Oshkosh city manager says police, fire cuts imminent if garbage fee lost

As Oshkosh City Manager Richard Wollangk puts together two budgets for Common Council consideration - one which includes a $10/mo garbage fee and one that doesn't - he also warns that without the garbage fee, Oshkosh residents can expect to see cuts in police and fire services.

According to a news report by Jerry Burke on WBAY-TV earlier this evening, nine positions in the police department would be eliminated if no garbage fee is included in next year's budget, including middle school liaison officers, Officer Friendly and some patrol positions. The fire department would suffer enough cuts that it would force the closure of one company (not to be confused with a station).

I personally see this as our city manager not looking at everything that could be cut or reduced, but instead looking only at those things that make people feel the most vulnerable, thereby frightening them into saying ‘Okay, then we’ll pay the $10 a month, if that's what it takes to ensure our families and property are safe.'

While it may be true that these two departments make up some of the biggest portions of the city budget, it does not and should not mean that they automatically get cut when belt-tightening is necessary. There are other possible cuts that should be looked at, and it is high time the Common Council force the city manager to do just that. Several suggestions have been made on this and other blogs about possible areas to cut. Why does this city manager refuse to look at those things? If he's not willing to do what the taxpayers expect and provide some leadership, the council needs to find someone who will. And if they're not willing to demand and provide accountability, then we as taxpayers and voters will have no choice but to do so. Enough is enough!

- Cheryl