Florence city budget ordinance put on hold

FLORENCE — An ordinance that would finalize the city of Florence’s budget for the upcoming year was put on hold once again after city council members voiced differing opinions on how to solve the looming budget shortfall.

Mayor Stephen J. Wukela said the city’s budget is basically divided into two parts: an operating budget and a capital expense budget. Through cuts, Wukela said, city officials have made up for a $2.1 million shortfall in the operating budget, but the capital expense budget still lacks a substantial amount of funding.

Proposed capital expenses for the upcoming year include the construction of a new fire station as well as funding for additional firefighters and equipment; funding for 15 additional police officers and related expenses; operation of a new tennis facility and operation costs for the humane society. The police department originally requested 18 additional officers, but expenses for three of those have been met through a grant.

One proposed solution is a tax increase coupled with an increase in business license fees, but several city council members said they are not ready to impose any tax increase at this point.

“I think we need to look at every other possible alternative before we go raising taxes,” Councilman Steve Powers said. “Raising taxes is the easy answer. This council needs to be thinking outside of the box.”

Wukela said the fire department and police needs are of utmost importance and must be met somehow, but Councilman Ed Robinson quickly disagreed. He said he doesn’t believe increasing police presence is the answer to crime concerns.

“You know what’s going to happen if you put 18 more officers in my community? It’s just going to devastate the youth,” Robinson said. “We imprison more people in the United States than any other country, and most of those imprisoned are black men. It makes no sense. It’s totally out of whack. The United States is the worst place in the world for a black man to live and if you can’t see that this is a problem, then I think you’re the one with the problem.”

Robinson said he believes teen centers and other alternatives would make much better preventative measures in his community.

“When you put all these police out there, these kids are going to react,” he said. “All you’re doing by putting these officers out there is creating problems. How can we say we’re a nation that cares? How can we say we’re a city of character? Based on what? When black people make up 40 percent of the population and 80 percent of the jail population, that’s not a city of character. The Florence Morning News can write what they want about me. TV13 can say what they want about me. I don’t care. I’m going to keep on saying it. There’s no way I’d ever give up on our kids.”

Wukela said he thinks additional police officers and a new fire station are crucial to making the community safe for residents.

“I saw it firsthand when I was campaigning. It didn’t matter where we went — white communities and black communities — we heard tough stories (about people not feeling safe),” the mayor said. “This isn’t fluff we’re talking about here. If we can’t keep our own people safe, I don’t see how we can even talk about funding anything else.”

Council members agreed to hold another workshop as soon as possible to discuss the budget. The budget must be in place and approved by council before July 1 or city operations will cease.