Changes in Budgeting Require Courage not Political Games

As we head into the summer months, Marco Island City Council is addressing one of the largest “policy issues” it deals with on a yearly basis, the establishment of the city budget. The resolution of budget issues will speak volumes as to how residents, visitors and potential investors in Marco will see the island we live on.

The condition of our infrastructure, the ability to respond to emergencies, the overall look of the community and the sense of who we are will be determined by how we spend our tax dollars and the priorities we lay out for that spending

One of the first steps in this complicated and sometimes emotional process will be held in July when, according to state law, we are required to report a “not to exceed” number as our millage rate. This actually is a fictitious number, as the council will set the actual millage rate later in September when they finish their budget deliberations.  

When a July number is set, it could handcuff that body into making a more rational and business-like decision instead of a “political” one. The council can always set a lower number in September when that final number is set, but may not set a number higher than that set in July, regardless of the needs of the community.  

Everything from virtual training of aides to street sweepers, road resurfacing, the addition of personnel, salaries, retirement benefits and the replacement of capital goods such as vehicles and computers are considered. Reserve accounts (a portion of which is referred to as the “bucket plan”) should also be reviewed to ensure everyone understands the background of how that plan was created and how we should utilize those assets moving forward. They also should understand you cannot deviate from that plan without a super-majority vote of council to prevent the raiding of those funds.

Have we looked close enough at how we spend our monies and whether those dollars are being spent in the most effective manner? Have we established benchmarks to determine whether those plans and programs are accomplishing the overall intent of the allocation of those valuable resources?

It is hoped that council will take a long-term view of the budget and how decisions today will affect not only the next year, but three, five and ten years down the line. One of the greatest pitfalls in government is to take a snapshot view of what’s happening currently, failing to take into consideration the larger picture moving forward. However, government isn’t the only entity that tends to do this. The automotive industry was a great example of that failure to look forward as was witnessed in its near collapse in the 70s and 80s. The unfortunate part about government is we just keep printing money and not reviewing programs.

One of the most recognized companies in the U.S. is Waste Management. Looking forward a few years back, it reviewed the advantages of changing from diesel-powered vehicles and came to the conclusion it should switch its entire motorized fleet over to compressed natural gas (CNG). It will take several years, but the cost recovery will be extremely short due to the advantages in pricing and long-term maintenance of the fleet.

With the arrival of TECO on the island with LP Gas, we should be thinking outside the box and considering these options as we move forward. We might be smart to consider a pilot program to look at this technology rather than just going down the same old path of paying higher costs for maintenance and fuel. The LP product helps to run vehicles cleaner, extends the life of an engine and is cheaper.

Creative thinking and not simply moving down the same path because “we’ve always done it that way” will open doors to considerable savings to the city by not following flawed logic from the past.

A great example lies in the continued spending to simply place a new topcoat of asphalt onto our roadways, while the sub-base where the problems exist is left to continue to deteriorate. We will spend another $1.5 million to do it again this year.  

Some of those roads that have been “top coated” in the last five years already are exhibiting the same old problems. This reminds me of the old joke that the Romans built some of today’s roads 2000 years ago and we now rely on engineers whose work is failing in 20 years.

We are a small community that should have the ability to turn on a dime if, after review, we find we are erring in some of our choices. Let’s not be afraid to take bold action and review those decisions on a regular basis.

We have several individuals who sit on the dais who have had considerable “real-world” experience. I would hope they would exercise more of that as we continue and take a harder look at the budget and the effectiveness of the programs that may have begun with the best of intentions, but no longer are serving the best interests of the residents.