Front Page Clips: Items moved from the front page not otherwise linked.
Moved from the front page on 9/27/05
Conclusion of the Saga of the Slush Fund! 8/3/05
Posted by Ron West
Beginning on March 5th, this website requested full disclosure on the two "non-departmental" budgets that I called slush funds. This money, set aside for undocumented purposes was both big and well hidden. The call for disclosure was repeated many times and met with a stonewall from City Hall. I suppose mounting public questions finally forced Cunningham to provide documentation for these two budget items. At the budget planning session held near Paradise, TX, well out of local public view, council members finally received a document from Cunningham that provides full accounting for these funds. Each of the funds was increased for the upcoming year and I heard no questions about either of these accounts.
You may review the disclosure by clicking here.
Since there is no "smoking gun" indicating the misuse of funds, one must wonder why the city put up such a battle about releasing this information. Thanks to one council member, there was no need to seek an open records request to publish this information.
For the 13th year the city is planning to increase your property taxes by "holding the rate". All excess funds over planned spending are being directed to "reserves" which is basically unbudgeted money for future spending.
The council continues to demonstrate that no matter how much money the city is planning to receive, regardless of population growth or lack thereof, ALL money will be spent without the consideration of decreasing any taxes or fees. There appears to be no chance of any consideration of tax relief as long as the current group is in power.
The spending for 2005/06 is being increased. No questions were asked about any reductions in any budget item. City staff received 100% approval of all submitted budget items. While sales taxes are projected to be down compared to the current year, total revenues are projected to be up to support the increased spending.
Reserves are the new "holy grail" and will apparently grow to whatever size that excess taxation allows. Maybe the question we should be asking is just how big these "reserves" have to get before the council will think about providing tax relief for the citizens. Make sure that when you talk to a council member that they know just how much money is in each of the many reserve funds of the city!
Bottom line of the slush funds is that they are just that - parking places for undesignated anticipated spending. There was no wrong doing, just no disclosure and continued runaway spending. Should there be questions about the line items here? I would certainly think so, but there were none!
Government in NRH certainly knows what is best for us.... don't they?
Moved 3/17/05
"Unbelievable Runaway Spending Budget Passed on 9/13/04!"
New plans in Strategic Plan 2010 for even more unbudgeted spending! - -
Check out this "Pork" for yourself!
$3,766,573 - Page 279 & Page 350 : Sundry Slush Funds!
$764,744 - Page 279 & Page 350: General Services!
(Note: this "pork" approved by 6 to 1 vote of council without any specific discussion of the use of 20.9% of total property tax revenues on these two pages. These funds are for discretionary spending of $4,843,134 by Mr. Cunningham! ) While explanation or justification of the above slush fund has been requested from the Mayor, Council and City Manager - there has been NO response at all!
This is in addition to the following items previously identified:
$1,000,000 for North Hills Mall Signal Improvements!
$565,400 for South Library Improvements to old Food Lion Building!
$250,000 of Park Fund Money Moving to Economic Development Slush Fund!
Lots of money for almost any study or anything else you can imagine!
(From slush fund on page 279 & 350!)
Stay Alert - This budget is filled with Pork and is a moving target!
Four Months AFTER Approval - 1/27/05 - Full Budget for 2004/05 finally posted the city's website!
