Nov. 30, 2010
Finance Committee Awaits Explanations
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Huntington, WV (HNN) – City Councilman Jim Ritter belongs to both the Finance and Public Safety Committees which meet at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively, Tuesday, Nov. 30 in City Council Chambers.
During the Finance Committee session, members anticipate a line item explanation looksee justifying the “on paper” apparent over expenditure of the various departments. Previously, Finance Chairman Steve Williams had observed several “red flags” in the unaudited first quarter financial report.
Among Williams’ concerns were “eleven of the [city’s] departments had spent in excess of 27% of their line item,” and four departments have spent 28-33% of their Overtime allocation.
Ritter mentioned that the Mayor’s office had several line items that have run over allocation levels with 25% of the year complete. HNN observed that the Inspection/Compliance division has used 27.88% of its salary budget along with 79.75% of its overtime (budgeted at only $400).
However, council members have only seen the “paper” numbers, they have not yet been briefed by members of the administration on reasons behind the figures. “Are we reading this right or not,” he asked, adding, [the administrations] has not had a chance to do that yet,” On-paper flags “may be something that the administration can work out.” Those answers will likely come at the 5:30 p.m. meeting.
According to the agenda, fresh numbers from October 2010 are expected to be available at the meeting.
“I don’t see how we can get this done in one hour,” Ritter predicted.
In addition, the Finance Committee will likely discuss the controversial closing of City Hall on Fridays. Personally, Ritter opposes the closure. He told HNN that if Friday falls on a holiday, employees then receive another day off too.
“I don’t feel it has been effective,” the passionate Westmoreland councilman said, adding, “I’m not happy with it. I don’t see where it saves that much money.”
In addition, Ritter expressed his trademark “confused” status related to potential we can work it out budgetary considerations.
“Then, I’m concerned … about the [reasons previously expressed as to why ] we need to have the payroll tax,” Ritter conjectured.
Although he voted in favor of the occupation tax, Ritter cannot balance a possible administrative stance that “we are now all right,” and the earlier urgency welded by members of both the administration and council in lobbying for passage of the occupation tax. He questions how a city allegedly on the brink of financial ruin without the occupation tax can find money, even in a department line item, to purchase a new salt spreader.
[Editor’s Note: Although awaiting a go ahead from the state home rule committee, the City of Huntington did NOT anticipate any occupation tax revenues during the First Quarter of the Fiscal Year. The fiscal budget as approved does not contain anticipated occupation tax collections.]
As if anticipating another municipal tax or fee ordinance, Ritter emphasized, “I will not raise the user fee. It’s an unfair tax. I’m not voting for it anymore.”
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Finance Committee Awaits Explanations
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Huntington, WV (HNN) – City Councilman Jim Ritter belongs to both the Finance and Public Safety Committees which meet at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively, Tuesday, Nov. 30 in City Council Chambers.
During the Finance Committee session, members anticipate a line item explanation looksee justifying the “on paper” apparent over expenditure of the various departments. Previously, Finance Chairman Steve Williams had observed several “red flags” in the unaudited first quarter financial report.
Among Williams’ concerns were “eleven of the [city’s] departments had spent in excess of 27% of their line item,” and four departments have spent 28-33% of their Overtime allocation.
Ritter mentioned that the Mayor’s office had several line items that have run over allocation levels with 25% of the year complete. HNN observed that the Inspection/Compliance division has used 27.88% of its salary budget along with 79.75% of its overtime (budgeted at only $400).
However, council members have only seen the “paper” numbers, they have not yet been briefed by members of the administration on reasons behind the figures. “Are we reading this right or not,” he asked, adding, [the administrations] has not had a chance to do that yet,” On-paper flags “may be something that the administration can work out.” Those answers will likely come at the 5:30 p.m. meeting.
According to the agenda, fresh numbers from October 2010 are expected to be available at the meeting.
“I don’t see how we can get this done in one hour,” Ritter predicted.
In addition, the Finance Committee will likely discuss the controversial closing of City Hall on Fridays. Personally, Ritter opposes the closure. He told HNN that if Friday falls on a holiday, employees then receive another day off too.
“I don’t feel it has been effective,” the passionate Westmoreland councilman said, adding, “I’m not happy with it. I don’t see where it saves that much money.”
In addition, Ritter expressed his trademark “confused” status related to potential we can work it out budgetary considerations.
“Then, I’m concerned … about the [reasons previously expressed as to why ] we need to have the payroll tax,” Ritter conjectured.
Although he voted in favor of the occupation tax, Ritter cannot balance a possible administrative stance that “we are now all right,” and the earlier urgency welded by members of both the administration and council in lobbying for passage of the occupation tax. He questions how a city allegedly on the brink of financial ruin without the occupation tax can find money, even in a department line item, to purchase a new salt spreader.
[Editor’s Note: Although awaiting a go ahead from the state home rule committee, the City of Huntington did NOT anticipate any occupation tax revenues during the First Quarter of the Fiscal Year. The fiscal budget as approved does not contain anticipated occupation tax collections.]
As if anticipating another municipal tax or fee ordinance, Ritter emphasized, “I will not raise the user fee. It’s an unfair tax. I’m not voting for it anymore.”
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