Proposed Income Tax Raise
Having spent a work-life in the private sector and an enlightening couple of months one time in the government sector, I would like to make these observations regarding the Lakewood city budget and talk of a proposed income tax raise.
Since 2003, my income has not gone up. Also, for the past ten years, but definitely since the stock market took a nosedive in 1996, business has had to work smarter. Bluntly put, working more with less people. In addition, technically giving people the tools to do a job smarter.
I would challenge Mayor George and Lakewood City Council that personnel in the city budget be looked at long and hard and whole departments be realigned to work more with less. Example of technical improvements: Give the building department the technology to advance beyond a clipboard and paper.
Secondly, I looked in the government pages of the phone book and compared the listings for the city of Lakewood and Cuyahoga County. I could see eight categories that seem like duplication: Board of Health; Waste and Water; Animal Shelter; Community Development; Senior Services; Division of Parking Services; Recycling Program and Early Childhood, Early Start. Gee, why does the city of Lakewood have the same department or why are Lakewood taxpayers not receiving a rebate from the county for duplication???
Lastly: if not already, add to job descriptions the last bullet point on a standard, private industry classification: “And all other tasks as assigned.”
Since 2003, my income has not gone up. Also, for the past ten years, but definitely since the stock market took a nosedive in 1996, business has had to work smarter. Bluntly put, working more with less people. In addition, technically giving people the tools to do a job smarter.
I would challenge Mayor George and Lakewood City Council that personnel in the city budget be looked at long and hard and whole departments be realigned to work more with less. Example of technical improvements: Give the building department the technology to advance beyond a clipboard and paper.
Secondly, I looked in the government pages of the phone book and compared the listings for the city of Lakewood and Cuyahoga County. I could see eight categories that seem like duplication: Board of Health; Waste and Water; Animal Shelter; Community Development; Senior Services; Division of Parking Services; Recycling Program and Early Childhood, Early Start. Gee, why does the city of Lakewood have the same department or why are Lakewood taxpayers not receiving a rebate from the county for duplication???
Lastly: if not already, add to job descriptions the last bullet point on a standard, private industry classification: “And all other tasks as assigned.”
Volume 2, Issue 2, Posted 09.19 AM / 24th January 2006.
