Today’s Idaho Falls newspaper features a front-page story describing the tight finances of the city. Apparently tax revenue from new growth is having a hard time keeping up with the cost of the new services it requires. At least, that’s what the Mayor and City Councilwoman Ida Hardcastle tell us.

Yes, the Mayor recently accepted the “gift” (on our behalf) of land for a new park along the river, with the city picking up the unknown tab for development. And don’t forget the Mayor’s pay raise. Add these expenses to what many call mismanagement of city resources, and extravagant benefits to city employees, and apparently the books just won’t balance.

“We’re running as efficient as possible”, said Fuhriman.

He did repeat a campaign promise to conduct an efficiency study of city government. Next year.

To his credit, Fuhriman suggested possibly asking city employees to pay a part of their increasing medical and dental insurance premiums.

However, we must assume he scrapped that idea as quickly as he generated it, as “he’s already heard from some city employees who said there’s no way they could afford to pay monthly premiums.”

Oh, the humanity.

Perhaps it’s time for these government employees to join the “real world” and take a little responsibility for themselves.

We can only imagine it’s going to be tough times as the mayor agonizes over the new park, additional police officers, etc., and his own pay increase.

And while city division directors say they hope the tax levy remains level, instead of dropping, I say, FAT CHANCE! Fuhriman is obviously setting the stage for a tax INCREASE for Idaho Falls residents. Some folks will happily go along with the standard line, “You should be grateful to pay more for your fabulous lifestyle within the city”.

It is true that there are statutory limits on how much tax revenues can be increased in one year, a source of great frustration to Fuhriman, Hardcastle, and her city council compatriots, Karen Cornwell and Tom Hally. That limit is all that stands between Idaho Falls residents and complete financial enslavement.

So, expect to see a solemn-faced, humble, apologetic Fuhriman in the near future, explaining that our “2 + 2″ does not add up to the “5″ he needs. We will all know that if the city doesn’t get more of our money, people will suffer. And it will be our fault.

I hope I’m wrong. But we will all stay tuned for the next chapter in “Mr. Fuhriman Goes to City Hall”.

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