Mayor Linda Thompson’s budget presentation was positive. She talked about how this was a year of recovery and that by the end of 2013 – she believes Harrisburg’s budget will be balanced. “It is imperative that you, city council, and I and my administration work together to continue to make progress and eliminating the burden and the structural deficit on the citizens of this city.”
The proposed 2013 budget forecasts that the city will spend $56.4 million, but forecasts only $53.2 million dollars in revenue, leaving a gap that needs to be filled.
Mayor Thompson said she expects to eliminate the debt the city has right now. “We anticipate about a 3.1 million deficit in this coming year. We expect to eliminate the incinerator debt, eliminate any stranded debt, and be in a position to balance the budget at about the end of next year.”
Part of the budget calls for filling positions that are currently empty, including adding more police officers. In 2010 there were 171 active police officers in the city, and as of today – that number has dropped to 131. The proposed budget calls for adding eight officers in January, and an additional eight by the middle of the year.
“The administration has carefully reviewed this budget department by department and we have eliminated any costs not essential to city operations and the efficient delivery of public services.” Thompson said.
The proposal also calls for the addition of eight more government workers that are not currently in place.
Brad Koplinski, Budget and Finance Committee Chair says the budget looks different this year. “We’ve never put in new things into the budget, we’ve always cut. I think all told, maybe 20 positions over the last couple of years that we’ve needed to cut to make sure that we have a nice lean budget for doing the work of the people.”
But even with the proposed budget to cut the deficit, to add government jobs, and replenish our police force, Mayor Linda Thompson says she wishes the city had the ability to do more. “I’m never satisfied but it is the best that we can do to manage our fiscal crisis in order to get where we need to be until times get better, until the economy gets better.”
The next Budget Committee meeting will be held on December 5th. Council members are able to submit questions between now and then to be discussed at that meeting.
The proposed 2013 budget forecasts that the city will spend $56.4 million, but forecasts only $53.2 million dollars in revenue, leaving a gap that needs to be filled.
Mayor Thompson said she expects to eliminate the debt the city has right now. “We anticipate about a 3.1 million deficit in this coming year. We expect to eliminate the incinerator debt, eliminate any stranded debt, and be in a position to balance the budget at about the end of next year.”
Part of the budget calls for filling positions that are currently empty, including adding more police officers. In 2010 there were 171 active police officers in the city, and as of today – that number has dropped to 131. The proposed budget calls for adding eight officers in January, and an additional eight by the middle of the year.
“The administration has carefully reviewed this budget department by department and we have eliminated any costs not essential to city operations and the efficient delivery of public services.” Thompson said.
The proposal also calls for the addition of eight more government workers that are not currently in place.
Brad Koplinski, Budget and Finance Committee Chair says the budget looks different this year. “We’ve never put in new things into the budget, we’ve always cut. I think all told, maybe 20 positions over the last couple of years that we’ve needed to cut to make sure that we have a nice lean budget for doing the work of the people.”
But even with the proposed budget to cut the deficit, to add government jobs, and replenish our police force, Mayor Linda Thompson says she wishes the city had the ability to do more. “I’m never satisfied but it is the best that we can do to manage our fiscal crisis in order to get where we need to be until times get better, until the economy gets better.”
The next Budget Committee meeting will be held on December 5th. Council members are able to submit questions between now and then to be discussed at that meeting.