Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Will it end $11,000 in the red or $7,000 in the black?
That was the question Tuesday night at the Palouse City meeting when council members approved the budget plan for 2013.
The answer will emerge depending on how projections and estimations pan out for the coming year.
Council members approved the budget with the intention of making amendments, if needed, as 2013 figures play out.
After the vote, Councilman Cecil Floyd made a motion for “budget process education and potential solutions” to be put on the agenda for next February.
It was “seconded by everyone” said Mayor Michael Echanove, and passed.
In their last meeting, Nov. 13, the council voted to cut 25 percent of hours for the town’s third police officer, in an effort to balance the budget.
Tuesday night’s session picked up where the council left off two weeks ago.
“While we’re thinking outside of the box, why a 25 percent cut to the lowest paid officer versus 10 percent cut from all three of them, or other options?” asked Councilman Tim Jones.
“We are going to have to get creative,” said Councilwoman Connie Newman. “I’d like to reiterate some numbers from our last meeting: we have had an average projected annual budget deficit of $19,000 over the last four years.”
She then talked about coming needs in infrastructure.
“We have significant infrastucture expenses in the next one to three years,” she said. “Pieces of equipment we have to have to operate our city. Our large city dumptruck; it’s a 1973.”
She continued to say that the Town of Garfield puts $10,000 in reserves before they start work on their budget each year.
“In my devil’s advocate role,” said Jones. “Two meetings ago, we talked about a $63,000 carryover. It seems to me like the whole purpose of having that available balance… its main function is to be a rainy day fund, no matter the trend of the last four years.”
Newman said after two years of agreeing with a deficit budget plan, she now believes the council has to change its policy. She said continuing with a deficit plan would be “irresponsible and negligent leadership.”
“I think the argument you’re making, I agreed with last year and the year before,” said Newman. “It’s time for the mindset of city leaders to change.”
Jones then inquired about Newman’s use of the word “bankrupt” at the last council meeting.
Newman Tuesday night defined “bankupt” as running the general fund to zero, saying it’s a correct use of the term.
Mayor Michael Echanove then reported that the city budget’s Current Expenses fund will grow in 2013, “although miniscule,” a total of $7,000.
He gave a recap of the previous cuts the council had approved for next year’s budget.
He indicated that the council had made $29,000 in general budget cuts, including items such as the police hours reduction, health care savings due to two employees going onto their wives’ policies, a cell phone policy stipend, limiting public employees’ overtime to emergency and essential services, a revison of property and liability insurance deductibles and closing the Heritage Park public restrooms during the winter.
“When you combine all this, Current Expense is going to hold its own and actually gain $7,000,” said Echanove.
Jones then contended the city is generating extra funds they’re “not willing to spend.”
“There’s no point in becoming a profit-generating entity, when you’re supposed to be a government,” he said. “It’s infuriating.”
Councilman Floyd commented that it was good to see the $7,000 carryover, although misleading.
“I don’t think this is a profit,” he said. “In my opinion, we’re still in a deficit.”
“Looking at the $7,000 surplus,” said Newman. “Two and three meetings ago, we were presented a budget by the mayor with a $37,000 deficit. That was the emergency.”
Councilman Rick Wekenman questioned the Heritage Park shutdown.
“I think we need to have some thorough discussion of that,” he said, noting his concern for local businesses having to respond to an influx of people coming in to use their restrooms.
“We talked about it last meeting, I don’t agree with it, but I’m sticking with it,” said Echanove.
Newman suggested if people have to go into businesses they may be shamed into buying something.
“That ain’t gonna happen,” said Wekenman.
“Offer up something that we do cut,” said Floyd.
Councilwoman Allison Webb, an employee of the McLeod’s Palouse Market, noted “anybody who walks through that door is a potential customer,” she said.
Newman then brought up the idea of renting a “Honey Hut” to place at the park for two or three months in the winter.
“That’s kind of an intriguing idea,” said Jones.
“Besides the potty talk, I think we’ve stabilized the 2013 budget,” said Echanove.
“We’re budgeting an $11,000 deficit,” said Newman.
Further discussion followed about whether the budget showed the $11,000 deficit or a $7,000 surplus.
“I’d rather see the budget committee take another shot at it,” said Floyd.
“We’re authorizing a potential over-spending of $11,000,” said Newman. “I have a huge problem with that… What can we be more accurate about?”
The discrepancy depended on how budget items are projected and estimated, said Joyce Beeson, Palouse city clerk.
“After the Apple Cup, there are unforeseen acts of God,” said Jones.
“I’m not concerned in the least,” said Echanove. “Current expense is gonna grow next year, not shrink.”
The mayor then suggested the council wait until February for the actual numbers to come in – instead of the projected numbers – then use amendments from there.
“Let’s wait until we get the actuals,” he said.
“What line items do I short?” asked Beeson.
“Let’s take it out of streets and sidewalks…then we’ll get with (Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin) and do a budget amendment,” said Newman.
“That $11,000 is a forecast,” said Jones, who later put the budget motion on the table. “I feel we’ve already cut to the bone this year,” he said. “I think we should pass the budget and start to work on it.”
Councilman Bo Ossinger seconded it, and it was approved with Newman casting the lone no vote.
The council then voted to cancel their second meeting in December.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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