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MAYORS CHIEF OF STAFF DISAPPOINTED IN JOHN FRIENDS BUDGET VOTE DECISION WITHOUT ATTENDING BUDGET MEETINGS

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Councilman Friend,

It is disappointing that you have made your budget vote decision without having attended both of the meetings set up for council leadership to discuss the 2016 budget with Mayor Winnecke. As the budget vote is currently scheduled for Monday, the Administration is certainly willing to sit down and discuss your recommended cuts or additional budget adjustments.

Please let us know if you would like for our office to set up another meeting.

Steve Schaefer
Mayor Winnecke Chief Of Staff

ATTACHED IS AN E-MAIL THAT CITY COUNCILMAN JOHN FRIEND SENT CITY CONTROLLER RUSS LLOYD JR CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS BEING LOWER BY $3 MILLION THAT THE MAYORS CHIEF OF STAFF STEVE SCHAEFER MADE REFERENCE TO.

Dear Russ,
Thank you for the attached information. In review of the data, the General Fund adjustment of 1.5 m will not bring the fund into a balanced budget. Based on the actuals of 2014 and projections of 2015 and not withstanding the fact that the PILOT revenue increase costing the Water Utility Ratepayer (80%) is not justifiable . .just a backhanded way of increasing taxes . . is out of balance by 6.5 m. For the year ending July 31, 2015, the administration’s General Fund cash balance declined by 6 m during the period . .Park declined by 1.1 m . . .Downtown TIF declined by 3 m and the remainder of the operational funds declined by 3 m totaling nearly 13 m decline in operational fund cash. In review that the administration is reducing their original budget by 3 m, an additional reduction of 7 m is needed.

The days of phase in are over based on the alarming declines in operational funds as illustrated by the fiscal year ending July 31, 2015 cash balances in operations. Regrettably, last year I was persuaded to support the 4.9 m cuts knowing that the number was 12 m which is supported by the July 31, 2015 fiscal year results. When Mayor Winnecke took over the financial well- being of our City, the total Civil City fund balances were 118 m and at the end of 2014, the total fund balances are 71 m a decline of 47 m. This is verifiable on the Indiana Gateway website. What also give me mega heartburn is the fact that there are 550 cities and towns in Indiana and according to the Department of Local Government Finance (Also obtainable on the Indiana Gateway website) the average cost of municipal operations is $853 per citizen while Evansville is $1,877 per citizen. Out of 550 cities we rank in the lower 8 percentile.

In other words, we have 510 cities operating at lower costs then Evansville. If the average is $853 per citizens and we are at $1,877, a difference of $1,024 times 120,000 people = $12.3 million. Oddly enough, the approximate figure of the overall decline in operational funds for the year ended July 31, 2015.

The Administration is virtually spending every last dime of revenue this city expects to receive and then some. The administration has not allowed for any reserves and unlike some cities, Evansville does not have an ordinance requiring the establishment of any reserve within any particular fund which is unwise and foolish. Unfortunately, I will not be persuaded to support the revised budget and unlike some individuals on Council of which one is a republican and assume he has been in counsel with the administration, are floating the balloon to increase income taxes by 25%, this I will not support as well. If the cost of operating government equaled that of Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne and South Bend and we had implemented a spending plan as strongly suggested by Dan Hadden of Umbaugh in July of 2014, but still fell short maybe just maybe I would entertain the notion of an income tax increase. If tax and spend is the order of the day, count me out.

Russ, I appreciate your service and efforts in this budget process. Of course, my door is open for suggestions.

Respectfully,

John Friend

5th Ward City Councilman

Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Don’t miss reading today’s Feature articles because they are always an interesting read. Please scroll at the bottom of our paper so you can enjoy our creative political cartoons. Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without our permission.

Evansville Museum Joins Smithsonian MagazineÂ’s

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11th Annual Museum Day Live!

Free Admission on September 26, 2015, with a Downloadable Museum Day Live! Ticket

— The Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science will open its doors free of charge with a Museum Day Live! Ticket on Saturday September 26, 2015, as part of Smithsonian magazine’s eleventh annual Museum Day Live! On this day only, participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington DC-based facilities, which offer free admission everyday, and open their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket.

