The People Speak On City Hall Spending Town Hall Meeting Offers Many Solutions To Money Problems

City Hall wants a spending makeover.

And Spokane residents at a town hall meeting Wednesday certainly had their ideas.

Mel West suggests some serious staff cuts. Marion Moos thinks it’s time to deflate bloated administrative budgets. Bob Busch wants to slice pay by 30 percent.

About 60 residents showed up for the meeting at Ferris High School. They’d heeded the call from City Hall that officials need to know residents’ priorities for services and spending in light of serious money woes.

The city’s problem is this: Sales tax revenues are way down. Construction is flat. Real estate sales are slacking. Jail costs are markedly up.

Without drastic spending changes, the city could fall $5 million short of its budgeted 1996 expenses, Budget Manager Ken Stone said.

After Stone explained the city’s money problems, the residents broke up into small discussion groups.

Some residents came with answers, loud voices and axes to grind. Others brought along questions and concerns.

One group of 10 people learned right away that reaching consensus isn’t easy.

David Holter, a council candidate who took part in the group’s discussion, said he wanted to get rid of departments for affirmative action, human rights and the arts.

“I don’t agree with that,” shot back Moos.

Nearly every member of the small group said the city needs to streamline, operating more like a business.

That means when times are good, hire staff, they said. When revenues slack, ax staff.

“If we can’t do that with policy, then change the policy,” said Jim Santorsola.

“Look at the city manager,” said Busch. “He gets close to $90,000 a year. You could get a good business person for $50,000.”

The group took gentle jabs at one another’s suggestions and argued points past the given time limit. They talked over, around and under one another’s ideas.

At one point, Moos was so frustrated by the process, she started to collect her things and leave. “This is a madhouse,” she said. “I refuse to participate.”

A minute later, another group member brought her back into the conversation.

In the end, after haggling and debating, the small group reached mild consensus on a short list of priorities: Focus spending on police, fire and roads, but don’t ignore the possibility of excess spending in those areas. Most importantly, cut any and all fat - especially the city’s use of consultants.

The town hall meeting was sponsored by the Community Partners, a group of 31 residents chosen by the council to help set service priorities for next year’s budget.

Cary Bozeman, a Seattle consultant, was hired by the city to help the group develop a city services plan. His $45,000 contract has been criticized by some residents.

, DataTimes