WOW! Look at that. The budget has been increasing at a rate of 12.8% annually over the past 5 years. We hear from city officials that these huge budget increases are required because of the population increases. Let us look at the population increases over the last 5 years.
Georgetown's population is growing at an annual rate of 5.83%. So if population is growing at a 5.83% rate, why is the budget growing at 12.8% annually? Good Question!
But to be completely fair, the rate of inflation should also be considered. Over the last 5 years inflation has averaged 1.36% per year.
Thus one could reasonably expect that the budget would increase with the population and inflation. Adding those two numbers together, it would be expected the budget would grow at an annual rate of 7.19% to accommodate population growth and inflation.
Why is the city growing the budget at a 12.8% annual rate? A common response is "the city has to get ahead of the growth". Maybe 1 or 2 years, but 5 plus years? This has been going on for a long time!
It is time to ask your city council person why this excessive budget growth goes on year after year. Council/Mayor elections are coming in May. This would be a good question to ask the candidates.
It is time for the city to focus on its core responsibilities of roads, parks, libraries, utilities and public safety and increase their budgets commensurate with population growth and inflation. Other funding should be reduced or at least held constant.
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