I've not posted in a while on this blog, largely because it's a relatively slow time in terms of city council business. We adopted the FY 2010-2011 budget in May, and after lots and lots of meetings and work leading up to adoption, June is a slower time.
It was a difficult year, with major reductions or eliminations of services, reduced school funding and a generally difficult financial period. City staff worked dilligently, with an eye towards efficient delivery of services at reduced funding levels. Staff carried out this task with optimism, seeing opportunities during this time to create a more streamlined government focused on the core services that government should provide residents. There's more work to be done, but difficult times force us to think outside the box.
It's also important to recognize that, by and large, taxpayers have recognized that expectations for services and programs like they were only a few years ago is unrealistic. Having the community understand the difficult task of simply balancing the city's budget has made the process immeasurably smoother. Protecting the city's school system from debilitating cuts in funding, and largely supporting the temporary 2% increase in the city's prepared foods tax to help offset these reductions to our schools, was a real testament to the priorities Roanokers have set for our community.
The next fiscal year's budget will be as tough, if not tougher, than the one we just adopted. The practical effects of the national recession have caught up to Virginia and caused localities to endure the brunt of the revenue reductions that are passed on by the Commonwealth. We should continue to work as a community to maintain realistic expectations and to make sure that the priorities of residents are also the priorities of the city government. Let's find more opportunities to better serve residents with a disciplined, responsible government.
Game ANDROID UPDATE Yang Seru
3 months ago
3 comments:
This has truly been a difficult year juggling finances and trying to maintain a daily operations. I really worry with the reduction of City Services, more particularly those of Solid Waste. I live in a neighborhood overidden with rental properties. Additionaly, these rental properties produce a high level of trash and bulk which typically end up sitting on curbs and sidewalks for sometimes weeks at a time. It's no wonder why people visiting my n'hood feel it is the ghetto, when in fact it's not. Why can't fines be levied on irresponsible landlords who keep creating these issues? Can't we do this ?
Anonymous,
I totally understand why you feel as you do. The reduction in solid waste bulk and brush collection is simply a matter of lack of available funds. That doesn't make it any better but that is the reality of where we are.
Solid waste has been getting more aggressive in enforcing the requirements, but again it's a matter of funding - they have to have staff that can go around and observe these instances and there is simply no money to hire folks to do this.
When reported solid waste is very good about responding and taking appropriate measures so I would encourage you to proactively report any issues you have in your neighborhood - otherwise, city staff won't know about the problem.
Thanks for writing and I understand your concerns completely.
the City wastes a lot of money harrassing property owners.To me,the City having less money is good,less harrassment.
as far as trash on the side of the roads,why dont they just pick it up,they ride right by it..whats the problem?
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