Bothell may not be ‘recession proof’

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So the “recession proof” city of Bothell is experiencing a budget shortfall. I wonder if the city manager ought to seek his master’s in economics. He might then understand how ridiculous his “recession proof” statements have been.

If the City Council is looking for areas to curb the shortfall, it should start with the city manager’s office.

First, it could and should rescind the educational contract for the city manager. This contract was and is a sweetheart deal in both amount and terms. A deal that came to the floor and was approved without a chance for the public to weigh in on the issue.

Secondly, the city manager’s staff is the most bloated in the city’s history. There are efficiencies to be had by trimming the city manager’s staff.

The message to the council is that in times of recession, the brakes on spending need to be applied. That is your responsibility to your citizens and taxpayers. To do otherwise damages the council’s effectiveness and credibility.

Paul O. Cowles, former Bothell mayor