Economic Development Cuts Budget Request, NOT.
After it was reported on this blog last year that the Director of Economic Development was enjoying some rather lavish and very questionable benefits at taxpayer expense some County Commissioner said enough. Unfortunately they were not in the majority and after some very high promises from the Attorney and Chairperson of the Economic Development, the Legislative Body voted to restore funds that had been cut in previous meetings. Those high sounding promises were for such things as monthly expense statements and activities of the Economic Director and the promise that expenses would be looked at with an eye for cutting all waste.
To date, after speaking with a number of commissioner none have received a regular monthly accounting of expenses by check number and with the release of the newly proposed budget not only did the Economic Development Committee not cut their budget, as promised, they have increased it by well over $10,000.00. That is split between the county at $5,000.00; the city at $5,000.00 and the Electric Department at an unknown amount. Folks this is in addition to the amount they asked for and received last budget year.
There is already much talk of a property tax hike, this is in addition to the increased tax assessments most people have received with their recent tax bills. To help cover the PES share the proposal has been made to increase rates by 2.7% this year and 2% each of the next two years. (This proposed rate increase will be discussed again at the next PES Board meeting at 7AM on Tuesday 28 May at the PES offices). The current plan for the city is to do as in past years when money is needed just take it from the cash cow officially known as the Gas Department.
My question is the same as it was last year and the years before, "How can these expenses be justified". To date, even when the Chairperson and Attorney spoke at the Legislative Meeting last year, no justifications were offered just empty promises and an attitude of this is what you get, find a way to like it.
To date, after speaking with a number of commissioner none have received a regular monthly accounting of expenses by check number and with the release of the newly proposed budget not only did the Economic Development Committee not cut their budget, as promised, they have increased it by well over $10,000.00. That is split between the county at $5,000.00; the city at $5,000.00 and the Electric Department at an unknown amount. Folks this is in addition to the amount they asked for and received last budget year.
There is already much talk of a property tax hike, this is in addition to the increased tax assessments most people have received with their recent tax bills. To help cover the PES share the proposal has been made to increase rates by 2.7% this year and 2% each of the next two years. (This proposed rate increase will be discussed again at the next PES Board meeting at 7AM on Tuesday 28 May at the PES offices). The current plan for the city is to do as in past years when money is needed just take it from the cash cow officially known as the Gas Department.
My question is the same as it was last year and the years before, "How can these expenses be justified". To date, even when the Chairperson and Attorney spoke at the Legislative Meeting last year, no justifications were offered just empty promises and an attitude of this is what you get, find a way to like it.
posted by Allen Barrett | 7:34 PM
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