The City Council Monday night is poised to vote on Mayor Joe Ganim’s $628 million spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1 as the budget committee expects to wrap up its work this weekend for a referral to the full body.
Ganim’s plan does not raise taxes, nor will council members mess with that in an election year for the two branches of municipal government. Could a slight cut occur?
Possibly.
That depends on several factors including the confidence of the mayor, financial bean counters and members of the city’s state legislation delegation to secure anticipated funds from the state.
The state budget cycle does not conclude for a few more weeks. Municipal budget projections, relying on state support, are always a leap of faith.
The city’s tax rate stands at 43.45 mils, similar to what Ganim inherited when he returned to the mayoralty in 2015. One mil represents approximately $6 million in the budget.
Likely, the tax rate remains the same but if a cut occurs perhaps one half of a mil.
Once the full council votes on the budget there’s a two-week veto window for the mayor to respond.
All of this comes painting the canvass of a mayoral election, Ganim facing so far three opponents: his former staffer John Gomes, State Senator Marilyn Moore and ex Finch administration official Lamond Daniels.
Gomes by far has been the most visible on the campaign trail followed by Daniels. Moore won’t be completely freed up to campaign until the legislative session ends early June.
In July comes the party convention with Ganim the prohibitive favorite–barring something major–for the endorsement. Then it’s a signature process to qualify for a September Democratic primary and/or petitioning for a general election encounter.
And so it goes in the Park City.
Ideas regarding the governance of the largest population locale in the State but not necessarily the city with the highes voting rate when election time comes? Where are they presented or reviewed?
Not presented often or well regularly by an incumbent with years of experience but relatively slight tradition of showing how his concepts or actions in following through lead to expectations set by him or outcomes that make steady progress. Data was not used by him in his first years in office, terminated by investigation and trial, to explain how policy, planning, and outcomes were improving the quality of life and opportunity in Bridgeport. Is there any change in his two terms since?
As of the moment the incumbent has raised lots of money, and there are very few folks who do not know the face of Joe Ganim, though confusion may occur until he settles on facial hair style: beard or not?
But three credible citizens have raised their banners and signs indicating a wish to win the November election for Mayor. And they have raised a relatively equal amount of money in total so far. Likely from a more varied group of local folks who will vote. The candidates may be students and presenters of policy (See John Gomes OIB article today) that is broad and detailed in this case on education.
There is still much time and opportunity for residents to listen and learn about policy changes proposed by candidates. To hear, question, discuss with other taxpayers in greater detail how the City can become more productive and move proudly into its future. The hiring, training, and management of City employees is not frequently discussed but must be looked at in detail to improve job descriptions and assessment of results, guidance of those supervised to perform at optimal levels for the pay and benefits offered, and serious and timely reviews of assignments and outcomes at all levels. That behavior is not practiced nor preached in our municipality today. And a former (Acting) Department leader in employment management was tried and found guilty enough to get some time behind bars.
All three candidates have experience with governance activities. They need to share their observations with voters who expect OPEN, ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENT, and HONEST governance from whom ever is selected. Gather your insights and opinions. See something, say something. Be a lifetime learner on how we may work together more effectively and practice more efficiently. Citizen oversight? Time will tell.
https://westfaironline.com/government/stamford-mayor-simmons-our-city-is-strong-and-getting-stronger-every-day/?mc_cid=fa7c0b4f7e&mc_eid=b69b7ec333
http://www.BridgeportCTUSA.com — progress underway in Connecticut’s largest city.