Jim Taylor's Grand Plan to Save Money: Don't Maintain City Facilities

By Don Edwards Publisher, CoffeyvilleBLOG.com

Stephanie Richardson, finance director, walked commissioners through a list of city funds commissioners were being asked to amend in order to provide themselves spending authority as required by state law.

Richardson noted in her staff report that the pool surface at the aquatic center was in need of maintenance.

"Staff has worked to obtain quotes for repainting the pool surface," she said. "The lowest quote has been approximately $48,000. Staff has been weighing our options on doing this work or trying to get another season's use out of the pools before we repaint."

Richardson noted that she was not recommending the maintenance be done. Rather, she was presenting it as an option for commissioners should they choose to do so.

"At this time it has not been decided which option we will take," Richardson said. "So I have prepared a 2009 budget amendment to give us spending authority to approve the work if that is the direction we proceed."

Commissioner Pam Jones asked how often the city has to repaint the pool.

"Not every year," Richardson said. "We try to (repaint) every two or three years. It's not something we try to do any more than we have to. But we want to keep the pool looking nice."

Mayor Richard Gonzales asked if waiting another year would cause any damage.

"Not that I am aware of," Richardson said. "Last year we went in and repainted some areas to kind of brighten those areas back up."

Taylor voiced opposition to authorizing the updated spending authority.

"I really do not like the idea that we cannot keep up our swimming pool when we are unfairly (paying) for the stadium," he said. "We have a $600,000 transfer from the electrical fund to take care of that. In my opinion, (the stadium expense) should be transfered to the college."

City Manager Jeff Morris explained that the commission was only being asked to authorize the expenditure of 'unbudgeted' money.

"We prepared the 2010 budget ... between May and July (of this year)," Morris said. "At the same time we were preparing the 2010 budget, we were making revisions to the forecast for 2009. The commission was aware of these changes in the forecast. This isn't something that's being sprung on the commission at the last minute."

Taylor clarified his point.

"I don't say it's being sprung," he said. "I say we're not giving our taxpayers the management they need on what we're doing. With what we're face with with property taxes and what have you, I don't know that we can spend $85,000 to paint the swimming pool for the next three or four years. I think we've got to start saying no to something."

Taylor did not state whether he merely favored forgoing maintenance of the pool or closing the aquatic center altogether. He also did not correct his misstatement that repainting the pool would cost '$85,000' as opposed to the $48,000 mentioned by Richardson and quoted in his Agenda Book.

Commissioner Alec Hendryx said he did not favor allowing the aquatic center to fall into disrepair.

"I think we've spent wisely," Hendryx said. "We have had to adjust through the year. We would be remiss (in our duty) to not maintain certain facilities."

Richardson noted the budget amendment was necessary due to several factors including unforeseen increases in revenue from the payment of back taxes, franchise fees and sales tax. Increased costs in operating expenses associated with fuel, insurance, concrete and power were also noted. She said the total amount of changes to the budget were about $7 million ? a majority of which was attributed to the wholesale cost of electricity the city purchased then resold through the electric utility.

After a public hearing on the matter, the commission voted 3-1 to authorize the certification of the 2009 budget amendment. Taylor voted against the issue and Commissioner R.J. Warren was absent.