FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2011
Council President Mixon said the city's financial picture improved during the first quarter of the fiscal year (beginning last Oct. 1st). Mixon said they were "on budget" and $3.2 million has been set aside so far for emergencies; the city's debt has been reduced to $31.7 million and is being paid down by $1.5 million/yr; cash-on-hand has nearly doubled and the usual year-end borrowing wasn't needed (to purchase electric power and other expenses).
BETTER MANAGEMENT CREDITED
Mixon credited the City's Treasurer, Administrator, Superintendent, Department Heads, and volunteer citizens serving on the various committees for the improvement.
Mixon: "(They) streamlined operations . . . making them more productive . . . cost-effective."
"Our 2011 goal is to continue prudent management of the city."
STANKOSKI WARNS AGAINT RECKLESS SPENDING "LIKE IN WASHINGTON"
Says We're In Good Shape, Not Great. Got a Lot on Our Plate
Councilman Stankoski warned of the outstanding liabilities: $31 million debt and $6.1 million for retiree pensions; and listed expensive critical short-term needs:
Possible critical long term needs he mentioned:
MIXON ALSO WORRIES ABOUT RETURN TO "GIVE AWAY DAYS OF OLD"
In a subsequent statement to the Times, Mixon said the city's yearly audit will soon be completed and his main priority is infrastructure upgrades:
"The regular annual audit will be presented at the next council meeting according to the Mayor. My keen interest now is in planning financial and actual work for the city infrastructure. I.e. heavy into street repair, replacing many outdated power lines, etc and continue paying off the 31 million that is still owed. I am afraid that some folks (now because we are well into the black) will think that we should go back to the give away days of old. The FAC committee is in agreement with me that now is the time to upgrade the city, and continue to build our reserves. We have some large expenses on the horizon, such as the up grade of the sewer plant, building the water tower on the north side.
Mixon:
Stankoski:
Council President Mixon said the city's financial picture improved during the first quarter of the fiscal year (beginning last Oct. 1st). Mixon said they were "on budget" and $3.2 million has been set aside so far for emergencies; the city's debt has been reduced to $31.7 million and is being paid down by $1.5 million/yr; cash-on-hand has nearly doubled and the usual year-end borrowing wasn't needed (to purchase electric power and other expenses).
BETTER MANAGEMENT CREDITED
Mixon credited the City's Treasurer, Administrator, Superintendent, Department Heads, and volunteer citizens serving on the various committees for the improvement.
Mixon: "(They) streamlined operations . . . making them more productive . . . cost-effective."
"Our 2011 goal is to continue prudent management of the city."
STANKOSKI WARNS AGAINT RECKLESS SPENDING "LIKE IN WASHINGTON"
Says We're In Good Shape, Not Great. Got a Lot on Our Plate
Councilman Stankoski warned of the outstanding liabilities: $31 million debt and $6.1 million for retiree pensions; and listed expensive critical short-term needs:
- Road Paving
- Computer server replacement
- Gas line replacement
- New sewage treatment plant or upgrade
- New water tower/pipes to Rock Creek
Possible critical long term needs he mentioned:
- A north side fire station and a fire training tower facility
- A police precinct office on the east side
- Improvements to the "atrocious" Fairhope Ave. & Greeno Rd. intersection
- Expansion of City Hall (inadequate meeting space)
MIXON ALSO WORRIES ABOUT RETURN TO "GIVE AWAY DAYS OF OLD"
In a subsequent statement to the Times, Mixon said the city's yearly audit will soon be completed and his main priority is infrastructure upgrades:
"The regular annual audit will be presented at the next council meeting according to the Mayor. My keen interest now is in planning financial and actual work for the city infrastructure. I.e. heavy into street repair, replacing many outdated power lines, etc and continue paying off the 31 million that is still owed. I am afraid that some folks (now because we are well into the black) will think that we should go back to the give away days of old. The FAC committee is in agreement with me that now is the time to upgrade the city, and continue to build our reserves. We have some large expenses on the horizon, such as the up grade of the sewer plant, building the water tower on the north side.
I asked the mayor to give us a list of the things that he foresees as needed in the next 5 years. Luckily, we are now at a position that we can start some re-building."
Mixon:
Stankoski:
Comments
It helps re-elect the politicians and makes people happy going in debt to be giving money to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who comes through the door like liberal Democrats but its not good for the city, citizens or employees in the long run.
The majority of this council had to clean up the mess left by the last one. hard, unpopular work at times.