Mayor clarifies comments on city budget

Mayor Amer Ghalib

By Charles Sercombe
Last week we reported on an initial budget meeting with the mayor and city council, and the grim financial picture that was presented.
We asked Mayor Amer Ghalib for comments about the budget news, and we had some follow-up questions.
Last week we posed the question about what ideas he had to address the budget concerns, and he replied:
“… There are some decisions and changes on the way that will benefit our city on the short and long terms. We will not announce it until it’s the right time.”
He was asked for clarification as to when “it’s the right time.”
Ghalib replied:
“It will be announced at the right time, and the right time is when we finalize our studies and research on some decisions, and make sure that they will benefit the city. If we find out that it may not benefit the city, then it’s subject to review and modification, so I can’t give you a timeline!”
As for who he is referring to as “we,” he said:
“The city government is the We! We work as a team: legislative and executive branches. And I know that no one has the absolute power to act alone.”
Ghalib made another comment that had us wondering what he meant when he said:
“I’m still working with the former mayor’s team and administration …”
The mayor does not appoint or hire city administrators, although the mayor does vote with the city council on contracts.
Ghalib clarified his statement:
“What I meant by the former mayor’s team is the boards and commissions that she appointed. I get along with them well, and I may continue to work with them as long as everyone is doing his/her job duties to the best of their abilities.
“The mayor can appoint boards and commissions with the approval of the council. The mayor can remove any of them in the first 90 days without cause, and after that with a valid cause.
“And when I say, the ‘mayor’s team,’ that means the people who worked with her, or during her time. It doesn’t necessary mean that the team was formed by her. I spoke to the former mayor and clarified things to her.
“I do have a great relationship with the city administration and with all the council members, and we coordinate and collaborate every step on the way, and yes, we can make the changes we want, whenever we want, if we all believe it’s for the benefit of the city.”
And on the dire budget news, here is a recap of what was presented to the mayor and council in their first budget work session:
The overview basically laid out a pattern of declining revenue streams from 2003 to 2020, and increasing expenses. The bulk of the city’s expenses are paying employees. Those salaries are set by contracts.
The bad news was not unexpected. The city has been in deficit spending for the past two years, and at the rate it’s going, the budget surplus will run out during this fiscal year, which ends June 30.
The council and mayor will meet on March 1 to continue the budget overview.
Posted Feb. 18, 2022