I have read the "Tribune" article from February 8th about the 20 firefighters who could lose their jobs. It was very well written, thank you Daniel, but I am still confused.
If the city has 4 Million Dollars a year in unencumbered EDIT funds this year and presumably in previous years, why are we in such trouble?
We don't have the money to fix our sewers, potholes, sidewalks, etc. but we have all of these unencumbered funds?
As Denzil Washington said in the movie "Philadelphia", "Please explain this to me as if I were a five year old".
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Hey Shirley,
There's was a lot of info in that meeting, more info than I've seen at any regular meeting.
On the EDIT, according to the budget numbers provided, the city's EDIT fund had an ending balance of about $2.4 mill last year, and projected income for this year is $2.8 mill. Dedicated expenditures are about $1.275 mill. That includes 870k for sewers and 137k for the Y. Rainy Day funds are left over EDIT monies collected by the state that are sent to cities I believe at the end of each year.
The council had EDIT money reserved from past years, so it doesn't get $4 mill every year in that fund.
You combine the EDIT, Rainy Day and River Boat money and that's where you get the $8 mill.
Hope that helps.
Daniel or Shirley,
Can you all explain how shifting and paying those 'salary related expenses' from EDIT 2010 will impact the budget (General Fund) for 2011? Does that mean that those salary expenses (if granted again next year) will need to come out of EDIT (again) in 2011 because they aren't in the General Fund (salaries)of 2010?
I think I can answer that.
If I understand correctly, you can't shift EDIT into the general fund, but you can, after the state changed the law, use EDIT to pay for about anything expense related such as salaries.
The city's budget is set every year, so those arrangements are renewed or discontinued each year. If the general fund isn't suddenly blessed with more property taxes and other taxes than is expected, then yes, they would have to use EDIT again or would have to cut it out of the budget in 2011. The mayor basically said the other night he sees the EDIT funding salaries for two years until annexation is completed and the gen. fund tax base expands to cover those public safety costs.
Daniel,
Won’t more police and fire personnel need to be hired before the annexation ordinance is passed to cover that new area right away? Need those additional trucks and cars, need to build a new fire station, and need more sanitation, storm water services, and sidewalks? Is that area(s) “willing/wanting” to be annexed and won’t put up a fight? Will additional city monies be needed from current citizens to ‘start’ annexation?
That's a very good question. Last year when they were asking for five more officers, the police department said if they were hired, that would allow them to cover the annexed area. The fire department people basically said Monday night that they could handle the annexation by relocating a fire station.
From what I understand, Purdue really wants to be annexed. I'm not so sure about the rest of Charlestown Road out that way, but I would assume so.
Another aspect would be if the area is incorporated into a TIF zone, and also the possible revenue loss from utilities that won't be able to charge the fringe rate there.
Daniel,
How much money is going into TIFs right now, instead of into the city General Fund each year (Police & Fire)?
Doesn't the Floyd County auditor have that info about TIFs?
Thanks.
You caught me on something I can't say for sure. I promised a few weeks ago to have an expanded TIF story, and I intend to keep that promise. With the sewer situation and EDIT situation, I've gotten a little off track but the administration said they want to meet about it too so it will happen.
Close a firehouse in the 'city' in order to 'relocate' one in the annexed area! Police and Fire need more money (for more cars and new hires)!
Thanks Daniel, I think you have given us the answers and solved the puzzel - it is all about ANNEXATION!!!
Daniel,
Thank you for all of your research and explanation.
Shirley
Anytime, that's my job.
I have the answer to that one Daniel. It's 8 million on TIF's last year. I got it in writing from Theresa Pliass. Our council gave $32 million in tax abatements in 2009. The county gave 1 tax abatement in 2009.
What get's me is eoghty five cents on every dollar goes to police and fire. Let's just give it all to them and fold up our city.
They are pricing themselves out of a job.
Let's have an audit and see what's in the bank.
I was taught a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Thanks for the info, Daniel.
Hope you can find time to do some type of story about TIFs before that next City Council meeting. A good Council member should be able to give you that information, but I doubt any of them know.
It is disturbing to see a new business/industry in need of extra Police & Fire protection built in a TIF, because TIF diverts that money.
Don't suppose the Trib would hire another reporter to help you – SO MUCH to cover.
So you're saying $8 mill was diverted from the general fund? I'll have to call her, that's a very big number.
There's is quite a bit going on. Maybe one day we can fill up the paper with nothing but good news and surplus budgets!
That $8 million figure could be correct. However, it is quite possible that only a small part of it, maybe none of it, would have went to the general fund. Remember, there are caps on how much the general fund can go up each year.
Daniel,
How about doing some investigative reporting for us. I am dead serious. You have No clue of the hundreds of dollars several of us have spent to find out what we know.
Why, because we love our city and our jobs downtown.
Do you have a clue to how many employees are reading FOS & this blog?
