David Almonte's Expertise Benefits All El Pasoans

It's tough times at the City of El Paso. With revenues down (sales tax down 4.5%, bridge revenue down 12%, building permits down 25%), keeping essential services while trying to protect jobs is just not easy. Knowing where to cut and where to save and knowing how to get there is overseen by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, David Almonte.

Mr. Almonte spoke yesterday at Representative Byrd's District breakfast at Tierra del Sol restaurant. Ms. Byrd always has good speakers - but Almonte is one of the best. He knows his subject well, communicates well and connects with his audience. Budgets and numbers are just not the most exciting topics to most of us. Yet, Almonte personalizes the subject by mixing anecdotes with hard numbers. When he tells you that his first responsibility is to the taxpayers and that he will find the best product at the best price, you know that he is not just sincere but expert.

Whether it is collective bargaining with fire and police unions, crunching numbers, analyzing staff levels or ensuring that public safety and health are indeed the first priorities, Almonte's expertise benefits all El Pasoans.

I was sad that more were not at the breakfast to hear him. With the 4th of July holiday weekend upon us, many regulars just weren't there yesterday. Hopefully, Representative Byrd will ask him back to speak again soon.

Be sure to read City Manager Joyce Wilson's budget message and see the schedule of budget hearings. Let's hope that Lisa Turner isn't the only citizen of El Paso who cares to attend the budget hearings.

Susie Byrd Will Host Director of El Paso's Office of Management and Budget

Representative Susie Byrd will host her bi-weekly community meeting this Thursday July 2 at 7:30 a.m. at Tierra Del Sol Restaurant, 4201 Alabama.

This week, Rep. Byrd will host David Almonte, Director of the city’s Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Almonte will speak to audience members on the city’s upcoming budget presentations, presenting important information on how the city plans to deal with a large deficit.

According to David Crowder with the Newspaper Tree: “The proposed El Paso city budget for fiscal 2010 starting Sept. 1 shows a $3.6 million or 1.13 percent decrease in spending from last year’s $315.8 million in local taxes, fines and fees.” You can read Crowder’s story in full here.

Mr. Almonte’s important discussion of the city’s finances comes at a very critical time and all of us are invited to hear him.

You will be getting those taps on the door soon. Even if you have previously given to the Association, please do so again. Our dues are yearly. They are just $15 per household. You can also print out the document that you previously got in email and send it in with your check. (Please fill it out again even if you have done so once before. It will help us be sure that we have your contact information correct and up to date.) If you need me to re-send that application document, just respond to this email.

¡Vaya con Dios!

¡Hola Vecinos! Midweeker Edition© An official emailed newsletter of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association is written and published by Jim Tolbert. To subscribe or unsubscribe, just reply to this letter or email jimhtolbert@elp.rr.com.

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This is Volume 3 and Number 31 published on July 1, 2009.