CITY COUNCIL SHOULD REJECT THE CITY MANAGER’S BUDGET AND ASK FOR A BUDGET THAT IS TRULY BALANCED
Current proposal uses budget gimmicks and puts the City further in debt
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Today, the Phoenix City Council will hear the 2011-2012 budget proposals by the City Manager’s office during its policy session at Phoenix City Hall. The City Manager’s plan calls for “savings from prudent debt restructuring,” meaning the City is essentially paying its liabilities by extending the amount of time it pays off its debts.
“The City Manager’s proposal is not a budget solution, it is a budget gimmick, which amounts to nothing more than kicking the can down the road,” stated Phoenix mayoral candidate Wes Gullett. "It is especially concerning given the recent revelation that more than $28 million dollars is needed to pay for ‘merit and longevity’ pay for eighty-nine percent of eligible city employees.”
“Maxing out the City’s credit card to pay for raises is an unsustainable approach and it must be stopped,” continued Gullett. “We need to fundamentally reform the way the City of Phoenix does business. We need to be serious about reducing the cost of government, while improving the level of service. It is being done in the private sector every day.”
Gullett believes the City Council should direct the City Manager to come back with a truly balanced budget that does not require the city to borrow more money but instead, by finding more efficiencies and cost savings.
Gullett has extensive experience with complex budgets. He was the Governor’s Chief of Staff during one of Arizona’s most difficult economic times and saw first hand how responsible fiscal policy can manage limited resources without the use of gimmicks. As Mayor he will take a hands on approach to ensuring Phoenix has a truly balanced budget. “As Mayor I will be involved in the budget process from the ground up. The time to fix the budget is at the beginning of the process, not the end,” concluded Gullett.
Gullett also released a 60 second video “The Experience to Balance the Budget” which can be viewed on his website www.wesgullett.com.
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Paid for by Wes Gullett for Phoenix
300 W. Clarendon Ave., Ste 460
Phoenix, AZ 85013
http://www.wesgullett.com/
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