Everything is on the line

Michael Nutter

is the mayor of Philadelphia

As we begin the most open, participatory budget process in the city's history this week, I want to urge my fellow Philadelphians to listen carefully, ask questions and offer ideas.

We're facing a billion-dollar budget gap over the next five years, and last night I made public a series of frankly unsettling ideas about spending cuts and tax and fee increases. Please don't get flipped out about what you might hear.

At my request, city departments have prepared several alternative spending plans, assuming budget reductions of 10 percent, 20 percent and 30 percent. Every program and service, every employee and spending category, is on the line. But every single idea is only that; I haven't endorsed or proposed anything yet.

I will have the benefit of substantial public input on the hard choices we face between now and my budget address to City Council, scheduled for March 19. Only then will I offer a balanced budget.

During this painful process, our core values will serve as our guide. We aim to do as little harm as possible to the city while maintaining fiscal integrity and public safety, investing in our human capital, and preparing for the economic recovery that will come.

Some have suggested that we implement a 10 percent across-the-board cut. In the Police Department, that would remove 929 officers and 73 civilian employees, along with reductions in overtime and vehicles. In the Fire Department, that could mean the loss of 170 positions, forcing the deactivation of three engines, two ladders, and three medic units.

But even a 10 percent cut throughout the government would save only $187 million. We need more than $200 million a year to balance the five-year plan, as required by law.

These are not the kinds of cuts we want to recommend. On principle, we reject the notion of across-the-board cuts, preferring the scalpel to the meat cleaver. We need to look carefully at each department and program, item by item. In the end, some departments may see greater decreases to allow for smaller cuts in others.

Philadelphians may reject many of the cost-cutting measures under discussion. My ultimate decisions will be guided by the "PhillyStat" sessions and community budget workshops that begin this week, as well as my continued dialogue with residents in barbershops, diners and private homes.

If we still have a budget deficit after making government more efficient, increasing our productivity, and cutting all kinds of programs and services, we'll have to turn to fee increases and new taxes. I don't expect Philadelphians will like that alternative. Given my long history of cutting taxes, neither will I.

But we're experiencing a national economy in crisis, and Philadelphians fully understand the depth of the damage to their city government. A Pew survey last week clearly documented that, with 81 percent saying the city's fiscal situation is "not very good" or "bad."

In a time without precedent, in a city that is trying to cope with a billion-dollar problem just a few months after solving another billion-dollar problem, we've arrived at a moment requiring courage and leadership among elected officials. We face stark choices, and it will be utterly impossible to make everyone happy.

And so, to both the general public and elected officials, I submit that grandstanding, speech-making and mere complaining aren't going to be enough. I can appreciate a complaint about a proposed reduction in service, but what I need are your priorities and concrete suggestions.

With civic maturity and a willingness to work together, with clear heads and an openness to new ideas, we will ensure that Philadelphians are safe as we prepare for better times.