The Observation Deck

Good thing we just had that thawing-out around here. Both literally, and figuratively.

I think that banjo of mine just emerged from that frozen block of ice.


Like those Quakers say....

There are three sides to every argument...

Thine, mine, and the truth...


I think we are close to the truth here.

Kumbayah all.

Peace.

Oh oh...*jumps up and down* I have a question. I do...a good one too.
Ok so the arm on the truck is on one side right? What happens when the truck goes down the one way streets? How will it get the other side? (lakewood hts blvd) Do those people have to take their cans across the street?
Ok sorry, that popped in my head today when I was out shopping.

http://blogs.townonline.com/newton/?p=70601

check out the comments lol ...

Stephen Eisel wrote:http://blogs.townonline.com/newton/?p=70601

check out the comments lol ...

Hey - sounds like they stole our thread

My favorite:

"Newton has some of the most valuable trash I have ever seen. I can’t tell you how many times walking home I have seen something thrown away that I can use. I usually just grab it and take it home. Now all trash will be hidden inside a barrel and possibly contaminated with real trash. I won’t be opening any barrels to see if there’s something I need."

In good faith to understand better where the Mayor and supporters of his agenda are coming from I have spent countless hours looking into and over city related finances. I am confused, and hope someone can help me understand what seems to not jive with statements made and reasons given for what has transpired over the past year.

In Nov of 2007:

"However, the commission did not find against Fitzgerald for claiming the city faces a projected, half-million-dollar deficit. Fitzgerald said the deficit information came from the city's own Web site. “

In 2008 we were told the figure was 4 million-4.5 million.

How did we get there?

A deficit projection is based upon a combination of estimated revenues and expenditures. The $4 million dollar plus number came out after the election, but before I took office.

I figured some people would be skeptical about the accuracy of that estimate, which is why, even before taking office, I asked the state auditor's office to come to Lakewood and certify the accuracy of the projection. They confirmed it was an accurate estimate.

No budget projection is certain until the numbers come in at the end of the year. Now that 2008 is over, it turns out that the estimates of revenues and expenditures were, in fact, very accurate.

The deficit occurred for three primary reasons:

1. The city had been subsidizing its budget by spending our reserves, which by 2007 and dwindled from millions to just hundreds of thousands.

2. Our personnel costs, including number of employees, costs of medical coverage, salaries, overtime, and other benefits, continued to rise steadily.

3. Our tax revenues, which we could usually count on increasing, tapered off in recent years, and eventually were flat.


Add it all up, and you get a massive deficit.


How do you make sure it doesn't happen again?

1. Contain health care costs, which we have done this year by reducing them from about 10% per year, down to 2%.

2. Reduce the number of employees to a sustainable level; over 80% of our general fund expenditures are personnel related.

3. Control employee benefits, when feasible.

4. Encourage economic development to increase our tax base.

5. Establish "reserve balance accounts" in our budget, so that when we do realize savings, it is more clear that we are saving for a specific need.

6. Be vigilant in the future if the principles stated above are not adhered to.

I really do want to understand. 4 milion surplus, 4.5 million deficit = 8.5 million poofing in 4 years.

Where, how and why, in 4 short years did we over spend by 8.5 million

And thank you Mayor for taking the time to answer these questions. It is very kind of you to take the time and insightful to those of us who do not understand City Budgets

Also am wondering if it is true that Lakewood's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other funding will be affected by 2008 "budget" cuts made to Human Services and Office of Aging?

Again, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We resident type folks have little understanding of the ins and outs of the Budget and Finances of Lakewood.

Shelley Hurd wrote:Also am wondering if it is true that Lakewood's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other funding will be affected by 2008 "budget" cuts made to Human Services and Office of Aging?

Again, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We resident type folks have little understanding of the ins and outs of the Budget and Finances of Lakewood.

Here is why I ask:

http://www.auditor.state.oh.us/AuditSea ... yahoga.pdf
Department of aging
Page 1-22
“the SBTFR links this recommendation to the city providing more services then surrounding cities, which have resulted in higher operating costs, However, many of these programs are partially funded through Federal and State grants. Reviewing the grant requirements for each specific program would ensure that the city does not lose future grant monies as a result of the revision."