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Tomorrow morning we have our first official budget meeting. The $95,456,531 FY 2010 Budget represents an overall decrease of $864,779 from the FY 2009 Adopted Budget.  This decrease in overall spending is reflecting the overall economic factors impacting not just the national economy but also impacting our local economy. The City is not immune from the national recession and its effect on the local economy has played a significant role in the development and recommendations of the Preliminary FY 2009-2010 Budget.  In fact, the local effects of the economic recession have been significant in both the management of the current year budget and in the development of the preliminary budget for the upcoming FY 2010.  Due to the economy, cost saving and containment measures went into effect mid-year in FY 2008-09.  This preliminary budget forecasts flat or slightly declining revenues in several key areas for the upcoming fiscal year.    Property and sales taxes, two key revenue accounts for the city, are such areas.   Temple’s diverse economy has proved more stable than many cities, but is not immune to the current recession and the resulting challenges.  There are several areas in the budget that give me pause.  Those areas include compensation and capital projects.  Stay tuned.

Our regular Friday packet must weigh five pounds. The bulk of which is related to the Budget. The City Manager has presented the Council with his recommendations and now it’s in the Council’s court.

It looks as if it is time to start writing again. While I enjoyed the six weeks I took off I believe that it is time to get back to work.  We are starting what I believe is going to be a challenging budget process. I will work hard to provide you, my readers, with information and insights as we progress.  In addition to the budget process I will continue to make observations on both the function and, on occasion the dysfunction, of your City government at work.