“We are amoung 30 other museum in the state to be apart

Inclusive by design, the event represents SmithsonianÂ’s commitment to make learning and the spread of knowledge accessible to everyone. Last yearÂ’s event drew over 400,000 participants, and this yearÂ’s event is expected to attract more museum goers than ever before.

The Museum Day Live! ticket will be available for download beginning in August at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the Museum Day Live! ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues for one day only. One ticket, per household, per email address is permitted. For more information about Museum Day Live! 2015 and a full list of participating museums and cultural institutions, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumday.

For more information, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumdaylive.

About Smithsonian Media
Smithsonian Media comprises of its flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, as well as Air & Space, Smithsonian Books, and the Smithsonian Media Digital Network. In addition, Smithsonian Media overseas the Smithsonian InstitutionÂ’s interest in the Smithsonian Channel, a joint venture between the Smithsonian Institution and CBS/Showtime. Smithsonian Media is a division of Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. Approximately 30 million people from around the world visit the museums annually.

USI selects Howerton to succeed Bisesi for women’s golf

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The University of Southern Indiana Department of Athletics has selected Lu Anne Howerton to become the third head coach in the history of its women’s golf program. She succeeds Don Bisesi, who will continue to assist the program in an honorary coaching role after leading USI women’s golf since 2000 and to 10 NCAA II East Super Regional appearances since 2004.

“I am excited to have Lu Anne join our staff and I know our women’s golf program will continue to flourish under her leadership,” said USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall. “Lu Anne has a passion for the game and is the right person to take over the leadership of the program.”

Howerton joins the USI staff after serving Madisonville Golf and Country Club (Madisonville, Kentucky) as a club manager and event coordinator from 2006 to 2012. She also coached Hopkins County Central High School girls golf team from 1996 to 2004.

A 1990 graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design, Howerton and her husband, Jeff, who is the head golf professional at Sultans Run Golf Club in Jasper, Indiana, reside in Evansville. The couple has two daughters, Ashleigh, who played golf collegiately at Northern Kentucky University, and Taylor, a current member of the Indiana University women’s golf team.

HOLLY DUNN PENDLETON SELECTED AN CCO “OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD” WINNER FOR 2015.

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The City-County Observer is excited to announce that Holly Dunn Pendleton been selected an CCO “OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD” wInner for 2015.   She was the past Executive  Director and CO-FOUNDER, of Holly’s House, Inc, Evansville, IN. September 2007-October 2009.

She is the owner and Inspirational Speaker/Advocate of Holly K Dunn, LLC, Evansville, IN. October 2009-Present

This years awards luncheon will be held at Tropicana-Evansville Walnut rooms A and B. The registration begin at 11:30 am, the event officially starts at 12 noon on October 26, 2015. Reservations for this event may be obtain by calling Mollie Drake Schreiber at 812-760-4233 or e-email her at mdarke07@yahoo.com. Deadline for registration is October 15, 2014. Last years event was a sellout.

So far the “Outstanding Community Services Award” winners for 2015 are: Vanderburgh County Commissioner Joe Kifer, well respected local Attorney Joe Harrison, Jr, Indiana State Auditor Suzanne Crouch and former Vanderburgh County Sheriff and 8th District Congressmen Brad Ellsworth, Dr. Dan Adams, Dr  Steven Becker MD and Tracy Zeller.

PROFILE OF HOLLY  DUNN  PENDLETON 

EDUCATION AND HONORS

Oakland City University, Oakland City Indiana received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, September 2007

University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN-Master of Business Administration, December 2006

University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY-Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, December 2000.  Major in Finance with a all Business GPA: 3.1/4.0.

STUDY ABROAD

Summer session in Lancaster, England, studying Economic and Business Statistics (1999)

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

OWNER and INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER/ADVOCATE, Holly K Dunn, LLC, Evansville, IN.  October 2009-Present

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and CO-FOUNDER, Holly’s House, Inc, Evansville, IN.  September 2007-October 2009

  • Serve as the spokesperson and supervisor of services.
  • Coordinate a multidisciplinary team of law enforcement, prosecutors, protective services, medical, mental health, and advocates.
  • Hire, train, and supervise all employees.
  • Oversee all financial records and a $300,000 budget.
  • Oversee all training and education efforts in-house and in the community.
  • Coordinate all fundraising efforts.
  • Identify, prepare, and submit all grants.
  • Serve as liaison for the board of directors.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, Dunn Hospitality Group, Evansville, IN. September 2004-September 2007

  • Coordinate operations for 12 hotels in Indiana and Kentucky.
  • Oversee a $6.3 million property improvement renovation for nine properties.  Develop and maintain the budget/accounting for all projects.  Order fixtures, furniture, and equipment.  Manage contractors and subcontractors.
  • Manage bookkeeping for Construction Company and oversee accounts for $6.6 million Paducah, KY project.

