Mayoral candidates disagree on budgets

Date: 6/29/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD In an election year, there is usually a difference between the glass being half empty or half full. This year's mayoral race between incumbent Mayor Domenic Sarno and City Council President Bud Williams is proving to be no exception.

On June 23, one week before the departure of the Finance Control Board and the return to the local elected officials all of the duties of city government, Sarno made a speech about the status of the city in this period of transition, and the next day Williams responded to it in a way that might give a preview of coming political attractions this summer.

Noting the near bankrupt status of the city left by the Albano Administration, Sarno said, "Today I am pleased to report that the city is in solid financial shape. With the help of the Finance Control Board, the city has implemented a series of polices and procedures that have restored the city's fiscal stability and has produced reserves totaling $34.6 million."

Sarno noted that a significant role in the city's financial status was played by the state legislature by passing a bill extending the payback period for the $52 million loan granted to the city.

Sarno also said, "I call on my colleagues on the City Council and the School Committee to put aside political differences and to maintain sound fiscal policy so that we continue our fiscal stability. Our collective mission is much more important than individual political agendas."

He acknowledged the city is "not out of the woods yet."

"The city will get through this and we will not wave the white flag of surrender," Sarno stated.

The next day, Williams sent a letter to Chris Gabrielli, the chair of the Control Board, and wrote, "At the time of this communication, the City Council has not received the fiscal year 2010 budget from the Mayor and Control Board. At this critical time for Springfield, it now appears the City Council will be completely out of the decision making process relative to the budget which begins on July 1.

"I suggest to you this is not the way to transition to local control of city government."

Williams expressed concerns about Sarno's method to compose a new budget.

"There have been no briefings to the Council or School Committee by the city's financial team relative to FY 2010 with the new Local Aid numbers; and, the Mayor and Control Board have been virtually silent on this matter," Williams wrote.

He also questioned the wisdom of creating a budget without firm numbers from the state government on local aid amounts.

"Clearly, the Mayor, Control Board and the city's financial team should have presented a budget to the City Council with the lowest projections of local aid for fiscal 2010. It is much easier to aid revenues via a supplemental budget than to cut the budget, as each day that goes by into the new fiscal year compounds the problem of reductions," he wrote.

Williams also criticized the recent purchase of four buildings by the city without consultation with the City Council as well the use of $10 million from the city's free cash to fill holes in the fiscal year 2009 budget.

"A major restructuring of city services may have been a better route to take for the mayor and Control Board given the anticipated decline in state revenues. The City Council will not be able to even make recommendations for the coming year in this regard," he wrote.

"The years ahead will be challenging for Springfield. It is unfortunate that all the elected officials were not part of the overall budgetary process as we transition back to local control. I do thank you for your service to the citizens of Springfield and wish you the best with future endeavors," he concluded.

Gov. Deval Patrick will be in Springfield on June 30 for a formal ceremony noting the change in power back to local government.

On June 25, Sarno released details of his budget, which is at $528.5 million, a $2.9 million reduction from fiscal year 2009.

The mayor's budget has no additional layoffs, funds contractual obligations and union increases and has a $150,000 Homeless Initiative. It accounts for the state-mandated reduction in the trash fee to $80 ($60 for seniors) and includes the money needed to renovate the former Federal Building, and purchase the former Asylum nightclub and two parochial schools.

The city received $17.9 million less in state aid than fiscal year 2009, which was described in a press release on the budget as "a significant reduction for a municipality that relies on 60 percent state aid to support its budget."

The budget also assumes a $2.5 million reduction in local taxes and fees because of the on-going recession.