"It's not a wish list"Stanton Stanton said it, not I.
Every department looked at needs and desires but not the funding. Their wishes were all spelled out in these 409 pages, 2.5 INCHES THICK, of Capital Improvements. Two of the top departments heads attended the meeting and were there to answer questions—Joe Kroll of Public Works and Becky Mattey, Director of our Utility.
City Manager
If true on proceeding with a non-standard system, Bill Coakley says, “
I asked an expert in the industry this morning whether or not proceeding with the 26kv would bankrupt the City. This is his answer:
“It absolutely will. Anyone who looks at the nearly 5 million spent on the initial three circuits (33 circuits total in the city = $55 million) and can then justify spending more on a system that will be uncontrollable, is just plain nuts. This is the epitome of ignorance, arrogance and misinformation. I feel really sorry for you unfortunates who reside in that City. Converting to 26 kV literally goes beyond dumb.”
Wasn’t it Mary Lindsey who sued the City over this very same thing years ago? Even our utility expert, Sue Hersey, has stated in the past that this is a bad idea.
Some great quotes from last night. I only stayed 1.5 hours so there were probably more.
Joe Kroll: When asked about why he wants to expend big bucks now on buildings we own he said, “We haven’t maintained these buildings.” When asked about why he needed to buy so many vehicles at one time, he said—“They all broke down.”
Becky Mattey: “We have no bonds affiliated with the Utility.” She failed to say we have a bunch of debt. "We have a debt free power plant." Not sure what that means.
Susan Stanton: “Everything is jumbled in this document,” referring to the 409 paged CIP. “We will not be in this building three years from now I suspect,” talking about our present City Hall…"not sure in a five year window what this building will be used for.”
Darrian Dority, Board member: "I am NOT confused." "I want field trips.” “The City has been operating in the past like the wild, wild west.” I am glad he is not confused because I certainly was.
Bill Thrasher, Board member: “The Casino is the only investment that we should be discussing as it is the only thing that will produce revenue. Let’s concentrate on our general fund.”
John Pickett, Board member: We should work as a M.A.S.H. unit and triage some of this stuff.”
For years, Staff has decided what they want and what they are going to do inspite of the City Commission.
When asked by Chair, Ron Exline, if the board wanted to approve the CIP as presented, the answer was “no.”
When asked if they wanted to approve the concept of the CIP, the answer again was “no.”
They will meet again next week to try and figure it all out. This Board was given an impossible task to digest a 5 year capital improvement projection in only one week. Over a five year period, Staff has proposed $106+ million to spend on capital improvements in a City that is nearly bankrupt. I will be writing more on this "fantasy" in the future and how some of these “wishes” of over $34 million in the upcoming budget year alone will affect our taxes but also why we must pass on a C.I.P.
On May 17th is the Utility Department tour. Once I get the details, will post. This will be opened to the public as well.
5 comments:
As a taxpayer that lives in Lake Worth,this pie in the sky attitude makes no sense!WE ARE BROKE ! Was there ANY mention of protecting our historic buildings ? These buildings are our HISTORY here in Lake Worth and make us UNIQUE.We don't want to look like Boynton Beach or West Palm Beach. Those towns have been destroyed.Can we PLEASE get rid of that friggin FMPA cheerleader, Mattey? This is INSANITY !!!!
So Lynn you write that the "Board was given an impossible task to digest a 5 year capital improvement projection in only one week". I agree. The CIP is complicated and technical in nature.
Yet, you advocate for Amendment 4. Which would require that all of us have to figure it out, too, in amongst everything else we have in our lives and we won't get the benefit of the accompanying staff reports and discussions. No, we'll just have 75 word summaries like " the level of service for solid wast collection shall be 6.5 pounds per capita per day". Hmm, is that a good number, how much does it cost to maintain that level of service, does it need to be higher or lower? I don't have a clue. But, under Amendment 4, I'd have to figure that out.
And, no, I don't want to hear that we won't vote on the CIP because that is simply not true - it is covered by Amendment 4. The plain language tells you that (if you read the amendment and its accompanying definitions).
You are right to be a good watch dog but please stop talking out of both sides of your mouth. Your entry today just proves that Amendment 4 is a bad idea!
Mr Levy I presume? The people out here will be voting on land use changes to the Comp Plan. People are not as stupid as you want them to be and certainly not as stupid as all the Chamber shills tell us we are.
Stewingaway-what the finance board is trying to review HAS NO RELATION to what the citizens would get to vote on under Amendment 4.How ridiculous.Do parents being asked to sign a permission slip for their children to go on a field trip have to review and pass a detailed test on bus engine mechanics and safety ? By your logic, they would! Stewingaway, your desperation is showing. It really would be your worst nightmare for the Florida legislature and elected officials in this state to have to listen to the people who voted them into office instead of the people who payed for them to be in office, wouldn't it ? All of the elected growth whores in Florida better hurry up and stock up on those under the table "GIFTS " that you are used to. Your revenue stream is about to dry up.
The only things making money in this economy are food and sex. I want to open a chicken wing/adults only club on my property. I own my property,So why can't I do what I want to with my property? So what if I live in a single family neighborhood? I don't care how my neighbors are affected.!!!Signed,LaBlahblah Hates
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