August 23, 2010

Fort Smith City Government—are they inept, dishonest, arrogant, corrupt or just plain dumb?

Observe:

Flashback :  13 years ago citizens stupidly passed a $55 million tax package to build a convention center, library and the first phase of a master riverfront plan.   I say stupidly because the much more efficient, larger, more attractive Hot Springs Convention Center cost $17 million and the Bud Walton Arena cost $32 million. Using the Walton Arena figures the Fort Smith Convention Center cost almost exactly the same, leaving $23 million out of the $55 million.  What was the Fort Smith library actual final cost? Using the Hot Springs Convention Center cost of $17 million, a surplus of $38 million would exist.  Why such an outrageous price paid for the F.S. Convention Center?  The question is, regarding the comparative costs between the Walton Arena and the Fort Smith Civic Center, why did the Fort Smith Center cost almost the same as the Walton Arena which is much larger and superior construction and many more venues?

It appears that contractors made out like bandits in the construction of the Fort Smith Civic Center. Same mentality that led the city to build the dysfunctional Lee Creek Dam debacle, and additionally, after many denials from the city government and an inordinate number of editorials by then Editor Jack Mosley of the Times Record that the Lake Ft. Smith dam could not possibly be raised, finally after 25 yrs or so it was determined it could be raised after all—why the drastic change in engineering studies (or was there a cover-up?) and what was the real cost to city residents because the city government refused to act honorably and raise the lake dam when originally proposed?  Again, who benefited?  Another question: who was feeding Moseley engineering data which said the dam could not be raised?

The Times Record reports that the Fort Smith Convention Center has a yearly deficit (in bureaucratic terms, that’s “shortfall”) ranging from$650,000 to $1.1 million leaving a $450,000 differential.   The T.R. did not bother to state how many years it was at the $1.1 million vs. the $650,000.   What we do know is since 2001 the city has received $17,700,000 to be applied to the Civic Center deficit over a 9 yr period.  Using the figure $1.1 million yearly, as opposed to the $650,000 yearly expense for 9 years would equal $9.9 million and that figure subtracted from the $17,700,000 would leave a $7,800,000 surplus. 

If these dedicated monies had been used properly, utilizing generously the $1.1 million figure as opposed to the $650,000 figure, the Convention Center’s deficits would have been paid for through at least 2018. Again, some of the surplus was used to pay down Sales & Use tax bond debt.  Why? By what authority?  What happened to the remaining balance? 

Regarding honesty: the city of Fort Smith appears to be plummeting headlong into a Rust Belt environment, while our administration is hell-bent on involving us, “we the citizens” in more hugely expensive, frivolous projects mirroring the $55 million Convention Center/Library tax package hike. This bunch has already cut up the proposed 1% food tax pie, before the vote.  The city directors either lied to citizens or were tricked into lying when stating the Civil Rights Mausoleum, AKA the Marshall’s Museum would be funded by private dollars.  Now we’re told the Board has already poured hundreds of thousands into this proposed $50 million (and counting) endeavor. How many employees are working allegedly for the Marshall’s Museum now, how much are they being paid and who’s providing the funds?  If one thinks the Convention Center is an expensive losing proposition, reflect a moment if you will on the actual construction cost and the continuing staff, maintenance, insurance, utilities, etc. and hence the enormous deficits this baby will surely produce.  Who paid and how much for the consultants and the architectural work already done? 

At tomorrow evening’s meeting (8/24/10), the Directors and other administrative functionaries of the city are going to propose dumping another $100,000 into the proposed Marshall’s Museum.

Other frivolities include another $100,000 (wow) for a Bass Reeve Monument, also billed as a private endeavor.  This expenditure comes in two $50,000 per year increments. After the Bass Reeve Monument is paid off, the $50,000 per year would go the City’s Arts Community…whatever that might be, in perpetuity.  Wasn’t it just a few weeks ago the city proclaimed revenues were down therefore cuts had to be made?  What happened to the suggestion that the City Board give up its $400 per month absurd car expense and absolutely no discussion regarding the Mayor’s $20,000 PER MONTH expense account, which should be only the starting point for cuts.  What happened to the deficit discussions?

The proposed takeover of the Convention Center by the F.S. Advertising & Promotion Commission should be inspected with a microscope. In this regard, Ray Gosack came forth with a heart wrenching decision, that the Commission “should not raise any salaries beyond the rate of inflation through Dec. 31, 2011”.  The arrogance of Gosack, a ward of the taxpayers, even contemplating raising government employee’s salaries at all as companies are downsizing, closing their doors, moving away, and taxpaying citizens are struggling mightily just to have a job. How asinine. “Let ‘em eat cake”?

Citizens, the Fort Smith city government is awash in taxpayer money, and at this time they should be sharply curtailing and cutting expenditures anticipating the bleak future that our nation faces, but all the while they continue their efforts to expand and demand more funding.

Remember, spending other people’s money is the easiest job in the whole world.

Kindest regards,

Joe McCutchen