City of Westminster MD explains the need for a 19-cent tax increase

City of Westminster MD explains the need for a 19-cent tax increase  http://tinyurl.com/27w6zvw

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/04/city-of-westminster-md-explains-need.html

Recently when I asked for additional information on the 19-cent tax increase that is being proposed for the FY 2011 municipal budget, I was provided the following information:

CITY OF WESTMINSTER

56 West Main Street Westminster, MD 21157Phone 410-848-9000 Fax 410-857-7476

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marge Wolf

April 13, 2010 Phone:410-848-9000

UPDATE ON FY 2011 BUDGET

Westminster Mayor and Common Council discuss FY2011 Budget

Westminster, MD - Mayor Kevin R. Utz presented a $12.6M balanced budget to the City of Westminster Common Council along with a proposal to add a levy to the property tax to enable the City to complete the numerous capital improvement projects that cannot be completed within the current revenue structure.

"Using the new automated financial system to analyze data over a ten year period, it was possible to identify a number of important trends in the City's finances that were previously not clear. These trends did not present an optimistic picture, in fact they show that the City's has struggled to keep current expenses paid by current revenues since 2001 and has relied on one-time only and special purpose funds to sustain the balanced budget. The current dismal national economic situation has only exacerbated this disparity between revenues and expenditures," stated Gary Ehlers, Acting Director of Finance.

Mayor Utz outlined the measures the City of Westminster has taken over the past three years to scale down the size of government including staff reductions, hiring freezes, elimination of merit increases for staff, modified employee benefit packages, delayed the purchase of cars, trucks and other equipment.

"In fact, staff prepared a balanced budget keeping all of these measures in place and only three Capital Projects already underway were included. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identified $3.5M in projects for 2011 alone that were not included in the balanced budget theypresented," commented Mayor Utz.

The FY2011 CIP projects not included were $210,500 of technology projects, $194,000 in replacement Police cars, $340,000 in public works vehicles, $156,000 in public works equipment, $1,568,244 in street work, $855,000 in storm drain repair and replacement and $175,000 in repairs to City owned buildings.

The proposed FY2011 budget is over $1M smaller than the FY2010 budget; the State of Maryland cut funding for police protection and highway user revenue in September, 2009.

FY2010 FY2011

General Government 2,048,239 2,040,686

Public Safety 5,871,685 5,855,686

Public Works 4,371,170 3,586,415

Community Support 152,124 100,743

Recreation and Parks 1,392,905 1,050,352

Total Operating Expense Budget 13,836,123 12,644,883

"The longer we delay in repairing our infrastructure, the more it costs. Delayed maintenance on storm drains can lead to major disasters like the Green Street sinkhole. This costs far more to repair that repairing the storm drain before it collapses. Some of our streets are in bad shape—if you have driven on Uniontown Road or Bond Street, you don't need me to point this out to you. Our parks, ball fields and trails are utilized from dawn to dusk and need constant maintenance to keep them in playing condition," continued Mayor Utz. "I realize that these are tough times for all of our residents—they are also tough times for governments having to maintain services as tax revenues are flat or decreasing and aid from other levels of government becomes more and more scarce. This levy is a small price to pay to insure that our streets are safe to drive on, our parks are preserved in playing condition, our storm drains prevent flooding, and our employees have the equipment they need to enforce the law, remove snow and cut grass."

To fund these capital improvement projects would require an additional tax levy of 19 cents dedicated to these capital projects. For the owner of a property with a taxable assessment of $250,000, this means an increase of$475/year or $39/mo.

# # #

The City of Westminster Administration Department is located at 56 West Main Street. The department is responsible for overseeing the Planning, Zoning and Development, Finance, and Housing Departments. For more information, call 410-848-9000 or visit www.westminstermd.gov.

