Idle $120K Could Go to Consultant
Dear Readers:
The other night I asked the Mayor and Council (see Council meeting) why they were not trying to wrench the $120,000 for a defunct committee called "DAPS" which stands for Development Authority of Powder Springs. Please view my column "Development Authority Should Dissolve".
Background
The DAPS is defunct. Three new members were appointed recently by Council member Al Thurman. It takes four members for a quorum. The committee should have seven members but four would do for now.
It seems incredible that this city cannot find several persons who would be committed to meeting once per month. The first order of business is for them to do something with $120,000 that they have in the kitty.
They could seek out proposals by a consultant and hire him/her for that money. Obviously there would have to be some guidelines and such but that is better than what we have now.
The new budget has $0 for economic development. This comes after the election where nearly every candidate suggested hiring someone in some capacity. And, the recently released "Fanning" report strongly suggested such. As you read my previous column about this you will note that I suggested all of this back in November and December.
There are likely some legal issues here. But then that's why they spend money for legal counsel. With fairness to Brock, Clay & Calhoun, they have to be told to find a way and then suggest what the Council should do. That is not all that complicated and where there is a will there is a way.
Citizens should begin to take hold of things and not sit back and hope everything will be ok or they will move. The City, no city, can get by on household property tax which pays the freight but is 80% of the amount collected, we need commercial business to be much higher maybe 40% instead of 20%.
Everyone seems to grasp this and the Mayor and Council realize this and have said so many times. So whats the problem here?
There are other areas I will write about where the City needs to make some changes and quickly.
Oh, whoever George Rogers is: You might try reading the column and if you have anything to say at least keep it on topic.
Thanks for reading,
Tom Bevirt
Ole Pete
1:03 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Just curious Mr. Bevirt, what will happen next year when the $120,000 runs out?
Chris Wizner
12:40 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
First the DAPS (Development Authority of Powder Springs) fund is more like $91,000, not $120,000. The DAPS money is controlled by the DAPS Board which is not active currently. The Council cannot tell the DAPS how to spend the money, however we could make suggestions. The DAPS money is under rules imposed by the State Legislature and would literally take an act of congress to allow the City to access the money outside the DAPS authority. So we can try to revitalize the DAPS Board, if any citizens are interested in being on the DAPS Board and you must be a citizen of the City of Powder Springs to be on the board by the bylaws, please let your Council representative know. I don’t plan to try to, to paraphrase Mr. Bevirt- wrench the money from DAPS by legal maneuvers, because I don’t look good in orange.
Second, it is correct we do not have money specifically budgeted for economic development this year. We all agree it is important, but the money is just not there. The taxes collected will be less this year than last due to decreased home appraisals and the budget is tight. Furthermore, although not their specific job, the Community Development department in the City does actively deal with economic development issues as part of their duties.
Chris Wizner
12:40 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Furthermore, Mr. Bevirt has become very vocal with ideas and suggestions over the past six months; my only thought is why he didn’t fix some of these things/problems when he was on the Council for the past 12 years. I agree more Citizens need to get involved in the City. However, when a few select Citizens start repetitively, near daily, impeding the production of City employees with questions, requests, and personal agendas it hurts all the Citizens of the City. Not to say this is wrong, but are we willing to risk increased taxes by all to hire more staff to get the needed work done so a few can have unlimited access to our City Government.
J. Galt
1:56 am on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Based on what I've seen of late, the actions of city government are becoming more economically repressive. Its also evident, for a plethora of reasons, why people don't volunteer for the D.A.P.S. board or any other, based on continued missteps, foul-ups and general insanity of city government (the new "Water/Taxation Scheme" leaps to mind).. As for public inquiry to the actions of city leadership by anyone with a modicum of motivation, any such person(s) should (on a daily/weekly basis) be looking over the shoulder of the mayor and council. As for you sir, its becoming rather obvious who's pulling your strings, no matter how much you protest otherwise. I also call into question your own good judgement in allowing the "Water/Taxation Scheme" to go unchallenged, or did you think it had to pass so we could all find out together what was in it? I hope you understand that last reference.
Chris Wizner
10:06 am on Sunday, June 10, 2012
We have had several public meetings about the Water Rate increases and the Storm water Management fees. Unfortunately it seems you were not able to attend or still do not understand why these both were necessary for now and important for the future. I would be glad to meet with you to discuss these issues. You can contact me through City Hall or Email so that you may become better informed. As far as your reasoning for not getting involved and volunteering to make the City better, that is just an excuse. Many people like to sit back, do nothing and complain about others who try to work to make things better. And yes, although no longer a City Official I believe Mr. Bevirt is trying to make the City better in his own way. We have a great group of Citizens who work tirelessly to make this city a better place to live by volunteering on such things as Keep Powder Springs Beautiful, the Planning and Zoning Board, the Police Explorers, and the Senior Citizens group; to name a few. Am I perfect? No. I only know of one perfect man and he died on the cross for the rest of us. But, I put myself out there and try to make a difference for the Citizens and the City of Powder Springs.
J. Galt
4:35 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
To my knowledge there was only ONE meeting (after the fact) on the "Water/Taxation Scheme". Also the information provided lacked details and NO one has received any detailed explanation as to how the bill is being calculated. It really fosters a very well deserved view that city "elected" officials are operating in a devious manner.
Gregg
9:47 am on Monday, August 13, 2012
J. Galt, you are correct. There was one meeting on the water tax issue and it was held after council voted for the increase.