IS IT TRUE the 2014 Annual Financial Report was distributed to City Council members at last night’s meeting?….the City budget for 2014 was $89,809,904 with expenditures of $79,448,393?….the revenue for the year was $78,485,699?….the fly in the ointment lies in the encumbrances?….the City failed to pay $5,138,655 worth of bills for 2014 until 2015?….putting off creditors allowed the City to finish 2014 to the positive $300,000?….the City’s spending in excess of revenue totaled $5,919,667 pursuant to the City Controller’s own financial report?….the Mayor was telling the truth when he stated that his administration did not spend $5 million that was budgeted?….what the Mayor failed to tell us is that it wasn’t there to spend?…aside from that manipulation of the facts, he left out that he had overspent nearly $6 million?
IS IT TRUE the fiscal year 2014 is the second year Mayor Winnecke has created his own budget and overshot revenue with his spending?….revenue for 2013 was $76,452,660, and spending totaled $82,018,553?….the deficit spending according to the 2013 Annual Financial Report was $5,565,893?….the budget for 2013 was $85,904,949?….we wonder why we didn’t hear the Mayor’s office trumpeting in 2014 that they spent nearly $4 million less than was budgeted for 2013?….the reason we didn’t hear such a claim is everyone familiar with municipal budgets understands that projected revenue is never accurate and is not supposed to be?…..all local governments exaggerate revenue to gain approval from the State of Indiana for the most spending possible, whether they actually intend to spend it?….it’s the equivalent of leaving money on the table if they don’t?….the trick to the matter is to leave a 10% gap between revenue and spending?….this allows a local government to be assured that its spending will be covered and gives a cushion for the unknown?…..our Mayor doesn’t know this trick, but we are not surprised?…his Controller, who spent four years as mayor, didn’t know this trick either?
IS IT TRUE the Mayor’s statement at his State of the City Address regarding the budgeted $5 million that went unspent is nothing more than a public relations ploy focused on voters who listen in sound bites?….it’s similar to his claims on job creation that fail to account for businesses closing or instituting layoffs in the same time frame?….it may also be likened to his pointing to reduced unemployment numbers that don’t take into account the people who exhausted their benefits, are underemployed or who have simply given up?….it also reminds us of his impending celebration for initiating construction of a downtown hotel that will resemble nothing we were promised and likely lack the ability to compete in the local market?….his information is technically true but lacks the substance to actually support his associated claims?….one would think the Gail Riecken campaign would be knocking these political softballs out of the ball park right now,  but that campaign appears to be in complete disarray and spending most of its time chasing its own mistakes and pointing fingers internally?
IS IT TRUE the City, County and State have entered pothole repair season, and they are asking for you to turn in your favorite potholes for repair?….the City’s spokesperson on the matter said they depend on us to tell them where they are?….there are 536 lane miles of city streets in Evansville, 1,200 lane miles in the county and 1,000 lane miles of state roads and interstates in the area?….to report potholes in the City, readers may call 812-436-6000, or if the task needs to be unnecessarily complicated and available for posterity, one may tweet a photo to #EVVPotholes?….county potholes may be reported by calling 812-435-5777 or sending an email to highway@vanderburghgov.org?… the Indiana Department of Transportation accepts report by phone at 800-279-5758, email at swincommunications@indot.in.gov or by submitting a Report a Concern form on their website at http://www.in.gov/indot/3221.htm ?….where relevant a complainant should include the name of the county; the name of the county road, state road or street; the closest mile marker or cross road/street and the direction of travel of the lane containing the pothole?
IS IT TRUE topics later this week will include the 2013 City Audit Report, Mesker Amphitheater, the downtown hotel?
I S IT TRUE we thank you for your support and look forward to bringing you the news in a way that not only brings you into the discussion but makes you feel compelled to participate?
