Milton's per capita debt leads the way!
http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/sep/12/...

This is Alderman Fred Hookham.

I voted to CONSIDER funding this proposal. I am new to the Milton budgeting process, having been recently appointed to the council. Realistically, I doubt I will be able to support it during the budget process because I see a very tight budget coming, just to cover the necessities. Our mayor says that they were practically counting the pieces of paper each department got last year. That sounds like NO new programs to me. Also, no one has told me what the cost is if the fares don't meet the "plan". New programs at an increased cost are hard to swallow with a major increase in school taxes, a new stormwater runoff fee, and an increased water bill. Suggest Milton residents go to the Mayor's listening sessions and let him know what you think. We're coming to the season of tough choices.

Take this proposed $105,000 and apply it to our recently raised water bills!

Pete, you are nailing it right on the head!

I must have missed something, has anyone looked into exploring a regular "For Profit" taxi service for Milton-Edgerton area? No subsidies or grants. Would get lots of business from Seniors as well as others, I would think. Might even be a help in the ever increasing Drunk Driving problem. Is this a ridiculous suggestion?

Pete, the point it, its subsidized by the government no matter what level it is on.

I suppose we should stop providing subsidies for bus companies who provide transportation for kids to get to school? Perhaps shut down the Janesville bus routes, or the CTA, or metra - all government subsidized public transportation.

Pete - how is providing someone with transportation to every day needs a "frill"?

MrScott:
$105,000 cost = outrageous!
$60,000 subsidized = aka Federal or State tax money
$30,000 in fares = magical number pulled from?

"leaving $15,000 to the city. That's what, $3 per per person? Even if only 25% of the population (just a theoretical number) pays taxes, that's less than $10 per taxpayer per year...83 cents a month"--MrScott

MrScott,
only $___ for this
only $___ for that
only $___ for this too
only $___ for that as well
DO you own a calculator????? It all add up to
only A LOT!!"--Hannah & stoptakingmypencils http://gazettextra.com/polls/2009/sep/ic...

Regardless of whether we are talking about taxi's in Milton or ice arenas in Janesville, if we got by without the services until now, why add services when we can not afford the ones we have. Here is a 2007 article that should reinforce the last statement. Remember, in 2007 housing had not crashed, Lehman Brothers was still in business, GM was still trucking along, 7% of the people that do not have jobs now were working, and MrScott had yet to write his first comment on the Gazette blogs.

"MILTON — The Milton City Council has cut as much as possible in recent years, but it can’t cut its budget any more without cutting services, City Administrator Todd Schmidt said.
Residents will pay 4.6 percent more in 2008 to maintain the current level of service under the proposed city budget."--http://gazettextra.com/news/2007/nov/07/insurance-and-debt-drive-milton-budget-increases

If the idea was a money making proposition, then let an entrepreneur start a tax paying business to cover the need. I bet there are a handful of businesses or people that will drive people around for $90,000/year. If someone went out and purchased a new car they could still make a good living even with insurance and expenses. If the ordinance needs to be changed, change it! Most cities regulate and tax taxi's if they have them. That could be a source of revenue or an bargaining tool to incentivize desired conditions of any permit.

Newempire, or Milton Alderman Brett Frazier, you my friend are a smart man. Too bad we did not have more people like yourself holding positions on the County Board, City of Janesville Counsel, and in our State Capital.

Sorry rexkramer, I've never voted democrat nor am I a liberal and am definitely on the "right" (though moderate) side of the political spectrum and there are a LOT of spending plans I do NOT like. Being conservative doesn't mean zero taxes, it means being responsible with taxes. IMO, this isn't wasteful spending, its giving those that dont have a reliable source of transportation the ability to reach daily necessities. Is a taxi service the only possible solution - no. Is a volunteer service feasible, potentially; would a donation based service work, potentially. You stated "reach into your own pocket and make a private donation" - perhaps I will if there is a donation based service available. There's a HUGE difference between wasteful spending and spending that provides a necessary service to people in need. We'll discuss the definition of being selfish later.

"$105,000 cost, $60,000 subsidized, $30,000 in fares leaving $15,000 to the city. That's what, $3 per per person? Even if only 25% of the population (just a theoretical number) pays taxes, that's less than $10 per taxpayer per year...83 cents a month."

Spoken like a true tax and spend liberal. It's always "only $____ here or $_____ there. It's a death of 1,000 taxes with you people. You want to fund projects like this? Reach into your own pocket and make a private donation, however, the rest of us taxpayers are tired of being sentenced to more and more taxes because people like you have never seen a new spending plan you didn't like, unless of course it's for something as unsavory as keeping felons behind bars.

$10 here & $10 there = alot of money - Incidentally where do you think that $60,000 comes from? - taxes. How about every city the size of Milton decide to do this & take the 60k in State & Fed taxes - what do you suppose will happen to all of our State & Fed taxes? higher & higher - it snowballs out of control.

$105,000 cost, $60,000 subsidized, $30,000 in fares leaving $15,000 to the city. That's what, $3 per per person? Even if only 25% of the population (just a theoretical number) pays taxes, that's less than $10 per taxpayer per year...83 cents a month.

This is Milton Alderman Brett Frazier.

I agree with Pete. I was the only Council member to speak up with questions and I am was not in favor of this being a city funded project. I understand the need for a ride-share type program for seniors. I would support something along those lines and I think The Gathering Place would be a logical group to head such a venture. I cannot, however, support this plan as it was presented the other night to us. My dissent, however, is going to end up being ceremonial at best- I will be drowned out by five supporters on the Council. I'll say it again- I believe the need is there for a senior ride-share program. It's my understanding that our city ordinances currently make it cost prohibitive for a for-profit to offer taxi service in Milton. Administrator Schmidt, upon my asking the question, stated that a private organization could offer taxi service "if they didn't charge for it". Sounds like a great volunteer opportunity to me or a community outreach program for a non-profit. We were told that there was grand money through a couple foudations that could help to fund this type program. I would love to see a non-profit step forward to obtain a grant and offer this service to seniors.

The fact of the matter is, however, that this is going to make the budget and it's cost will grow over time. There are, as I suspected when I ran for the Council, many places where we could save tax payer money, but that WILL NOT HAPPEN unless my fellow Council members hear from citizens! Your comments count and are referred to during meetings. A phone call can make a difference. There have been and there will be places presented where we can save $15,000 or $9,000 and they'll add up to real tax relief WITHOUT sacrificing service levels. There is money to be saved in this budget, but this Council needs to hear from people!

Pete now pay attention the council voted to include it in budget discussions. That does not mean it is being adopted. Also there are private grants out there where it may not cost Milton taxpayers one dime for at least the first year. This service is needed in Milton and with things being tight for all families it gives someone who would not have transportation to Janesville to shop or a doctors appointment a way to get there.

$105,000? Do they buy the Brown Cab company a vehicle too?

How about something like Meals on Wheels? People go on a list for the time slot they're available to gives rides. I drive to Milton about once a week to bring someone to Janesville. That person goes to the Gathering Place, too.