Unfortunately and in my opinion, it was another
unproductive commission meeting.
The agenda items that needed to be acted on to balance
the FY2014-2015 Budget were tabled. This has been the modus operandi for this
Commission during this year’s budget process. I even told them that during the
Public Comments section. Currently, the proposed expenditure budget is $59,000
over revenue budget or in the red.
The deadline to approve the budget for next fiscal year is September 16, 2014.
11) Discussion and action on approving FY 1014-2015
Budget funds for the San Benito Chamber of Commerce. TABLED
After the Chamber of Commerce lost its non-profit tax
exempt status for failing to file IRS reports required from all non-profits,
the IRS also levied a fine that continues to accrue interest. The last figure I
saw was in the $9,000+ area.
The city
has budgeted $25,000 for paying the fine
(or an agreed amount with the IRS) and supporting the rebirth of the Chamber of
Commerce.
At the Public Hearing last week, I opined to the
Commission that unless the City is “legally liable” to pay the fine, the City
or taxpayers should not be asked to pay the fine.
At the Tuesday night CC
meeting, City Attorney advised the Commission that the City is “not legally
obligated to pay the IRS fine”. I really don’t know what they are going to do.
12) Discussion and action on approving FY 2014-15 Budget Funds for the Boys and Girls
Club of San Benito. This was DENIED for
many reasons which I won’t dwell on.
13) Discussion and action on approving a VADC (Video
Audio Digital Content) Producer. TABLED
This is a position that the Library Director is proposing
for a PEG Channel . This is a channel that the city can use for many different
programs such as broadcasting PSA’s or Public Service Announcements (I.E.
hurricane announcements, sand bag
locations, etc).
The funding (about $57,000) is in place for the capital
expenditure as a result of franchise tax collected from Time Warner Cable (TWC) customers. The funds collected must be used to purchase and upgrade PEG Channel
Equipment. The funds cannot be used for staffing or any other expense. The meetings can also be broadcast live.
If the vote was taken now, this project would not be
approved. There are three commissioners that in my opinion are opposed to the PEG Channel.
Personally, I strongly support this and I think it is
money well spent.
14) Discussion and action on approving a Computer Tech
position for the Planning Department. TABLED……
This position is a new position that was not in
the budget book that I reviewed. The Planning Department director did not
officially request it. I will investigate and find out who request it. My guess
is it was Commissioner JD Gonzales since he is the one pushing for
approval of the position.
During the Public Comments segment, I did inform the City Commission that the City
approved a long time ago to outsource all IT work and that is why the city pays
$7,000 per month to VALLEY IT SOLUTIONS.
Now they want to add another computer
tech position at a cost or between $40,000 to $45,000 per annum base salary to a budget that is not balanced and over-budget.
The agenda item was tabled but I believe that it will
return with a different title name to justify it.
15) Consideration and action on discussion of the
position of the Assistant City Manager Public Works.
The ACM position was eliminated and the funds will be used to balance the budget.
It was announced that ACM Chuck Jalomo is retiring effective
October 31, 2014 but will remain as the city’s Plumbing Inspector. I was not
aware but Mr. Jalomo is the sole Plumbing Inspector in the City of San Benito.
He will remain in that position until a certified plumbing inspector is hired.
Finally, the trash pickup days are being changed, supposedly to
improve service. The San Benito News has a write-up on it so you can read it
there.
REMEMBER…..the next “Budget Meeting” for the City
Commission is next Monday at 5:30
If you can make it be there and support the passing of
the PEG Channel so that if you don’t have time to attend a City Commission in person due to work or some other reason you
will now be able to view them on your cable channel or on the internet.
LATER!
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