The City Council’s Summit on the Fiscal 2016 Budget
These last ten days, for the first time in Newburyport’s history (as far as I know), the hearings for the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget were aired ‘live’, they have been broadcast on a regular cycle on PortMedia and have been made available on the Internet for all to review until the budget is passed by the end of this month.
This first video below initially seemed a waste of time since it was a long list of free-cash transfers being approved; but it turned into dynamite as controversial issues were discussed: One, the transfer of money to repair the culvert underneath and in front of the proposed Ale House and discussion with the Human Resources Director over insurance payments (some for dead people possibly)
June 23rd Pre-Budget Hearing: (http://youtu.be/Visn4LFjNMA)
This video below was the presentation by all city councilors of their items proposed for cutting in the budget and the discussion if it should be done or not; the main goal was to free up cash so the school committee’s budget could be augmented. (They are often burdened by unfunded mandates by the state and any freed up cash could potentially be used to balance their books.)
June 23rd Budget Summit: (http://youtu.be/E0G2obL4JoY)
If you have cable, you can also catch it on Channel Nine through PortMedia for the next 10 days as the budget is considered! Here is the schedule.
After seeing these videos; please send to the Mayor and the city councilors your thoughts – especially as they are seeking items to cut or trim down in the budget.
The City Council will vote on the budget on June 29.
Your input will be received gratefully!
-P. Preservationist
http://www.cebport.org
PS. I normally would put them on the Citizens for Environmental Balance website, but there is no time! So I hope everyone can catch these presentations before the budget is finalized!
Brick and Tree 