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

City's fiscal woes extend to previous officials by Dr Wack

City's fiscal woes extend to previous officials by Dr Wack

Letters Posted 9/24/08 http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/1084/letters/

Perhaps Kevin Dayhoff is still working in landscaping. Regardless, Westminster residents deserve better than the manure he shoveled in his column in The Westminster Eagle ("Be critical of spending, but MML has been worthwhile"), Sept 17.

[KED note: For more on the picture of me shoveling manure, please see: January 21st, 2001 - 20031008 KED Mucking Out Stalls.JPG http://tinyurl.com/o4yrwc ]

Perpetuating the lie about the city paying for a dinner for elected officials, staff and family members is bad enough. The city hasn't paid for that dinner since Dayhoff lost his reelection bid for mayor in 2005. Before that, Dayhoff never seemed to mind ordering drinks and food on the city tab.

His reservations about the creation of new positions which include the new city administrator are puzzling as well. Before he was against it, ex-Mayor Dayhoff was a vocal advocate for hiring a city administrator.

Most importantly, Dayhoff seems to have forgotten that all the financial problems the city now struggles with were all present the first day he became mayor in 2001, and yet for his entire term, no progress was made solving them. He also neglected to mention his attempts to have the city pay for a laptop computer to use at home, as well as reimburse his mileage for trips to Annapolis and outside the state on business that the council, at that time, didn't deem to be beneficial to the city.

One other assertion he must be challenged on is that the current administration "campaigned on the need for increased spending, taxes, etc." No current city official ever made those statements, and Dayhoff knows it.

Robert Wack, council member, Westminster Common Council

Westminster

http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/1084/letters/

20080924 Citys fiscal woes extend to previous officials by Dr Wack

Related:

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/09/westminster-eagle-westminster-mayor.html

and

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/09/westminster-eagle-be-critical-of.html

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Westminster Eagle: “Westminster mayor says MML convention spending was worth it” By Katie V. Jones Westminster Eagle: “Westminster mayor says MML convention spending was worth it” By Katie V. Jones Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 9/17/08 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/09/westminster-eagle-westminster-mayor.html

Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff: Be critical of spending, but MML has been worthwhile Published September 17, 2008 by Westminster Eagle There has been a fair amount of discussion of late regarding published accounts of the June trip by 15 appointed and elected officials from Westminster... http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2008/09/recent-westminster-eagle-and-sunday_23.html 20080923 Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns NBH: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/60014.html 20080917 Westminster mayor says convention spending worth it KJones

Westminster Eagle: Be critical of spending, but MML has been worthwhile by Kevin Dayhoff Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ 9/17/08 http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/1005/be-critical-spending-but-mml-has-been-worthwhile/ Posted on “Soundtrack” on Monday, September 22, 2008: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/09/westminster-eagle-be-critical-of.html

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/

Westminster Eagle: “Westminster mayor says MML convention spending was worth it” By Katie V. Jones

Westminster Eagle: “Westminster mayor says MML convention spending was worth it” By Katie V. Jones

Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 9/17/08

As for a $1,500 dinner bill, Ferguson is adamant that he picked up the expenses for the meal. "I paid for that," Ferguson said of the meal, adding, "The city doesn't pick up a dime for me and my wife to go [to the convention]. I pay for my registration and our hotel."

------

Westminster Mayor Tom Ferguson this week defended sending 15 appointed and elected officials to the Maryland Municipal League Convention this past summer despite a price tag of $19,000 and a dinner bill that totaled $1,500.

The four-day convention held in Ocean City offers symposiums and seminars dealing with a variety of issues and subjects pertinent to municipalities, Ferguson said.

The governor and his cabinet also attend one day, hosting roundtable meetings to allow discussions about such topics as transportation and the environment, he said.

"There is no way I can put a dollar value..." on the event, Ferguson said. "It is an opportunity to have interaction with peers around... Maryland... to pick up new ideas."

The issue of the expense was raised in a story that appeared in the Carroll County Times.

