Practically speaking, if it is not affordable then it is not available. That applies to everything, including public services.
Local government entities are strangling the people of Brady with things they don't want or need while failing to provide necessities at an affordable price.The Brady City Council is the worst offender when it comes to foolish spending and poor priorities. They spend more money than the County, Hospital and School combined.
The obvious affordability problem for citizens is Utility Distribution Charges. The real problem is undisciplined spending and borrowing. Property and sales taxes barely cover the cost of debt service now. Think about that for a minute. Taxes just barely cover current debt payments - nothing else.
The City Council just decided to build a new Sewer Treatment plant. September 20, City Attorney Susan Horton said that it would cost $11 million, half of which would be free money from "The Man". But she deceived us once again. On Oct 1, the City Council said it would cost $17 million. Early estimates indicate that bringing the Drinking Water utility into compliance will cost at least $22 million. If (big if) grant money is available to pay for half of these projects, the City will have to borrow another $19.5 million on top of what they already owe. That means sharply higher Utility Distribution Charges that many citizens cannot afford.
The City finds itself between the devil and the deep blue sea - strangle Brady with high living costs or fail to provide basic public services necessary for a City to exist. What can be done?
Any individual or business that has ever been buried by debt knows the answer. It is simple, but not easy. Here is what Brady must do to survive as a city:
- Eliminate ALL expenditures that are not absolutely essential for survival.
- Shut down all money losing projects
- Pay debt as quickly as possible
- Borrow as little as possible if credit is still available. Operate on current income only
- Burn into every mind that debt is the problem, not the solution
Every successful business or individual has had to do this or will have to do it during the course of a lifetime. The City of Brady can do it too. It just takes discipline and leadership.