City of Lawrence 2009 Operating
Budget approved
Lawrence City Councilor David
Abdoo
 I am happy to announce to
you that for the first time in 6 years,
the City of Lawrence has an approved
operating budget that was passed on time.
Over all, I am content with the process
and satisfied by the result. This budget
is lean. It represents
approximately a 4-10% reduction across
every city department's operating budget
from the original 2008 budget and is over
$240M in total value.
Some highlights of last night's actions
are:
* Cuts or level funding to every line
except school funding which is mandated
by the state,
* Budgeting for public safety that
included cuts but there will not be
closed firehouses nor large layoffs,
* The elimination of a $100,000
administrative proposal in the mayor's
office,
* The approval of the school
transportation line item that was omitted
from the original budget submission,
* Restoration of some desperately needed
positions at the DPW. DPW has suffered
greatly in the past 25 years with many
cuts that has reduced its effectiveness.
This restoration of is minimal but
reasonable and does not effect the
overall reduction of the overall DPW line
item.
I believe that this budget is fair but
not great. It is equitable in its
distribution of sacrifice based on
reasonable revenue assumptions.
In the end, I see it as a dynamic
document. We can address it
throughout the year. If we need
further cuts, we can work with the budget
director and make that happen. If
the economy or revenue collection is
surprisingly good over the next 12
months, supplemental appropriations can
be passed to increase certain city
budgets. Bottom line, last evening
was the foundation and structure and we
can make some modifications along the
way.
As a taxpayer, husband and the father of
2 children, I am certainly not thrilled
with the budget but I believe that it
represents our core priorities during
these tight fiscal times:
1. Conservative budgeting
2. Retention of public safety
3. Public Works & education
Like you, I have been at home for years
reading the Tribune and watching Channel
22 as the annual summer budget process
unfolded. Since I was recently elected,
only being on the council for 6 months, I
too am pleasantly surprised to have
completed this important process before
summer!
Now we can begin budgeting for
2010. And there is much to be done
already. We have learned a lot from
this budget process upon which we can
build. There are more cuts and
efficiencies to be realized. There is
restructuring to be planned for and
executed. There are revenue sources
to be enhanced and new ones to be
pursued. Let that begin today!
Thank you- the citizens of District E-
for your input via your emails, letters,
phone calls and meetings with me. I
represent you and value your input!
I want to conclude my comments by
thanking all of my fellow council
members, the Mayor Michael J. Sullivan
and his staff for an honorable
process.
I want to particularly thank Budget
Director Mark Andrews who worked with us
early. Alongside Mr. Andrews was/is
Comptroller David Camasso who was very
helpful... and your neighbor! They
produced a budget proposal earlier than
in recent history.
The council got to work on their proposal
through the efforts of the Budget and
Finance Committee- with over 50 hours of
hearings and scrutiny.
Many changes to the proposal were
realized at the committee level over
those 50+ hours. These changes were
agreed upon with the mayor's staff and
adopted. And last night, a public
hearing was held and the budget passed on
time! A partnership that
worked. Government that
worked. Your city government that
worked.... well.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I
can answer any specific questions for you
regarding this or any other city issue
that you may have here in District E.
My best wishes to you and your families
for a wonderful summer of 2008!
You can email City Councilor David Abdoo
at dave_abdoo@yahoo.com
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