Ferguson said the convention is typically attended by council members, the mayor and department heads. This year, three additional people attended because Larry Bloom, superintendent of Westminster's street department, was honored as the MML employee of the year, Ferguson said. Bloom's wife and his immediate boss, Jeff Glass and his wife, attended the event.

"It is quite an honor and one he clearly deserves," Ferguson said of Bloom. "It speaks well of the city and him personally to get that type of recognition."

As for a $1,500 dinner bill, Ferguson is adamant that he picked up the expenses for the meal.

"I paid for that," Ferguson said of the meal, adding, "The city doesn't pick up a dime for me and my wife to go [to the convention]. I pay for my registration and our hotel."

*****

Related: Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Be critical of spending, but MML has been worthwhile
Published September 17, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
There has been a fair amount of discussion of late regarding published accounts of the June trip by 15 appointed and elected officials from Westminster...

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2008/09/recent-westminster-eagle-and-sunday_23.html

20080923 Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns

NBH: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/60014.html

20080917 Westminster mayor says convention spending worth it KJones

Westminster Eagle: Be critical of spending, but MML has been worthwhile by Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster Eagle: Be critical of spending, but MML has been worthwhile by Kevin Dayhoff

Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ 9/17/08

There has been a fair amount of discussion of late regarding published accounts of the June trip by 15 appointed and elected officials from Westminster to attend the annual Maryland Municipal League summer convention -- which city officials acknowledge cost approximately $19,000 in taxpayer money.

The reaction on the street and in the grocery store checkout line was, to be polite, outrage. "Where were their heads when they made this harebrained decision?" asked an acquaintance while I was munching on fries and a roast beef sandwich at Baugher's.

Well, have a seat and take a deep breath. For you see, I can't entirely go along with the populist rabble on this one.

Yes, I enjoy my reputation as a tightwad penny pincher, for which I have endured eloquent criticism in the past -- criticism that comes from those who believe tax and spend big government is the answer to all the challenges in our community.

At a time when city officials are, to the best of my knowledge, for the first time in Westminster history laying off employees due to budget constraints, raising taxes and actively discussing curtailing city services; was it really wise to spend $19,000 on a convention -- which included a $1,500 "team-building dinner?"

Probably not. As one person said to me, it doesn't meet the smell test.

City officials have defended the expense of attending the MML convention, as well they should, by saying in affect that the conference is cost effective.

However, by all accounts, they missed the big picture in defense of the expenditure in that the real challenge facing Westminster is a community conversation over the growth of city government and the spending priorities and policies of the current administration.

The cost of the MML convention served as a lightning rod for the frustration of many folks in the community concerning the past several years when conflicting messages have been telegraphed to the public about city finances. For example, in the last several years the city has added new administrative positions at a cost of more than $200,000 a year -- all the while pleading poverty.

If you want to be upset over the spending priorities and the lack of fiscal discipline of the current administration; have at it.

However, I would leave the MML out of it. For my money, MML is actually part of the solution.

To be fair, the current administration campaigned on the need for increased spending, taxes, bureaucracy and larger government. To now be angry because they've been true to their word is disingenuous at best.

When I was an elected official with the city, I attended six conferences in Ocean City and I continue to keep in touch with MML officials and stay current with MML initiatives, programs, conferences and seminars.

The annual summer convention has grown over the years into a must-attend event for statewide elected leaders as well as municipal officials. Even though it's held in Ocean City, it is a far cry from a vacation at the beach. It's a great deal of work crammed into too few days.

What city officials ought to have done is give a "show me the money" report on what an invaluable service the MML and the summer convention provides our community. There really is bang for that buck, but it's hard to hear that bang over the sound of public protest.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at kdayhoff@carr.org.

http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/1005/be-critical-spending-but-mml-has-been-worthwhile/

20080917 WE Be critical of spending but MML has been worthwhile

(564 words)

Thoughts on Westminster posting an agenda in a timely manner

Thoughts on Westminster posting an agenda in a timely manner

The existentialism of the simple task of Westminster city officials posting an agenda for its council meetings in a timely manner

September 8, 2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

After an e-mail to a city official earlier in the day; for which I never did get a response, the city of Westminster has finally posted an agenda on the city’s web site.

