Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Balanced Budget

Comment Up

Fed up with government spending, the Tea Party conducted an on-line Poll in April to determine what citizens considered the top priorities that our government needs to tackle. Whether or not you are a T-Party advocate, the poll was taken by people of all Party affiliations. The top three priorities are as follows:

  1. Protect the Constitution. What this pertains to is that each time a Bill is presented to Congress, it must identify the specific provision in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to pass it.
  2. Reject Cap and Trade, Obama’s Climate Control Legislation.
  3. Demand a BALANCED BUDGET.

Here in Lake Worth, we don’t have a balanced budget. It has been brought up by the FAB as well as in public commentary at their meetings and each time there has been an inadequate answer or one that is so confusing, you end up scratching your head. We have been assured that by the time the City has to publicize it, it will be balanced. Obviously, presenting an unbalanced budget is a strategy at this time.

We have $137,352,606 in projected revenues and $162,750,0373 in projected expenditures.

The FAB, encouraged by the City Manager to discuss all 5 of her major budgetary suggestions last night, did just that, approving 4 of the 5. The decrease of $1,355,000 in employee benefits and special compensation will be brought back tomorrow night. The majority of the Board thought that this was part of their focus to give a courtesy and notification to the employees that this will be discussed. It's not. “Ok, boss, I really am pi**ed off that you want to cut my benefits.” "It’s either that or lay-offs. Take your pick," says the City. As Bill Thrasher said, "You have some rich employees here in a city that can't afford it."

A balanced budget should be the first priority (required by law) and then implement the necessary steps to keep our city solvent. Times are tough. The taxpayers can't be the only ones making sacrifices. If the Unions won't cooperate or come to the table, then impose the City Manager's will or do what Maywood, California did.

As one member of the Board just said to me, "If you don't go to the dentist now, your tooth is going to get worse and worse."

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2 comments:

  1. dee mcnamaraJuly 13, 2010 at 2:13 PM

    Which one of the decision makers, has verified each and every expenditure? Who approved $162million dollars in Consent agenda's purchases and Contracts made???Before voting for this enormous burden?Who's initials are on these, prior to paying with OUR money?
    Where is the entry for our investments? How much and where?Who invests OUR money, and what securities are we holding?
    The new finance Director has only evasive answers for the Finance Committee! Business as usual!
    We are hemorraging money by our Utility unverified expenses,all passed through by Consent Agenda ,so lazy bums don't have do anything.It is not their money , so f.... them! They sit there trying to look important,spewing hot air!While making our City go under!
    We can be told that we have a balanced budget because employees will give it to us, as nobody verifies any figures or books.
    Finance Committee lsitens only to distractions from their subjects and is led by the nose to nowhere!Bill Thrasher sees through it.
    Dee McNamara,Citizens' interests advocate!

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  2. Lynn AndersonJuly 14, 2010 at 4:37 PM

    Bill Thrasher writes:

    I think I am misquoted about "rich employees.." I said that the City has a rich benefit plan. For all of us average folks, myself clearly included, working for a wage the oxymoron "rich employee" is difficult to comprehend.

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