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The See Party: A Call to Minds
This week’s Locals Only column looks for volunteers to help analyze the Ocean Shores budget:
Something is not right, here . . .
We, the residents and property owners of Ocean Shores, are paying more, every year.
And receiving less.
There have been increases in property taxes in each of the last two years, and expect another 1 percent increase for 2011. On top of that, in 2011 there will be an EMS levy of 35 cents per thousand, almost double the 19 cents per thousand in 2008 and 2009. (Statistics cited in this column from 2010 Adopted Budget)
And now the City of Ocean Shores will ask for another 22 cent levy, “to keep the Library open.”
I’m all for the Library staying open, but I have preliminary questions:
*Why do we need another levy?
*What happened (and is happening, and will happen) to the rest of the money?
*Why has Ocean Shores laid off so many employees over the last two years, and cut so many services . . . only to ask for more money from the locals?
We’ve been told that the city has cut back to absolute essentials, and departmental budgets are running razor-thin.
Maybe it’s because I was named after the apostle nicknamed “Doubting Thomas,” but I’m not buying it. I want to see the numbers, not just hear the talk.
Actually, I don’t want to be the one to look at the numbers, as I know about as much about accounting as I do about The String Theory. (Is that a band?)
I’m calling for those who have a knowledge of accounting, or book keeping, or just an interest in how their money is spent and enthusiasm for research to help the cause of the Readers Input Group.
“RIG the Paper” is our readers group that meets Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Library (fancy that!). Last week, in part due to frustration over a lack of clarity from the City, RIG agreed to take a hard look at the numbers, department by department.
Personally, I’m not interested in following City workers around all day to see how productive they are; and I’m not in favor of more layoffs.
What I am advocating for is a look at what the job descriptions say, how much time the City spends mowing median grass, how many vehicles the City owns or leases, how much we’re paying for gas and insurance, how much departments are spending on paper and stamps, what kind of “training” we are paying for, how fast building permits are being processed, do we really need “permanent overtime,” and if so, do we really need as much as department heads ask (and receive); what are “professional services” that runs into thousands in each department; how about the $6,000 for “repairs and maintenance” for the City Clerk?; can the $255,000 for utilities for City Hall be reduced significantly . . .
In short, do we REALLY need another levy/tax?
Consider the fact that in 2008, the Library was running full time, with four full-timers. In 2009, it was down to three staff, still a full timer operation.
Now, there’s one full-time staff, and the poor place is open half time; and the Interpretive Center’s hours (and budget) have been cut drastically.
We were told this was necessary because there is no EMS levy, this year. Well . . . even if I buy that, what about next year? There should be enough in EMS levy to keep that department off the General Fund . . . so where is the money that used to go from the General Fund to EMS going to go? Why can’t THAT go to the Library?
Here’s what I know, with my limited knowledge, from reading over the 2010 budget:
Total supplies in the 2010 budget: $861,161. Cut that by half, and the savings alone would be enough to run the Library and Interpretive Center, full time for both.
Other services and charges: $2.4 million.
Whaaaaat the heck is that?
Page 13 of the 2010 Ocean Shores budget shows taxes for each year:
2006, $3,942,147. 2007, $4,057,700. 2008, $4,104,179. 2009, $4,359,509. 2010 estimated, $4,333,390.
Do you see a trend, here?
Our 2009 taxes were some 10 percent more than collected in 2006. The collection in 2009 was about 6 percent more than in 2008.
Now get this: in 2008, a levy of 19 cents per thousand was collected, for EMS. After shooting down a bigger request last year, leaving no EMS levy in 2010, Ocean Shores voters approved a 35 cent levy for 2011 and 2012.
The EMS levy collection rose from $225,130 in 2006 to $245,259 in 2008 to $256,313 in 2009. In 2011, it will be an estimated $484,000.
So, in 2008, taxes + EMS levy was $4,349,438. In 2009, those two together totaled $4,615,822.
In 2011, taxes plus the new levy could total $5 million.
The 2008 basic levy was $1.5615. The next year, $1.7209. This year, $1.7438. Next year, it could be $1.761 . . .
Now, I’m not saying there is any mismanagement going on. But I am saying that detailed numbers have not been provided, and the City has a pretty poor track record, of handling budgets. Street LID project? Twenty to 25 percent over original budget, maybe more. Roundabout project? Maybe double what was originally going to come out of utilities – the money you and I pay, every month.
Well folks, we don’t have much time. The Library levy vote is on Aug. 17, with ballots going out a couple weeks ahead.
If you’re interested in a nibble of this research pie, come to this week’s RIG meeting, Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Library. If you can’t make it but want to contribute, email me or call.
This isn’t a call to arms, it’s a call to minds.
This isn’t a “Tea Party,” it’s a “See Party.” (Or, “Sea Party.”)
Maybe there really isn’t any loose money, and everything is being properly managed down to the pennies.
But let’s see. Let’s investigate.
If not, we may be drifting at sea . . .
tscanlon@northcoastnews.com; 360-289-2441
There are times I wish we had “emoticons” available here.
I would like to explain that my previous post re school taxes was intended as sarcasm. (Just in case someone thought I was serious.)
