To Concerned Berkeleyans: Once again city officials are diverting monies from infrastructure needs to fund employee costs.
See Item 26 for July 17.
Under this scenario, $3.8 million in savings from the refinancing of capital projects bonds will be used to reduce the City's CalPERS liability rather than putting the money toward the city's more than $500 million infrastructure liability.
In my opinion, employee pension/benefit contributions need to be implemented and directed to the more than $500 million liability for employee benefits. At the same time that these and other capital funds are being similarly diverted, in November the city will be asking voters to approve $50 million in brand new infrastructure bonds without even having an overall plan and set of true community-based priorities.
At the same time that the city avoids right-sizing city employee contracts we are taking moneys away from community-based safety net services for the most needy.
Please consider writing to the Berkeley City Council on this matter and voting no on all new taxes/bonds until we have the FACTS, right-sized employee contracts, and a comprehensive community-based plan to address our unfunded liabilities.
-- Barbara Gilbert
