By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – The only Bloomington alderman who voted against the city’s new budget said aldermen didn’t go far enough to reduce spending.
Councilman David Sage is making his first public comment after voting against the $210 million spending plan adopted April 9 by the city council.
Sage said he’s been worried since last fall about “profound” changes that will lead to a contraction in the local economy.
“We’re continuing to spend like our revenue is the same as its always been. I don’t believe that’s going to be the case…I hope I’m wrong, but I think we need to plan for even a greater loss of revenue.”
“Starting with the budget task force back in 2015. Every year we seemed to have, but they seem almost more like perfunctory conversations to me, about how we can reduce the cost of delivering city services,” he said.
Other city leaders say the budget is balanced and $4 million dollars lower than the previous year.
The council filled a nearly $3 million dollar budget gap by raising dozens of fees for city services, cutting back on bulk waste pickup, and reducing personnel costs.
“Starting with the budget task force back in 2015. Every year we seemed to have, but they seem almost more like perfunctory conversations to me, about how we can reduce the cost of delivering city services,” Sage said.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
