feelings? If you can't handle the facts,or hear about them from the tax payers,skip the sarcasm,& stay in your shell! GAL!!!

Nearly all private and public enterprises are at least freezing salaries, if not cutting them. Unfortunately it appears contracts would make this more difficult although it should still be considered. I guess we may see which is more important to the union, re-opening the agreement or losing positions. However the merit increase should be considered low hanging fruit and be at the top of the council's list of cuts.

eliminate all unnecessary spending. meaning no new projects, and possibly putting existing projects on hold. eliminate all overtime for city employees until the budget is balanced. If the city can't balance their own budget then how do they expect us to balance ours with a tax increase. Don't we pay people to be able to forcast the future? maybe we need new employees, city council, and a Mayor.

Don't build the bike tunnel and the kids museum. Problem solved

Woodman: Why don't you just leave this town or get a job and stop complaining on every issue this city does. You just have to much time on your hand. You have to keep in mind spending is down now and less sales taxes are collected. There investment is down just like mine. My personal investment is down almost 50% from it's high. I do feel sorry that they have to listen to you in these tough times to keep this city operating.

And this news, that they have "ALWAYS" knew! Does it stop them from ALL the spending they do "NO",they just don't get it. Business as usual, look out tax payer,but then again we all knew this was coming,from the spend spend attitude of these people! And as more people see this,the more that will leave this town,home is where you hang your hat people!