INCOMPETENCE, MALFEASANCE, MISFEASANCE, OR A COVER-UP? November 11, 2014
A 4% “shortfall” in city revenues does not explain why there are no specific reserve funds.
City Director Mike Lorenz, “I think the key thing we’ve got to look at is the General Fund.” You have that correct Director Lorenz—the General Fund serves as a universal dipping pool for politicians and bureaucrats accompanied by no citizen accountability, simply a slush fund.
The General Fund, in this case, supports Fire, Police, and Parks. Why isn’t there a specific funding mechanism earmarked for each of the above, along with safeguards, i.e. a reserve fund?
Then the matter of the shortage in the Fire & Police pension funds. Do they too come out of the General Fund? If so, this goes far beyond incompetence! The $7 million anticipated “shortfall” in Fire & Police Pensions is said to arrive in 4 years. Why wasn’t corrective action instituted years ago?
City government solution for the above: City Mgr, Gosack & the Directors want to tap into the street/sewer tax, i.e. diverting revenue and raising taxes—always government’s answer for mismanagement.
A 3 decade major sewer problem and the EPA threatening litigation and city management wants to divert 20% of the street/sewer tax in order to cover deficiencies in Police & Fire Pensions, in yet another government expanding program by inaugurating more U.N. Agenda 21 projects—bikeways, trailways, wayfinding signs, etc.
Coming under the above umbrella is a to be 9,500 city employee pay raise, a classic example of government spending money they don’t have. It must be said here, city government employees make on average 20%+ more than comparable private sector employees, along with many more government benefits.
Lest you are unaware—let’s talk lies & taxes.
Taxes first. With insulting arrogance and without citizens’ discussion or permission, city government sticks their corrupt hands deep into citizens’ pockets as it proposes to enact some or all of the following to satisfy budget “shortfalls”:
1. 25% increase in utility fees
2. 4% increase on water & sewer rates
3. Raise franchise fees 25% for telephone service, electric. Gas, and cable TV ¼%
4. Institution of a business license
5. More tax increases to upgrade the sewer system—wasn’t that what a portion of the 1% city street/sewer tax was to accomplish??
There were no cuts in the Mayor’s $250,000 yearly expense check (why?) Or doing away with the Downtown RR Car & Ferris Wheel. Ahh yes, the long vacant Mitsubishi building & property.
Now to the immoral, unethical, and grand theft orchestrated the by city & county government, i.e. the Marshal’s Museum was and is billed as a private enterprise by Richard Griffin, Sam Sicard, Westphal heirs, and others—and is anything but a “private” enterprise.
In 2007 the state (Arkansas taxpayers) plowed in $2.2 Million to the embryonic Marshal’s Museum and supplemented by $430,000 from Sebastian County. Fort Smith dumped in another $300,000+ the following fiscal year.
The $2.2 million state contribution can be traced to State Senator Jake Files. Was the Senator’s payoff for his $2.2 million legislative success the awarding of ownership of the nascent 8 field softball complex to him & his Democrat crony Lee Webb, along with 1 $million+ subsidy?
Now factor in the cost of the Marshal Museum Commemorative coin, also subsidized by taxpayers
July 23, 2010 Marshal Museum Director Jim Dunn requested and received $100,000 in cash from the city of Fort Smith for MM travel.
What is the stated constitutional, moral, and ethical authority for both city & county governments subsidizing a questionable activity billed as a “private” endeavor?
Who presently owns the fledgling Marshal’s Museum’s assets and what are the plans for the ultimate takeover by one or more government entities?
I wrote on 11/11/11 “Quickly, call the police, the speeding (numbers of entertainment venues) is heading into a financial boomerang, e.g.—the proposed 50,000 sq. ft. $50 million goliath known as the Marshal’s Museum.”
IT IS NOTED IN TODAY’S TIMES RECORD THE CITY HAS BEEN REGULARLY SUBSIDIZING THE MARSHAL’S MUSEUM”! HOW MUCH FUNDING, WHAT FORMS, FOR HOW LONG, TO WHOM AND ON WHOSE AUTHORITY?
Incompetence, malfeasance, misfeasance, or cover-up?
Don’t forget, the easiest job in the whole world is spending someone else’s money.
For more information regarding the city’s conduct on financial matters as just described log on to arkansasfreedom.net
Joe McCutchen