EMSA Tax wasn't even needed

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by Wrinkle

quote: I do agree though that the sales tax surplus and EMSA are two different issues.

I guess I'm not yet speaking clearly enough.

It isn't about EMSA. EMSA sent Mayor Taylor a 'bill' for $2.3 Million, just like Office Depot might send the City a bill for sixty tons of paper clips. Whether it valid was never really considered, just how to pay. Supposedly, this 'emergency' provision is stop-gap to provide time for evaluation, promotion of a potential permanent solution...and, a vote.

Mayor Taylor couldn't see any way to pay that one-time 'emergency' bill, along with the regular telephone, electric, insurance and subscriptions to 'Sun-n-Sea', other than to heap it onto the water bill. The Council, for reasons not clear, concurred.

At the same time, $6.6 Million (now $8.9 Million and, if revenues continue at the current rate, will be almost $15 Million by the time the bill has to be paid) in unallocated CASH sat idly by. What percentage that represents of the total budget is irrelevant.

So, tell me, just what is the purpose of surplus revenue if not for one-time, 'unexpected', unallocated annual expenses of 'emergency' nature?

She could've easily paid the bill, still have around $12.7 Million in unallocated CASH and not encumbered, mostly the lower income, citizens of this City with another tax.

Whether EMSA needs it IS another issue entirely.
And, with THIS temp solution, that issue can begin to be debated.

No, your oversimplification of the issue was perfectly clear.

The fiscal year ain't over yet.  Quick -- tell me how much surplus or deficit we'll have in May. How about June? I bolded the part of your post where you answered your own question.

[Wrinkle]

quote: The fiscal year ain't over yet. Quick -- tell me how much surplus or deficit we'll have in May. How about June? I bolded the part of your post where you answered your own question.

We're less than three months out. As I stated above, 9 months = $9 Million surplus. Three more months would be around $12 Million, as a guess. If it goes badly, it might be only $10 Million. But, recent history suggests it may actually be more.

If a tornado comes through and wipes out One Technology Center, we could see a [really slim] chance of using all that and more. And, like last year, a [apparent] deficit could be made up then, in the new budget, as required.

Instituting entirely new taxes in peculiar manners is a poor solution to a problem which, turns out, didn't even exist.

The deception is that it was known, by the Mayor at least, and ostensibly by the Council, at the time of the vote. The World waited until after that to post 'amazing' revenues, but they also knew so. Only the public did not.

[shadows]

EMSA seems to be the Ghostly Galion being tossed on the cloudy sea.  I have not seen any information on who or what their ownership is to the area except they are loosing money.  

Million Dollar Mayors have very little time to advise the working poor of the contributions from other sources but seem to hang it on the backs of those who can lease afford additional cost just to sustain life.

Somewhere there surly are numbers that justify this costly emergency service that has been given a open check in this city while they operate also in other cities on a share basis.  

I repeat "who are the owners or trustees of EMSA that emergency runs are duplicated by the FD?"

EMSA could be placed on a property tax system that would exempt all property with less than a ¾ of the new city average valued home.  Then I am sure there would be more discussion before passing as who was able to pay would look into the ways to finance the Ghostly Utility.

The poor have no voice in the system.