MANAGER IN TRAINING, Dunn Hospitality Group, Evansville, IN. June 2002-September 2004

  • Plan and facilitate renovations of five Hampton Inn’s owned and operated by Dunn Hospitality.
  • Work every position/department as manager in training at the Courtyard by Marriott Louisville Airport.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT, GREEK LIFE, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN August 2001-June 2002

LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT, Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, Columbus, OH May 2000- May 2001

  • Traveled weekly to 32 universities and colleges to assist chapters with recruitment, programming, leadership, and risk management.
  • Developed and delivered risk management seminars and officer training workshops.
  • Conducted 30 weekly interviews with chapter officers, fraternity alumnae, and university administrators regarding leadership and organizational skills.
  • Assessed the financial situation of each chapter and corrected bookkeeping errors.
  • Completed weekly reports and provided constant feedback to the chapters.

COMMUNITY AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Best of Evansville, Woman of the Year, Evansville Living Magazine, 2003

Phenomenal Woman of USI, Award Winner for Community Service, 2003

Award for Public Service, US Department of Justice, 2005

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Greatest Public Service, 2006

Hero of the Month, Glamour Magazine, 2007

United States Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Rights of Victims, 2007

Community Service Award, Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, 2007Featured on A& E Networks “I Survived” Program, 2009

People Magazine, “Hero Among Us”, 2009

Featured on 48 Hours Lived to Tell Program, 2010

Athena Award Nominee, Evansville, 2007, 2009, & 2011

Evansville Business Journal 20 Under 40 Award, 2012

News4U 20 Under 40 Award, 2015

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and ACTIVITIES

Symposium on Child Abuse, National Children’s Alliance

Member Domestic and Sexual Violence Commission Graduate Finding Words Indiana

Member Kentucky Coalition Against Sexual Assaults Speaker, Rape Abuse, and Incest National Network

Graduate, Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse Victims Training Project Reveal, 2nd Vice President Board of Directors

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Leadership Team Oakland City University Board Member

Junior League of Evansville, Member of Board of Directors

Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Don’t miss reading today’s Feature articles because they are always an interesting read. Please scroll at the bottom of our paper so you can enjoy our creative political cartoons.Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AG Zoeller: New organization replaces INCASA to prevent sexual assault, serve Indiana victims

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 Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced today the creation of the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault, Inc., or ICESA, as the new organization to focus on ending sexual assault and serving victims in the State of Indiana.

In June 2014, financial insolvency forced a previous organization, the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Inc. (INCASA), to suspend operations. As a result, the nonprofit stopped receiving and distributing federal and state grants that funded sexual assault support programs in Indiana.

“This new entity’s mission is to educate and prevent instances of sexual assault and to ensure Indiana has a strong support network for victims of sexual assault and similar crimes,” Zoeller said. “It is vitally important that ICESA quickly step in and further the goals of INCASA while connecting the various sexual assault support providers across the state, providing access to funding sources and empowering victims to break the cycle of sexual violence.”

Under its statutory authority to intervene on behalf of the public interest in charitable organizations, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office took legal action in November 2014 seeking a court-appointed receiver to take control of INCASA and assess whether it could be reformed. Granting Zoeller’s motion, the Marion County Superior Court froze INCASA’s assets and appointed Deborah J. Daniels as receiver. Daniels is a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice where she managed the research and grant-making agencies of the department.

As court-appointed receiver, Daniels investigated the extent of INCASA’s financial problems and whether it could be revived. Daniels found a need for a strong focus on sexual assault-related problems such as human trafficking, sexual violence against children and rape on college campuses, as well as a need to increase training for established victim service providers and assist in the development of full-scale victim services in underserved areas across Indiana.

