The following is a statement from Council President Betsy Wilkerson:

“We can all agree that we are in unstable economic times. 

We’ve seen the turmoil it can cause across different sectors and institutions, from federal and state governments to local cities and even within our own homes. Many of us have had to rethink our budgets, figuring out how to get through another tough month, season, and year with the resources we have. 

As one of your city leaders, I’ve had the chance to talk with residents all over the city. These conversations often involve explaining, and sometimes defending, the city budget, how our council office works, and how we reached these financial crossroads. The truth is that the process of budgeting is never easy. 

Council Members serve in their elected roles part-time. Many members have other jobs to support their families. And all of us have additional responsibilities on local and regional boards. That’s where our council staff becomes critical to our work. It’s nearly impossible for us to do the necessary research, fulfill our responsibilities, and make informed decisions without the support of our core staff. 

Our council has eight central staff positions that serve all seven council members and influence how we serve our community, advising on topics like housing, transportation, budget, intergovernmental affairs, policy, community engagement, and more. All of these positions are aimed at serving our residents effectively and efficiently. These staff both support Council Members and partner with community organizations and businesses to make our city more vibrant, functional, and livable. 

Times are changing quickly, and I rely on core staff to analyze, dissect, and respond to these changes in real-time. I recognize the challenges facing our city and our country and without a strong core staff in our council office, we cannot fully deliver the work needed to make our city great. 

I value the Brown Administration’s partnership in this year’s budget revision. My fellow council members and I have been very cooperative with the Mayor regarding the proposals presented. From my vantage, the council has made sacrifices, as have other city departments, and we are reallocating funds to key initiatives that might otherwise be underfunded. 

It is not my goal to prioritize one city function over another. Every part of our city is equally important, from public safety and housing to homelessness services, neighborhood support, and infrastructure maintenance. We must carefully balance caring for our residents, providing essential services, and advancing our city. This city has faced challenges before, found solutions, and will continue working together.”