Fiscal Responsibility

After the last couple of posts, I wanted to take this time to reiterate one of the main purposes behind this blog and that is Dayton needs to become fiscally responsible. We have all seen news stories about the toll the current economic conditions are taking on different cities.

For instance, some cities have been forced to shut down city pools early to save money. Other cities have been forced to cut job positions in order to maintain a balanced budget.

We, as a city, need to decide what services are the most important and how to move forward. City streets are in disrepair. People would like pay raises. Both of these are needed, but we need to get together and determine how we would like to move forward with regards to the golf course. Right now, the golf course eats up a major portion of the city's budget. If we do not get something done with regard to the golf course losses, our property taxes will continue to increase.

I think this is a good time for all of us to reflect on what services are the most important to Dayton and what we need to do in order to get things back on track.

Just as a side note, other golf courses are not seeing the best of times. Today's Des Moines Register is reporting that Glen Oaks County Club is in foreclosure. Here is the link:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090724/BUSINESS/90724018

Attorney Bills

I have posted two pages from the most recent attorney's bill to the city. The interesting parts from these two pages, in my opinion, is that Mr. Hemmingson charged the city 1.75 hours to talk with The Des Moines Register as well 16.5 hours to draft answers to the Civil Rights Commission questionnaire. That is a total of $1825 ($100 per hour) charged to the city.

In lieu of the $1650, the city could have purchased a pretty nice sound system or those Sonic Earz devices that we see on TV all the time for each attendee of the city council meetings.

Attorney Bill Page 1

Attorney Bill Page 2

Short Synopsis of the Meeting Tonight

Just wanted to hit the highlights from tonight:

- City Expenditure Year to Date was handed out
- Talk of a new public document policy
- Police chief salary increase
- Reappointed three members of the Library Board for six years
- Approved 7 building permits
- Discussed cell phone options for city employees
- Discussed Highway 175 resurfacing project

Webster County Sales Tax

There was a recent comment on the new sales tax to take effect in Webster County last week. Here is the article about the new tax in The Fort Dodge Messenger:

http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/516540.html

Budget Talk

Happy July 1st to everyone.

Today's story on the Des Moines Register's website shows how important it is to be fiscally responsible as a city. That is why I hope that we continue to receive updated financial information on all aspects of the city. We should know what lies ahead with respect to the city's financial situation, whether it is good or bad. The sooner we know, the sooner we can make informed decisions going forward. Here is the link to the Des Moines Register story:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090701/NEWS/90701018