Heck, I’m just not sure what their rush was – the agenda was posted at approximately 3:22 pm. The meeting is 3 ½ hours away…

Since 2005 the city of Westminster has added two new positions – a city manager and a director of administration at an annual cost to the taxpayer of over $200,000 and yet the city can’t manage to get an council meeting agenda posted timely – or adopt a budget or have an annual audit performed on a timely basis.

The city spent anywhere from $20,000 to over $40,000, depending on whose version of the story suits your fancy, to move some offices to a rented building from City Hall and other offices from the rented building back over to City Hall; in order to provide better services. It was, in reality, rearranging the deck chairs on The Titanic. And yet the city all-too frequently can’t get an agenda posted on a timely basis.

The city increased taxes, increased the size of government, has borrowed money like there is no tomorrow and is actively discussing cutting back on city services – in order to serve us better. And yet the city seems to have a great deal of difficulty in posting an agenda on a timely basis on a web site that is so woefully inadequate and opaque, it often seems like the city resents even having a web site…

Web sites can be difficult as I am all too aware; however in theory, a web site is no longer an afterthought or a bother, it is a critical information dissemination resource in today’s governance. Then again there are many folks who find current Westminster government so opaque, unapproachable, and inaccessible, that the web site is probably emblematic of a government that all too often seems too annoyed by citizen contact to be bothered with disseminating information.

After-all, our elected officials are some of the smartest folks in the world – and they certainly know what is best for us; so having meaningful contact with the public is probably unnecessary now isn’t it?

I’m glad that Westminster citizens work for such an august group of elitists. It gives us a purpose in our backward shabby meager existence.

Related:

20071130 City municipal offices relocate by Ryan Marshall

20080611 No agenda is sign of poor government

20080720 Carroll County Times Westminster shutting out the public

20080908 Thoughts on Westminster posting an agenda in a timely manner

Carroll County Times Editorial: City was wasteful in spending

Carroll County Times Editorial: City was wasteful in spending

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

City was wasteful in spending

No matter how the mayor or Westminster or council members want to spin it, sending 15 people to a conference and then racking up a $1,500 bill for an expensive meal of lobster and alcohol is not prudent given the city's dire financial situation.

In fact, it was just a month ago that Mayor Thomas Ferguson, in announcing the elimination of several positions and firing of several employees, said, "[The layoffs] are clearly driven by the economic environment we're in. Revenue is not growing."

He also said, "The city is looking at all aspects of the government to find productivity gains and cost savings."

Well, perhaps not all aspects.

In all it cost the city $19,000 to send 15 people to the Maryland Municipal League conference. The conference itself can be a good, learning experience. But the city could have done as most companies watching dollars do and saved money by sending half as many people and having them report back to everyone else about what they learned.

And then there's the matter of the extravagant dinner at the expensive Fager's Island restaurant and Bar, which some on the council have tried to pass off as worthwhile for its "team building" value, at a cost of almost $1,500.

Most families, when faced with mounting bills and difficulty paying, don't go out for extravagant dinners or engage in other wasteful spending. Perhaps a cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs would have been better for the "team building" atmosphere than throwing money around like there's no tomorrow, even as these same officials lamented the lack of money that is forcing them to fire people.

The mayor says he will pay the bill out of his own pocket. He says he has done that in the past. But the council members and others who spent the evening drinking alcohol and eating lobster amount to a slap in the face to the employees who were terminated, supposedly, because of budget woes. It's also a slap in the face to taxpayers, who all through the budget season listened to them moan and groan about how tight money was - to the point that the council never did hold a public hearing on the final budget.

