I’ve been getting a lot of email about the school budget this year. Some people are expressing concern that the Council is making deep cuts that will be detrimental to education, while others are concerned that the Superintendent’s proposed budget is too high and that the increased spending will cause them to be taxed out of their homes.
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Below are the most common concerns I’m hearing, addressed in a Q&A format. I want to thank Councilors Kim Cook and Justin Costa for their contributions to the answers. They both allowed me to lift large chunks of text from emails they’ve been sending to help explain the budget process to their constituents, and for that I am grateful. 

Last year, when the position of Special Assistant to the Mayor & Council was rolled out, it was quite controversial, and I heard from many constituents who were opposed to it. 

At the time, as a new councilor, I was told the position would serve as an assistant to the entire council, not just the mayor, and I thought it could be helpful. However, I also said that if I found the position to be superfluous, I would not seek to have it funded for another budget cycle. 

Well, here we are after a year of having the position in place, and I have, indeed, found it to be redundant. I have never required the services of this individual, and in fact the position only serves to place an additional layer between me and the information I seek to gather from city staff.

That's why I am proposing that the position be eliminated in the FY 2018 budget. I will be presenting an amendment to this effect at the May 15, 2017 City Council meeting. If you would like to express support for or opposition to my amendment, you can do so by contacting members of the City Council or by attending the May 15th meeting and speaking during the public hearing on the city budget. 

The agenda for the May 15th meeting will be posted here by Friday, May 12th.