The Pensacola City Council is meeting in less than to two hours to hear presentations on the 2009-2010 budget. The meeting is scheduled to run from 1:30 to 8 p.m. and will be capped off by a vote to approve the budget.
through 6 1/2 hours of presentations? The pressure will be on the council members to accept whatever they are given. They have no time to talk with their constituents or present their own ideas for what should be included in the budget. All that’s missing is the train whistle to signal they are being railroaded.
What’s even worse is the Chris Jones, the tax appraiser, has not even told the City what the property values are yet. The earliest that he can do that is May 1, but it may be as late as June 1 before he has the numbers.
In Gulf Breeze, the budget workshops are held over several meetings in June and July. Two or three departments present at a time. The meetings last about 90 minutes each. Council members question numbers and make changes before the final budget is presented for approval.
Here is the Agenda for today’s workshop:
Mayor 1:30 – 1:45 p.m. —Explanation of Process
City Manager 1:45 – 2:15 p.m.—Overview and Discussion of Issues
Director of Finance 2:15 – 3:00 p.m.— Financial Overview
Police Chief 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fire Chief 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Director 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Public Works Director 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Non-Departmental
7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Approve the Proposed General Fund Tentative Fiscal Year 2010 Budget