Greenburgh Freeze On All Purchases Until January '08

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This was posted on Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner's blog. It's interesting this was brought up, as I've noticed several departments not just in Greenburgh that do this.

FREEZE ON ALL BUT EMERGENCY PURCHASES

I will be issuing a directive that there be a freeze on all but emergency purchases until January 1, 2008. This directive could help save money. Many government entities around the nation experience last minute purchases every year from depts that want to justify their purchasing appropriations. Dept's that have not put in their purchasing requests by now probably could wait.

We need to look for additional cost savings measures, that can help us avoid unnecessary tax hikes in 2008.

[Guest]

This was posted on Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner's blog. It's interesting this was brought up, as I've noticed several departments not just in Greenburgh that do this.

This is a very common budgeting tool used by municipalities and corporations alike. What is unusual is that it was posted on a public forum. I don't know if it really works because in reality for the following reasons:

1. Some budget line items are developed on a zero cost basis meaning that every dollar is accounted for in advance. So, by limiting funding, you cannot complete the program.

2. Some line items are seasonally based and expenditures may not come into play until the fourth quarter.

3. Some costs are dependent upon other actions or events being completed. For example, you can't purchase new hose until the new engine has been delivered.

This kind of restriction is short-sighted and probably does more harm than good. Delaying certain expenditures costs the taxpayer more in the long run a the cost of goods and services continues to increase.

[dadbo46 50]

This was posted on Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner's blog. It's interesting this was brought up, as I've noticed several departments not just in Greenburgh that do this.

While it is not unusual for this to be done by governments, it is usually because either there is an anticipated budget shortfall or it's a press release.

Since this was released on Paul's blog, I vote the later.

[Remember585 815]

Does this mean that the Police Officers detailed to retrieve shopping carts will be replaced by Stop and Shop employees now?!