Vote wisely Palmer

To the editor:

It’s amazing what can happen under the noses of otherwise observant folks when politicians are involved. The last three Palmer city audits, all public information, reveal that since 2006, while annual revenues into the city’s general fund have risen only 28 percent, general fund spending has increased over 62 percent.

The general fund holds monies from sources such as Palmer’s share of local property taxes and sales taxes. Funding from sources like the state of Alaska and recent federal stimulus programs is designated for “enterprise fund” and capital project use and is not normally transferable to the general fund. In other words, to operate the city of Palmer the general fund is basically it.

Between 2008 and 2009, Palmer city government increased general fund spending by approximately $368 for every registered voter residing in Palmer, while generating virtually no income to pay for it. Since 2006, such spending has gone up by roughly $1,065 for every registered voter. Keep in mind this time period experienced a contracting economy and low inflation. Clearly, this spending spree at the expense of the Palmer taxpayer is out of sync with the times.

It would be one thing if the city were allocating general funds toward activities designed to promote jobs, small businesses, tourism, or other revenue-enhancing endeavors.

To the contrary, in the last few years, the largest increase in general fund expenditures came from salaries and benefits in the administration and city manager’s budgets.

Administration salaries and benefits alone are up 116 percent since 2006, and taken together with those of the city manager, these items have ballooned over 250 percent.

Hiring more bureaucrats, like a deputy city manager, director of public safety, and director of public works for a town with a population base that has remained largely static makes no fiscal sense at all. The city, with the assent of some members of its council, has created nothing more than an unnecessary, money-consuming bureaucracy. It’s the folks whose decision-making process drove Palmer onto the “tax & spend expressway,” especially those among those running for mayor, that must be held accountable on election day.

Fortunately, Palmer voters have a chance to do something on Oct. 5. They can vote for a change. I encourage them to make wise use of their opportunity.

Andrew Evans

Palmer