By Linda Sutter – May 6, 2021
In the Del Norte Triplicate dated April 30, 2021 an article by Knox Keranen revealed how the oversight committee of former City Council Members Heidi Kime and Kelly Schellong, plan to spend your money. And the Categories are:
Police who will receive approximately $1,646, 885 over 5 years.
Streets who will receive approximately $1,735,000 over 5 years.
Fire Department who will receive only $1,238,450.00 over 5 years .
Swimming Pool who will receive $1,802,000.00 over 5 years.
The Reserve Fund is laughable, there won’t be one.
Is it just me or can anyone else see that a swimming pool sets priority over our streets, law enforcement and fire? Why do you think that is? Let’s break this down more simply.
Police have a big wish list, they want to hire more officers, a detective, another K-9 dog, new vehicles, and a lieutenant. According to what they will receive in a 5 year period, this equals out to $329,377 per year. When one Peace Officer makes approximately 100,000 per year including benefits, I hardly think the other parts of the Chief’s wish list are affordable.
Streets do not appear to be top priority according to the numbers released on April 30, 2021. Let’s break it down. Over 5 years the streets will receive $1,735,000. This equates to $347,000 per year for five years. My guess and I do remember reading this somewhere within the governmental emails, that Eric Wier plans to take out millions of dollars in loans against the city for the street repairs. Keep in mind, the people of the City of Crescent City could repeal this sales tax and the City would once again be near bankruptcy.
How about the Fire Department? After all the Measure S logic was supposed to be for fire, law, and streets. So the Fire department will receive $1,238,450. Each year the City will allegedly give the fire department $247,690. This is the lowest amount on the totem pole. And because the City has their priorities screwed up on this now the fire district is going after 5000 County property owners to increase their property tax. What portion of the sales tax will the county be paying for these services? That remains to be seen.
Now the TOP priority that Kelly Schellong and Heidi Kime along with 3 other measure S oversight committee members decided was to spend $1,802.000 on the swimming pool. Are you kidding me? The pool will receive $360,000 per year. More than the police and fire and streets which are an absolute necessity.
Oh let’s talk about the reserve funds. Hmmm. well according to these numbers the city will generate approximately $1.2 million in tax revenue from sales annually. In 5 years that would be $6 million. If you add up the total amount of the expenditures listed above, it comes out to $6,422,335 . which means the oversight committee overlooked the fact they were $422,335 over budget and there is no money for reserves.
To be expected folks. Is that ok with you?
