Here I am thinking I am shock-proof when the Charlotte city council goes and does something…shocking. In no universe should there be a 10-1 vote to pursue one-time, sketchy federal money in order to fund a primary city purpose like hiring police officers. Yet that is exactly what we got, with only Warren Cooksey voting against the idea.
Note, this is not a left-right, Democan, Republicrat kinda deal. This is a straight-up fundamentals of sound government thing. If the city needs federal handouts to field a police force — and 10 council-members just said so — then there are serious fiscal issues which require their immediate attention.
Where are their $8-10m. in annual budget cuts target lists? Such savings from elsewhere in the budget are manifestly indicated by the need to turn to federal grants to fund a primary purpose of local government. Buying a lotto ticket in hopes of landing $24m. from DC did not erase council’s responsibility to properly prioritize local spending decisions. In fact, the gamble on a federal solution only points up this group’s inability to effectively manage vital civic needs.
To be clear, the city must be wasting millions on lower-priority line items to be forced to turn to Uncle Sam to hire beat cops.
Bonus Observation: Will City Manager Curt Walton ever say no to CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe on anything of substance? Here’s a rundown of some $650K in questionable spending by Monroe — a new car, new office digs, and $50K in special “dress” unis — that I’d love to hear Walton justify.
