Comments on: City, EFR discuss simmering problems http://sammamishreview.com/2009/11/25/city-efr-discuss-simmering-problems The Sammamish Review Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:49:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Greg Hollister http://sammamishreview.com/2009/11/25/city-efr-discuss-simmering-problems/comment-page-1#comment-5111 Greg Hollister Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:01:20 +0000 http://sammamishreview.com/?p=8513#comment-5111 The EFR shpuld cut the costs where all businesses must in difficult financial times and that is with staff costs. If staffing can't be reduced as they say then do away with the union benefits, lower pay and benefits like others are experiencong in this economy. If they can't pay for all the overtime, which frankly seems like an outrageous payout to their staff, look at the issue of exempt verses non exempt staff status and quit paying overtime. These folks should be thankful to have jobs in this economy. The inflated union benefits are gouging the taxpayer. The EFR shpuld cut the costs where all businesses must in difficult financial times and that is with staff costs. If staffing can’t be reduced as they say then do away with the union benefits, lower pay and benefits like others are experiencong in this economy. If they can’t pay for all the overtime, which frankly seems like an outrageous payout to their staff, look at the issue of exempt verses non exempt staff status and quit paying overtime. These folks should be thankful to have jobs in this economy. The inflated union benefits are gouging the taxpayer.

]]> By: John Galvin http://sammamishreview.com/2009/11/25/city-efr-discuss-simmering-problems/comment-page-1#comment-5034 John Galvin Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:13:48 +0000 http://sammamishreview.com/?p=8513#comment-5034 For years I have pointed out to the City Council that a bedroom community is financially unsustainable unless it is prepared to raise taxes beyond what most citizens are prepared to pay. One study, presented to the City Council, reviewed 70 cost of services studies across the United States. This study clearly showed that bedroom communities pay out more for services than they bring in. City's with a balance of revenues from retail and offices are able to survive without significantly higher taxes. Certain City Council members would say Issaquah is thinking of raising taxes or cutting costs. Well, compare the services Issaquah is already providing with what Sammamish has. Issaquah has a community center, a swimming pool, a senior center and staffing levels that are appropriate for a City. Sammamish is running on a minimum of services and to balance the 2010 budget and meet future expenses, our existing services will be cut and no new services added. John Galvin For years I have pointed out to the City Council that a bedroom community is financially unsustainable unless it is prepared to raise taxes beyond what most citizens are prepared to pay.

One study, presented to the City Council, reviewed 70 cost of services studies across the United States. This study clearly showed that bedroom communities pay out more for services than they bring in. City’s with a balance of revenues from retail and offices are able to survive without significantly higher taxes.

Certain City Council members would say Issaquah is thinking of raising taxes or cutting costs. Well, compare the services Issaquah is already providing with what Sammamish has. Issaquah has a community center, a swimming pool, a senior center and staffing levels that are appropriate for a City.

Sammamish is running on a minimum of services and to balance the 2010 budget and meet future expenses, our existing services will be cut and no new services added.

John Galvin

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