Posted 9/27/01 North Branch councilwoman explains recent votes To the editor: After 10 months into my term as an NB City Councilmember I feel the need to explain my reasons for recent votes. First, my opposing vote on the Preliminary Budget for 2002. I believe that the purpose of a Preliminary Budget is for a Council to determine the estimated cost/revenues for 2002 and set a preliminary budget, relatively close to what they plan on adopting in December. The adopted preliminary budget/property tax levy shows an estimated 65.7 percent increase in our levy over last year. I donít believe and hope that this isnít even relatively close to what we adopt in December. This proposed increase lacks reasoning in my opinion, for the simple fact that we have no large municipal projects planned (other than the voter approved Fire Dept levy $127,500). This increase, however, could be substantiated by the proposed (first-time ever) $28,000 EDA levy and the proposed $174,000+ increase indepartmental expenditures (the bulk of the increase). The statement that we have no idea on the dollar figures from the State and therefore need to adopt the maximum levy is inaccurate. At the time of voting, we had already received the amount from the State as to our loss of HACA and our INCREASE in LGA State Aid. In 2001, our State Aid through HACA and LGA combined totaled $528,916, this year, even though we lost our HACA, they increased our LGA, and we will receive a total of $472,127 in State Aid. this represents our total loss in State Aid from last year to this year will be $56,789 (a far cry from warranting a 65.7 percent increase in levy). According to the state, these figures will not be changing this year. As my fellow Councilmembers have expressed, they have no intention on voting in December for what they voted for earlier this month. I hope those statements are true. Please attend the Truth-in-Taxation meeting on Dec. 4 and make sure that the votes in December uphold the statement and promises made when the preliminary budget/proposed property tax levy was passed. As for the Woodduck Pond Development. I would like to state publicly that I am not opposed to all development in our City, although I do have great concerns regarding our schools, traffic, public services, etc., as it relates to more and more growth. We currently have plenty of property that is zoned for developments such as Woodduck Ponds, and I felt that rezoning a property at this time, with the current review our Comprehensive Plan underway, was just untimely. If development is to happen, it should happen where we already have planned for it to happen and not rezone other areas prematurely for development purposes. It is a great privilege to serve as your Councilmember, I have and will continue to vote, based on what I campaigned, what is the expressed desire of our residents and what is in the best interest of our entire community. It is a pleasure to serve with Mayor Pinnsonault and my fellow Councilmembers, and although my votes may not be favorable votes with my constituents or always in agreement with their votes, my votes are what I feel is the representation of those that elected me. If there are some of you that feel your are not being heard, please take part in the meetings, continue sending your letters and by all means, call your elected officials. I for one would like to hear from the public how you feel about the issues at hand, whether or not you are in agreement with my stance. Always feel free to call me 674-0353. Sincerely, Amy Oehlers NB Councilmember ©Post Review