Testy budget discussions

Lack of confidence in City Manger Spore

Many Virginia Beach voters are mad as hell at City Council’s past liberal discretionary spending. As such, with an upcoming election in November, a tax increase, regardless of the reason, will send the incumbents packing.

Follow up:

Hence, it’s no wonder that the majority of the vulnerable incumbents are refusing to accept City Manager Jim Spore’s recommended budget, which includes a real estate tax increase as well as proposals for other revenue collections.

Unfortunately, a majority of City Council’s initial refusal of Spore’s recommendation, whatever the reason, has set up a situation, that equates to a lack of confidence in Spore and his charges. When it gets down to an eventual power play between politicians and the bureaucratic staff, it should alarm the residents that drastic actions and eventual revenge will be forthcoming.

If the Council is no longer willing to unequivocally accept staff’s analysis and recommendations, one can only postulate either Council did not afford adequate direction or staff marches to its own drummer. Perhaps it has gotten to a point where resignations are in order.