CITY ISSUES
by R. L. Greer
In my last article I stated the TAXPAYERS GET SNUBBED BY ST CHARLES SCHOOL DISTRICT. They were to meet with the Mayor but not the Council. After that I read an article stating the President of the School Board was in attendance at a room in the St Charles Convention Center with the special interest group who are attempting to recall two city council persons. Do you wonder how much they paid for the use of the room. The same group that lost their court case attempting to force a February election. Also at the last Council meeting on December 20th a motion was presented by the Finance and Audit Committee to require vouchers be serial numbered. The purpose of the voucher is substantiation for disbursement of City funds for the payment of bills/invoices by check or cash. The voucher should bear the signatures of the person requesting and signed off by the Department Head, City Administrator and Finance Director. The number of the voucher requesting / authorizing disbursement of funds would be placed on the check when issued. In all my years work experience in the financial field this was simply an audit procedure that any experienced accountant/auditor would require. However, Muench, Kneemiller, Weller, Reese, Hoepfner expressed opposition against this procedure with Koester, Greer, Gieseke, Riddler, Brown in favor. A decision was made to send it to a work session where more than likely it will receive a slow death. The reason given by the opposition was that the Finance Director did not want serial numbers required on vouchers. Hmmm! When the City Attorney was asked what would he do with the voucher if the information were incorrect, he said he would simply tear it up and throw it away. Precisely the reason why they should be serial numbered. Remember, earlier this year there was some question regarding expense checks issued on behalf of the Mayor and the work was not received or completed and she placed the blame on her secretary, some executive, huh! Once again the taxpayers are being shortchanged.
I write all the above to remind you that one of the councilmen in opposition was on the School Board for eleven years, he also was in attendance in the court room, sitting with the money group who are attempting to recall two council persons. Now we are told the school district is having financial problems. This same individual stated in his campaign ads in the FCN on March 27 2004 and April 6, 2004 - “I will not just represent special interest groups”. Should have been a clue for things to come. Perhaps the money group will solve their problems the same way they are attempting to snow ball the residents with their untruthful remarks against certain members of the Council. What untruth you say? How about the remark by the leader of the recall pack stating the Council forced them to take legal action. If I remember correctly after a distasteful display by their attorney they threatened the Council with going to court if the ordinance to place the election in February failed that night. Then they say they are citizens for responsible government or citizens empowerment.
Considering the political scene today is an excellent time to quote the Truman Doctrine that stated, “Communism is based upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio, fixed elections; and the suppression of personal freedoms. I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressure.” (Freedom A History of US; Joy Haskim; Oxford University Press) Even though we are not currently facing a threat of Communism doesn’t your mind tend to relate the theme to episodes occurring today?
Referring to the council meeting of December 20th the budget for 2006 was also passed by a 6 to 4 vote. Two of those voting against are the same people facing a recall election. For 2006 you the residents will receive three new employee positions which is estimated to cost well over $250,000 in salary and benefits plus remodeling costs to establish a new department in the City. This equipment will be expensive technology at an unknown cast. The mayor wants the fire department moved out of city hall so this is estimated at $25,000.00 for moving expenses plus unknown equipment cost and annual lease of approximately $25,000.00, which will last beyond 2008 when a new fire station is planned in the Capital Improvements Plan. Where are they proposing to move, where else but in the old County Administration building that the City sold saying it would cost too much to remove the asbestos and remodel the building. Sounds like another police station deal. There is an old fire station located on Booneslick at Fairgrounds Lane that administration is saying would cost too much to rehab. With the estimated $100,000.00 cost to move the fire department, why not seek bids for an estimate on cost to restore that building. It was also mentioned they should look into utilizing one of the vacant commercial buildings around town. Its been stated that Jim O’Connor was one of the best city administrators the city has had, but there was never any mention of moving the building/planning/code enforcement departments into the old police department building thus freeing up additional parking space in the city garage for the public. Then shortly after he left the City talk was circulating around that the city was running out of space.
Here are a few additional points of interest regarding the budget for 2006. (1) The Mayor replacing a position that the Council removed in 2005 at an estimated cost of $100,000.00+ including benefits; (2) the 30% reduction in utility tax was pulled by Hoepfner being the sole sponsor even though he knew he had the necessary votes to pass it. The administration and Mayor ignored once again the Council directive to suggest areas in the budget that could be altered. Then you hear that the Council is not co-operating with the Mayor. Recently a citizen stated their gas bill has increased 43% for Nov/Dec ‘05 and anticipate another increase in 2006 of 35 to 50%. Her opinion is that the amount of increase will more than cover the 30% reduction in utility taxes. Sounds reasonable. But now that the budget has been approved any adjustment will have to come from the Mayor. Good luck with that one folks. Next week we’ll explore some points of interest from McClure’s Magazine from 1903 that seem parallel to today.
“Always do right, this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
Mark Twain
“‘I’m hoping to make a reputation, but you’ll have to put up with a lot if I do because I won’t sell influence.”
Written by Harry Truman to wife Bess in 1935.
