IRB ASSUMES FULL OPERATION OF LIBRARY
On June 10th, the IRB City Commission voted unanimously to assume the full responsibility for the operation of the IRB Library. On June 24th, exactly two weeks later, a CPA named Rob Garner, told us the City was approaching a financial meltdown.
QUESTION: Had this commission already discovered that our ad valorem tax revenues were being improperly diverted to the Sewer/Solid Waste Funds when they voted--abruptly and unanimously—to bring the Library under the City’s umbrella? Was this “takeover” pushed through quickly BEFORE the proverbial financial news hit the fan. No warning. No workshops. No public discussion of any financial impact. Mayor Johnson even went so far as to make certain that a provision for possible “expansion” of the library was included in the deal!
Originally, forming a Library Advisory Board was on a previous commission meeting agenda; however, Commissioner Wollin asked that it be moved a few weeks later, allegedly because that particular evening's roster was full. Then, when the issue re-emerged at the June 10th meeting, it was a totally different item, and the vote to fold the Library into the City sailed through UNANIMOUSLY.
This move took place at the same meeting where, once again, serious talk of reducing the police force in IRB emerged. The library and the librarian are sacrosanct, but the cops—well—they are expendable? As one citizen, David Pearson, who opposed any reduction in IRB’s law enforcement, pointed out, the City seal directly behind the five commissioner's heads on the dais says: "World's Safest Beach." Will "World's Most Well-Read Beach" have the same appeal?
The irony here is that building of a “war chest of monies” in the Sewer/Solid Waste Funds way back during the “DiNicola days” may have ultimately been the beginning of an unfortunate financial shell game that has put us where were are today—squarely behind the 8-ball. Enterprise funds, like IRB’s Sewer and Solid Waste Funds, by nature, are not designed to carry big fund balances. The idea is to provide services to citizens in a “break-even” scenario. “DiNicola Commissions,” however, saw the enterprise funds as a golden opportunity to charge high rates and stockpile extra cash to pay for things that the general IRB public would otherwise have screamed bloody murder over, if their ad valorem dollars were used.
Commissions that followed Mayor Bob feared that this pot of money would be used to build a new library facility. So, they wisely decided to absorb the brunt of the 88% sewer increase by the County as a means of spending the fund balances down to something more reasonable. How things got to the point where no one knew what the balances in each fund actually were is anyone’s guess. One can only surmise that the unauthorized loans may have possibly been someone’s way of covering up a mistake made while trying to remember under which shell budget monies for some pet project were located.
This move for the City to “assume” the Library would have been questionable even in the “fat” times. But, for this to happen now, with financial stability an issue, is unthinkable. What part of “broke” doesn’t this group comprehend?
P.S. This move also protects from scrutiny the $75,000+ CD that the Friends of the Library, Inc. claim is “theirs.” The now-defunct lease agreement between the City and the "Friends" stipulated that library revenues were to be deposited into the City treasury all these years. The “Friends” have $75,000; IRB has squat. Oddly enough, $75,000 is just about what the City will save if they cut one of our police officers.
On June 10th, the IRB City Commission voted unanimously to assume the full responsibility for the operation of the IRB Library. On June 24th, exactly two weeks later, a CPA named Rob Garner, told us the City was approaching a financial meltdown.
QUESTION: Had this commission already discovered that our ad valorem tax revenues were being improperly diverted to the Sewer/Solid Waste Funds when they voted--abruptly and unanimously—to bring the Library under the City’s umbrella? Was this “takeover” pushed through quickly BEFORE the proverbial financial news hit the fan. No warning. No workshops. No public discussion of any financial impact. Mayor Johnson even went so far as to make certain that a provision for possible “expansion” of the library was included in the deal!
Originally, forming a Library Advisory Board was on a previous commission meeting agenda; however, Commissioner Wollin asked that it be moved a few weeks later, allegedly because that particular evening's roster was full. Then, when the issue re-emerged at the June 10th meeting, it was a totally different item, and the vote to fold the Library into the City sailed through UNANIMOUSLY.
This move took place at the same meeting where, once again, serious talk of reducing the police force in IRB emerged. The library and the librarian are sacrosanct, but the cops—well—they are expendable? As one citizen, David Pearson, who opposed any reduction in IRB’s law enforcement, pointed out, the City seal directly behind the five commissioner's heads on the dais says: "World's Safest Beach." Will "World's Most Well-Read Beach" have the same appeal?
The irony here is that building of a “war chest of monies” in the Sewer/Solid Waste Funds way back during the “DiNicola days” may have ultimately been the beginning of an unfortunate financial shell game that has put us where were are today—squarely behind the 8-ball. Enterprise funds, like IRB’s Sewer and Solid Waste Funds, by nature, are not designed to carry big fund balances. The idea is to provide services to citizens in a “break-even” scenario. “DiNicola Commissions,” however, saw the enterprise funds as a golden opportunity to charge high rates and stockpile extra cash to pay for things that the general IRB public would otherwise have screamed bloody murder over, if their ad valorem dollars were used.
Commissions that followed Mayor Bob feared that this pot of money would be used to build a new library facility. So, they wisely decided to absorb the brunt of the 88% sewer increase by the County as a means of spending the fund balances down to something more reasonable. How things got to the point where no one knew what the balances in each fund actually were is anyone’s guess. One can only surmise that the unauthorized loans may have possibly been someone’s way of covering up a mistake made while trying to remember under which shell budget monies for some pet project were located.
This move for the City to “assume” the Library would have been questionable even in the “fat” times. But, for this to happen now, with financial stability an issue, is unthinkable. What part of “broke” doesn’t this group comprehend?
P.S. This move also protects from scrutiny the $75,000+ CD that the Friends of the Library, Inc. claim is “theirs.” The now-defunct lease agreement between the City and the "Friends" stipulated that library revenues were to be deposited into the City treasury all these years. The “Friends” have $75,000; IRB has squat. Oddly enough, $75,000 is just about what the City will save if they cut one of our police officers.
1 comment:
Thanks for the information on the City's take over of the Library with all of its liabilities, in very stressful economic times. Of Course the library comes complete with a $60,000 librarian on the payroll, and since there was no discussion or financial's presented, maybe the Commission is thinking of adding additional staff.
Has the Commission been snoozing, or too busy thinking about taking over the library and all of its liabilities!We are in the biggest financial crises ever in IRB! The auditor has said that the financial drain will affect the fiscal viability of the City unless corrected quickly. And the Commission for the most part has done nothing! Most have tried to blame others with the responsibility of this dilemma. The responsibly of this problem rests on this Commission, and the focal point is The City Treasurer! In this matter only Commissioners Valery and Wollin have stepped up to the plate and demanded removal of the focal point of our financial dilemma. Others it appears have personal agendas, believe no person should be punished for wrong doing, or just don't know. It is hoped they will see the light and start to rectify issues at next weeks meeting.
Also now I read that the commission is thinking about reducing the Sheriff's protection. This may become necessary but only should be done after the termination of the full time librarian!
Hopefully the Commissioners will show some leadership qualities, put aside their personnel agenda's and work for the good of the City.
Regards,
Victor Wood
510 Harbor Drive North
IRB 33785
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