Fiscal Health of the City Government

By Linda Grebmeier

The City of King needs to recover from past and present financil problems.

I believe that a basic premise of local government finance is that you can not spend more than you make. Local government has to be conservative by nature in making estimates of future revenues and expenditures.

It seems that every thing costs more than you planned for. That is why we should solid reserves and contingencies for the unforeseen.

The council needs to be involved in the fiscal oversight process. Not only by reviewing and approving the budget, but by also reviewing city expenditures and adjustments.

The city receives the majority of its money from property tax and sales tax. City policies should help local business expand their sales. It just makes sense.

Again, I have spent my professional life in the private sector where you watch the money. Every thing that the city does costs money. If we don't watch the money, nothing will get done.