Surprise, Surprise, The City Is Running Out Of $$$

[TulsaSooner]

I could be wrong, but I believe the 911 staff is part of the Telecomm Dept and would make up a decent piece of those 250 staff members.  

That's not to say the IT part isn't overstaffed, just saying that I think that's part of the number.

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by Kiah

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur

A decline in block grants simply means less programs are funded by block grants.  And it does not mean the city picks up where the block grants stopped.

OK, copper.  What about Local Law Enforcement Block Grants, which have dried up altogether? Has the city assumed any of those program costs, or is the city doing without important law enforcement programs?

The old 'law enforcement block grants' were rolled into the now called 'community block grants'.  Police submit proposals right along with other non-profit agencies.  Most of the police proposals deal with hiring officers on an overtime basis for special programs, and obviously the officers' work has to be within the scope of the proposal, so it doesn't take away from day-to-day operations, it takes away from the extra hiring.

I have no idea how much the police have decreased in the amount of block grants, if any at all.  Those decisions are made by the Mayor and council.

In addition, we now have JAG grants, but I don't know where the funding comes from (but I can guess).

[YoungTulsan]

Sounds like a few "Meetings with the Bobs" are in order.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by YoungTulsan

Sounds like a few "Meetings with the Bobs" are in order.

Bob Slydell: You see, what we're actually trying to do here is, we're trying to get a feel for how people spend their day at work... so, if you would, would you walk us through a typical day, for you?
Ben: Yeah.
Bob Slydell: Great.
Ben: Well, I generally come in at least fifteen minutes late, ah, I use the side door - that way Taylor can't see me, heh heh - and, uh, after that I just sorta space out for about an hour.
Bob Porter: Da-uh? Space out?
Ben: Yeah, I just stare at my desk; but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch, too. I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work.

[shadows]

Do you mean that he doesn't stop at the coffee shop and eat his breakfast after he slips into City Hall to start his 15 minute work week?

Governments are like planting a new forest.   When the trees are small saplings one can see through the forest.  When the forest is grown then one can only see the outer part of the forest.   Governments like the forest needs to be trimmed where they can become more open.  They become overgrown and reach a point of saturation in taxing their supporters.  

From the local to the national we are rapidly reaching that point.  

Is it not time to do some trimming?

[inteller]

trimming?  hell I was thinking of installing a chip mill and doing some clear cutting.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by shadows

Do you mean that he doesn't stop at the coffee shop and eat his breakfast after he slips into City Hall to start his 15 minute work week?

Governments are like planting a new forest.   When the trees are small saplings one can see through the forest.  When the forest is grown then one can only see the outer part of the forest.   Governments like the forest needs to be trimmed where they can become more open.  They become overgrown and reach a point of saturation in taxing their supporters.  

From the local to the national we are rapidly reaching that point.  

Is it not time to do some trimming?

For once, one of your metaphors I can understand...and agree with.[]

[Kiah]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

trimming?  hell I was thinking of installing a chip mill and doing some clear cutting.

But not in the parks or street rights-of-way.  Funding for that has been cut.  Seriously, do you think there is no relationship at all between cuts in municipal funding and quality of life?

[shadows]

Quoted:
"Seriously, do you think there is no relationship at all between cuts in municipal funding and quality of life?"

I believe there is a relationship between the three. (cutting, increasing and poverty)

The cuts in funding is hidden so far behind the nonessential increases under the pretense that those will improve the "quality of life" on the selected few and place a further burden on the majority that are struggling to live at and below the poverty level..

City governments that are run by billionaires do not address the needs of the working poor in their struggle to maintain a livelihood. .

[Conan71]

Shadows, well said.  Would you consider running for mayor next time around? []