Rather than hire a CPA, I recommend the city hire a forensic accountant to review every dollar that went into and out of the city over the past 7 years. As a city resident for 27 years, it has been clear for at least 7 years that the water and sewer bills were way out of whack. Unfortunately, I have strong suspicion that significant funds have actually be fradulenty stolen from the city coffers. Hope I'm wrong and fear I'm not.
I agree with you! I wrote to the city council about the TOT rebate. I got a response from Phil Carter that started off with all the "wonderful things the council as done". It included the changes to the water and sewer, freezing the rate increases, etc that they had made right after the report came out. My response was "you only did that because of the Grand Jury report. The council and staff's first response was deny, deny, deny. Which is becoming a common behavior which I detest." They say they want to rebuild trust but their behavior just keeps moving that possibility further and further away.
The Water Fund is now WORSE off financially than it was prior to the Grand Jury report and the fund will likely go into deficit.
Unfortunately what isn't mentioned in this article is a very important point - the City can't pay for infrastructure with the rate freeze. The EFOC worked hard studying all issues of water and sewer, their recommendation:
Reconsider Rate Freeze and Tier Structure Changes: The Committee remains
concerned that the recent decision to freeze water rates and eliminate tiered rates was
adopted without the broader financial reforms previously recommended by the EFOC.
Based on analyses previously provided to Council, the rate freeze is projected to reduce
Water Fund revenues by approximately $775,000 over the next five years. Without
offsetting these rate freezes, reserves are projected to decline from approximately $2.4
million today to a deficit position within the planning horizon, reducing the City's ability to
fund critical infrastructure projects, maintain adequate reserves, and finance major capital
improvements.
The Committee recommends that the Council reverses the rate freeze and restoration of
the water rate tiers, and evaluates any future rate modifications within the context of a
comprehensive financial strategy for the Enterprise Funds.
The Committee recommends that if Council wants to retain the rate freezes that they
implement the recommendations by mid-year budget review.
Rather than hire a CPA, I recommend the city hire a forensic accountant to review every dollar that went into and out of the city over the past 7 years. As a city resident for 27 years, it has been clear for at least 7 years that the water and sewer bills were way out of whack. Unfortunately, I have strong suspicion that significant funds have actually be fradulenty stolen from the city coffers. Hope I'm wrong and fear I'm not.
I agree with you! I wrote to the city council about the TOT rebate. I got a response from Phil Carter that started off with all the "wonderful things the council as done". It included the changes to the water and sewer, freezing the rate increases, etc that they had made right after the report came out. My response was "you only did that because of the Grand Jury report. The council and staff's first response was deny, deny, deny. Which is becoming a common behavior which I detest." They say they want to rebuild trust but their behavior just keeps moving that possibility further and further away.
I was surprised that the police chief was part of traffic enforcement during the Apple parade. I really like that he is hands on
Thanks for such a clear, succinct summary. Much appreciated.
The Water Fund is now WORSE off financially than it was prior to the Grand Jury report and the fund will likely go into deficit.
Unfortunately what isn't mentioned in this article is a very important point - the City can't pay for infrastructure with the rate freeze. The EFOC worked hard studying all issues of water and sewer, their recommendation:
Reconsider Rate Freeze and Tier Structure Changes: The Committee remains
concerned that the recent decision to freeze water rates and eliminate tiered rates was
adopted without the broader financial reforms previously recommended by the EFOC.
Based on analyses previously provided to Council, the rate freeze is projected to reduce
Water Fund revenues by approximately $775,000 over the next five years. Without
offsetting these rate freezes, reserves are projected to decline from approximately $2.4
million today to a deficit position within the planning horizon, reducing the City's ability to
fund critical infrastructure projects, maintain adequate reserves, and finance major capital
improvements.
The Committee recommends that the Council reverses the rate freeze and restoration of
the water rate tiers, and evaluates any future rate modifications within the context of a
comprehensive financial strategy for the Enterprise Funds.
The Committee recommends that if Council wants to retain the rate freezes that they
implement the recommendations by mid-year budget review.