This morning, New Rochelle City Manager Chuck Strome released his proposed 2011 budget. Here is the City Manager’s introductory message, which describes the basic features and context of the budget. You can download the entire draft budget from New Rochelle’s website.
The budget proposal commences a period of review, discussion, public comment, and possible amendment, followed by the adoption of a final budget by the City Council in mid-December. The City Manager will formally present his budget to the City Council next week on Tuesday, November 16th at 5:00pm. You can watch that presentation on cable or online. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, December 7th at 7:30pm
As a general matter, the weak national economy and escalating State mandates impose painful choices on municipalities everywhere. New Rochelle has addressed this challenge by achieving efficiencies, reducing the size of its public workforce, seeking alternative revenue sources, and obtaining grants, all with the goal of delivering essential services without further burdening taxpayers or compromising our long-term fiscal stability. I intend to approach the 2011 budget with these same objectives.
I will have much more to say about the budget’s details later in the process, after a thorough examination of the City Manager’s proposal.