No easy choices, options for Yuma council on budget

Readers, what do you think officials should do?

The Yuma City Council is taking a hard look at the budget for the next fiscal year this week.

The budget is scheduled to be adopted tonight, at 5:30 p.m. during council’s regular meeting at City Hall.

It’s been a tough conversation for the city, with a variety of options under consideration.

Discussions have looked increasing fees or consolidating programs for the Parks and Recreation Department, raising property taxes, closing a fire station, a delay or freeze in filling new positions, reducing funding for outside agencies, and an across the board reduction for departments whose proposed budgets for this year exceed their budgets from last year, according to Yuma Sun reports.

Clearly, something is going to have to give in this process — and there is no way officials will please everyone.

The question is, what will that “something” be?

Some of the items on the table are quality of life issues, such as Parks and Rec programs, which keep kids busy and give them a sense of community during the summer. It’s important for families to have affordable options. But examining those programs for efficiencies is critical right now. And perhaps if there is a fee increase, the city could partner with someone — an agency or business — that could offset the costs with scholarships for students in need.

Other issues on the table are public safety issues, such as closing Fire Station 6. The issue was debated at the council meeting Monday before being dropped, but it was pointed out that it is slowest in terms of direct calls. The question here would be what the impact of closing it would be on the surrounding communities, and if that savings — an estimated $560,000 a year — is worth it, even on a short-term, one-year basis.

The questions on the table aren’t easy ones to answer. But the city does have a duty to find a balance between raising property taxes and modifying programs, services and staff.

Finding that balance will take tough conversations, thinking outside the box and weighing each option carefully. Readers, what do you think the city should do? Let us know — share your thoughts online at www. YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.