Archive for August 17th, 2009

My fellow Fortworthians, please do not let it be true that I am the only one incensed about the proposed closing of our pools and libraries. Pia says she will go and represent FWRenaissance tomorrow, though I will have to be at work. Hopefully, someone besides us will want to tell our City Council to become a little bit more “fiscally responsible.”

From a press release by the City:

FORT WORTH – City officials are ready to hear citizen input on the $1.2 billionbudget proposal, presented last week, which includes workforce reductions and cuts to some city services.

The City Council is set to vote on the budget Sept. 15. Before the vote, however, public feedback will be taken during five regularly scheduled City Council meetings, all held in the City Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall (1000 Throckmorton St.) on the following dates and times:

• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18
• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8
• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 (public comment will be heard before final passage of the budget)

Fort Worth faces an extremely challenging budget on the heels of the national recession. According to City Manager Dale Fisseler, bridging the $59 million budget gap will not require a tax rate increase, but will most likely require cuts to some programs. Fisseler’s recommendation focuses on sustaining basic core city services with a particular emphasis on public safety.

View an overview of the FY2010 Proposed Budget on the city’s Web site.