Troy has fiscal problems.
Yes, the independent audit, which cost $19,000, has told us that Troy's finances are a mess and that the city receives less revenue than it spends. Money well spent, that.
Council members agreed that nothing could be left off the table for them to consider, including layoffs, although Mantello stuck to her pledge not to support any mid-year property tax increase.
So, one thing is left off the table. A mid-year property tax increase is left off the table. Why say nothing can be left off the table when, in the next sentence, you contradict yourself?
That leaves cuts and moving the chess pieces around the board.
The council will also consider a host of other possibilities to improve the city’s finances in the long term, including outsourcing some services, with the Frear Park Municipal Golf Course and city-run ambulance program among those mentioned specifically in the Cusack audit.
When the Council announced they would seek an independent audit, The Troy Polloi said: Hey, sure. Why not. We won't assume it's a political stunt. Give the new Council some room to breath, stretch their legs and scratch their bellies. This result is not worth the....(fill in blank).
There were commentators at this site that made the above suggestions. And they did it for free. The remainder was covered by the Comptroller's report. Was this a $19,000 press conference?
If Troy really wants a balanced budget, they will need to cut jobs and services, investigate outsourcing and possible privatization and yes, eventually, raise taxes again. If none of this sounds like your cup-o-chamomile, fine. We don't want our taxes to rise anymore than the next guy. That doesn't change the solution. We'll just have to live with it.
Troy's long-term future rests with the "creative economy." No large manufacturers are coming here. We'll need to keep making the city friendly for the younger, tech-related crowd, which will mean PILOTS for man-buns and facial hair.
Troy's future also rests with younger, middle-class to upper middle-class families. The families that purchase home. That means improving the reputation of the school system, something that is, for the most part, out of the hands of the administration and Council.
One thing that will not help are those that toss aside something that is good because it is not perfect. There is far too much of that in Troy.
It's a fine fix we're in, Ollie.
50 comments:
Yup, Carmella brought all those new low income housing units on River. Fine mess is right Ollie, when you have a poverty pimp and an incompetent running the city.
OK. No more low income housing. We'll deport everyone that makes less than 17,500 a year. Then, middle and upper middle class people will flock here and it will be a paradise.
Every city struggles with low income housing and the citizens that live there. Many are good people. It's nothing new and has been going on forever. Stop bitching. It's a fact of life. Try living in reality instead of living in a place that never existed. Do you think Troy will be the new Beverly Hills? It was the R's that put the biggest low income housing on the river: The jail. Don't hear you bitching about that.
That may be true (8:34), but placement is critical. Low income housing should go north or south of the city.
At this point let's agree to stop the political blame game, the finger pointing, etc. It is time for a thoughtful process. The first thought is if the City of Troy declares bankruptcy, then the state comes in and the NYS Comptroller's Office basically runs the city. Right? If this is correct then the next part of the question is does that void the labor/union contracts and the city can negotiate from square one? If that is the case, then the excess in health insurance premiums paid after ten years goes away and perhaps a longer period of employment becomes the pension qualifier. The second point is to stop the overtime padding for pension benefits that has been rampant. People have these numbers,can produce these numbers, but do not have the willingness to do so. This is something the Mayor's office can provide. It is not hard to put together. Then move on to outsourcing. Consider leasing employees from an employment agency as it is much cheaper than hiring employees. The fringe benefit part can go away as they are not employees of the city. Now what about the $1,000,000 in unpaid parking tickets, fines, etc.? Where does that stand? Are there any other accounts receivable that are out there? What about layoffs? Is that a prudent possibility? Has a public safety fee assessed on all incoming students be imposed? If so, that money could go to the public safety budget. 10,000 students at $100 per student makes a million dollars of revenue. Use whatever numbers you want to use. Why aren't we doing it? RPI, Russell Sage, HVCC - they all utilize our public safety of police, fire, ambulance. As for low income housing, it does not help promote economic growth. Let's not add to the problems by creating more dependency and county tax costs for Medicaid and welfare benefits. Just a few ideas for whatever they may be worth.
Only a portion of the units are low income. One building is for folks making above 40,000 but below 60,000. That's hardly low income. Plus the millions to renovate and the jobs created. By the way, did we really expect the report to say anything new?
Let's put some low income housing in Colonie and Clifton Park. They have plenty of space and tax revenue.
It's a messed up idea. F-in riverfront property that's going to turn into another project in the long term. Who in their right mind wants to purchase property in Troy, when many current homeowners are trying to figure out how the hell they can sell and get out of Dodge.
Sad to see "poor" automatically equated with bad or undesirable.
Cutting the jobs of employees means the lowest guy (lowest pay) individuals go. Which means the top dogs are still getting paid and will still get overtime.
Let's see what happens with all of these expired contracts. I bet they will threaten lay offs if the unions don't agree to major concessions.
3:35 when the city desperately needs revenue, anyone sucking up resources without paying is undesirable. Wake the hell up.
Carmella blew $20k of badly needed funds to produce a report that told us nothing we didn't already know. So why did she do it? C'mon we all know the answer. She did it to promote HERSELF.
