Response to the Mayor's Letter

11/18/10

Montrose Mayor Andy Kauffman sent out the Letter to the Editor that was published a couple of weeks ago to Montrose residents as part of the City Newsletter days before the election.  However, several residents including myself did not receive a copy.

He writes in this letter that "a wonderful team...city staff and City Council and, intact, our future remains bright".  Doesn't this seem like campaign material and shouldn't have been done using taxpayers dollars?

Regarding the playgrounds built, 2 were School related.  Of the other 2, Mayor Andy's neighborhood got the expensive one, I believe it was $15-20k more.

We do lead with the number of homes built but we also are near the top of the list for foreclosures.

He writes that council wages are in the bottom 20% for peer cities, but this is mis-information, the base SALARY is in the bottom 20% and then you have to add in the special meeting pay.  This puts Andy near the TOP for pay.  Regarding being 25% under budget, what is the budget?

There weren't pay increases last year but the ones this year more than made up for it.  In 2008 there were a couple of 10%, a 19%, and 6% increases.

2010 taxes were kept flat after a proposed 18.5% increase.  Granted they can't increase the amount from the proposed but 18.5% is large.  Based off of population, we do now have levy limits but they can make up for LGA cuts.