elpasospeak

Some of the comments on the blog recently were directed to our new rapid transit system that Sun Metro has named BRIO.

Looking at the Sun Metro web site, I was struck by this graphic:

I can’t help but wonder about their “landscaped stations”.

Looking at the stations I am relieved to report that there will be little need for riding lawnmowers to trim any grass.

We deserve better

Brutus

Our public service board met Friday,  August 1, 2014 at 4:30 P.M. to discuss city council’s proposed creation of a franchise tax that the water utility would have to pay the city.  We know that any expense the utility has will be passed on to the water customers.

There was one item on the agenda.  It was “The Chair will entertain a motion to move into Executive Session”.  The purpose of the executive session was to consult with it’s attorney which of course is legal in Texas.

Smoke filled room

Why did they need to discuss the item with their attorney?  They could have, and should have, discussed the item and their potential actions in open session where members of the public could see how the board members stood on the issue and where members of the public could express their thoughts.  If they needed help from their attorney once potential courses of action were ready to be explored, they could then have moved to executive session.

The board ultimately passed a resolution against the imposition of the franchise fee 6 to 0.  Our mayor abstained.

This was a straight forward matter that should have been handled in public.  Unfortunately their ability to go into executive session to consult with their attorney was used as an excuse to keep the public out of the discussion.

We deserve better

Brutus

After speaking with a few restaurant owners I am becoming aware of a scam that our public health department is running.

Public health performs restaurant inspections.  Facilities receive a grade from zero to 100, with 100 being the best.  Points are taken off for myriads of dastardly deficiencies, like having a dented can or letting the corner of an onion bag touch the floor.  These deficiencies can take 4 points each off of a restaurant’s score.

A score below 70 is considered failing and the restaurant must remedy the issues and then be re-inspected.  Here is where the scam comes in.  The restaurant owners that I have been speaking with universally tell me that the inspector comes in and tries to find any and every minor infraction that they can.  The restaurant is given a failing score.

The inspector offers to re-inspect the facility after the operator is given a few minutes to eliminate the problems found.  The restaurant is then given a passing grade and can stay open.  The scam?

The city charges $85 to re-inspect the facility.

We deserve better

Brutus

We finally have some insight about the departure of our former chief financial officer.  Many of us remember her as the deliverer of wildly inaccurate projections, be they revenue or expense related.

Our new city manager’s letter of transmittal of his proposed 2015 city budget begins with discussion that might explain why she left.

 “This year’s budget process has been challenging, with lower than expected revenues throughout FY 2014 and a continuing impact into FY 2015.”

Translation:  I’m having to clean up a mess from 2014 that will continue to hurt us in 2015.

“To mitigate the impact of the revenue fluctuations and to establish more realistic revenue projections, the FY 2015 revenue budget encompasses a review of the last five years of actual revenue performance, particularly as it relates to property and sales taxes.  Revising overly optimistic revenues combined with increasing demands on the expenditure side du to implementation of the Quality of Life (QOL) projects, looming impacts for police and fire collective bargaining negotiations, and maturing economic development incentives make the task even greater.”

Translation:  I could not present a budget for next year without facing up to the mess that we are carrying forward.  We need to accurately forecast revenue.  Last year’s projections were so inaccurate that I had to go back and study the last five years to figure out what to tell you.  Now we have to start paying for the QOL projects while we are cleaning up the mess from prior years.  Our public  safety pension funds are upside down and we might have to face up to that fact this year.

Maybe we will start to see some financial honesty from a city manager, because

We deserve better

Brutus