Anyone else bothered by this?

On tomorrow night's regular City Commission meeting agenda, there are two items - 9F and 9G related to not implementing the fire pension assessment and the street light assessment.  Back on August 23rd of this year, staff had the following to say about the fire assessment from the staff report that accompanied the item:

Now, mind you, I am for NOT going ahead with these special assessments, but what do we have a city staff for anyway?  Isn't their primary purpose to be objective and make the recommendation to the City Commission - ANY City Commission - that is based upon the best option given their educational background, accreditations and experience.  My point here, and it goes back to my post about the role of staff and appointed boards - along with the City Commission - is that a professional staff has to stand for something.  We were meant to assume, even though most did not agree with the idea of the assessments, that the staff thought it was the BEST option given the budget situation that the city is facing.

In tomorrow night's meeting packet, we are treated to the following professional analysis and opinion by Mr. Fry and all the heavy-hitters on City staff:

Fire 

Streetlights

You know, I really don't care that "Based upon the consensus of the City Commission", staff is now recommending the City not proceed with the assessments.  DON'T WE PAY THEM FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION?  This is what breeds and perpetuates myths that the Casino building is a "rehabilitation" and not new construction.  I do not care that staff does not want to appear wrong.  I want them to make a recommendation based upon their training.  What professional epiphany did they have between August and December - other than the election?  At least provide some sort of analysis of the impact of this change in policy - that would help the City Commission make future decisions related to the budget.  It makes me call into question all of their recommendations.

In short:   GET A SPINE AND STAND FOR SOMETHING - EVEN IF IT IS WRONG FOR THE COMMUNITY!  LET THE CITY COMMISSION MAKE THE ULTIMATE DECISION ON WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
Are we to expect that just because ANY City Commission thinks that it is a good idea to order one of these for each city resident, that staff is going to recommend that we do it?  Think about it.