Westminster voters today should be asking themselves about the decision-making abilities of the people who they have elected to office.

In front of the public, they whine about having no money in the budget. Then they scoot off in droves to a conference where money - that same tax money - flows quite freely. And upon being questioned, they defend their extravagance as somehow necessary and helpful to the city.

This conference is just one example, but if it is indicative of the way Westminster handles its finances, it is no wonder money is tight and people need to be laid off to pay for the alcohol and lobster.

20080827 Carroll County Times editorial: City was wasteful in spending

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/08/27/news/opinion/editorial/editorial533.txt

Westminster officials: Spending $19,000 on conference worth it

Westminster officials: Spending $19,000 on conference worth it

By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 24, 2008

Westminster officials said the roughly $19,000 of expenses related to sending 15 employees to the Maryland Municipal League Conference on the Eastern Shore this past June wasn’t excessive, and they argue that the benefits from attending far outweigh the costs.

They also said the nearly $1,500 they spent on a social dinner for about 16 people that the city was to pay for was justified.

The bill, incurred at Fager’s Island Restaurant and Bar in Ocean City, included about $1,000 in food charges and $200 in alcohol charges plus a tip. The expenses were part of information received through a Public Information Act request filed by the Carroll County Times.

Unbeknownst to the officials, Mayor Thomas Ferguson said he planned to reimburse the city for the dinner bill, as he said he has in the past. Ferguson declined to offer proof showing he had paid the past dinner bills.

[…]

The 15-person contingent of city employees and officials attended the Ocean City conference from June 22 through 25. The dinner was on the night of June 22.

Reach staff writer Bryan Schutt at 410-857-7886 or bryan.schutt@carrollcountytimes.com.

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/08/24/news/local_news/newsstory4.txt

20080824 Westminster officials Spending 19K on conference worth it

Carroll County Times editorial: Look ahead for future shortfalls

Carroll County Times editorial: Look ahead for future shortfalls

Editorial for Monday, August 4, 2008

Look ahead for future shortfalls

Local governments are only a month into the new fiscal year, but they already need to be planning on additional shortfalls in next year's budget.

[…]

At the state level, budget analysts last month said revenues in the state were considerably off. Income tax revenue was almost $50 million short of projections, and sales tax revenue was down more than $25 million. Add to that shortfalls that states are experiencing in other areas, such as less gas tax money because people are changing their habits and driving less, and states across the nation are scrambling to figure out how to deal with shortfalls.

[…]

Now is not the time to get involved in costly long-term projects unless there is a clear need or an immediate return in the area of future savings. In addition, existing programs and where the money is going need to be closely examined to ensure that every single tax dollar collected is providing a definite return for citizens.

Many governments struggled this year trying to hold the line on their budgets. Some areas increased taxes or other fees to fill voids or make up for shortfalls. But with more and more families struggling to make ends meet, returning to taxpayers for additional money is going to be a hard sell.

[…]

Read the entire editorial here: Look ahead for future shortfalls

Westminster Dept Finance Budget 2009 – 2010 FY, Westminster Elections 20090511 Mayoral, Westminster Elections 20090511 Mayoral Financial Issues

20080804 Carroll County Times editorial: Look ahead for future shortfalls

20071130 City municipal offices relocate by Ryan Marshall

20071130 City municipal offices relocate by Ryan Marshall

Carroll County News Briefs for Friday, November 30, 2007

Carroll County Times: City municipal offices relocate

Thursday was moving day for some of Westminster’s municipal offices.

The city’s public works departments, planning staff and the office of the city administrator have moved from City Hall to 56 W. Main St., where the economic development and finance offices are already located.

The housing and human resources departments will move from that building to City Hall.

The shuffling was meant to get the city’s administrative offices together at the Main Street building, Mayor Thomas Ferguson said.

— Ryan Marshall

20071130 City municipal offices relocate by Ryan Marshall

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/11/30/news/local_news/newsstory6.txt