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Debate Over Budget Doesn’t Stop Passage
By Carol Arnett
After some contentious discussion, the Florissant City Council passed a budget for fiscal year 2010 at Monday’s meeting.
Councilwoman Karen McKay said she would support the budget, but she first made a motion to remove funds for a second, part-time bailiff.
“I find it disrespectful to city employees to hire a bailiff,” she said, when employees are taking a 3% pay cut. McKay’s motion was voted down.
McKay read a statement explaining why she supported the budget. She said that she regretted the pay cut employees were taking, but could not see an alternative. “Once the economic crisis is over, salaries should be the first thing restored,” she said. She said there were some good things in the budget. “Mayor Lowery said he is sending his personal bodyguard back to the police department, and that will be one more officer on the streets.”
Councilman Andrew Podleski said he could not support the budget. He said there were some things in the budget that he could not support, such as money for help wanted ads, employee drug testing, and some other items.
“We could take some things out and give the employees a smaller pay cut,” he said. Podleski also cited the golf course as a drain on the city. “It’s estimated it will lose $168,000 this year,” he said. “It’s unconscionable that we’re still flushing money down this endless pit.”
Councilman Tim Lee disagreed. “If we close the golf course, we still have to meet its expenses,” Lee said. “We don’t make money on the aquatic center and the tennis courts,” he said.
Podleski also said he could not always get answers to his questions during the budget process. “Are you saying you were censored?” asked Council President Tom Schneider. “If so, you own us an apology.”
“No, I won’t do that,” Podleski replied.
“This is one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make as a councilman,” said Councilman Keith Schildroth. He said the pay cut was difficult for employees, but it would save jobs. “I was recently laid off after 32 years with the same company,” he said. “I would have taken a 3% pay cut if I could have.”
Mayor Robert Lowery said the council was not focusing on the important things. “We should be talking about the unemployed in the city; we should be talking about the recession,” he said.
City resident Kevin O’Donnell commented on the council bickering. “Your speeches are touching,” he said, “but it’s obvious there is some resentment between the mayor and some council members.” Schneider cautioned him to speak only on the budget.
After the vote, Councilman Keith English spoke about the arguing among the council. “What I witnessed here again year after year is more political games with some of the council members,” he said. “I hate to see it at this time when we have to make cuts, which is tough for all of us as the mayor and the rest of the council stated tonight.”
“I want to apologize to all those city employees who are going to take the brunt of the blow, but just know that looking across the desk at the other person working with you that they’ll have a job for another year,” English said.
“I regret that this was personalized tonight,” Mayor Robert Lowery said. “This budget that we have is a living budget. It’s one that I will be looking at and the administration will be looking at,” he said. “We will be looking for any way and anywhere that we can to cut funds during this recession period.”
“This is something we should not be pointing fingers at each about, and I have pointed no fingers at no one because it is no one’s fault in this room. It’s no one’s fault in the city, so I would not do that. It has been done to me, but I would not do that,” Lowery said.
