VOTE FOR BUDGET 1 -- DON'T DISENFRANCHISE YOURSELF

I am supporting Budget 1, the proposal that our elected representatives on Budget Committee, School Committee [which voluntarily made significant cuts and was supported in a 9 to 1 vote,] and Town Council agreed upon after months of input, extensive public analysis, and compromise. 

Tiverton, despite having in the range of 600 small businesses, has the majority of its workforce commuting to work out of town. It is virtually impossible to understand a town one only comes home to sleep in, especially when news summaries are fragmented among so many sources.

I had the luxury of attending 1 to 4 meetings a week since January this year. I heard very different individuals, all elected representatives--many of whom have families and day jobs--examine all sides of each budget line, in many cases calling department heads back several times, before agreeing on difficult decisions that were mostly unanimous. Every department had its request cut. When snow, ice, or scheduling prevented, I watched the video online. Unfortunately, the sound quality was so poor, that it was frequently unreliable. Not all meetings were taped. 

This FY 2016 budget, on which we vote in May, has spending decisions that address directly the impact the decision by voters last May to pass an un-vetted alternate budget cutting $600,000 from the General Fund, rather than approving the small increase recommended by the elected Budget Committee. 

It comes down to whom we trust:

We have hired an administrator with experience in management, finance, and economic development. He worked with every department and public entity in town to develop the budget. He explained both short and long term strategies to

·      help solve some of our most expensive challenges in management and personnel, 

·      provide alternatives to heavy reliance on property tax, 

·      make the Recreation Department become more solvent, 

·      address the ongoing [statewide] costs of Fire Department overtime without compromising public safety, 

·      avoid costly early closure of the landfill, 

·      provide solid planning in anticipation of economic development, 

·      avoid breaches in personnel contracts. 

·      ensure adequate funding for litigation that cannot be avoided.

He has worked with officials we elected who have agreed on a budget to do this.

The alternative budget only varies slightly from the official Budget. Attractive as its additions to funding for the Library and Senior Center are, these increases are offset by cuts to both the Municipal and School budgets, and—for the second year--cuts to the General Fund. It does not help us move forward, avoid crisis, or protect our most vulnerable residents. 

The alternate budget is not required to undergo a public process, only provide explanation. There is no compromise. There is no change. There are no qualifications in finance, economics, or policy required in its development. Its only requirement to be placed on the ballot is that there be 50 signatures. [Changing this would require an amendment to the Town Charter.] 

After having attended so many meetings, listened to presentations, and read reports, I am convinced that Budget 1 is the better option for the Town. 

Kathryn E. Ryan

Tiverton taxpayer