. . . (only) five citizens showed up – at the first of two public meetings two weeks ago, it seems that not many are interested in having a hand in the city's next budget. That thought doesn't jibe with the number of unsolicited spending or saving ideas that I hear almost daily
The next opportunity for you to share your ideas will be this Monday June 18, 6 p.m. at the Community Center
Note: City Hall Briefs Update – Wimberley Mayor Bob Flocke writes and edits City Hall Briefs as a public service to inform citizens of city activities. It is neither an official nor an authorized publication of the City of Wimberley. Anyone who wishes to be added to the distribution list should send their email address to Mayor Flocke (below). The RoundUp has edited the Briefs for length and style.Send your comments and questions to Mr. Flocke at rflocke@austin.rr.com, 512.847.5421, or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the report
That phone call you may have received
from the City of Wimberley . . .
from the City of Wimberley . . .
Some of you may have received a phone call Friday June 15 from Wimberley’s new community notification system. City Hall sent its first public message using the new system to remind residents of Monday’s budget public meeting. It appears to have been a successful first run with the system as we only had 325 “no answers” out of 1,255 phone calls placed. We only received six calls at City Hall from residents inquiring about the call they received. If you have not yet signed your home phone or your cell phone, go to www.vil.wimberley.tx.us and sign up.
White chosen as mayor pro-tem
In last week’s Briefs, I left out the very important item that Place 5 Councilman John White was chosen by the city council to serve as mayor pro-tempore for the next year. White’s unanimous approval for the position came after he was nominated by Place 4 Councilman Steve Thurber, the outgoing mayor pro-tem. The mayor pro-tem performs the duties of the mayor in that official’s absence.
A reminder, people – What do you want the city to spend your tax dollars on?
We've said it before, but not many seem to listen: the city of Wimberley wants to hear your ideas on how to spend your tax dollars. What do you or don't you want in the annual budget?
I really don't know how to say that any more plainly.
However, after the extremely low turnout – five citizens showed up – at the first of two public meetings two weeks ago, it seems that not many are interested in having a hand in the city's next budget. That thought doesn't jibe with the number of unsolicited spending or saving ideas that I hear almost daily.
The city's Budget Advisory Board – five of your fellow citizens – is looking for public input for the fiscal year 2013 budget which takes effect on Oct. 1 this year. What projects do you think should or should not be in the budget? Whether it's streets, parks, sidewalks, directional signs, traffic control, landscaping, tree trimming, streetlights, parking, or anything else, now is the time to voice your opinion – not in October after the budget is approved. We want to know if there are any services or capital projects the city is not currently funding but should.
The second opportunity for you to share your ideas will be this Monday June 18 at 6 p.m. at the Community Center. At the informational meeting, city staff and Budget Advisory Board members will provide a brief overview of the City’s revenues and expenses, explain the budget preparation process and then gather ideas from the public on future City spending.
The Budget Advisory Board is expected to present recommendations to the city council regarding the FY 2013 operating budget in late July.
At that time, City Council will start talking about its spending priorities. A proposed budget will be presented for review and consideration in mid-August. The proposed budget, with any amendments, must be approved by the city council no later than September 30.
For more information on the upcoming public meeting, please contact City Administrator Don Ferguson at 512.847.0025 or at dferguson@cityofwimberley.com.
5 comments:
Calls were made to people with a Wimberley address and phone number even if they were outside the incorporated portion considered the "City of Wimberley" and therefore this budget discussion would not apply to them.
The city of wimberley budget talks sure as heck do apply to me even though I live a few miles outside the city limits. I do not agree that my nearest city where I spend my money should be spending its tax dollars to promote more blood sucking, water sucking development, period. The city should take care of its basic services and put the rest into renewable energy investments (longterm savings) and getting itself well educated in 21th Century creative thinking.
We are surrounded by conventional low level thinking yahoos and cockroaches. The end of the world is near. Only the cockroaches will survive.
Well said Jackson. And Anon, I agree, except for the end of the world bit.
I think low turnout for such public participation events simply indicates that people do not think their opinions count for anything, not that they do not care.
We are living in a time of increasingly deaf politicians whose loyalties lie with their donors, not with the people they purport to serve.
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