The voters on November 2 have spoken on the two ballot propositions and the City will be facing a $51.1 million dollar budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2012, which starts July 1.
At the Mayor and Council meeting, discussion about the Fiscal Year 2012 budget and the calendar for the decision making process was agreed upon.
During the remainder of this month and next, potential budget operating balancing measures will be discussed and considered by the city employees, supervisors, department heads and the city manager’s office. The immediate calendar for the budgetary process is as follows:
December 7, Mayor and Council Study Session update on Strategic Work Plan
projects. December 14, 2010 Mayor and Council adoption of comprehensive financial policies.
January 11, 2011 Submittal of Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Options Balancing System (BOBS) to Mayor and Council.
January 19, 2011 Mayor and Council Study Session to update preliminary revenue
estimates for Fiscal Year 2012 and discuss budget balancing strategies using the 5-year financial model.
There will be town hall meetings held and the Council offices want to hear feedback on what decisions to make regarding city services. These are tough economic times and hard choices need to be made to deal with the budget deficit.
It is not the time to be quiet, faint hearted or an arm-chair quarterback, it is the time to advocate and I need to hear from you. If you have ideas or suggestions, either call the Ward 5 Council office, 791-4231 (8 to 5 pm), E-mail at ward5@tucsonaz.gov, subject line: 2012 budget ideas or send a letter to Ward 5 Council Office, 4300 South Park, Tucson, AZ 85714.
