Lost in IRB
I haven’t written much lately. Quite frankly, I don’t even know what to write. Former Mayor-Commissioner Ed Piniero summed it up at the last commission meeting on November 13th when he said, “This gets more bizarre by the moment.”
As predicted, there will be third setting of the millage rate and re-re-adoption of the 2009-2010 operating budget tonight, Thursday, November 20th, 7 p.m. at City Hall. When is the fourth re-do scheduled? Never rule it out.
Normally, I would see this as yet another chance to get plausible responses to a ton of unanswered questions that many citizens persist in asking. Although, I will fully admit that I’m so confused at this point, I’m not sure I even know what the questions actually are.
Even those of us who have followed the city’s financial missteps from the get-go can’t follow what’s going on of late. An unbelievable surprise whizzed through at the last meeting on November 13th. Adjustments were made to the tune of nearly $400,000…not to this year’s budget…but to THE PRIOR YEAR'S FIGURES…would you believe? Forget about cutting out the pumpkin carving contest and eliminating three cell phones to save a few bucks for a moment. How can a budget be amended that far out from the close of the fiscal year? The auditors can’t be too happy, that's for sure.
The commission voted 4-1 to increase legal services by $34,006 and reduce revenue for the Sewer and Solid Waste Funds in the amount of $220,069 and $126,401, respectively for FY 2007-2008—which was last year. Only Commissioner Kennedy had the balls to say NO WAY. Commissioner Valery called it “B.S.” but voted to approve the resolution just the same.
Wouldn’t a budget adjustment that sizeable impact not only last year’s budget, but this year’s and next year’s as well? So how can they be adopting the same budget again tonight that was approved BEFORE these latest adjustments were announced? It seems that consultant Rob Garner found the error requiring the adjustment in April…so why no mention of it until seven months later? In all his appearances at commission meetings, why didn’t Garner mention this “small” detail? (Is this guy slated to fill in for the recently axed Marty Schless as our City Treasurer?)
And what revenue figures did Burton & Associates use for the sewer/solid waste fund rate study? If they used unadjusted revenues, does this mean that the 60% increases we were all crying about weren’t enough and we’ll be seeing yet another increase in short order?
The city has now published three public notices for the millage and budget—all with different figures. When the figures changed, didn’t the City have to go back to the first reading again instead of picking it up at the second/final reading? Will that be the next violation the State catches to propel us into a fourth millage-setting session?
Excuse my rambling, but I'm so lost; it’s the best I can do. Maybe after tonight’s meeting, clarity will set in…
Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB
I haven’t written much lately. Quite frankly, I don’t even know what to write. Former Mayor-Commissioner Ed Piniero summed it up at the last commission meeting on November 13th when he said, “This gets more bizarre by the moment.”
As predicted, there will be third setting of the millage rate and re-re-adoption of the 2009-2010 operating budget tonight, Thursday, November 20th, 7 p.m. at City Hall. When is the fourth re-do scheduled? Never rule it out.
Normally, I would see this as yet another chance to get plausible responses to a ton of unanswered questions that many citizens persist in asking. Although, I will fully admit that I’m so confused at this point, I’m not sure I even know what the questions actually are.
Even those of us who have followed the city’s financial missteps from the get-go can’t follow what’s going on of late. An unbelievable surprise whizzed through at the last meeting on November 13th. Adjustments were made to the tune of nearly $400,000…not to this year’s budget…but to THE PRIOR YEAR'S FIGURES…would you believe? Forget about cutting out the pumpkin carving contest and eliminating three cell phones to save a few bucks for a moment. How can a budget be amended that far out from the close of the fiscal year? The auditors can’t be too happy, that's for sure.
The commission voted 4-1 to increase legal services by $34,006 and reduce revenue for the Sewer and Solid Waste Funds in the amount of $220,069 and $126,401, respectively for FY 2007-2008—which was last year. Only Commissioner Kennedy had the balls to say NO WAY. Commissioner Valery called it “B.S.” but voted to approve the resolution just the same.
Wouldn’t a budget adjustment that sizeable impact not only last year’s budget, but this year’s and next year’s as well? So how can they be adopting the same budget again tonight that was approved BEFORE these latest adjustments were announced? It seems that consultant Rob Garner found the error requiring the adjustment in April…so why no mention of it until seven months later? In all his appearances at commission meetings, why didn’t Garner mention this “small” detail? (Is this guy slated to fill in for the recently axed Marty Schless as our City Treasurer?)
And what revenue figures did Burton & Associates use for the sewer/solid waste fund rate study? If they used unadjusted revenues, does this mean that the 60% increases we were all crying about weren’t enough and we’ll be seeing yet another increase in short order?
The city has now published three public notices for the millage and budget—all with different figures. When the figures changed, didn’t the City have to go back to the first reading again instead of picking it up at the second/final reading? Will that be the next violation the State catches to propel us into a fourth millage-setting session?
Excuse my rambling, but I'm so lost; it’s the best I can do. Maybe after tonight’s meeting, clarity will set in…
Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB
3 comments:
I am losing all faith in both the city staff, attorney and commissioners to not only act in the best interest of our city but to faithfully adhere to the requirements of their positions. How can we have lost or misplaced another 400k??? What in the heck is going on, is this not fraud? Are we not witnessing a municipal equivalent to Enron and other fradulant accounting practices? What are we paying these consultants for? Someone please donate Quickbooks, or Peachtree to the city so they can figure out how much money we have.
SOMEBODY PLEASE GET US ANSWERS!
P.S. I am both surprised and Happy that Cookie was able to step up to the plate and Say NO. Perhaps she can advance her political career by listening to the citizens and doing the right thing this go around.
Consultants are hired by the powers that be. They never feel beholding to the citizens who pay the bills. But, make no mistake--the city manager and the city treasurer both new what was going on. That does not mean they shared that knowledge with the commissioners or even the city attorney. Consultants only answer the questions they are asked. If commissioners didn't ask the question, he didn't feel compelled to offer the information. Place blame where it belongs--city staff.
Oh yes, the blame belongs to the Commission.
They don't ask questions.
They don't know what to ask.
They don't demand answers.
Still no definitive answer as to how was borrowed/owed,if any at all.
No concern for the residents and businesses in running a less costly government. Lastest trick is $2,000 plus for sidewalks in Chica Si park. Why?
What are the options for paying off the so called loans? What interest rate are the rate payers paying, for how long? The Mayor admits that budget amendments just approved for the prior year's budet have an impact on the current year, but they readopt the current years budget with no recognition of such impacts. More spending in the prior year means less carry forward to the current year whic means a lower reserve, but they keep spendiing?
Now they want to give the CM more power by eliminating the other Charter officers. Is that because we have a three person voting block that controls the CM?
So sad.
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