After months of analysis and deliberation with stakeholders across the state, and in consultation with advisors as allowed by the Court, Daniels concluded that INCASA cannot survive its financial predicament. In considering the most effective way to continue the mission of INCASA, Daniels concluded that the State of Indiana would be best served by creating a separate, freestanding new entity with a singular focus on ending sexual assault and dedicated to supporting service providers and victim recovery programs in Indiana.

“I am gratified that the Attorney General and the Court entrusted me with this mission, so critical to the lives of many thousands of victims and those who support them,” Daniels said. “Given the complex nature and dynamic of sexual assault and the many permutations of sexual victimization prevalent today, it is my considered opinion that a coalition with a specific focus on sexual victimization offers Hoosiers the best opportunity to combat the serious and often life-threatening impact of sexual assault in its many forms.”

ICESA’s mission is to empower Indiana communities to end sexual assault and serve those impacted by it, through comprehensive training, advocacy, increased public awareness and coordinated sexual assault services. The ICESA organization is structured in such a way to avoid the pitfalls encountered by the old INCASA.

Several prominent community leaders will serve as board members of the new nonprofit organization, including Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams, Borshoff Founder Myra Borshoff, Marion County Health Department Director Dr. Virginia Caine, Prevail Deputy Director Michelle Corrao, Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Kristina Korobov, Attorney General’s Victims Services and Outreach Division Chief Counsel Abigail Kuzma, United Way of Central Indiana Chief Financial Officer Gina Miller, Pacers Vice President and General Counsel Frank Pulice, and Fox59 News Anchor Fanchon Stinger.  Indiana House Representative Christina Hale and Attorney General Zoeller will serve as non-voting members.

“Sexual violence affects thousands of Indiana women and men each year,” said Indiana State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “As health commissioner, I am committed to improving both the physical and emotional well-being of all Hoosiers. ICESA’s work to help those affected by sexual violence is an important step toward achieving that goal.”

Under the direction of Tracey Horth Krueger as Interim Executive Director, ICESA will immediately step in to fill former INCASA’s role in Indiana. Krueger has more than 20 years of experience assisting nonprofits in the areas of domestic and sexual violence. She built the Domestic Violence Network from a grassroots group to a fully staffed, professional organization with the mission of ending domestic violence through advocacy, education and collaboration. Krueger was also involved in opening Coburn Place, a transitional housing program for victims of intimate partner violence and currently serves as Board of Directors Chair.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with dedicated sexual assault service providers throughout the state to build a strong and re-energized coalition,” Krueger said. “The coalition will focus on not only ensuring that victims have all the services they need, but will also work on raising awareness and developing prevention programs to reduce the incidences of sexual assault.”

ICESA will engage in a robust effort to raise private funds and seek financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice and other sources. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is lending its support by funding the immediate priorities of the new organization and by agreeing to consider a grant proposal in December 2015.

The Attorney General’s Office has long worked to assist programs protecting victims of all forms of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Zoeller created the Victims Services and Outreach Division this year to focus support on victims of violent sexual crimes. It administers programs to protect domestic violence victims through address confidentiality and access to a “Hope Card,” evidence of a protective order that can be easily carried by victims of violence. The Victims Services and Outreach Division also operates the Victim Advocates Network to connect and provide resources to those who serve victims in Indiana.

Zoeller also serves as co-chair of the Indiana Protection for Abuse and Trafficking Humans (IPATH) Task Force that works to combat human trafficking in Indiana and promotes the Indiana’s Not Buying Campaign to refute myths about the commercial sex industry. Several ICESA board members serve on IPATH as well.

More information about these efforts is available at www.in.gov/attorneygeneral under the “Victim Services” tab.

CUBA OPEN ITSELF TO THE WORLD

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VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ. 
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.

 Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015.

David Allen Stoermer Theft, Level 6 felony

Battery, Class B misdemeanor

Krishawn Anthony Harvey Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, Level 5 felony

Kaci Brooke Pate Intimidation, Level 5 felony

Battery against a public safety official, Level 6 felony

Resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor

Possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor

Possession of marijuana, Class B misdemeanor

Jennifer Marie Sharp Theft, Level 6 felony

John Franklin McCurry Jr. Intimidation, Level 6 felony

Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance, Class A misdemeanor

Stephen Llouwllyn Miles Theft, Level 6 felony

Possession of paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanor

Damon Gene Thornton Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, Level 5 felony

