Tax hikes and what they're being spent on

Here is an article on Mayor Panto's proposed tax hikes to balance the City's budget:

Morning Call Article on Mayor's Proposed 2009 Budget

Thoughts? What are these tax raises paying for? Are we sure that all options were considered before proposing to raise our property and income taxes? I looked on the City's web site (click on link on left side of this page) and under Administration & Personnel found the page that lists the City's budgets each year, but this one, for 2009, has not been posted yet--probably because it is not yet official. Does anyone know how residents can take a look at this budget?

The article says that City Council is waiting for public input. What are people's thoughts on this? We've had tax hikes for six straight years now and we're in a financial crisis. We need to look at the books.

I spoke to the City Clerk last week, who said that City Council will not vote on the proposed budget until early December, so we have between now and then to make our thoughts known during public comments at the end of City Council meetings. But before then, we need to actually see where the money is going.