The Farmington City Council is currently dealing with a lot of bad news. Questions regarding high salaries have been plaguing the city for years and have recently come to a head in recent discussions including an interesting look at the large salary boosts given to a number of Farmington administrators over a relatively short period of time. The City is now questioning the budgets of both the Police Department and the Senior Center. While cities should tread carefully when it comes to public safety budgets, one has to wonder how much money the senior center really needs. However, according to two recent Letters to the Editor which appeared in the Farmington Independent, some in the community feel the Senior Center budget should be left alone.
From the first Letter to the Editor (and the second):
How sad that after the Rambling River Center’s senior club paid off a five-year, $90,000 loan ahead of time that the city council would even suggest considering cuts at the Rambling River Center.
As far as cutting the $165,000-plus budget is concerned, how does that compare to the large salaries that some of city hall’s employees earn?
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As far as teen center is concerned, most of Farmington’s teen population can participate in the wonderful activities that our excellent school district offers, such as sports, music, etc. To add special teen center activities would only incur more costs to the city of Farmington such as increased manpower supervision, insurance liabilities and perhaps drawing some of the wrong elements from other communities that may even be an increased burden to our Farmington Police Department’s budget.
This letter writer is correct that the Senior Center users did raise an inordinately large dollar figure for their center in a shorter period of time than was required by the city. It must seem like a slap in the face to be told your budget may be eliminated because of budget concerns elsewhere in the city when your group has worked so diligently do help with the high costs associated with your program. While the letter writer notes that when compared to the high salary figures of city administrators, the $165,000 budget for the Senior Center seems like nothing, it is difficult to attract top talent who can assist in curing budget woes when the rates they are being paid are what is expected in our area for cities the size of Farmington.
That said, questions regarding a teen center are likely the most valid of all. Why is it that a city feels the need to have a teen center when there are plenty of other resources available for kids that age? Are city facilities really used that often? Are there comparable entities providing similar services to the senior population that the Farmington Senior Center does?
What do you think about the Farmington City Council considering eliminating Senior Center funding when they were able to raise $90,000 themselves in less time than expected? Do you think that the rhetoric out of the City Council regarding the Police Department is similar to that used by school districts when they claim they will cut the big items out of the budget (football, busing, etc) in order to get their way at tax or levy time? Like the comments against the teen center, are senior centers a necessity for cities and should these groups be housed in other areas either publicly or privately funded?
Whatever you have to say about this one, go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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August 3rd, 2012 at 8:39 am
In Farmington both the ice arena and the senior center needed renovation at about the same time. The youth hockey association and the senior citizens both promised to raise additional funds to help offset these expenses. Over the past several years the hockey association as coughed up exactly no dollars and the seniors over $90k so the seniors are the ones who should take it on the chin? I don’t think so.
I believe the senior center fills an important role our community. Socialization is a key to the well being of individuals. There are two senior apartments within walking distance of the senior center. Additionally, the county just opened a large CDA apartment building for senior citizens and there are at least two other senior apartment buildings in town that I can think of off the top of my head. Yes, membership has declined over the past few years but the phrase, it’s the economy stupid, comes to mind. It seems reasonable that people on a fixed income might not have a lot of extra money during an economic depression to spend on membership fees. I see the senior center as an safety net for those who are the most vulnerable but that’s me.
On the other hand I would give a closer look at the police department. Farmington and Rosemount have about the same population but Farmington has more sworn police despite being about 1/3 the size of Rosemount. And just thinking about the different in the number of businesses makes my head hurt.
August 3rd, 2012 at 10:22 am
If we don’t have Senior Centers where will the elderly go during the day? No where. They will just wander the streets, getting trouble. Next thing you know, elderly gangs. And we all know it is cheaper to put them in Senior Centers than house them in jail.
August 3rd, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Aw c’mon! Who disliked Kassie’s comment? No matter where you stand on this issue, that shit is FUNNY!
August 3rd, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Based on IP, I would guess someone from Farmington was marking comments negatively. I have disabled their ability to vote on comments.
August 3rd, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I suggest responding to comments you disagree with instead of voting them down. If you aren’t comfortable doing that from work, comment from home. Thanks.
August 3rd, 2012 at 3:59 pm
I thumbed that one down because I didn’t think it was funny, interesting or advanced the conversation in any way, shape or form.
August 3rd, 2012 at 5:05 pm
When the hell has THAT ever mattered??
August 3rd, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Farmington just needs to solve problems the Coon Rapids way and prohibit being elderly or a teenager. Problem solved!
August 3rd, 2012 at 10:03 pm
C’mon Lefty! That describes 75% of your posts! ;-)
August 4th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
ditto!:(
August 4th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
To be completely honest, I don’t think it is possible for the city of Farmington to do anything right.
Supporting the Senior Center seems like a no-brainer. Budget impact is low, and benefit to an aging community is great. I’d only start cutting them off at the knees if you find they are not benefiting the citizens they target.
A teen center seems like an utterly stupid idea. As was pointed out, most if not all teens are covered by the School District which has a number of opportunities for kids to get involved. If there is some gap there, maybe the City should work with the School District to address that gap rather than trying to do it all on their own. Oh that’s right, the City of Farmington and the School District are unable to work together.
August 4th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Check the commenter leaderboard to see who has the most thumbsdowns.
August 4th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
lefty, it is what it is!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 5th, 2012 at 11:24 am
One of the things that I often struggle with as a Lakeville resident in the Farmington district is how downtown Farmington views money. Invariably the downtown areas vote no to every school district initiative, but then I sit back to watch the city squander funds over and over again.
I love the fact that my kids are in a smaller district and we have had great school experiences, but I hate how the town keeps looking like a bunch of morons!