Theft, Level 6 felony

Resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor

Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance, Class A misdemeanor

Possession of paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor

Evans Franklin Johnson Battery resulting in bodily injury to a pregnant woman, Level 5 felony

Domestic battery, Class A misdemeanor

False informing, Class B misdemeanor

EPA Announces $13.2 Million in Supplemental Funds to Clean up Contaminated Brownfields Sites Across the Country

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WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced approximately $13.2 million in supplemental funding to help transform communities by cleaning up contaminated Brownfields properties. Supplemental funding of the Revolving Loan Funding (RLF) will be given to 31 successful RLF grantees helping 44 communities carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects. These projects will help communities create jobs while protecting people’s health and the environment. Many of the RLF cleanups are in under-served and economically disadvantages neighborhoods – places where environmental cleanup and new jobs are most needed.

“These funds – granted to communities who have already achieved success in their work to clean up and redevelop brownfields – will help boost local economies, create local jobs and protect people from harmful pollution by expediting Brownfield projects,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “The RLF supplemental recipients are some of the nation’s top performers. Collectively, these communities have already leveraged more than $5 billion in clean up and redevelopment investment – the RLF funding announced today will help sustain that incredible progress.”

The RLF grantees provide a level of funding for cleanups that isn’t available through traditional financing options or through other brownfield grants, serving as the critical gap financing needed to jump-start the redevelopment process. RLF funding is often the last key piece of funding needed to make the cleanup and reuse of the property happen. RLFs specifically supply funding for loans and sub-grants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites. When these loans are repaid, the loan amount is then returned to the fund and re-loaned to other borrowers, providing an ongoing sustainable source of capital within a community for additional cleanup of brownfield sites. The supplemental funding to each grantee ranges from about $250,000 to $700,000.

EPA continues to engage and help new communities address barriers to redeveloping sites which are plaguing their communities. All of the grantees selected for funding have significantly depleted their RLF funds and need supplemental funding in order to recapitalize their loan pool to continue making loans and subgrants to clean up brownfields properties. The supplemental funds help keep the cleanup momentum going so that more cleanups can be completed. To date, RLF grantees have completed over 400 cleanups, leveraged approximately 15,000 jobs and over $5 billion of public and private funding.

The grantees receiving supplemental funding this year continue to demonstrate a high-level of preparedness to undertake specific shovel ready projects and have the committed leveraged funds necessary to move projects forward. This year’s supplemental funds will support an array of cleanup and redevelopment projects across the country. For example:

  • The City of Kansas City, Mo. will use their funding to continue making loans to clean brownfields sites – similar to what they have done at the Ivanhoe Gateway at 39th street project where the RLF helped in the financing of a brownfield cleanup project which enabled the nearly $5M first phase of this $100M redevelopment project to proceed. Construction is underway on seven two-story duplex units to be followed by 12 one-story senior cottages. The entire mixed income, multi-phased development will not only feature the new duplexes and senior cottages, but will also include detached single family units, restoration/rehab of existing buildings, and new infrastructure and green space for the area.
  • Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission will contribute $500,000 toward a $1,121,000 loan to Biddeford, Maine for the Lincoln Mill site. The site will be a mixed-use development with 92 residential units, 79 room hotel with meeting space, restaurant & pool.
  • The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) will use its supplemental funding for the Freight Residences in Denver, Colo. The Freight Residence project will include mixed-use residential and commercial spaces. In addition to providing much needed housing for the area, there is also extensive job creation potential from the commercial redevelopment aspects of the project.
  • Detroit/Wayne County will make a loan to the Henry Ford Community Heath project in Mich. The reuse will support buildings for Henry Ford Hospital as well as mixed-use development including retail near the hospital. The project will create jobs in a community economically disrupted by the closure of auto plants and other manufacturing. RLF funded projects for the Henry Ford Hospital have already leveraged $30 million.
  • The City of Rockford, Ill. will make a loan to clean up the Rockford Watch Factory. The site will be home to a downtown sports complex. The project has $18 million in state grants, local bonds and City funding.

There are an estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated sites in the United States. EPA’s Brownfields program targets these sites to encourage redevelopment, and help to provide the opportunity for productive community use of contaminated properties. Since the inception of the EPA’s Brownfields Program in 1995, cumulative brownfield program investments have leveraged more than $23.3 billion from a variety of public and private sources for cleanup and redevelopment activities. This equates to an average of $17.79 leveraged per EPA brownfield dollar expended. These investments have resulted in approximately 109,787 jobs nationwide.

