Carefree Truth

Issue #250, May 23, 2013

 

 

 

Jim Van Allen quoted an article in the CITYSunTimes written by Mayor David Schwan.  "We have money in the bank, 4.7 million dollars, and may decide to invest some of these funds in infrastructure projects to enhance everyone's quality of life."  Mayor Schwan responded, "Since you do that, I think we should disclose the whole thing.  That was in reference to the road project."  Mr. Van Allen asked that the Council go back and look at the 10 Year Long Range Financial Plan, pointing out that sales tax revenues are down from those projected.  He recommended that the line item for the town center improvements be removed from this year's budget, and that grants and donations be sought and put into a restricted account.  He believed that staff salaries and benefits had increased 24% in the past two years.

 

 

 

Ralph Pipp thanked everyone for doing a great job in preparing the budget.  He felt that one very important component in the proposed improvements to the town center is that the donors of the Gardens had reviewed the projects and felt they fit within the context of their vision.  He was pleased to see that when people step forward wanting to contribute to and improve the town, "their vision is followed through and their advice is sought."  He reiterated that the budget is conservative, and said, "We are not in a position that many of our neighboring communities are."

 

 

 

I approached the podium requesting a clarification.  It was my understanding that if items are not budgeted, the Town can't apply for or use grants for those items.  I asked if we could, in fact, apply for a grant and put it in a restricted savings account for later use.  Gary Neiss answered that it all depends on the grant, but first and foremost, you have to have the ability to request it, receive it, and expend it, and that's done through the budget.  "We're putting a line item in the budget that accepts any donations, accepts any grants, so that we can facilitate that.  Some of the grants may have time lines associated with them, so you may not have the ability to put it into a savings account and wait a year or two."  If investing in Carefree, people want to know when it will be spent.  Some requirements are associated with when funds are spent.  "Otherwise, they will give it to someone else."  "In theory it sounds good, but many do have timelines."  

 

 

 

The budget bottom line was approved 6-1, Councilman Mike Farrar opposed.  He had explained in a previous article in the Arizona Republic that he was opposed to the proposed town center improvement projects and to raises for the staff.     

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxaiku3KWM8

 

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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