Finance

By Len Miller

Less government, less expense

Other ways to address this issue, include but are not necessarily limited to, reducing unnecessary red tape and over stringent developement regulations; whether it is a backyard patio or a grocery market to be processed. I would really like to know what the cost for the City is associated with current practices. Regardless of what that might be, I am still of the opinion that establishing a one stop development shop and creating (to be paid by the applicant) City staff expeditors to help move the proposal expeditiously along strike me as worthy of consideration. Combine the goal of a constant conservative budget with the reduction of expenditures for operating the development process with an appointed oversight committee and we should be doing well on our start to reduce what would otherwise be the cost of City services.

It should be understood that I am not proposing a reduction in the number of City staff. Adopting more conservative practices does not mean putting people out of their jobs rather it implies using them more creatively. In fact, I would like to see us increase the number of police officers and fire fighters. While this might sound contradictory, I assure the reader that it is not. Public safety should always come first and we need to cut other program expenses if need be to ensure that both resident and visitor can feel safe in our City.