Utica, NY – Councilman Frank Vescera, D-1, has made a list of budget cut proposals for the council to consider. Vescera has been vocal about the need to limit the tax burden. “After a first look at the proposed budget, I feel the focus should be centered on making meaningful cuts and sacrifices, now.” Vescera said.
His proposed cuts include:
* Close the Bleecker Street – Fire Academy – and sell the building.
* Stop using our expensive – life saving – fire engines like pizza delivery trucks. Wearing these fire trucks out prematurely by sending them out on thousands of inspection stops to collect $20 inspection fees on rental properties is not a sound practice. Our current budget is $ 66 million dollars and our bond debt is over 70 million. We bond for fire trucks and we should not be abusing them on stop and go runs.
* Give back the COPS Grant now before the state sends the money, thereby avoiding any penalties. This will save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars that we don’t have. In addition it will prevent the complement from being frozen at current levels and untie the council’s hands in dealing with unforeseen problems that invariably arise.
Vescera said he believes taxpayers will accept these sacrifices. “Taxpayers, residents, businesses & property owners I believe will accept these sacrifices – if they see the money being used to begin paying down our debt and reigning in our spending,” Vescera stated in his statement to the council.
