As Columbia Mayor Bob Coble and City Council members deliberate the proposed $100 million budget for 2006-07, they would be wise to keep a word in mind: prudence . Webster's definition utilizes three "r" words to describe it:

+ The ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason;

+ To exercise skill and good judgment in the use of resources; and

+ To use caution or circumspection as to risk.

City staffers are asking for a $15 million increase from the 2005-06 budget. City Manager Charles Austin justifies the 17% budget increase by comparing city departments to rubber bands, saying they are stretched as far as they can go and have been doing more with less for years.

I don't know about the rubber band analogy, but city budgets have been rubber stamped by city council for years. A look at unfinished streetscaping projects, a $4 million loss on the CanalSide property, and other wasteful spending this past year should raise public concern about city council's and the city manager's fiscal responsibility and accountability.

It is easy to spend other people's money, and it is easy to ask taxpaying citizens to cough up more money to pay for an inflated city budget. The reality is that no one is more stretched and stressed out than the hard working, middle class citizen.

The median income in SC is under $30,000 (2004 Census). As the cost of living rises daily, people are making hard choices on how to make do with less. With rising school tuition, do they buy less clothes? With high gas and utilities, do they forego auto maintenance? Sell the auto? Are family heirlooms being pawned to buy food and medicine?

Like the rest of the country, Columbia's citizens are facing tough decisions daily. Their quality of life is being compromised. They are taking a hit in the pocketbook. They are quickly adjusting to living more prudently.

The folks at city hall should follow suit. Instead of planning another retreat, city council and the budget preparers could schedule a field trip to observe how the voters are coping in these difficult times. Are they eating out less due to high gas prices? Are birthdays and anniversaries being celebrated at home instead of in restaurants? Are family reunions on hold until trips are affordable? Then our elected officials should apply the lesson to the city budget. Some budget items will have to be cut, some will have to be reduced and some will have to wait.

This is not the best year to include a 2% or 3% "adjusted living" increase in city salaries. The City of Columbia pays generous salaries plus perks to the city manager, assistant city managers, and department heads. It is the best year to cut back on the number of city-purchased autos, which will cut back on the cost for auto insurance and maintenance...and unregulated usage of city fuel.

It is the best year for the mayor, city council, and city representatives to set an example by budgeting the cost of airline tickets and hotel rooms when attending national conferences or drumming up business in Europe. Prudent spending does not incorporate business class, first class air travel, and hotel suites with room service.

Starting now, the city should provide copies of the proposed budget for citizens to pick up at city hall and designated sites. Starting now, public hearings should be scheduled to let the people speak.

As elected officials, Mayor Coble and City Council members Cromartie, Sinclair, Davis, Devine, Rickenmann, and Finlay are obligated to let the people have a say in the spending of their tax money.

ktrimnal02@aol.com