There's just no end to the conflicting 2008 Cayuga County budget numbers that one receives from our supposedly “in the know” county officials.
Included for your reading pleasures - or your vomiting discomfort - are the latest shenanigans that are going on at your county Legislature in preparing the 2008 budget, which, by the way, includes a tax increase.
Fact 1: For the 2008 budget, the county is using the Aug. 31, 2007 Unappropriated Fund Balance of $13.8 million. Why are they using the August and not the November fund balance plus an estimate for December? Guess that estimating accuracy is not their forte.
Fact 2: The county estimates that the Dec. 31 fund balance will be $14 million. Previously, we were told that this was $18 million. So where did the $4 million go? So in four additional months, this fund is only going to grow by $200,000?
We question the veracity of this low-ball estimate because in eight months it grew from $10 million to $13.8 million. In reality, it most likely will grow an additional $2 million and not $200,000 and will stand at $16 million and not $14 million.
Fact 3: The county projects that its sales tax collections will total $18.9 million on Dec. 31. However, for the 2008 budget, they#'re estimating they#'ll collect only $18.5 million or $400,000 less. More unrealistic Kentucky Windage estimates. Why?
Did they forget that in Aurelius alone a 4 story luxury hotel is going to be built; Circuit City and Buffalo Wild Wings are about to open; Dick#'s Sporting Goods is up and running, etc.
And how about Home Depot, Kohl's, Chili#'s, Quiznos and others? And lest we forget, the Finger Lakes Mall and Grant Avenue are booming too!
And adding to your pain, they voted to repeal the sales tax cap on gasoline, which will add another nickel per gallon. Unbelievable!
We still contend that another $3 million should be taken out of the swollen unappropriated fund balance to reduce our property taxes. And let#'s not forget the low-ball sales tax estimates that will needlessly fatten this slush fund.
This $3 million will not jeopardize the fiscal stability of Cayuga County in any way.
What do you think?
If you agree, please call your legislator today.
It#'s your money.
Bill Balyszak
Fleming
Fact 1: For the 2008 budget, the county is using the Aug. 31, 2007 Unappropriated Fund Balance of $13.8 million. Why are they using the August and not the November fund balance plus an estimate for December? Guess that estimating accuracy is not their forte.
Fact 2: The county estimates that the Dec. 31 fund balance will be $14 million. Previously, we were told that this was $18 million. So where did the $4 million go? So in four additional months, this fund is only going to grow by $200,000?
We question the veracity of this low-ball estimate because in eight months it grew from $10 million to $13.8 million. In reality, it most likely will grow an additional $2 million and not $200,000 and will stand at $16 million and not $14 million.
Fact 3: The county projects that its sales tax collections will total $18.9 million on Dec. 31. However, for the 2008 budget, they#'re estimating they#'ll collect only $18.5 million or $400,000 less. More unrealistic Kentucky Windage estimates. Why?
Did they forget that in Aurelius alone a 4 story luxury hotel is going to be built; Circuit City and Buffalo Wild Wings are about to open; Dick#'s Sporting Goods is up and running, etc.
And how about Home Depot, Kohl's, Chili#'s, Quiznos and others? And lest we forget, the Finger Lakes Mall and Grant Avenue are booming too!
And adding to your pain, they voted to repeal the sales tax cap on gasoline, which will add another nickel per gallon. Unbelievable!
We still contend that another $3 million should be taken out of the swollen unappropriated fund balance to reduce our property taxes. And let#'s not forget the low-ball sales tax estimates that will needlessly fatten this slush fund.
This $3 million will not jeopardize the fiscal stability of Cayuga County in any way.
What do you think?
If you agree, please call your legislator today.
It#'s your money.
Bill Balyszak
Fleming
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 2 comment(s)
Dave R Ithaca, NY wrote on Dec 11, 2007 11:50 AM:
RWT wrote on Dec 10, 2007 6:39 PM: