359 Degrees - All Comments

re: 2009 Budget Changes

Devil's Advocate — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:53:49 GMT

Scott

When you voted to remodel city hall one of the reasons was it would be more energy efficient,yet I see the budgeted amounts for heat lights etc. are the same as last year. What happened that the energy savings is not being realized?

Scott's reply:

It's a conservative budget, so we assumed the status quo. At worst, the utility will be the same. Even the most optimistic estimate for savings was several thousand dollars per year. Most of that will be from less costly air conditioning and you know how variable summer heat is. The savings will be clear in a couple of years.

So, assuming we get the savings, what happens to that "extra" money we didn't need to pay utility bills? Well, it will probably get spent on diesel fuel due to an overly optimistic guess at fuel prices for next year. We'll know that in a year too.

re: 2009 Budget Changes

mick — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:44:09 GMT

I think fiscal restraint and review is appropriate every year, but especially in these difficult economic times. Many cuts will never be noticed. Just the process of realistically reviewing expenses every year is a step forward. Fiscal responsibility is as much an attitude as a process.

Scott's reply:

Since the explosive development in Brookfield with its rapid increase in tax base has changed to modest and hard fought redevelopment, the city government must rethink its spending decisions. That's a tough transition.

re: 2009 Budget Changes

mikeyd — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:28:23 GMT

Hi Scott,

I agree with you all item votes, on the Fuel and Library cut (nays),and on the that they should not be as extreme, and on the hotel tax and training budgets (ayes). I am also happy that most of those programs listed as no cuts remain.

That last one, the traffic calming study money, could be cut in my view. There are so many studies and really it comes down to neighborhood groups and city engineers anyway, study on this level I do not think is necessary.

re: Budget Update - Oct 13

intewedm — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:36:53 GMT

The surgeon general doesn't think it's the subject of debate. He states "it doesn't work", but of course the powers that be in Brookfield will say, "yes, but it works here". It's like congressional elections...they have a 9% approval rating but the majority will be reelected. Everyone else's is bad, but mine is okay.

re: City budget cuts coming?

mikeyd — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:38:12 GMT

Hi Scott,

After your recent blog reviewing the planning commission and first one about the budget review, I mentioned how it was interesting to see the different populations groups having differing opinions and how 'fun' it must be to bring them together into a workable spending plan. Here we are and a 'Mick' and a 'Mike' have exactly opposing views on these relatively small cuts. :)

My response to your response about pushing the police vehicles further along in mileage... I realize there is need to continue replacing older vehicles and that they put miles on quickly. I would argue that a car that put on 80K miles in one Wisconsin year is probably in Better shape than an 80K car that has experienced 5-10 Wisconsin years (winters/summers). I will take the one year old 80K car over the 5 year old 80K car. I wouldn't recommend they push well into the 100K+ mileage, but pushing up to 100-110K seems very reasonable. Cars today do a much better job of maintaining engine temperatures and lasting than cars of 20-30 years ago. I also know they need to idle more due to demands on the battery, but it would be possible to add an extra rechargeable power supply for electronics and decrease the idling. Something like this would pay for itself if it allowed the vehicles to last 20K longer. Electronic equipment running on a separate isolated power source would be safer than those running on the car battery power due to decreased chance of surges or interference.

Don't feel too bad about your car (I think you should be happy with not making another car payment it if it is still going strong) my car has 107K also, but it is 10+ years and still going at 30 mpg. Not the oldest car I have owned or the highest mileage vehicle I have kept together though!

About the DARE program, it seems like it is strongly supported in the community. I suppose the two newly added police officer positions were hard fought for and it would be very difficult to pull one of them off the street for an hour or two a day to go to schools and oversee the DARE program? But if the budget says it is either the DARE program or one of the new officer positions, maybe that would be a compromise allowing us to keep both? It sounded like most of the expense was overtime for the officers in the program. If it is not donated, there is clearly no need to purchase a vehicle specifically for this program, that seems extravagant. If an officer takes a patrol car to the school while participating in the program, that would be a bit of a show of force that might help scare em straight besides!

Scott's reply:

One important change in city asset management during the last 5+ years is the way fleet vehicles are managed. We have a much better idea now about the mileage on various cars, what repairs are being performed (mostly in house), total cost of ownership,etc. That data helped support reducing the number of pool cars a couple of years ago. Additional changes will be made as the long term trends become clear.

The DARE program enjoys tremendous support in the city. It isn't anyone's first choice for a cut, as clearly stated in the mayor's memo. The meeting on Monday, 10/20 will be difficult, but it should settle the issues.

re: Budget Update - Oct 13

Richard J. Steinberg — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00:31 GMT

Are you for or against. Yes or No. There is nothing tricky, complicated or tidy about the interests of our children and grandchildren, from the S

Senior Viewpoint. No need to "try" and return my call of 2 days ago. The message is loud and clear.

re: Budget Update - Oct 13

Richard J. Steinberg — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:40:57 GMT

Yes, we do have cable TV and a computer too. The sound on TV is not very good and a TV showing and a commercial for the present municipal court is not the present issue.

You referred to DARE being a bad program so I quote the wweb sit you referred to. I states : Police officers must take 80 hours of special training to be instructors; the Surgeon General of the USA reports positive effects of the program; the Fed. DEA and FDA are contributors to the program; 26 million children in the USA are participants; DARE graduates are informing on relatives and some are convicted; critics of the program include groups that favor decriminalization of drug use; and jealous critics who want financial grants and are angry at the DARE success; 80% of all school districts in the USA use the program; funding is provided by the USA dept of justice, defense, state,and most federal funding sources; (maybe they know something the municipality does not know)?

For $36,000 or much less, lives can be saved.

Scott's reply:

My comment was not an opinion but rather a recognition that there are two sides to every story. Specifically, "The effectiveness of the program has always been the subject of debate. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.A.R.E."

I see there is a comment on your own blog about how to measure effectiveness, which is always a tricky topic. I like to see a number, even if derived in a complicated way. The real world isn't always that tidy.

I'll try calling you tomorrow.

re: Budget Update - Oct 13

Richard J. Steinberg — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:06:54 GMT

Scott. If you will arrange a meeting with the participants of the DARE program I am willing to consider adopting the DARE program as you suggest. Please provide me with the names, addresses and contact phone and e-mail numbers of the participants, including police, schools and parents and the written support of the Mayor ASAP. I will also need an itemized list of the cost and expenses.

By the way, municipal court account 503-000 was a carry-over of the years when the municipal court was located in the police dept. who had access to court records and control over the court clerks, and it was in the best interests of justice and independence that the court clerks not transcribe judge's decisions, orders, memos, research materials and other sensitive materials. That practice was nearly a conclusion at the end of my last term. Next time please ask me about matters that took place during my 34 year tenure, and please remember that I never asked for new furniture and used discarded furniture and donated my own for the courtroom and court office.

Scott's reply:

I will contact you regarding the DARE funding. At this time, it remains in the budget. That might change at the finance meeting of 10/20/08.

I recommend you review the video recording of the finance meeting of 10/13/08 to hear the exact discussion. If you don't have cable TV, contact the city clerk who will arrange a special viewing for you at city hall.

re: Budget Update - Oct 13

Richard J. Steinberg — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:42:21 GMT

IS THE DARE PROGRAM STILL BEING CUT ?

WHAT DOES THE $36,000 COST OF OPERATION CONSIST OF ?

DOES THE POLICE DEPT. WANT TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM ?

DO THE SCHOOL WANT TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM ?

DO THE PARENTS WANT TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM ?

DOES THE TASK FORCE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION WANT TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM ?

DOES THE MAYOR WANT TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM ?

REMEMBER, THE DARE PROGRAM IS THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE TO HELP COMBAT DRUGT AND ALCOHAL ABUSE, WHICH RUINS MANY LIVES.

Scott's reply:

Wonderful questions and comments. I know DARE has been a passion of your for many years. I will contact you directly with responses to your questions. The short story is that the finance meeting of 10/20/08 will discuss many budget options and a decision should be made then.

re: City budget cuts coming?

Richard J. Steinberg — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:47:05 GMT

It should not be difficult to raise the $36,000 to continue the Dare program if the city leaders do not care to provide the funds to save the lives of our children. Drugs and alcohol account for enormous sums of money to combat, arrest, prosecute, treat and be caregivers for those who made bad decisions. The city leaders should schedule a public forum on this matter. During my tenure I have chaired, attended and participated in meetings, conferences and discussions all of which came to the conclusion that resolving this issue is a high priority in our society.

Scott's reply:

First, let's not get ahead of ourselves. The DARE program has not been cut and it continues to enjoy wide support. It was listed in the mayor's memo in which he clearly stated he did not support the cut. Still, I think it is vital to examine everything, including the popular services.

Your years of dedicated service to the city are an inspiration to us all. Perhaps you could continue your service by adopting the DARE program to provide completely private funding, similar to the Friends of the Library or the Sister City group or even the Farmer's Market.

re: City budget cuts coming?

Richard J. Steinberg — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:39:56 GMT

Kindly itemize the $36,000 cost of the Dare program without the police officers time which should be part of the duties of the police department. School principals, teachers, students, guest speakers and parents also donate their time. Mayor Speaker was once a Dare officer and claims (to me) that he was the Wisconsin head of the Dare program.

Scott's reply:

In 2007, $8,832 of DARE funding was from outside sources. The DARE car was formerly supplied by a car dealer who is out of business.

The remaining (more or less) $28,000 is property tax money. That's overtime pay for 2 to 3 officers covering every 5th grade class (including non-public schools), obviously on day shift. Since every shift has a minimum staffing level for safety, coverage, etc., the officers were either from another shift being paid overtime or a first shift officer was teaching who had to be backfilled with an additional officer being paid overtime. That works out to $41.54 per student.

The effectiveness of the program has always been the subject of debate. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.A.R.E.

By the way, you might want to watch the broadcast of today's (Monday, October 13) Finance Committee meeting. Municipal Judge Warchol had some interesting comments about how he has court clerks transcribing dictation formerly performed by a private law firm who billed the court. He eliminated "expense account 503-000", saving $1,000+/year. He also eliminated a court assistant position. He shared some other intriguing insights on court operations as well. So, city officials are indeed taking the initiaitive in cutting costs and improving efficiency.

re: City budget cuts coming?

mick — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:16:41 GMT

Scott, I think I missed the point in your essay. Were you suggesting that any proposal to cut spending would certainly affect citizens negatively and that only rarely does some myopic taxpayer suggest that there might be some fat in the city budget? Personally I find it hard to believe that there isn't one area of city spending that could be trimmed, even a little. But the typical government attitude each year seems to be "gee, we've got to keep spending or we won't get the money next year". Then each year we just keep adding to those absolutely bare-bones and essential expenditures.

re: City budget cuts coming?

Richard J. Steinberg — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:42:11 GMT

Scott. I know it was a change in state law and I had recommended a remedy if he city is interested, and I am willing to speak at a fair hearing.The youth and parents of our city deserve it.

re: City budget cuts coming?

Richard J. Steinberg — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:35:58 GMT

Scott. The information about funding the DARE program is not completely accurate as during my tenure as Municipal Judge the Task Force on Public Education received funding from our court system. I am available to explain the details. It is a great program for young people and the only one we have to help curb drug and alcohol abuse.

Also, it is impossible to make decisions without having access to the line item expenses for each department.

Scott's reply:

The DARE program will cost about $36,000 in 2009. In the past, about $10,000 of that came from outside sources, as you note. That money is no longer available due to a "change in sentencing". I have a few calls out to get the exact details of the change and will post that information when I get it.

The bottom line is that the entire $36,000 now comes from property tax money and eliminating DARE would save that expense. As you are well aware, decisions can be difficult "no win" situations. As Finance Committee chairman, I feel it is my obligation to ensure that all proposals are given a fair hearing before making a decision.

re: City budget cuts coming?

mick — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:26:53 GMT

I would double all these cuts. The fact is this community can live without all of these services. Yes, a few will always complain, but many will applaud the prospect of possibly lower taxes and a concerted effort by city officials to feel some of the budgetary pain average citizens feel. Most of the mentioned cuts could be made with the majority of the public barely noticing. What is wrong with trying these and other cost cutting approaches for a year and determining exactly which ones we really could live without.

