Not a pretty city budget picture

Clinton Herald Editorial

February 14, 2007 11:28 am

— Welcome to the job, Gary Boden. On your first day as Clinton City Administrator Monday, you had the unpleasant task of telling the City Council its general fund balance is in dire condition and called for a tight budget for at least the next two years.
Strangely, your edicts are being met with acceptance and gratitude more than anything else. Perhaps it’s your background in municipal finance, perhaps it’s that you’re simply a new face with a fresh perspective. Perhaps it’s because people who have complained about the city’s finances for years now feel justified about their concerns.
Either way, the truth of the matter is that we aren’t in the best of financial shape. While a windfall of epic proportions is looming in the form of millions of dollars added to the property tax base by Archer Daniels Midland, it’s impossible and illogical to spend that money before it’s actually here.
City budgeting is a very complex issue. Perceptions of needs versus wants vary greatly from person to person, and sometimes even the needs (read: public safety) get to be so expensive that serious changes must be considered. That is not to say it’s an impossible task, but it is one that must be carried out with equal parts feather duster (understanding and massaging each and every line item to its maximum potential) and sledgehammer (telling the people, including the council, that this is the way it is, the way it will be and for how long, like it or not). Carrying one in the right hand and one in the left while not showing favor to either is a Herculean effort.
We’re not real sure what to say going forward, other than it seems Mr. Boden is the right person for the job. This is a time for the council to focus mainly on budget concerns. Members should not forget things like large vehicle parking, park amenities and so on, but need to remember what is of the utmost importance and give those topics utmost attention.
Although Boden didn’t paint a pretty picture, it struck us as realistic. His attitude is refreshing, because he was able to explain the problems without raising undue concern. For some reason, we have faith that Boden, the department heads and council will be able to navigate the weeks leading up to the certification deadline, and then the years until the financial focus clears.
It won’t be easy, it probably won’t be pretty. But it’s necessary, and the people in charge will see us through.