By Budget Elf on the Shelf
‘Twas a week before Christmas, in the City’s grand domain,
Where budgets could grow fatter, causing citizens some pain.
The Council, just reelected, so snug in their seats,
Has a penchant for spending, with no budgetary feats.
When out of the City Manager arose such a clatter,
The taxpayers sprang from their chairs to see what was the matter,
The City Manager’s request, Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars more, did appear!
Again, with no detail for the Councilors to hear!
The taxpayers sighed, their wallets feeling the strain,
As the City Manager asked for more, with financial disdain.
No Councilors pondered, no eyebrows did they raise,
As they sailed through budget additions, in a spendthrift haze.
The surplus of seven million, untouched and unexplored,
Could it hold the funds they sought, left unadorned?
The City’s coffers echoed with a festive cheer,
Managing to the budget was too much, it would appear.
With a little old non-public meeting, so lively and quick,
They knew in a moment this would do the trick.
“Do the right thing,” the taxpayers implored,
But behind closed doors, their pleas were ignored.
So here we stand, on this last meeting night,
With a Council so merry, spending with delight.
The taxpayers await, their eyes on you all
Now do the right thing, do the right thing, the right thing for all!
