Couture: Working toward a smart, yet conservative budget

I watched the April 9 town budget study session with interest, as there are people on the dais who are up for re-election. It’s important.

Kudos to incoming Finance Director Paul Soldinger. He clearly has an excellent grasp of municipal budgeting and profited from the tutoring of outgoing Director Pock. The preparation by Town Manager Rachael Goodwin was impressive. We’re in good financial hands moving into FY25.

Mayor Dickey not only came prepared with intelligent, cogent, relevant questions, but demonstrated a fundamental understanding of town finance unlike anyone else on the dais. She’s aware of the many needs in our community and continues to work with those on staff and on the dais to find solutions. But she’s right; the needs – streets, parks, infrastructure rehabilitation and much more – outweigh the current revenues. Hard choices for sure. And simple slogans won’t solve the needs.

Speaking of, there was the usual Councilman Skillicorn approach, which he called “nice-to-haves vs have-to-haves,” (an idea featured on the Gerry Friedel website, too). He spent time grandstanding about his personal mission about streets, yet multiple times he’s failed to show up at special council meetings called to address those very needs.

Councilwoman Grzybowski and the mayor called him out for his lack of leadership in this area. His answer? He listed some streets to be repaired, but couldn’t recommend a specific funding source, aside from cutting “nice-to-haves.” Councilwoman McMahon suggested Skillicorn meet with members of the Street Committee to learn more. To that he had no response. Crickets. Kudos to those on the dais who called him out.   

All-in-all, this was a budget session based upon reality, facts and available resources. It’s a smart, yet conservative budget.

(BTW, you don’t have to believe me – see for yourself by going to the livestream record.) 

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.