Stay in Griswold Heights or Corliss Park where you belong
Lest we forget, Ms. Mantello was one of the people who voted to bond us in oblivion in the 1990's. About 1.7 million was for new equipment, 34 million was just bonding away our future. She would like us to forget but she is one of the architects of our current situation. This is a matter of public record, by the way, not opinion.
Harry robbed Peter to pay Paul, slid money around and rejected even modest tax increases despite acknowledging cost increases, typically in elections years.
Lou's administration, so the buck stops with Lou, had very poor record keeping, deferred the pension payment and then did that half-assed police benefit contract change.
Plenty of blame to go around, R and D. I see McGrath also slamming the previous Council's on not paying attention to this. The same Councils he was part of.
We're screwed and if you think any one party is solely at fault or has the answers then prepare to be disappointed.
@ 8:24 Fact- Harry had modest tax increases but the Dem controlled council led by Bill Dunne drew down on the reserves to embarrass harry and pander to their base. If need be check the mayor's budget and Clem-Dunne's budget. Good try though.
I'll tell you one thing that came from Carmella audit. The truth. Everyone running around say that in 2020 we free up 4 million in mac money. Well that's not the truth. It's 7 years oops. Misfit Madden has no answer. What ever happened to the Blue ribbon panel? They went to Reno with Dunne.
I been living here in Troy for 50 plus years.it's a great city. The big problem is the crimes. The council gotta come up for a plan for the crimes.they still haven't told us what there gonna do?!?!?!?.
Fact, Harry mentioned in his budget message how he transferred money from the reserve to avoid a tax hike. Fact, Harry transferred money from the water budget to the general fund. Fact, Harry raised taxes one year higher than last year's tax hike and there was an Republican majority. Fact, Harry would brag about no tax increase every non-election year
This won't change your mind as facts don't seem to matter but dem da facts.
.$$$$$
Why are you people arguing? Pat promised that he would fix it since he boasted of his years of management experience with TRIP. Tapped Monica as deputy so what possibly could go wrong?
Council can't touch revenue, only expenses. So how exactly did Clem and Dunne draw down the reserves? Get your facts straight.
For All You Einsteins Not Even Half Of The Parking Tickets Code Fines And Fines From The Judges Have Been Paid To Date
Mark Rasputin McGrath Is Just Hanging In There For The Few Meager Scraps He Can Get Off The Tit
Dems have The Votes
Republicans Dole Out The Most Jobs
Case In Point Leads Right To Jimino And Madden Don't Hold Your Breath For Any Change Ant Time Soon
PS Whole New Crop Of People In City Council Meetings
Whole New Crew in Albany Too Near Rt 9 South Watch For More Action @ The Capital And You Might See Some New Action Out In Grafton And Tamarack !~~!
Cox is expanding his horizons. Looks like he's going to annoy people all around the capital district. With out leaving his own head.
Of course she did, Carmzilla acts so much like Queen Tut it's sickening. Carmzilla either don't know or simply don't care how bad shes making herself look. She will not be reelected, she has a pipe dream of being mayor, but no way she runs again for the 3rd time just to lose forvthd 3rd time. But with the Troy Republicans, you never know
Of course, Harry never did anything wrong! You are delusional! Tut was the worst thing to ever happen to Troy. We continue to pay for his mistakes today. But you are funny Tut. Do you really think you did nothing wrong?
Robert, glad to see it was later in the day before you drunked out.
Sounds like you've got a house party going on in your head today Bobby.
Sorry, but I'd rather see the police handle the crime, rather than McPhereson and Teta. Thanks for playing though.
I agree. Not to worry. There will be a primary, and she'll get kicked to the curb--
Jack McCann is Gary Gordons right hand man. He got a plan bob0.
Your obsession is unreal!!
There is a plan. Wait for a state takeover and then say Harry caused it.
Considering that Carm was on the council that incurred the MAC debt, we can pretty much be sure she's all good with the state bailing us out again.
Just Post My Stuff Asshole Watch That Big Karma Wheel Going Around And Around !~~!
Watch The People Take The City Back The Next Go Round !~~!
Look The The South For All The Answers !~~!
Bob, the South Will Rise Again !~~!
A child's mind in a small man's body.
Bob, how far South do we go for the answers? I mean Venezuela and Brazil have made a lot of changes, but I'm not sure that's what the doctor ordered.
How about you stop lying about your age McCooper!
Ah the voice of the Democratic Party.
Bob time to get your special helmet back from K McGrath.
Waiting for Carm's presser that sets forth her presser schedule.
This must be mine too
Can you make me 9:25?????
You clearly lied about your age when someone asked. Please stop you don't look younger and you just act like a immature baby.
Who doesn't shave a fee years off their age when they regularly date women 15 20 years younger than them? Don't hate me cuz I get hot young ladies, hate yourself for being yoy
Talk about haters!!! You must read my page religiously, why?? You want to learn how to be well liked?
Most normal people don't lie about there age...
Every woman I know has lied about her age at one point or another. And if you tell white lies and it don't hurt anybody whats the big deal? It's not like I lied to all the citizens of Troy about the inclusion of low income housing in the original city hall project
Well said. Neighborhood going downhill day-by-day. Lansingburgh that is. No more nonprofits or public housing. I grew up in public housing. It's no good. Not a pretty site nor does it help the city out financially.
Well said.
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