Scott's reply:

One thing to keep in mind is that while a city can lower its spending (and thus taxes) as much as it wants, the state imposes a limit on how much of a spending increase can be made each year. That limit is generally inflation plus the tax on new construction. Thus, we could make deep cuts, have inflation use up the next year's allowed increase to maintain the remaining services and be unable to restore anything. The only way out of that is to increase the tax base with new construction (difficult) or win a special referendum allowing the increase (very, very rare).

Thanks for the comments.

re: City budget cuts coming?

mikeyd — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:37:52 GMT

Hi Scott,

I read through your and Mayor Speaker's examples of possible cuts, and I would recommend against each and every one of them. The only issue I could recommend would be to move the DARE program and other educational interactions with school children so that is is part of the police services and one of those officers that was added recently could spend part time in the schools, this would remove it from overtime expenditures and make those new officer positions more valuable/essential. It is clear (based on a recent Fox6news story) that our police service personnel need a refresher on bicycle laws anyway! Another source of cut I could see would be to increase the time in service of police officer vehicles.

I guess when it comes down to it I cherish the services provided by the community and I am more 'willing to live without' a few extra tax dollars, than I am willing to live with the mentioned cuts.

Scott's reply:

Thank you for the feedback. I hope to hear a lot more soon.

The city buys about 5 new squad cars each year. On average, they get driven 80,000 miles each year. In the last two years we have experimented with running the mileage well into six figures. Transmission problems, hard starting, etc. have popped up in cars that need to make an emergency response at any time. Most of the vehicle service is done at the city's garage at a cost comparable to a private garage and with much higher scheduling priority.

Cars just aren't designed to be driven that many miles that quickly. In my personal case, it has taken me 8 years to reach 107,000 miles and that's the longest I've ever owned a car.

re: City 2009 Budget

mikeyd — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:56:46 GMT

Hi Scott,

Thanks for providing all the information regarding the budget and comprehensive planning. It was interesting to read the comments made in the smaller groups of the comprehensive plan meeting. It really highlighted the different populations in Brookfield and how some see large value in similar things (Schools, Green space/paths were important by all), and very divergent in others (view on current tax rates and whether Brookfield should be more insular or attract a younger population). For what it matters, I will always give you my opinion on more specific issues, but I can see that the job of trying to appease most (because All would be Impossible) while creating the budget and comprehensive plans requires a difficult balance of social and political issues. It seems most on these boards want to bash people rather than give helpful comments. I for one am grateful for the work public officials do.

Is there any type of 'meet and greet' picnic or gathering in Brookfield where the community and public personnel who wish to participate can get together as a community in a slightly informal setting?

Scott's reply:

Budget deliberations always get complex because they turn into policy and service issues. For example, even though the Calhoun Road widening was approved by the formal process of Board of Public Works, public hearings and finally a full council vote (actually, many of all of those), there has always been a motion at budget time to eliminate the funding so that the project would end. Another classic maneuver, never used in Brookfield as far as I know, is to zero out the salary of someone you want to fire. After all, if they want to work for free, that's their problem!

I plan to make a few posts over the next two weeks describing what happened and asking for comments.

Many of the aldermen hold district information meetings. Gary Mahkorn and I have one scheduled for Wednesday, October 22 at 7pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. While we call them district meetings, everyone is welcome. If we know of a specific topic you have questions about, we can get the appropriate staff person there too. I timed this one to be after the budget meetings so that we can cover those questions.

re: 2035 Comprehensive Plan - Join in!

Richard J. Steinberg — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:54:26 GMT

it looks like another high tech plan created by non-residents who do not understand the quality of life in the City of Brookfield. Resident homeowners are expected to pay taxes while the spending continues. The top city officials should realize that BROOKFIELDNOW is more than a slogan.

Scott's reply:

Thank you for the insight. I deleted the other four duplicates of this message. Apparently there was a high tech failure at your keyboard.

re: 2035 Comprehensive Plan - Join in!

Richard J. Steinberg — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:54:22 GMT

re: Roundabout & North Avenue Widening

intewedm — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:00:54 GMT

Uh, Einstein, I believe that every word is spelled correctly. What's your beef your friggin' moron? Need someone new to fight with? You've picked the wrong one if you do because I am someone who is willing to meet you face-to-face.

Scott's reply:

Actually, I was referring to Kyle Prasts' blog where there was a debate on spelling and her censorship of historically correct quotes. As for the "beef", I believe your comments speak for themselves.