From Racine Exposed:
"The Dickert Disaster continues on in the City of Racine
– which, for a City of it’s size, doesn’t have a revenue problem, but
instead a spending problem. In fact, many would argue that the City is
taxing the residents out of their Homes, Businesses and Jobs, simply so
that special interest wants can be funded over what is the
legitimate function of government – to provide limited essential
services to a Community at an affordable cost."
Read more: http://racineexposed.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/racine-mayor-john-dickert-cuts-police-and-bus-service-yet-funds-a-seasonal-lift-bridge-for-over-5m/
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10 comments:
Cool story, bro. Now try for some facts.
The city is required to operate lift bridges because the Root River is considered a navigable waterway. The reason there is a line item for revenue for the lift bridges is to note that the tax levy is NOT being used. Both lift bridges are on State Highways (32 & 38). The state funds the lift bridges on the state highways. Yes, they are tax dollars, but they are from the state, not the property tax levy. Again, because the river is a navigable waterway, the city is required to operate lift bridges.
Bus service is being cut because the outside revenues from the state and the federal governments are going down, not because the city is spending less. The city is not able to raise the tax levy to increase spending on the bus, nor may it divert the bridge revenues for that purpose.
As posted by the original Blogger, R/E, none of the cuts and expenditures make any sense. When I read it originally, that was my first thought... Id like to hear the rationale and the other side before jumping on any bandwagon or coming to any conclusions .
T/D, please don't put words in my mouth or assume my opinion on this too quickly. Instead of just some anon troll, at least some of what this anon says concerning regulations and the state is factual (I believe) and isn't just blowing hot air.
They spend and divert money all the time without approval. Then they leverage these cuts with threats to services, programs and positions in order to maintain control and promote their corrupt ten year plan.
Anons often keeps it interesting, even I often post under anon, it does keep the crowds in check.
Racine Exposed brings to light the many wasted dollars being spent for the very few boats that require the use of the bridges.
Reevaluation of the Root River being classified as navigable should be performed.
The third worlding of our country continues.
I like the idea of the one lady who wrote in a letter to the editor, that maybe some of the bigger businesses like Walmart can help defer that cost for their bus riders who come work there.
besides cutting service, they are also slashing retirement and insurance. both my sister and brother in law drive bus for the city and the cuts are so deep, they will have to start looking for different jobs. sad situation
A State Law Requires...
Where is it?
Is this part of the same State Law that authorizes John Dickert to issue Executive Orders?
To bypass the Common Council in approving spending of Sewer Money?
The 2014 Budget CLEARLY indicates that the $650,000 comes from the General Fund.
Your claims are supported by... Nothing.
And when will the Racine Common Council and the Mayor address this?
And The City of Kenosha, with nearly 30,000 more people, and a 2014 budget of only $73,923,249 versus Racine’s bloated budget which is almost $10M higher...
The fact that these Bridge Tenders are City Employees says it all!
The Truth is that they are being funded by City Property Tax Dollars. They are a Liability and have family members who use Healthcare and City Services. Insurance must be paid - and then there are the Other Post Employment benefits that are paid for their lifetime.
If the State paid 100% - then they would be State Employees.
There is an arrogance and ignorance problem at Racine City Hall that just doesn't seem to end.
Is the Mayor’s Partying putting the BUS Pensions at Risk? It appears that the numbers are going in the wrong direction! When will the Mayor fund the BUS pensions properly?
From the 2012 Audited Financial Statement:
RACINE TRANSIT SYSTEM PENSION PLAN FUNDED PERCENTAGE
The funded percentage of a plan is a measure of how well that plan is funded. This percentage is obtained by dividing the Plan’s assets by its liabilities on the valuation date for the plan year. In general,the higher the percentage, the better funded the plan. The Plan’s funded percentage for the Plan Year and 2 preceding plan years is set forth in the chart below, along with a statement of the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period.
Valuation Date :
January 1, 2012: Funded Percentage 53.9%
Value of Assets $18,829,345,753
Value of Liabilities $34,914,643,948
January 1, 2011: Funded Percentage 58.9%
Value of Assets $21,001,737,506
Value of Liabilities $35,662,837,013
January 1, 2010: Funded Percentage 63.41%
Value of Assets $22,765,749,780
Value of Liabilities $35,903,139,725
FAIR MARKET VALUE OF ASSETS
Asset values in the chart above are actuarial values, not market values. Market values tend to show a clearer picture of a plan’s funded status as of a given point in time. However, because market values can fluctuate daily based on factors in the marketplace, such as changes in the stock market, pension law allows plans to use actuarial values for funding purposes. While actuarial values fluctuate less than market values, they are estimates. Below are the fair market values (FMVs) of the Plan’s assets for each respective year:
FMV of Plan Assets
2012: $17,649,875,398
2011:$19,843,959,356
2010: $19,542,042,104
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