The New Albany’s City Council is facing several tough decisions in the upcoming weeks. One of the biggest will come Thursday night when our elected representatives will vote on using $2 million in Economic Development Income Tax funds to shore up budgets in the public safety departments.
They really have no other choice than to vote in favor of using EDIT funds and we believe it’s the right decision at this time.
Without the $2 million, up to 20 firefighters could be laid off. That is not a threat, that is fact. The money will not be used for extra staffing or to pad the bank accounts of firefighters. There is not enough money budgeted to maintain current staffing levels — which are still below the National Fire Protection Association requirements which call for four firefighters on a truck. NAFD trucks are currently staffed by three firefighters during a shift.
And if it takes overtime to staff the fire house at Market and E. 13th streets, it will not open. That is with the council approving EDIT funds.
Mayor Doug England supports using the EDIT funds. His hope is to use EDIT to help supplement public safety budgets in 2010 and 2011, until annexation expands the city’s property tax base in 2012.
The city currently has $8 million in discretionary funds which includes EDIT, rainy day and riverboat. Of that total, $4 million comes from EDIT.
While the majority of the $2 million will go to the fire department, the New Albany Police Department is asking for $500,000 for five new officers and $100,000 for overtime costs this year.
With money available to use, it seems like political suicide to say no to this public safety request. How would it look to the citizens of New Albany, who are facing a 70 percent sewer rate increase and are forced to drive on roads that should have been paved years ago, to have 20 firefighters laid off? Not only could it keep some residents and businesses from moving here, but it might force some to relocate. Residents are already being protected by an under-staffed police department.
Grant the mayor his request. Use some of the EDIT money for public safety this year and next. Then, when the city does annex, if the extra tax base does not cover the two budgets, then look at layoffs or cutbacks.
Our Opinion editorials are consensus viewpoints of the editorial board of The (New Albany) Tribune editorial board — Steve Kozarovich, publisher & executive editor Chris Morris, region editor Mary Tuttle, display advertising manager
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