A LOOK AT THE FY 2015 MANISTEE CITY BUDGET The Proposed FY 2015 City of Manistee July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 Budget documents another year of planned loss for City ran Enterprises. The Ramsdell is projected to lose $255,919, the City Marina $42,156. While the City cannot support what it already has – it is planning on spending $20,000 on more Capital improvements for the money losing, failing Ramsdell. ***************** While not yet disclosing the amount of the impending Tax Levy Increase, the Manistee City Council has already decided how to spend YOUR Tax Dollars********************** • Bond and loan payments for prior projects $2,360,606 (excludes Ramsdell and Marina listed below) Reflects City practice of “Spend Today Pay Later” • Budget for Subsidy of Ramsdell Debt $178,830 Reflects City practice of “Spend Today Pay Later” • Budget for Subsidy of Ramsdell Operations $100,000 • Budget for Subsidy of Marina Debt $40,000 Reflects City practice of “Spend Today Pay Later” (in addition to above subsidy Marina cannot afford a principle payment to repay Oil & Gas Loan) • Budget for 5th Ave Beach Improvements $25,000 • Budget for Ramsdell Capital Improvements $20,000 • Budget for Park Playground $10,000 • Budget for Trees $10,000 • Budget for Wayfinding Signs for Parks $7,500 • Budget for Fire Dept Door Opener + Sign $6,500 • Budget for Ice Skating Rink $6,000 • BUDGET FOR LOCAL STREET REPAIR $-0- • BUDGET FOR SIDE WALK REPAIR $-0- • BUDGET FOR JOB CREATION INCENTIVES $-0- While budgeting $-0- for Local street repairs, the Budget includes an $80,648 TRANSFER OUT OF THE LOCAL STREET FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND. That is correct! While the poor local streets go unrepaired, money is being taken FROM the Local Street fund to support other projects! This transfer is being classified as a “reimbursement” to General fund. While the City Manager did not included his newly discover Rieth-Riley money in the budget he did include a letter submitted with the FY 2015 Budget where he attempts to defend the decisions made under his tenure. Mr. Deisch, why are you trying so hard to convince the residents on prior choices that been made which continue to drain the City of cash? Deisch and primarily Kenny, Zaring, Hornkohl, Goodspeed and Gustad have created their Legacy for Manistee; a financial disaster that the City Finance Director states will require 10 Years with $1.5 million of additional annual revenue That represents a 41% increase in City Property Tax. However, there is one issue the City Council didn’t think of - City Taxpayers cannot afford to pay for their mistakes.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 22:01:08 +0000