Balanced Budget

By James David "Jim" Lamb

A balanced budget is going to be crucial for the fiscal health of our new community.

I, in my own life, am a strong believer in living within ones means. If you have credit card debt that does not get paid off monthly or a mortgage or car payment you can't really afford, then I would say you were living beyond you means. With regard to my family; we have paid off our car loans, have no running credit card debt and a mortgage that is less than the value of our home. We also have a bit in savings. I think it is fair to say that my wife Heather and I have been fiscally responsible.

I run my company the same way. I am constantly reviewing the expenses to make sure we are not wasting money on products or services that we don not need or use. My company has a positive cash flow while still paying my employees a fair wage. Since I purchased it 4 years ago, I have brought my technical knowledge to bear on productivity problems at work that have made the company much more efficient.

I would expect that as a board member, I would carry on those same philosophies in public life. I would be for a pay as you go system. The community is going to have wants and needs. In each case, a proposal will have to be made that includes fiscal considerations. I, as a board member, would have to weigh the needs to the community against these ideas in order to pick those that will contribute the highest quality of life to the most people.

Examples + Some people want a dog park. I have asked this before and would ask it as a board member. What will it really cost? Who and what portion of the community does it benefit? How has it benefited other communities?

A public pool brings the same questions. What are the up front costs, what are the on going costs, and who will use it? Other question like what is the liability of having a pool and do we charge for usage would also come into play. (For the record, I am for a public pool as soon as it's economically feasible. We just need to be patient)

Who uses the services is important because we don't want lopsided spending. This will be a bigger issue in the parks and recreation budget. There will have to be programs for the young and old alike.

I am sure there will be special interests competing for money as well. It will be to the board members to decide, in as fair a way as possible, to weigh all considerations and ratify a recreation budget that satisfies the most people.

On a similar note, I think it will be important the board members be able to read and understand a contract. Many of the big fiscal decisions will require reading and being able to question provisions in service contracts. Although I'm no lawyer, I've certainly got some experience as a Realtor, and business owner in this regard.