CLAUDIA VARGAS
The Philadelphia Inquirer

After three hours of heated comments from citizens in a standing-room-only chamber Tuesday night, Camden City Council voted down the administration's proposal for an amended 2011 budget.

In a 6-1 decision, Council defeated the plan, which included a 23 percent increase in municipal property taxes. But now Council has responsibility for producing a balanced budget while trying to minimize tax increases.

More than 200 residents arrived Tuesday evening bearing bright signs and took to the lectern with a passion unseen in Camden City Hall in many years.

"Taxation Without Representation" and "Redd You Are Out of Your Head" were some of the many signs held up during the Council meeting, the latter sign referring to Mayor Dana L. Redd.

Dozens of residents spoke, and many had fiery comments for Council on the consequences of approving a tax increase and often looked and spoke directly at Redd, who quietly sat two seats away from the lectern.

Once they had their chance to speak during the voting process, Council members rebutted some of the attacks.

"I take offense to that. I live here," said Councilwoman Deborah Person-Polk, responding to many comments from the public about the validity of Council members' residences. "Whatever you're feeling, I'm feeling as well."

Person-Polk was the only Council member who voted to approve the amended $163 million budget, which would have included an increase in the municipal property tax levy from $21 million to $25.4 million. The administration has suggested the increase would allow the city to rehire 47 police officers and 13 firefighters.

"Unfortunately, we won't be able to hire police and firefighters right now," Redd said, after the vote. She said neither the police nor fire unions have offered any concessions. "We just have to keep working at it."

In January, the city laid off more than 300 employees - mostly police officers and firefighters - to close a budget deficit of $26.5 million.

Some of those laid-off employees attended the meeting and addressed Council. One woman carried a young child, who was holding a sign that read, "Please hire my mommy and daddy back. Camden PD 911."

Earlier Tuesday, a $5.1 million federal grant was announced that could restore some of Camden's depleted public-safety force.

The Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.1 million to the city to be used strictly for its fire department, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.

Though the city has discretion on how to spend the money, if it chooses to rehire some of the laid-off firefighters the city must guarantee employment through the end of fiscal 2012, said U.S. Rep. Robert E. Andrews.

During the introduction of the amended budget last week, Council President Frank Moran suggested a 5 percent increase in the levy, instead of 23 percent.

Some residents said they supported a modest tax increase but under certain conditions, mostly related to restoring basic services such as police, fire, and public works.

"Five percent, I can do that," said city activist Mangaliso Davis. "But the caveat with that is, we're not going to give up our police and fire to go to the county. That's crazy."

Davis was referring to talks between city and Camden County officials on a regional police force.

Several people complained about once-a-week trash pickup.

"Drive up and down the streets and look at the filth," yelled Doris Walker, referring to her Cramer Hill neighborhood, while the crowd clapped and cheered. "I don't know what we get for our taxes."

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February 9, 2011