My first review of the Mayor's propose 2011 fiscal year budget was on the anticipated revenue. I've come to the conclusion that this is an exercise in nonsense. Comparison is made between anticipated FY 2011, anticipated FY 2010 and the actual revenues in 2010. It is not a coincidence that the anticipated and the actual 2010 revenues match exactly except for the fact that they realized cash in 2010 actually $73,000 more than the budget anticipated. Whereas this year's anticipated revenues are 4 million short.
It does not take an Einstein to note that the 2010 budget, submitted two months before the end of the fiscal year when all grant monies and extraordinary funds had already been received, could not been produced by standard budget practices. It does not represent good financial activity.
This year's prepared budget does not anticipate grants and aid funds that are listed in last year's budget, therefore the shortfall in income. Not being chief financial officer it would seem to me that in preparing a budget which depends so much on anticipated funding from grants and governmental agencies that a guesstimate item which is equal to or slightly lower than last years last receipts would be legitimate and more properly indicate how much revenue must be raised from taxes to maintain the status quo.
In looking at the PILOTS it is noted that there are no anticipated funds this year from the Park Madison property and that the Meadowbrook Gardens contributed nothing in 2010. Also an explanation is needed why "Energy Tax Receipts"( 09 – 202] is 1.2 million greater than last year whereas Consolidated Municipal Property tax relief [09 – 20] is some 2.7 million decreased, making the total 0f section 9 State aid without offsetting appropriations some9.7 million less than last year.
Once again we are faced with comparing apples to oranges. If in one presentation you eliminate a major portion of income from grant money and governmental funding you are naturally going have a shortfall compared to an inclusive one. The 2011 can not be a legitimate representation of what our needs are. (dragon went wild here)
As an aside it should be noted that the increased school budget for 2010 11-11 will cost the taxpayers the same amount of money as that in the proposed 2011 budget. WE have ignored the impact of the School budget on our taxes. Is there a annual audit available to the public? When is it published ? What suits are against the PSS/BOE involving employees relationships? The name s can be redacted but the nature of the suits and settlements should be openly available. That includes legal fees. How c an a BOE continue to use a legal firm that ignores conflict of interest as in the Carter case?
Indirectly while on the subject of the BOE, isn't it unfair, Renata, to chide your readers for not attending the BOE meeting when the State of the District report was presented if there was no publicity that it was to be presented? You did not remind us and there is no record of having been posted on the BOE website.
.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The Board Meetings are advertised well in advance, regularly and at the traditions news depot. You read Dan's blog daily it's there as well. Your source for Board official information should be the school site. http://plainfieldnjk12.org/
ReplyDeleteThe real question is --is it fair Doc to chide the BOE when you make no effort to attend the meetings and have any real face-to-face dialog.
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink."
Ranata, yes, you are right6 that I make no effort to attend BOE meetings. Why? They were a waste of my time in the past and I have had no indication from others that there is more transparency,, more consideration of the public than in the past. Although the meetings are on the BOE/PSS site is there emphasis on important issues up for discussion?
ReplyDeleteYes on the agenda under presentations there is 1 item; the state of the district. I have no idea in view of the districs and Boards track record if it would be informative enough. nor ddi the public. Don't blame the public for lack of interest when they do not have access to material or knowledge. Consider that the fault may lie in the Board just like during the Gibson Council days less than a dozen citizens attended their meetings compared the present meeting. Yopu have to make the water pure to get the horse to drink.
Doc...its hard to keep the water clean when everyone is using it as a toilet...and waits on someone else to flush it!
ReplyDeleteYou cannot see change from someone else's eyes...that's how misnomers, misinformation and miseducation occurs.
If you bark you should at least have teeth to bite. You cannot use someone else's guarddog to protect your property.
However, that does seem to be the way around here...I guess it's easier and cheaper.
I'm neither of the two!
Ras, you confuse me.I am happy that you are above all that stuff we poor bloggers are guilty of doing. Fini
ReplyDeleteOther than listing it as an agenda item, did the District do anything in advance to publicize the presentation and encourage people to attend? If yes, can you tell us what was done?
ReplyDeleteRas, I am not posting your comments in reply to MT since I do n ot feel that it is the function of this blogger to open his blog to a commentary tiff. Your points are appreciated and fortunately you have your well read blog to express them. That perhaps is a better venue than turning a commentary section of a blog into one which we find in the newspapers.
ReplyDeleteOnce Christie sorts out this tenure mess and the educators start fearing for their jobs, their attitudes will change drastically!
ReplyDeleteTeachers and meteorologists can both deliver shoddy work and not get fired!