Yesterday's Council meeting a breath of fresh air, but I'm still cautious.

I watched the council meeting last night and saw something I had never seen before. Those Council members that showed where not the normal blank faces we are used to seeing. They actually looked as if they were paying attention. Normally they sit there glassy eyed and wait as people tell them how they feel. When all that is done they vote however they had decided prior to the meeting without taking any of those comments into consideration. They all had obviously spoken to each other prior to decide what would pass and who need to vote the other way to help their political future.

Last night the forum started with Kos. Kos started by saying he had gone through the budget as he expects all the other council members had and presented a huge list of items he had for instigation regarding elimination or cuts. Kos was the only one to propose cuts or even acknowledge he had looked at the budget. Before he could even get cooking on his suggestions Fimbres made a motion to throw out the renters tax and it passed easily. The Council members and our illustrious mayor stood in awe as he laid out the cost cuts. His experience really came through in his presentation and he showed each and every person who voted for him they had made a good choice.

One more surprising thing happened. Scott and even Rodney backed him up. Scott made a motion to stop paying outside agencies until the budget is resolved and it was approved by all except Uhlich. Rodney grandstanded a bit and admonished the city manager for pointing TPD and TFD to support the renters tax after telling them they would face huge cuts if not approved. It was grandstanding but liked it.

Most who would read this blog probably watched this meeting so 'll go on to two things I noticed.

First, Uhlich. She seemed to get very nervous when Kos presented his ideas for cuts. She was scrambling to accept the city manager's plan. You could see it in her eyes. She was trying to protect those she had made promises to, that much was obvious. She actually moved to accept the manager's plan as a whole without going over it line item by line item. Well, Uhlich, that is how you make a budget, one line item at a time. I really don't care who you promised free rent or disbursements too. She continually interrupted Kos's presentation. She did not want them to be presented. She was not successful though. Instead the remaining panel members showed their appreciation for his efforts and ordered the city manager to investigate each item. Way to go. Uhlich acted as if she had somewhere else to be and could not be bothered to look at the budget. Uhlich, I hope you enjoyed your narrow win because it may just be your last.

I was impressed that the city council and the city manager were open to each department looking to see if pay cuts or furlough's would better fit each department. TPD specifically asked for furlough. this makes since. A furlough means you don't have to fight for the pay to be increased when the crisis is over. I then listened as TFD said they would have to close stations to do a furlough. This doesn't make since. Are you going to furlough an entire station at once? no you furlough 1 person per station at a time and rotate through until all have had their turn. Losing 1 person should not close a station. if a firefighter calls in sick, do they close the station? I don't really see the point. It's their choice I guess, but |I don't know why you would want to give up the pay. We all know that the city can make promises to give back the pay, but will they? No, they won't, they never do. It will be a fight. TPD has given up item after item to assist the city budget and in lieu of losing other items. They never get them back and never will. Once you give it away you do not get it back.

I am encouraged by the meeting, however one meeting will not lead me to throw caution to the wind. They are however, politicians.