When my kids were in school I was almost as poor as a churchmouse (active duty enlisted) and someone else footed most of the bill for their schooling. I now happily pay my school taxes in payback.
Amen Lorraine!
I’m sorry I missed the meeting…I KNEW there was something this morning and could not remember what it was. That seems to be happening more frequently lately. I better start writing stuff down
I’ve never had any children and I’ve voted FOR almost every school levy they sent to us! Please people, if we only take care of ourselves and to the devil with everyone else, this would be a sad world. A public library, is just that, public…and even though the only library I’ve been in besides my own is the one in Ocean Shores in the last thirty years or so, just to see what it was like….I can’t imagine our world without libraries. My love for reading and books was inspired by everyone who ever lent me a book and every librarian who ever fired my interest in reading something new, something more. When I was little, my parents were always working hard and scraping to get by raising five children, how else would I have ever had the chance to be exposed to the world of books?
fixed-income………….i’m with you. let those with kids in school pay for them. we did our part when our yunguns were growing up. now let us off the hook.
I don’t have any kids in school, so do I get out of paying school taxes??
I am not anti-literate, but I have never used the library and I don’t want to pay for it.
For those who actually use the library, a $25 annual fee is not unreasonable.
We don’t pay taxes so people can go to the movies for free.
We shouldn’t have to pay taxes so they can read books for free.
So true! Good questioning Tom! This city is all about the darn tax levies left and right to solve the problems. Let’s get outside these gates and explore other options!!!!
What about an appeal of
Property Tax Valuation? This is what I found.
This article/information is by Jeff Rauth in regards to property tax valuation appeals.
On a real estate tax appeal you can only debate the fair market value of your property. You cannot argue the tax rate or the assessment ratio (unless they made a mistake and recorded your property in the wrong category). But again, you can only argue the assessors opinion of your properties value. Keep in mind that most cities assessors are over worked and or under qualified, so they very often make outright mistakes. If you know of other similar properties in your area that sold for less than what they have recorded your property at, than you most likely have a case and could save a lot of money.
Don’t be like the 98% of property owners that don’t bother to appeal their real estate taxes. They are leaving thousands of dollars on the table for no reason. The process to appeal is really not complex and won’t eat that much of your time.
Jeff Rauth, President of Commercial Finance Advisors a Property Tax consulting firm and a commercial mortgage broker. More information on appealing your taxes at SBA 7a Loans More general info on appealing can be found here as well: SBA Business Loans
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Rauth
Without access to the sub-ledger numbers the budget as presented to the council and citizens is worthless. It is so generic and non-specific. It is designed to allow fluff so people in power can rob Peter to pay Paul. Moving money around is the norm now. If you can not follow the money, you are searching in the dark.
Yes, we have contracts. We should have those out there now so people can start planning now for 2013 when they expire. Let the citizens say what they want Police, Fire, Public Works and others do and do not do. If we want our police to take an 80 hour class to become animal control officers like we pay for Marine Patrol classes, Ocean Rescue classes, SWAT classes, etc. then we say so in the new contracts. Cross training for all possible needs only improves services. If code enforcement needs additional attention, add that to the contracts. We have ordinances and codes that are not that different from criminal codes and vehicle codes. We are the clients. We are the stakeholders. We are the ones that should be calling the shots. Tom, Great Job in getting questions out there!!
Timberland may cost us more, but do we get more!!! People pay for quality products when the see the value. We pay for the school levy and do so with expectations of a better product, educated and functional kids. We pay EMS levies and expect quality services that are managed well in regards to collections and billing along with smart use of the limited resources available. We expect that with every department. Dig Dig Dig and get the truth regarding every cent spent by every department. Have productivity reviews. See why permits for businesses and buildings are taking so long. Look at the process and see if it is broken too. How many times is the same paper touched? How empowered are the people that interface with the public. Why are public facing people cut when that should be the last thing cut. Start cutting from the top. Maybe more employees reporting to the mayor and less department heads. Let him earn the nearly 100K he is being paid.
about who is in charge of “our city”. not us that is plain to see. and those “in charge” ain’t gunna admit a darn thing.
Has anyone figured out WHO is actually in charge of our City? Who is supposed to keep spending within the limited budgeted funds available?
Let us not forget that a Timberland solution will cost each of us .35 per thousand. Also in preparation for looking at the budget one must understand the contractural agreements with Unions and some employees.
I applaud the effort.
I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll try to be there. I’d love it if someone could come up with real answers and not just “maybe this and maybe that”. Nicely written, Tom. I hope someone has a way to get to the bottom of these insane numbers. Can we get ahold of another beach tourist town with the approximate same number of people to look at their budget? Yes, I know every place has it’s unique needs but it might give us some ideas of how close we are to other areas and if they are doing more with less maybe we could see how.
Excellent oped. The primary purpose of a news publication is to keep its citizens informed. To this end The NCN, is leading the way. Keep up the good (actually excellent) work.
I also like our library and would totally support a Timberland takeover, but feel that this 22 cent levy is akin to the city holding the library hostage and demanding a 22 cent per thousand ransom.