When it comes to government spending, the Mayor should lead by example. Below are some ways I will give taxpayers the best bang for their buck from City Hall. It amounts to roughly $520,000 in cost savings to taxpayers, to be decided on Day One.
- 1) Foregoing the Mayor’s Car – The Mayor currently drives around a fully loaded Dodge Durango, it’s a $40,000 car and I would estimate the lease to be somewhere between $450-$500 per month, or $5,400-$6,000 per year according to www.car-lease-calculator.com. I would forego the use of a city vehicle and drive my own car, and pay for my own gas. Most Ansonia residents pay for their own car and gas, so I believe the Mayor should do the same. This would save taxpayers $10,000-$12,000 over a two year term.
- 2) Foregoing the Mayor’s Pension & Lifelong Medical Benefits – After 5 years in office, the Mayor is able to retain medical benefits for life, and after 10 years of service, can claim a pension. The cost of medical benefits would be estimated at $12,000 per year, for several decades. This would be about $300,000 over 25 years. I ignore pension pay, because it doesn’t come into play until 10 years in office, but I will sign a contract on day 1 foregoing both post-employment benefits.
- 3) Eliminating the Economic Development Director Position – As a business owner, financial analyst, real estate developer, advertising analyst, and economist, I won’t just be a smiling face in City Hall. Residents will be getting a two for one deal. I will put my all my skills to work for the city, and as such I will be carrying out the role of Economic Development Director in addition to my role as Mayor, for no additional pay. To help, I will be supercharging the volunteer resident run Economic Development Commission which has sat dormant in the last two years, convening only six times over the last 18 scheduled meetings. The Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley receives approximately $112,200 per year and serves as the Grant Writer and Economic Development Director. I would eliminate the Director role and hire a full time Grant Writer instead for $55,000 per year. This would save tax payers $114,400 over the course of a two year term.
- 4) Eliminating the Constituent Services Position — It’s been over a year since the Board of Alderman voted to eliminate this $50,000 per year position. Cassetti has decided to ignore this vote and pay for it anyway “out of his budget”. There’s only one budget, the taxpayer’s budget. By my observation, this role is a mixture of public relations (taking photos of the Mayor) and secretarial (fielding calls and walk-ins). The Mayor has a secretary, and as far as taking photos, that’s what my $10 selfie-stick is for. Eliminating this role will save tax payers $100,000 over a two year term.
This election is about hiring someone to do a job. Let’s think about what experience and skills that each candidate brings to the role, and who’s going to give tax payer’s the best value in earning that $50K+ Mayor’s salary. If residents would like to learn more about my work background, they can visit my website.
The author, a Democrat, is running for mayor in the City of Ansonia.
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