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Scottsdale - big government and big taxes!
"With the exception of police and fire officials, he argued, Scottsdale's personnel budget is inflated" That statement is an out and out lie! If Scottsdale is like most cities the budget of the police and fire department is about 60 percent of the total budget. So if their budget is inflated it is almost certainly because of the cops and firemen. 'The amount of personnel "is something that has to be looked at very hard in terms of what do we get for those extra people we have?' - I think that proves my point. With 60 percent of the budget going to cops and firemen, that is where the problem of their inflated budge it. "The city, in identifying ways to reduce its projected deficit, has entertained a host of ideas, including the possible closure of one public library to the general public, cutting back hours at the others and closing one of its public swimming pools" - Sounds like they are forgetting where all the money is spent. If the cops and firemen make up 60 percent of the budget your not going to save much money if you cut a few trivial expenses on swimming pools and libraries. "Scottsdale's projected general-fund operating budget exceeds the current estimated budgets of Chandler, Glendale and Mesa - all more populated cities" Scottsdale's spending questioned For Scottsdale, workers are the largest expense by Beth Duckett - May. 1, 2011 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic Despite deep cuts planned to city services and personnel next year, Scottsdale's general-fund budget - the money it spends on basic services - is estimated to be millions of dollars greater than other Valley cities' with larger or similar populations. Many officials defend the higher budget in relation to the number of residents, saying it's the price the city must pay to cater to tourists and residents who demand better services and programs in a city known for its upscale neighborhoods and lifestyle. But others suggest the city needs to take a harder look at what it's spending in relation to its population. A good portion of a Scottsdale's general-fund expenses are spent on employee-related costs. An analysis provided by the city shows Scottsdale ranks the highest among the Valley's largest cities when it comes to the number of employees. The city has 11.7 full-time equivalent employees per 1,000 residents, compared with Phoenix's 10.8 and Chandler's 6.9. Scottsdale Vice Mayor Bob Littlefield said the numbers may indicate that the city is overstaffed. With the exception of police and fire officials, he argued, Scottsdale's personnel budget is inflated and may need trimming in order to sustain the budget in future years. "Scottsdale city government is just too big," he said. "The only way we're going to get it down to where we can sustain it is to cut the size of it." Employees a large chunk Personnel costs comprise about $160 million of the city's general fund, the portion of the budget spent on basic operating expenses. At $235.2 million, Scottsdale's projected general-fund operating budget exceeds the current estimated budgets of Chandler, Glendaleand Mesa - all more populated cities - although Mesa's figure will likely increase before its budget is adopted. Scottsdale's budget also greatly exceeds that of Gilbert, which has about 10,000 fewer residents, according to the latest census, but a general-fund budget more than $100 million less. Mesa, with a population of more than twice that of Scottsdale, has estimated that revenue from general-fund sources will be $228 million next year. The figure does not include transfers from the city's utility-enterprise fund, which could increase the budget to more than $300 million, projections indicate. The population figures are based on 2010 census numbers, which Scottsdale's city manager said are being examined for potentially undercounting the city. Graham Kettle, a retired business executive and member of Scottsdale's Budget Review Commission, said his view is that Scottsdale has dropped in its expected population and must recognize it has a smaller market. According to Kettle's calculations, Scottsdale, compared with other major Valley municipalities, has on average 2.5 more employees per 1,000 residents. City management has worked hard to reduce costs, he said. But the city must continue to examine ways to reduce overhead and balance future budgets, Kettle said. "At the end of the day, we have to live within our means," he said. The amount of personnel "is something that has to be looked at very hard in terms of what do we get for those extra people we have?" he said. "How is the service in Scottsdale better than other cities if it takes more employees to run that service? I can't say we have the answer yet." Spending cuts evaluated City officials point to steps the city is taking to curb spending in next year's budget. Still recovering from the recession, the city has been working to shave millions of dollars from its 2011-12 operating budget to shore up a projected shortfall in the general fund of $14.4 million. The city, in identifying ways to reduce its projected deficit, has entertained a host of ideas, including the possible closure of one public library to the general public, cutting back hours at the others and closing one of its public swimming pools. Nearly 100 full-time equivalent positions, two-thirds of which are vacant, are up for elimination in next year's budget, city spokesman Kelly Corsette said. Scottsdale recently adopted increases to the cost it requires retired city employees to pay for continued health coverage and hikes in current-employee insurance rates. Some Scottsdale officials defended the budget and how it compares with more-populated Valley cities', citing its role as the Valley's premier tourist destination, its physical size and reputation as a high-end community with affluent residents who demand high-quality service. The city also takes in a healthy amount of sales-tax revenue, although like other cities, it has struggled during the recession. A recent city report attributed its sales-tax revenue to greater wealth and spending habits and an influx of visitors. "We have shopping, luxury auto dealerships, hotels, restaurants," city Budget Manager Judy McIlroy said. "Scottsdale has a lot to offer. It's a destination." Mayor Jim Lane said the city, by virtue of its tourism and retail scene, brings in more sales-tax revenue and spends more on capital projects and operations than other Valley cities to meet the needs of visitors and residents. Current projections show Scottsdale expects to end the fiscal year with about $78.3 million in the portion of sales-tax revenue dedicated to basic city services. By comparison, Glendale expects to finish the year with $50.5 million in revenue from its undedicated sales-tax rate, city spokeswoman Julie Watters said. Gilbert projects final sales-tax revenue of about $48 million. "It's just the nature of our community as a resort community," Lane said. "We have a greater infrastructure requirement in the way of fixed-asset projects, capital projects and services." Counting the tourists Tourism is a big driver of general-fund spending, agreed city Treasurer David Smith. The city takes care of a larger population than just its own, Smith said. And many of the city's part-time inhabitants do not count themselves as full-time residents in the census, he said. "In that sense, you have to look at our costs spread over the daytime population, as opposed to the people who are permanent residents here," Smith said. At 184 square miles in size, Scottsdale also is geographically larger, and narrower, than other cities. Nearly 27 square miles are set aside as preserved land. Mesa, by comparison, is 132 square miles and Chandler is 58 square miles. Lane said the city's shape may be "not quite as efficient" when it comes to delivering services such as police and fire protection. Brent DeRaad, executive vice president of the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the city's tourism helps underwrite its quality of life. In return, the city invests in special projects that draw in additional visitors. "We're seeing scenarios in Scottsdale where dollars are being invested in anything (such as) special events to new tourism-related capital projects," he said. Employee costs of major Valley cities
SOURCE: Comparative full-time equivalent information for largest Valley cities, Scottsdale, March 29, 2011. Analysis based on 2010-11 figures. *General fund estimate for 2010-11 year ending June 30. Reporters Gary Nelson and Edythe Jensen contributed to this article. Population vs. budget size Scottsdale's projected operating budget is higher than other Valley cities' of larger or comparable populations. Figures are based on the 2010 Census and recent reports from cities. Budget numbers are subject to change as cities refine their plans for the 2011-2012 budget year.
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