It appears that the City of Lockport Common Council has quite a wish list for Santa Claus this year! It is doubtful that he will be able to deliver such a large gift.
The Council has passed a budget that quite frankly is absurd. They have ignored a decade of trends for both the Fire and Police Departments. Consider that each department spends roughly $300,000 per year in overtime and yet the Council has only budgeted $50,000 per Department for 2013! That will leave the City with a $500,000 shortfall in unallocated overtime expenses for those two departments alone!
The other item on their budget wish list is that the City's Unions will concede over $750,000 in medical benefits in their negotiations. I have no ill feelings for the men and women in these unions, after all, who doesn't want to be well compensated for the work they do? However, it is doubtful that the unions will give up anything close to $750,000 in medical benefits, and so once again, what will the City do when it comes up short in its negotiations?
A 0% tax rate increase sounds good, but knowingly passing a budget with out realistic projections is criminal! I can only surmise that this budget was passed with an eye toward the 2013 election season and how good it will sound to the average Lockportian as the current Council goes door-to-door campaigning!
Well, there it is, the Council's Christmas Wishes and Budget Blunders!
Merry Christmas and may God bless you all!