More information on EPA’s Brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

More information on Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund grants: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/rlflst.htm

 

IS IT TRUE September 24, 2015

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IS IT TRUE we would like to personally thank the COURIER AND PRESS and TV CHANNEL 44  for showing up to cover the Veterans “Call To Assemble” Questions/Answers gathering yesterday?  …we were disappointed in the lack of attendence of the event? …we are pleased that the Vanderburgh County Veterans Council also announced that next year they will be hosting another “Call To Assemble” for the 2016 Vanderburgh County elections?

IS IT TRUE we are grateful to the Vanderburgh County Veterans Council for hosting the “Call to Assemble” last night at the Veterans’ Coliseum?  …we were impressed with the candidates who attended and gave thoughtful answers to the questions posed? ..special thanks are extended to Mayoral candidates Steve Wozniak (I) and State Representative Gail Riecken (D) for their time and efforts in addressing the issues? …current Mayor Lloyd Winnecke was a no show at the event, as well as City Council Candidates Jack Schreiber, Bart Gadeau,  James Brinkmeyer, Missy Mosby,  Jonathan Weaver, Dan McGinn and City Clerk Candidate Laura Windhorst?.

IS IT TRUE the 2016 City of Evansville budget will be voted on next Monday night? …there will be eight members present, as Councilwoman Connie Robinson will be out of town on business? …the amended budget, which has been reduced from its original amount of approximately $87 million, is still a larger budget than in 2015? …we predict that the vote will four to four and the budget ordinance will fail? …those opposing the budget will be Council Members Al Lindsey, Conor O’Daniel, Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley and John Friend?

IS IT TRUE those voting no will cite they cannot vote for a budget allowing spending at a level that will not be covered with available revenue? …Controller Russ Lloyd, Jr. told City Council recently at a meeting revenue for the civil budget for 2016 is likely to be under $80 million? …Revenue for the City operating budget the last three years has been largely flat at no more than $76.5 million? …The increase for 2016 does not come from an increase in property taxes but largely comes from an increased fee to cable companies and a higher annual payment in lieu of taxes from Evansville Water and Sewer? …the Administration’s efforts to find new revenue sources should be applauded, but the City has a problem with largely stagnant revenue and the inability to keep up with the growth in fixed costs?

IS IT TRUE the City Council cannot in good conscious vote for a budget that allows $85 million in spending? …the Administration will argue it will not actually spend $85 million, and mostly because the money won’t be there to spend, but the high cap is likely to mean the Administration will continue to spend more than it takes in?

IS IT TRUE in looking at labor costs as 87% of the civil budget, one cannot help but focus in on the 39-44 new employees that have been hired? …not all are full-time, but most are full-time, and all are perpetual? …the 87% percent of the budget in fixed costs is a jump from the 82% of the previous administration? …when the Capital Improvement Plan for 2016 is added to the civil City budget, non discretionary spending is 66%? …the City of Evansville mirrors the Federal Government’s annual budget in that only about one third of the budget is discretionary? …the rest of the budget is allocated to fixed costs and debt service?

IS IT TRUE the budget once voted down next Monday will return to the Administration to either change or to try again at the first meeting in October when Councilwoman Connie Robinson will be present?  …Councilwoman Robinson is the tie breaking vote on the currently proposed budget?  …we predict if she is forced to vote,  she will vote no for the reasons outlined above?  …although Mayor Winnecke has spent less than what has been budgeted in 2013 and 2014, he has spent more than what was received in revenue for those years?  …City Council is obligated to stop this trend and reduce approved spending to estimated actual revenue?

IS IT TRUE the budget must be approved or officially declined by the end of October?  …with Mayor Winnecke being so bad at a game of chicken, we predict that he will further reduce his spending after next week’s meeting? …we also predict he will continue to avoid personal conversations with City Council members?  …he has not at this point reached out to speak with Al Lindsey, Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley or Connie Robinson? …it seems foolish to ignore a third of one’s voters?

Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Don’t miss reading today’s Feature articles because they are always an interesting read. Please scroll at the bottom of our paper so you can enjoy our creative political cartoons. Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without our permission

Daily Off Topic Forum September 24, 2015

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