Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/110922
Sarasota News Leader February 22, 2013 can start growing our way out of this, because I want to be able to attract good officers, and I���m sure we���ve been able to attract some experienced guys from other departments because of our competitive package. I���ve heard that. But maybe we went too far. I don���t know. Maybe we did. Page 21 there enough non-essentials in the budget to cover all of this,��� and he said, ���Yes, there is.��� I think he���s probably in a position to know. Did he give you an example? Theisen: No. I didn���t ask him for them. Where are we going to find those dollars? But we have the challenge now. Going forTheisen: I would put it to Mr. Barwin. I would ward we have to do something. like to know what the core functions of govWould you support a bond issue to cov- ernment are, and once we know this, the next er the shortfall (as Fort Lauderdale did question is, How much do we need? I am not last November)? going to make that determination myself. Lumpkin: That might create more challenges There are four or five other people in this, than it solves. We���ve got to be out-of-the-box. maybe more. But that���s something I would have to ponder Would you support a bond issue to covand study. er the shortfall (as Fort Lauderdale did last November)? ��������� Pensions: did we over-promise and un- Theisen: If you do issue bonds you have to have a dedicated source of revenue for it. And der-deliver? all our sources of revenue are already dediTheisen: You think? That was discussed cated. You���d have to put another item on the when Kelly Kirschner was mayor, and Mr. TRIM notice. The public would vote on it. [Kurt] Hoverter [then city personnel director] Would I support it? said about the pre-1993 health care, if it was a promise, you���ve got to deliver. It���s an IOU. First we try the budget cut. Then if that Maybe it���s not on paper, but it���s on paper now doesn���t do it, then yes, of course. Particularly because he said that. I was waiting for the pre- if there���s an outcry. ���You���ve cut the program that I just love.��� Well, yes, we did and would ���93s to sue, but they didn���t. you like a bond issue for that? We need other It was like taking candy away from a baby. people���s money to do this. Well, OK, put it on They lost their free healthcare. There was the ballot and let other people decide if they something like 700 of them, which is equiva- want to fund it. lent to the whole staff today. Have you ever attended any of the three Is a tax increase the answer to our prom- pension board meetings? ises? Theisen: I have not. Theisen: It would be a last resort. I asked ��������� [City Finance Director] Christopher Lyons, ���Is