Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Oro Valley Council Approves Tentative Budget In Excess Of $121 Million

After a number of motions, some of which passed, and others failed, Council Members Gillaspie, Garner & Latas tried to talk sense into at least one other member, but it didn't happen.

The same four, Loomis, Kunisch, Abbott & Carter held firm in raiding the Contingency Fund of $380K, and the tentative budget was approved.


The final budget is scheduled to be on the June 17 Council agenda, and it's hard to believe it won't pass.

The same rationality was enunciated at this meeting as last week by those in the majority.

It just didn't make sense to hear some council people say we can't let workers go, but have to cut back expenditures or we'll be in dire straights, especially when the major cost to the town is its work force.

Talk about contradiction! Once again it was prevalent!

12 comments:

Fear the Turtle said...

Andrew's frustration level is probably higher than Mt. Lemmon.

Loomis and his flunkies have -0- expertise in finance and no solid basis for their decision to approve this tentative budget. Instead of now making the tough decision they took the easy way out. They didn't save any jobs but just laid the groundwork for many town employees and services to be cut later.

Also, because these irresponsible politicians just planted the seed for a property tax they have unwittingly given us fodder to use in a grassroots campaign to oust them.

artmarth said...

Hi Turtle--- There was one vote prior to the motion to approve the tentative budget, that I didn't mention, but worth noting.

Bill, seconded by Salette moved to give EVERY town employee the option to leave with a generous severance package of 90 days pay plus benefits for those with 5 years or more, and 60 days for those with less than 5 years of working for the town.

The window of opportunity for anyone to accept this offer is 45 days.

Perhaps that will help alleviate the over staffing, and lessen the financial burden on the town.

It passed 5-2.

endthehandouts said...

Hey Art,

I remember not to long ago when you held the not so well informed Councilwomen Abbott on a pedestal. I hate to be an “I told you so” type, but can’t help pointing that the wool was certainly pulled over your, and a few others, eyes.

I watched the meeting from the comfort of my home last night and found that having that privacy to laugh out loud at the demonstration of cluelessness and lack of preparation, once again, of Abbott.

She is not alone in her naïve and ignorant governing. KC is a bitter old man that votes out of spite and Kunisch is just stupid and hopeless. The mayor, well he hadn’t changed since he came into office, barrow and spend. How many times did I hear Paula rant about how tight things were but continues to ask for more, more, more. And when someone has an idea to keep revenue in OV, she rants against it. This was demonstrated with her poor arguments to increase her little survey on the need to spend $15k more on the “Loomis Municipal Park,” know as Naranja Town Site. Thank God there was not a second to the motion. She can’t understand what a feasibility study is and then choose to debate Councilwomen Latas on the animal licensing feasibility study, which can make the town over a third of a million dollars. I’m sure she also supports the Friends of the Library to continue to waste more money on keeping the OV library in the status quo situation.

She had her chance to air her grievances at the last two council meetings. But she was blindside due to her own lack of preparation and had to argue last night on matter intended to be debated two weeks ago. She, as expected, was NOT PREPARED then and she will NEVER BE PREPARED based on her past performances. It’s time for you to retire Paula; you’re a roadblock to progress.

artmarth said...

"ETH"--- There's not a whole lot of what you said that I can argue with.

All I can say is I was just so disappointed that Loomis was able to convince 3 others to follow him.

I already stated my opinion of Kunisch, so I need not comment further.

As for the other two, I really expected more.

Our issue now is the 2010 election. At this point, the future doesn't look too good.

Oro Valley needs worthy people to step forward. To date, I believe we will have one new not yet announced worthy candidate. That's not nearly enough.

mscoyote said...

Is anybody else out there also upset with GOVAC? If it were up to me and without knowing all the info I would not give GOVAC one more cent of OV tax dollars.
Govac could not even run a July 4th program here in OV, yet they are always begging for money from us.

How about Wal Mart and Vestar they could have put on something.

Personally I have seen my share of fireworks over the years but the kids should get to enjoy the tradition.

At the least some of these groups could run trransportation to the events outside Ov, so folks could leave their cars here and take bus service to the events.

mscoyote said...

What about that new bus service here in OV, why can't they run shuttles to fireworks outside OV?

I truly don't think that every small town or municipality has to run their own fireworks display.

Could also have been a chance for some of the local business who have views of the Hilton fireworks to put on something.
Seems like everybody wants everybody else to plan it and they don't take the initiative.
maybe that is why business here don't do as well as they could.
Recall one year going to Chicago Uno(horrible food( and they were inviting people to hang out on their patio to watch the fireworks.
At least they thought outside the old box.

Anonymous said...

mscoyote, I have been expressing my displeasure with GOVAC for quite some time; I have advocated the Our Town take the nameplate away from GOVAC and form their own arts council - and for GOVAC, NO MORE MONEY!

As to the fireworks, it was announced this morning that even Tucson will not be having a 4th of July event. The fireworks will still be going off at the Hilton so we can all find our own spot (not on Hilton's grounds) and watch, picnic, or whatever to join in the celebration.

LambChop said...

About the only good to come of the mindless vote on the budget is the fact Abbott and Carter have shown, beyond any doubt, they do not comprehend the complex issues facing Oro Valley. I don't believe they ever have.

Now that LOVE doesn't tout them as competent Council Members maybe more main stream thinkers will visit this blog. Interested residents might help find reasonable solutions!

Richard Furash, MBA said...

As we've said all along: We need more competent, informed members on town council.

We'll keep looking.

You look too!!!

Let's find and encourage the right people to lead our town.

Nombe Watanabe said...

I wonder if Bill and/or Salette known any reasonable folks who would run in the next election.

I am very impressed with the work they do.

The Z-Man is right, finding good people to support will be hard.

artmarth said...

"Nombe W" et al---- DO NOT DESPAIR.

It is a little too soon to "go public," but I can assure ALL of our readers that at the appropriate time, we will announce at least two new, capable, worthy candidates that we will be proud to endorse.

I am positive that any citizen that is looking for additional candidates with the above noted attributes, that will be responsible and answerable to the PEOPLE of Oro Valley, and NOT ANY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP will be very pleased.

We will say much more in the future, so please be patient with us. It will be a virtue.

Art

Nombe Watanabe said...

ho sana
ho sana
sana sana ho
sana ho
sana ho

JC Superstar