This morning, starting at 10 AM, the Wicomico County Council will deliberate and vote on the county’s FY 2012 budget. Over a month of hard work has led up to this day. As of yesterday, the council had struck over $3.9 million dollars in cuts.
Yesterday’s budget session showed that tempers are starting to wear thin. I’m glad that the process is almost over. Our seven councilmembers deserve a break from this intensive battle … before they pick up the next big item – PENSION REFORM.
I would be lying if I claimed to agree with every cut made by this council. I don’t. I applaud them for forcing the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) to take a hands off approach to the School Construction Fund monies. Allowing that account to be stripped to fund operations would be disastrous. However, I am dismayed at the $5 million cut in County Executive Rick Pollitt’s budget. I am neither a fan nor a friend of Supt. John Fredericksen. I believe that he thinks the county’s taxpayers are little more than a well to draw from. However, I challenge ANY person to find $5 million of wasteful spending in the BOE’s budget.
It’s simple to shout that they waste money. We all know that they do. However, that is a far cry from finding the actual wasteful spending in their budget. SbyNEWS, and I, have done more than our fair share in bringing the foibles and profligacy of the BOE to light. But, $5 million?
That figure, coupled with the $2 million which our council has refused to allow the BOE to use for operations amounts to $7 million less than last year’s budget. I sincerely fear that we will live to regret SOME of these spending cuts.
WHY DO YOU OPPOSE A TAX INCREASE?
Time and again, I have stated that I would not oppose a tax increase IF I honestly believed that our tax dollars were being well spent. I just don’t believe that they are.
Rick Pollitt is a good man. I am confident that his heart is in the right place. I just think that he may be in over his head.
One case that reared its ugly head yesterday was that of the early retirement plan. Pollitt bullied a majority of council members into voting for it. We were promised that it would save money. Not only are the retirement savings below original projections, we now learn that the folks who took advantage of this taxpayer largesse are also going to be paid almost $600,000 in accrued benefits.
What does this mean? Simply, even with the level funding he requested, Pollitt will not have the funds available to reorganize his office. Why? Over $60,000 from his salary account will have to go to paying retiring County Administrator Ted Shea and one administrative assistant who is also retiring.
After July 1 we will all learn what a boondoggle this plan was. The people who are taking advantage of this offer (and will receive a significantly higher pension) are not all “early retirees”. Over 20% of those retiring have more than 25 years of service. Over 11% have more than 35 years of service.
We have also seen evidence of departments or agencies that are carrying unnecessary employees on their payroll. We also will see another year of furloughs. I am one who subscribes to the argument that IF you can furlough people, you have too many people on the payroll.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
It appears that the council will spare citizens a rate hike. They appear to have cut spending to the bone; and in some cases into it. I can’t imagine what will happen next year if the local economy does not significantly improve.
We can also count on Pollitt riding in with 11th hour requests and the council giving in. This was made evident by the false bravado of our council president, as she voted to give Pollitt the level funding he requested.
The bottom line – Wicomico’s future is at best, uncertain. I would not wish to be in council’s shoes next year for any amount of money. While I KNOW that they worked hard; and truly believe that they did their best; I also know that next year may prove that you can only cut so much.
After tomorrow’s meeting, the ball will be back in Pollitt’s court. IF he continues in his failure to re-structure the county government and adopt efficient practices such as zero-based budgeting, I fear that FY 2013 will prove to be disastrous.
TUNE IN AT OUR LIVE BLOG EVENT – STARTING AT 10 AM
I know of some... You posted on them last year...
ReplyDeleteWhen you have to worry about spending all the budget to ensure you will receive the same if not an increase in monies from the County for the budget... OR How about last year when they would go to Las Vegas for their so called BOE meetings... Also drinking the supposedly best coffee "Starbucks" instead of Maxwell or something differ...
If you can operate and do all things needed get by and are using less but still spend all the budget, that's wasteful period...
Fresh grounded 8 O'Clock beans are better than Starbucks.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great. There's just one problem. None of that adds up to $5 million dollars, much less $7 million.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to say cut here, cut there. I'm merely asking that someone show me wasteful spending that adds up to that amount.
If you are serious, show specific cuts. Otherwise, you sound like a dilettante.
Then why aren't you promoting the 5 penny increase in the property tax rate G.A.??? You've just admitted the $7,000,000 in cuts the Council will approve in the next few minutes is financially devastating for Wicomico County's future.
ReplyDeleteAnon 1121 -
ReplyDeleteDid you actually read the post. I raised a question. I also noted that I would support a rate hike IF I felt that the money was being spent wisely.
Unfortunately, there is enough waste in the county government and the BOE to make any responsible citizen question their funding levels.
I have admitted that I can't find $7 million in waste. I am also sick and tired of this cavalier attitude of "cut here, cut there" but with no specifics.
Good post G.A. The failure to equalize the tax rate will mean approximately $38 million in lost revenue over the next decade. Housing prices will contined to be assessed downward this coming year and there is no sign of true economic recovery locally.
ReplyDeleteSo we will see an acceleration of the downward tax yield next year.
I listen to or attend most of the hearings and I hear no specifics of any consequence regarding pragmatic cuts that yield meaningful expense reductions.Just vague assertions of "wasteful spending".
I think this budget is our "tipping point". We are creating the same dynamics that lead to the tax revolution that spawned the revenue cap...a revenue cap that provides for rat eequalization for good reason...and we have passed on that equalization for two years now.
Then one must consider the real elephant in the room..inflation. The Federal government's fiscal policy has set the stage for a significant upward movement in inflation.This, in turn, will spawn higher real costs for government.
We are a few years away fron not being able to adequately cover core services. Who wants to live in , move to or locate a county in that condition?
Short answer..no one with other choices.
2:01
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the parents of children between the ages of new borns and 17 years olds who will, or are attending Wicomico County schools are not screaming blood murder over these cuts to the children future who are looking at a 80 year lifespan. 14,000 students enrolled in Wicomico County schools and no outraqe. Awwwww, who cares anyways.
I believe that the best place to start cutting the budget is salaries,healthcare and pensions.These 3 things should be equal to the nonunion private sector.Top salary $40,000.00 a year for trade skills,$60,000.00 for 4 year degree and $90,000.00 a year for administors with 4 year degree.If the tax payers can afford a pension plan,it should set at 50% of a person salaries,so if you make $40,000.00 a year,you can retire at 62 with $20,000.00 a year,if you have enought years of service.Health care should be divided in half,50% paid by the tax payers up until retirement at 65,at which medicare kicks in.So if a person retires at 62 they will need to buy there own health insurance until age 65.I have no ideal what salaries,pensions and health care cost the tax payer,but I do work in the private sector, and I think this is more then fair.Working for the tax payers should not be a way of having it better then your bosses.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the BOE budget, is there a line item budget available to analyze? I would look at: past travel spending (we know there is waste there), automobile leases, and anybody with more than 3 words in their job title.
ReplyDelete