Budget Conclusion so far

I reviewed the proposed 2026 budget and here is my conclusion.

The overall details are limited but it seems the administration was able to fine tune this budget to not draw many red flags. As with most budgets, details are hidden within numbers.

I see that cabinet and some management have received raises while we are facing a tightening of the purse for this budget. Tuerk and Patel delivered a fiscally conservative budget but made sure cost of living adjustments were covered. Not exactly the same luxury available to the taxpayers who are paying the employees. While I didn't bother to calculate exact numbers, it does seem to be about 2-3%. Tuerk's proposed 3.96% tax increase equates to about $1.5 million.

 While I dont think he is raising taxes to cover managements raises it certainly contributes to the need to raise them. What about the contract negotiations? Tuerk claims to be a great contract negotiator and yet my sources tell me that the new contracts favor the unions and no real savings to the city. 

I also wonder how this guy keeps touting the same investment in staff through training and education and mentorship programs but the only investment is in making the employees miserable.

I really believe there are bigger problems and a debt the city has to cover for the next 20-30 years.

I do hope that this budget is an actual representation of expenses and that the city can effectively operate without borrowing additional money or taking from reserves. Reserve funds accounts are the citys last safety net before going bankrupt. A depletion of the reserve funds accounts is a great indicator of financial instability and endanger the city's ability to react to natural disasters, pandemics, unforeseen emergencies.

Tuerk came into office with a promise of Zero Based Budgeting and it does seem to not be following the promise. This budget may be Zero Based but the details leading to the final amounts are vague.