To the editor:

Is Lawrence bankrupt? Not technically. True, the city has spent more money this year than it has available and projects to spend even more than it has next year; but it can always borrow from its reserve fund to cover the financial shortcomings.

So what are they thinking downtown? They just installed new “art” that they did not have money for, they plan on bailing out Eagle Bend again, they will have to make up approximately $2 million for the T again this year, and they are considering proposals to finance USD 497 athletics for about $1.4 million, proceeding with a sesquicentennial park and amphitheater for about $1.4 million and a presidential debate?

Where will the funds come from? Even if some of these items were funded entirely by private donations, the city would have to pick up the maintenance and auxiliary expenses it can’t afford.

Oh, I forgot. They have raised our property valuations this year and propose to increase our tax rate this year. But that won’t cover all of the projects that are proposed. It will barely keep the city afloat for this year’s expenses. With no increase in services, the cost of doing business for the city will increase next year. Are they coming back to us again for still more increases in valuation and tax rates next year? More than likely.

We need managers and commissioners downtown who will say “NO” to expenses we can no longer afford. New art, Eagle Bend, the T, another new park/amphitheater and a presidential debate are expenses we can live without until we can afford them.

Ken Meyer,

Lawrence