“It is completely unrealistic for anyone to think we can cut this kind of money,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “Our city would not function.”
The pension payments continue to rise each year putting a strain on the budget. The city is researching their legal obligation to follow that $25 million suggested increase by the pension boards, and the impacts if they don’t fully meet the amount.
Elicker said he’s not considering bonds to cover those costs. The payments will have to come from somewhere in the city.
That will be tough, he said, because according to a chart shown during the meeting, two-thirds of the city’s budget are contracted items that have to be paid. They include the pension payments, employee salaries, insurance, and state-funded portions of the education budget.