6/11/12
The Insider notes that the calendar for the 2103 city budgeting is on tonight's council meeting agenda. Some comments on council's budget responsibility follow.
Over the past 18 months, the Insider has observed that council members pay little attention to the city's expenditures even though they are required to approve them at every meeting. Does this mean that everything is always 100% OK? No. The Insider is aware of errors that ultimately get corrected, but nobody seems to ask questions.
Consider payments to the City's Prosecutor. These are monthly expenditures and usually are in the $2500 range. There's never an explanation of what these payments cover or why they should be approved. The Insider doesn't think there is anything incorrect going on, but if you were on council wouldn't you, at least once in awhile, want to know why this money is being spent? Maybe Mayor Lizee knows, but like everything else regarding police activities, she feels no obligation to inform the rest of council.
Then, there are unplanned expenditures that council authorizes during the year. The approvals rarely come including direction to staff as to where the funds should be obtained. It's like some magic checkbook with unallocated money exists. Staff should not be left to decide how to find the money, that's council's job and they rarely do it.
Four the last four years, the tax levy has been the same. Want to take bets on this council keeping it that way for a fifth year?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
We're loaning money at under market rates - Zerby's explanation lame at best ... cuz in the end we're losing $20k in interest income. The finance director never looked at a 5year CD - only 1yr? And council never questions this math? It would have been cheaper for the City to run an ad in the paper saying "we got money", if that is what they are trying to prove.
ReplyDeleteIf I knew tax increases were for continued essential services i.e. street repair, snow plowing. park maintenance and the like, that served the majority of the community, I'd be fine with a single digit increase .. unfortunately I don't think that's the council's current mind set ... watch for double digit increases to support pet projects.
ReplyDeleteComprehending a detailed municipal budget takes a certain level of time commitment. Complexity of the budget involves thoughtful discussion. No one walks into office and has an immediate grasp of the subject matter. Is it easier to say "yes" and move on?
ReplyDeleteApparently it is. But, Lizee has been involved with the City’s budget for 14 years and Zerby for 8 years – don’t you think they should have a better grasp of the subject matter by now and quit taking the easy route of just saying yes and moving on?
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