Unless of course the taxpayers pony up in a big way to pay for the $2.2 billion in promises made by politicians who either lacked the intellect or integrity to only make commitments they could honor.
For some time the City of Tucson has underfunded the city employees’ pension fund; resulting in an inability to adequately fund road repairs, public safety, and maintain parks and pools.
Had the decisions makers fully funded the pension funds they would have an additional $45 to $50 million per year to spend on vital needs. Instead the money is being spent on past promises.
Those past promises, by law, cannot be broken nor should they be. However we can refuse to make promises now we cannot keep.
But, the City of Tucson decision makers, just like the decision makers on the national level are choosing to kick the can down the road…. a pothole ridden road.
In his infinite wisdom, Richard Miranda, Tucson’s City Manager is proposing that the City reduce their contributions even more and reduce employee contributions, leaving the residents with fewer services and a much bigger bill.
As it stands in the fiscal year 2014, a Tucson Police Department officer will make annual contributions to his retirement of 8.65 % of his salary, while taxpayers pickup 45.7%. A Tucson fire fighter will make an annual contribution to his retirement of 8.65% of his salary, while taxpayers pickup 46.8%.
No one begrudges first responders good pay and good pension, but the pensions are not good for everyone. No business can afford to pay 46% of an employee’s salary each year to a retirement plan. They would be out of business overnight.
The decision makers must make the tough decisions and consider making new employees share in their pension contribution levels at a higher level and immediately convert all new employees to a 401(k) style retirement plan.
It is unlikely that in an election year, when Ulich, Fimbres, and Kozachik desperately need the heft of the police and fire fighters unions for money and bodies, that tough decisions will be made by the city council, which according to one Tucson taxpayer leaves “the taxpayers with a an easy decisions in the November election.”