By DANIEL SUDDEATH
It was the residents turn during a New Albany City Council budget hearing Thursday.
After the council met Tuesday to discuss next year’s fiscal plan, Council President Dan Coffey dedicated the majority of Thursday’s meeting to feedback from residents.
While few attended, those that spoke weren’t happy.
New Albany resident Vicki Denhart blamed Mayor Doug England’s administration for not being forthcoming with the city’s financial standing. “We need the books laid wide open,” she said. “We need to know where our money is.”
Another New Albany resident, Jason Hubler, said his Linda Drive neighborhood is still plagued with flooding problems due to a plugged Falling Run Creek.
Before worrying about a water park, another downtown parking garage or raises for employees, Hubler said infrastructure has to be addressed in New Albany.
“There’s not a draw, I don’t think, for people to live here,” he said.
Two of the administration’s toughest critics — Councilman Steve Price and Coffey — were the only council members present as the hearing fell on the same night Gov. Howard Dean spoke to local Democrats at the annual Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner in New Albany.
“I truly believe it’s time for the people to get together and say — enough,” Coffey said, referring to how the city operates.
He agreed with Hubler and Denhart that infrastructure should be a top priority and accused the England administration of worrying more about real estate and helping businesses than meeting the concerns of what he defined as the average New Albany resident.
The council will likely have to cut the 2010 budget or supplement it with additional funding to meet anticipated property tax receipts. There’s been talk of cutting back in the public safety departments, but Coffey favors using Economic Development Income Tax to balance next year’s budget as opposed to a reduction in services.
Paul Haub, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99, said New Albany wouldn’t need the aid of a Local Option Income Tax if the city dedicates EDIT money to covering basic services.
But he still would like the city to take part in a second audit with the police and fire unions willing to help cover the cost. The review would be in addition to the annual State Board of Accounts audit, which was released earlier this month.
Haub said a second, more detailed audit, would clear the air as to what the city has available financially.
“It would have a huge impact on our unions,” Haub said.
Councilman Kevin Zurschmiede said last week he spoke with an official with the state that said a second audit would be a duplicate service, and thus a violation of Indiana code.
But Haub said he spoke with a SBA official that disagreed. A second audit would denounce or verify suspicions some have over how money is being handled, Haub said.
“I think there’s a lot of distrust nationally, and I think there’s a lot of distrust locally,” Haub said.
City Controller Kay Garry implored Denhart, Haub and any resident interested to spend a week in her office to see how money is handled.
“We’re open [to the public],” Garry exclaimed. “I don’t know how many times I’ve said come and watch, ask me for what you need.”
Haub said the distrust has nothing to do with Garry, who he defined as an asset to New Albany, but is grounded in suspicion over current and present administrations.
Neither the fire or police unions have agreed on a contract for 2009 or 2010, and Haub said the police body would wait until the budget situation plays out before coming back to the bargaining table.
As for the fate of the city’s EDIT account — which stands to hold about $5 million at the beginning of 2010 — Price said he has no problem using it for expenses that aren’t directly defined as economic development tools.
But Price insisted departments will have to be dealt with fairly, and that the council needs to set the bar.
Price will introduce a measure in December asking the council to rescind health benefits it passed for itself last year. Council members Diane McCartin-Benedetti, Bob Caesar and Zurschmiede receive health insurance through the city.
Councilman Jack Messer does as well via his position as a New Albany police officer.
“It has to start with the leadership,” Price said.
And meeting a budget during a downturn in the economy requires micro-management, according to Price.
“When you have a business that is failing, that will save your business,” Price said of closely scrutinizing the city’s expenditures.
