Financing Local Government
The mayor of Miami Dade County is not a big fan of public libraries. He was going to raise some taxes a little but even an increase of about $30 for the average homeowner caused a backlash and the tax rate will probably be unchanged. Because valuations are on the upswing homeowners will most likely pay more property taxes.
The libraries were more fully funded in previous years but their own dedicated tax rate has been used to support the overall county budget through charges for indirect costs and rents for space when property values were falling like a rock. The small increase would have in effect paid back the library for their earlier sacrifices and avoided layoffs and reduction in hours. A similar issue is being played out in the Fire Department where several rescue squads will be mothballed and staff reassigned.
I take no credit for this quote but depending on which side you are on in the controversy libraries are little more than homeless shelters with Internet access and bookshelves or major repositories of information and books which some folks highly value even if they don't visit their local library.
Technology is changing the landscape. Even privately owned bookstores need to do something to attract book buyers. The card catalogue has been replaced by Google. Policy makers are in a bad spot on this issue. On one hand they say that libraries are placed where the technologically disconnected can go to access the Internet which is becoming almost a necessity these days and then they cut back hours and staffing for libraries. Used book sales and Friends of the Library can't make up for severe cuts. Replacing librarians with $8.00 minders, probably won't work either. I'm thinking this is just one of those services that will twist in the wind until the job situation really improves.
I understand the issue in a place where the minimum wage seems to be the prevailing wage for a great number of folks. $10 here and there, and there and there and gasoline approaching $3.80 a gallon doesn't give people a lot of wiggle room.
The City of Miami Police Department is warning applicants for jobs in their department that there is limited policy for advancement financially, when compared to other police departments in the area.
The starting salary for the City of Miami is about $44,000 and according to the police union there is little chance to advance and for many officers the maximum salary will be $44,000 because of cutbacks.
There is a larger picture on this issue which isn't part of the union argument but it's clear that even some first responders are feeling the pressure of poor governance locally, a bad economy, and a public that doesn't trust the players.
The libraries were more fully funded in previous years but their own dedicated tax rate has been used to support the overall county budget through charges for indirect costs and rents for space when property values were falling like a rock. The small increase would have in effect paid back the library for their earlier sacrifices and avoided layoffs and reduction in hours. A similar issue is being played out in the Fire Department where several rescue squads will be mothballed and staff reassigned.
I take no credit for this quote but depending on which side you are on in the controversy libraries are little more than homeless shelters with Internet access and bookshelves or major repositories of information and books which some folks highly value even if they don't visit their local library.
Technology is changing the landscape. Even privately owned bookstores need to do something to attract book buyers. The card catalogue has been replaced by Google. Policy makers are in a bad spot on this issue. On one hand they say that libraries are placed where the technologically disconnected can go to access the Internet which is becoming almost a necessity these days and then they cut back hours and staffing for libraries. Used book sales and Friends of the Library can't make up for severe cuts. Replacing librarians with $8.00 minders, probably won't work either. I'm thinking this is just one of those services that will twist in the wind until the job situation really improves.
I understand the issue in a place where the minimum wage seems to be the prevailing wage for a great number of folks. $10 here and there, and there and there and gasoline approaching $3.80 a gallon doesn't give people a lot of wiggle room.
The City of Miami Police Department is warning applicants for jobs in their department that there is limited policy for advancement financially, when compared to other police departments in the area.
The starting salary for the City of Miami is about $44,000 and according to the police union there is little chance to advance and for many officers the maximum salary will be $44,000 because of cutbacks.
There is a larger picture on this issue which isn't part of the union argument but it's clear that even some first responders are feeling the pressure of poor governance locally, a bad economy, and a public that doesn't trust the players.
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