economy

While most American cities are cutting back, Sioux Falls’ 2009 budget jumps $89 million to over a half a billion, and it is only April

l3wis April 28, 2009 6Comments

A $70,000 Laser. I couldn’t think of a better expenditure for a city during a recession.

Tax receipts down. Who cares.

5,000 jobs loss. Whatever.

Commercial construction down 50% from last year. It doesn’t matter.

I was looking at the Sioux Falls budget report yesterday and I found the final numbers, interesting, to say the least. While most cities are cutting like crazy the city of Sioux Falls is gearing up to SPEND MORE. $89 million more. And it is only April! Many of the expenditures are carry over from the previous year, but really? During a recession the city wants to spend MORE instead of LESS?

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Okay, I am not surprised, but where is our MSM on this?

I combed thru the 22 page document to see if I could find anything ‘glaring’. I only found one thing (well two*), $33 million for rail relocation. Though I support the project, I don’t think taxpayer’s should foot the entire bill. I think we should use Eminent Domain to force the RR out, and pay them market value for the land. They can figure out the rest. Either way, it is 10 years overdue. *I also got a chuckle out of the Parks and Rec buying a $70,000 laser. Because during down times, you can always fall back on crappy free entertainment at Falls Park.

So once again, I ask, where is the MSM? You would think if the city was spending a cool $33 million to move the tracks, it would be a HUGE news story. Nope. Nothing. Nada.

So the RR relocation is $33 million. So what is the rest? My guess is that contractors have been begging for work, and since the private sector is deader then a doornail, they want the city to pony up.

Don’t believe me? The rumor is the tree trimming contractors are the ones pushing Project TRIM, because no one else is hiring. So my assumption is the contractors are doing the same by pressuring the city planning office for work.

Is it a city’s job to help out private industry. Yes, in some cases it is. Like deregulation and tax increments. But when it is work that can wait, taxpayers concerns should come first. It seems these days when the private sector is in trouble they want a bailout, even in Sioux Falls, but when the working stiff is in trouble, government tells him to go to Hell.

Augustana & the Gargoyle Leader to host a ‘real’ economic forum

l3wis April 15, 2009 0Comments

Hey guys! Our fine councilor Greg Jamison already had one of these and he made a list and everything.

“Ready to Rebound” is planned for June 3 on the Augustana campus, 2001 S. Summit Ave., leaders of both organizations announced at a Tuesday news conference.

Don’t forget the ALL BEEF hotdogs and a wireless microphone.

“We really see this conference as a way to give back to these businesses,” Beck said.

Since we have been robbing them blind for years in advertising rates and sophmoric food reviews.

Breakout sessions at the conference will include panel discussions with local business experts in marketing, real estate, finance, human resources and technology and the Web.

Huh? You mean you actually have an agenda? I thought all you needed to hold one of these events was an empty room at Carnegie Hall, a pot of coffee and a dozen sticky buns.

The whole event will end with an uplifting and inspirational speech by a Sioux Falls city councilor’s wife telling us how blessed we are and reminding us to be positive (even if you are lying).

BTW, don’t forget, real people die in floods unless we build an event center that centers around giving tax cuts to developers and building more parks.