Council, staff ready for whatever future brings

    The Presque Isle City Council works diligently to ensure that our city is operating in the most efficient manner possible while at the same time providing the level of service that our residents have come to expect over the years. We have just completed work on our budget and have set the course for 2008. (Contact the City Manager’s office for a copy of the 2008 budget.)     However, there are still some unresolved issues that we will continue to monitor that may impact our financial picture. For example, it is still unclear what the fiscal impact of the school consolidation plan will have on SAD 1 and ultimately the city. Also, hopefully the price of oil will stabilize or possibly decrease a little in 2008. Although we have estimated an increase in this item we can’t say for sure what is going to happen.
    Budget deficits loom over state government and it will be interesting to see if and how decisions at the state level impact the city’s financial picture. Although questions remain this Council and city staff are prepared to address.
    Please continue to read this “In The City” column each week to get a good idea as to what each of our departments is engaged in throughout the year. Also, take the time to watch your Council in action on Channel 16 the first and third Mondays of the month. It will be time well worth spent.
    Walt Elish is chairperson of the Presque Isle City Council. He can be reached online at flypqi@yahoo.com