I challenged the City Council at tonight's meeting concerning the 2006 budget which will be discussed next Thursday night the 20th. Here is the challenge:

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How many positions are being reorganized; cut from one area and moved to another?

How much is in the budget for across the board wage increases?

How much is in it for promotions?

How much is in it for consultants?

How much for new rolling stock?

How much to stop the seepage from Croke reservoir from damaging Huron?

Excluding the City Attorney, you have $3.4 million in the General Fund for contractual services. What is it for?

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The answers to these and other questions, in dollars, are not in the budget for you to see. "Budgeting for Outcomes" (The Manager's Business Plan) means you, the elected officials, don't know the outcome of your decision; only the staff knows.

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Do something about it.

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Ask to see a copy of the draft 2006 budget at City Hall and see for yourself why I challenged the Mayor and Council to do their job.