The foolishness at Monday’s town hall meeting was not limited to the incidents reported in the column.
–A suspicious woman irately demanded to see the budgets “the public was never allowed to see.” Budgets are public documents. The last 10 years’ worth are posted on the city’s website.
–The man I quoted who was so indignant that the city wouldn’t immediately implement his proposal to pay cops $40,000 a year actually got quite emotional. Recounting how he has twice been the victim of burglary, he rose from his seat and approached wary city officials, his voice rising to operatic volume. Before all, proclaimed he would kiss the city manager’s feet if crime were controlled.
–Everybody dismissed city figures out of hand. This, though they have been corroborated by a reputable independent audit company, Management Partners. They dismised Management Partners, too.
–Not in that league, but still sketchy, a member of the San Joaquin Taxpayers Association urged leaders not to declare bankruptcy until state Controller John Chiang finishes his audit. That is a defensibe position. But following this advice could delay urgently needed cuts for months, deepening city debt, and complicate the process of sumitting a legally required balanced budget by July 1.
And cuts are necessary.
–To properly fund the city’s $417 million retiree health cost, the city would have to set aside 30 percent of its payroll. An unattainable figure.
–Since the recession began, city debt payments have increased 600 percent.
–7 of 9 employee groups agreed to concessions. But 2 did not. They are suing the city, which could take a $40 million hit if the unions prevail in court.
–And City Hall can’t raise taxes. For two reasons, one they discuss and one they do not. First, it’s a recession, Stocktonians are unlikely to approve higher taxes, especially since Gov. Brown is putting a tax increase on the ballot. Two — what they don’t like to say — voters could approve a tax increase, but if the unions win in court, the money goes into their pockets and buys taxpayers nothing.