Certain groups attack the potty police, and CFA. They put their lives on hold to help our city and others want to attack them because they don't want to know or believe the truth about what is really going on here in New Albany.
Start snooping around and see how fast England and other's turn on you and your newspaper.
Our council has not got the guts to research and ask the tough questions.
Everything is politics with them except for Councilman Price.
No one here are against the police & fire.
They just keep wanting more and not wanting to give.
I don't know about you I can't give NO more. I work two jobs now to feed my kids and keep a roof over my family.
A little advice Daniel, get everything in writing or they will call you a liar and deny they ever said it. It could cost you your job.
Daniel, when you go after the TIF amounts from the Auditor, Theresa Plaiss, this office also provides tax abatement information. The trick on getting this report (and there is one) is to ask for tax abatements by township. If you simply ask for tax abatements you will get a 3 to 5 page report. You have to stipulate you want tax abatements broken by township. Thanks.
Thanks for the advice all, I appreciate it. You can always e-mail me at daniel.suddeath@newsandtribune.com
I promise I'll be looking at the TIF situation and see where it goes. You gave me a few good places to start.
You are welcome. Good Luck.
the area for annexation already has city sewers and is paying a surcharge of 50% because they are not in the city----when anexxed--the sewer utility will lose the additional 50% surcharge on all of the property annexed=====then they will have to raise rates again to make up for that.
Lets see--40% under overton--20% under garner and now 70%???? and a 44 million dollar expansion project.
Just goes to show 1 + 1 does not equal two and they all have their heads up their behinds to even think no one can understand their faluting ways. I'm tired of being called and thought of as stupid. I appreciate your comment, LOL.
Daniel, Call Larry M. County Council former president @ 923-5931 he can and will educate you on Tax Abatements. Ask him why the County only gave 1 abatement.
The sad thing is there are very people out here who knows what is going on esp.our council members.
Have you ever wondered why Councilman Price votes NO? (please NO smart-ass remarks Mr. Baylor and the progressives)
He picks up the phone and calls the "right people" who know what's really going on in New Alany!
As they say 1+1=2 not England's fuzzy math.
anonymous 1am,
Your NOT stupid. You just need to do your homework. Then expose them for their lies.
1+1=2
Have you ever wondered why Councilman Price votes NO? (please NO smart-ass remarks Mr. Baylor and the progressives)
Not from me.
I think it's nervy of Daniel to come striding into this barroom and engaging the customers. Last time I saw so many hoods, it was a Klan Konklave.
Is that smart ass?
Shirley you can jump into this conversation anytime now, since you plan to run for council.
Surely you understand EDIT,TIFS, Rainyday Funds, contracts, sewers, storm water, EPA, Consent degrees, sos's and etc.?
Mr. Slacker,
How come you write more on this blog than you do your own?
Sounds like your neglecting "them" people.
Why not discuss the issues of New Albany instead of attacking others.
Because Baylor is not interested in the issues in NA. Matter of fact, we are all crazy to even be talking such things, isn't that right Mr. B?
I do not think he has much credibility left and that is okay with me. Good riddance to the City of New Albany's (LITERALLY) blog site. Name calling is his speciality. Just call him Beer Belly.
His only motivation for writing on this blog, I feel, is to distract all of us from the REAL ISSUES which do not exist in his bleary red eyes world.
Back to TIFS, Sewers, General Fund, etc.
I vote "no."
Back to the cement pond, long necks of swill and a Dorito or two.
Price is nothing more than a puppet for the likes of Coffey, Denhart, and the likes. Thats why he votes no to everything.
Anon February 10, 2010 4:54 PM
I love how you brag about the hundreds of dollars you spent to find out the truth, but yet in the same statement say you cant afford to pay any more because you have to work 2 jobs just feed your kids and keep a roof over their heads. Sounds like a picture perfect example of fiscal mismanagement, and we are to listen to you?
Ron Cates, Thank you very much for the extremely sensible article you wrote for the Editorials in the Tribune. I couldn't agree with you more and people were praising you for your words and comments. Can you run for Mayor? Thanks for the truth.
No, he can't run for mayor. He's a Georgetown resident.
Hey, it was just a thought IAMHOOSIER, LOL. But, thanks for the info.
If he is so smart, why is Georgetown in even worse shape than us? Perhaps he should clean up his own backyard first.
(Don't bother, yeah, he probably owns property here--maybe that's another problem)
Actually from my perspective, Georgetown is in much better shape. They are going to be building a brand new sewer plant and it is being built with free money that they do not have to pay back. Also, they are not having to raise rates to build it. We built a new plant years ago costing millions with a large rate increase at that time. Here we are still paying it back and having to raise rates again 70%.
If you have spent "hundreds" of dollars to get information you are a grade A, first class dumbass. I have never ever had trouble finding any public information. Internet+phone calls+FOIA requests = you can get anything except UFO reports.
It's okay to be a little dumb. It really isn't your fault. It is genetics and piss poor education. But you have to REALIZE that these things can be done and do it.
Peace.
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