Waukesha Mayor Delivers 'Happy' City Message in State of City Address
Mayor Jeff Scrima says happy cities have "meaningful work, responsible finances, reliable systems and clear goals."
Mayor Jeff Scrima gave the following speech to the Waukesha Common Council for the State of the City message during Tuesday's meeting. Wednesday, April 20, marks Scrima's first year holding public office.
"Happy families are all alike," Scrima said. "They have meaningful work, responsible finances, reliable systems and clear goals.
"In the same way, since cities are in some way larger families, happy cities have meaningful work, responsible finances, reliable systems and clear goals.
"We get it. As council and mayor, your priorities are our priorities.
"Meaningful Work: We are reaching out to investment and business. With city incentives, Waukesha Electric and Weldall Manufacturing are currently expanding, which will add over 325 new family supporting jobs in our community. The community development office and mayor’s office are currently and aggressively focusing on the redevelopment of gateway properties along our east side, and the redevelopment of the Barstow Street and Fox River site downtown, which will also spur job growth.
"Responsible Finances: As your locally elected representatives, we understand the struggles you face and that you are paying the bill. Our costs will be going up as existing contracts, for over 80 percent of our city employees, include zero percent retirement contributions as well as salary increases through the end of 2012.
"At the same time our revenue will be going down as the state is reducing our funding by approximately $1.5 million in 2012. You, the citizens, deserve all city elected representatives to find a solution – a solution which does not reduce services and does not raise taxes, over borrow or add new fees."
"Reliable Systems: Our application for a Great Lakes diversion is currently under evaluation by the DNR. Whatever our drinking water source ends up being, we need to fully understand the cost to our community, now and 30 years from now. As council and mayor, we will remain actively involved in the process.
"In the event that the DNR or Great Lakes governors turn down our application, it’s only reasonable that we have a plan B and plan C. The simple truth is that we do have multiple options. In the end, the citizens will decide the supply source.
"Clear Goals: Our assessor’s office will complete a citywide re-assessment, which they will mail out April 22 and take property owner questions through May 23. Our attorney’s office will update our municipal code. Our clerk’s office, finance office and information technology department will implement a new tax and finance system.
"Our public works department will complete an independent review on the efficiency of our bus system and remain committed to recycling. Our public work department will also construct flood mitigation for the College and Harvey Avenue neighborhood, rebuild five streets, resurface five streets and improve response times for fixing potholes.
"Our community development office will oversee the new downtown master plan and increase efforts in code enforcement. Our fire department will relocate fire station no. 2. Our police department will increase emergency responder cameras and conduct the second bilingual citizen police academy.
"Our library will increase book collections and wireless service and hold another community book festival. Our park and recreation department will complete our comprehensive bike-pedestrian plan and re-apply for a National Gold Medal Award.
"Our mayor’s office will continue to focus on cultivating business and cultural vitality and assist individual citizens.
"Since cities are in some way larger families, happy cities have meaningful work, responsible, reliable systems and clear goals.
"As council and mayor , your priorities, the citizens priorities. I encourage you, the citizens to contact your aldermen to get real-time feedback. Please also feel free to stop by the mayor’s office, call the mayor’s office or e-mail us through our City Hall website.
"Together, the council and mayor, as your elected officials can and will create a better place to live and prosper. Together we are committed to restoring the city to the way it out to be. Let’s get to work. Thank you."
tootsieraul
7:16 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
"Our costs will be going up as existing contracts, for over 80 percent of our city employees, include zero percent retirement contributions as well as salary increases through the end of 2012."
In the long run, how did the renegotiated contracts with the city unions save money? Isn't Waukesha now locked in until 2013 for wages and benefits?
The Waukesha city administrator will need to bargain with the other 80% of city workers to take the 12.8% health care contribution and the 5.4% pension contribution voluntarily .
The city administrator also needs to re-open her contract and take a concession of 12.8% on the benefit she receives in lieu of not taking the city health insurance policy. Isn't that leadership by example? Step up to the plate.
Your mayor has your backside Waukesha.
Sarah Millard
9:55 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tootsieraul, I just want to clarify something. Because the city is NOT using the state health insurance, the city workers do not have to contribute the 12.8 percent following the conclusion of their contracts. However, they do have to make contributions toward their health care costs now.
Progressus
10:07 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Befitting our governor's desired goal of destruction of unions, salaries and benefits have become a matter of every man (woman) for himself (herself).
It is comforting to see that our City Administrator recognized this and acted with certitude (and appropriate decorum) in her recent negotiation with the City Council.
Waukesha needs leadership that can deal with exigencies in a realistic and beneficial manner.
tootsieraul
6:46 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sarah, Scrima nailed it. If the budget repair bill passes in it's current form all state employees will be required to contribute to their health insurance 12.8% of the premium. If a municipality doesn't participate in the state health insurance plan they may require what-ever their governing body would deem necessary to balance their budgets once the union contract(s) expire. If they want a new policy requiring a 50% premium co-pay, that's the newly offered benefit. Waukesha has been painted into a corner by the city administrator who should lead by financial example. Increasing debt or shifting taxes to fees in a recession in a community with depressed home valuation is a really bad idea.