The clock is ticking for the Ironton City Council.

Thursday, September 27, 2001

The clock is ticking for the Ironton City Council.

In a little over a month, Ironton residents will vote on a proposed three-year municipal tax to help alleviate a revenue shortfall of an estimated $227,000 next year. Should the measure fail, what will the city do?

Council members have been discussing the implementation of a contingency plan should voters choose not to accept the tax option. Any alternative, though, will involve cuts in city services – including layoffs. This is something the city cannot afford at this time.

When council members finalize a back-up plan – which has to be soon – they need to have analyzed every expenditure paid out of the general fund and have each item prioritized. If the citizens of Ironton decide not to accept the tax, the city needs to be prepared to cut in areas that will least affect its residents.

Councilmen have a steep hill to climb. It’s hard to make cuts you can’t afford to make, but reality is reality. If you are not prepared for the worst, it will come back and bite you.