When Council makes the budget, does each department/section, i.e. streets, safety, parks, etc, have minimum amounts of money that they must be budgeted with or when planning can Council delegate all or most of those monies to a different department.  If emeregencies or projects arise, then the money can be given back.  I'm not sure if this is the case, but it seems like this is a trick to say funding is low in public safety and the general fund. 

I'll be the first to say I could be wrong there, but it seems this happens and not in a way that is in the best interest of the Citizens.

Then you add in the fact that the city doesn't want to make any cuts until their backs are up against the wall, just makes for a very bad situation. 

 

Personally I voted for the School Levy and that will be the last Levy of any kind I vote for until I see this city get its spending under control and that includes Public Safety.  Public Safety is like a run away horse in many cities Middletown included.  3% raises in this economy are way out of line for anyone under the current conditions.

 

Wasteful is right on in his post as far as revenues, etc. in serious decline.

I wonder how much of the unions causes the work effort to be lower (part of their contract). 

Ashkicker may know better than any of us if the City has considered moving fire stations to better serve the City and help bring down budget on public safety.  Then again that would require an initial investment

 

I don't think the City is considering moving any Fire Stations, but I know that closing the one at Breiel and Central has been mentioned.  I would be curious to see the Run figures on the Engine out by Meijers as it sure spends a lot of time running West on Grand and 122 and Manchester Rd. just about everyday.

 

From the looks of the Meijers Station and the Breiel and Central Station the City gave zero consideration to future growth to the need for Fire Fighting in Middletown.  Both of those Stations are to small and look as if a Stiff wind would blow them over.  I would say both are inadequate at this time for the need.  But with declining revenues and population what do you do?

 

My son who is 14 has already told me he is outta here once he goes to college as Middletown offers nothing for his generation.  Not even as a Bedroom Community.  Sad, the city is running off it's future citizens and leaders all that will remain are the dropouts.  Funny how they apparently can't see that.