This letter is in response to Tim Trueblood’s March l2 letter about Crestwood’s finances headlined “Administration proves more cuts could be made before tax hike needed.”
He asked: “How come the city now is projecting budgets for 2010 through 2013 that will have an average annual reduction in spending of $2.28 million?”
As city revenue continues to fall, budgets must be cut — sales-tax revenue in 2005 totaled $7.49 million while projected sales-tax revenue in 2009 totals $6.22 million. Lost revenue totals $1.2 million and that’s before the Macy’s closing was announced.
He stated: “It would seem that the more than 70 percent of the voters who voted against Prop 1 were correct …”
The tax increase failed. Residents heard conflicting stories or did not understand how fast city sales-tax revenue declined.
Crestwood in 2007 slowed spending on needed maintenance as Dillard’s closed. To balance the 2009 budget and retain limited services, $600,000 of cash reserves will be used. Macy’s closes in 2009 and the 2010 budget cannot use cash reserves. This forces heavy cuts in services.
He wrote: “More cuts could be made before the citizens of Crestwood needed to pay higher taxes.” This statement should read with no additional revenue, residents must select services they can do without.
Our City Charter demands a balanced budget — ignored during quite a few of the years he served. Without revenue to pay bills, cuts must be made.
Although these are Mr. Trueblood’s opinions — one of eight aldermen — during his terms in office both fiscal control and balanced budgets were seldom demonstrated — 1993 through April 2006. City leaders infrequently balanced city budgets, yet increased sales taxes on shoppers three times while running up over $24 million of long-term debt for which we are paying.
I strongly advise all residents to get the facts — not rumored opinions — and let your aldermen know what services you wish to cut as we try to balance Crestwood budgets.
John Foote
Crestwood
Editor’s note: Mr. Foote serves as a Ward 4 Crestwood alderman.
