Abbott: No conflict in opinions

To the Editor:

It was mentioned last week in the Thunder Bayou re-purposing forum that I, along with possibly other council members, am conflicted because I openly opposed the sales tax referendum and now am in support of keeping the golf course open.

I want to state as simply as possible why I consider there to be no conflict between the two positions. Three words: management, accountability, and misinformation. Those same issues not only influence these two issues, but also our budget process and many other decisions I have made.

I recognize that some need no explanation and others won't hear it, but as a public official I feel a responsibility to try to communicate my motivation.

I have repeatedly and openly said that this administration has not proven their ability to manage properly the resources that we now have. The citizens should not allow changes to be forced upon them citing some created emergency. While some questionable cuts were made, the last two budgets were created without correcting the real issue with our general fund. The city's finance director has stated as they were proposed that they were unsustainable. Thunder Bayou's budget, in particular, was inflated which led to this inevitable position.

I still believe that if our finances were handled properly, neither of these discussions would have been necessary. A couple of lesser known revelations from the budget process are that we didn't consider all departments fully for cuts and that there was a large amount of funds left unused. When it was suggested that, in our circumstance, we should consider both wastewater and water departments for possible further cuts; we were informed that suddenly those departments were off limits. Now we are hearing of plans to possibly provide increases to those departments. We concluded 2015 with over $3 million in funds. While much of that number were dedicated funds, some was certainly potentially available. Also, revealed was that we are now working toward having two months of funds in reserve at all times. While this is something that is certainly an eventual necessity and was proposed by my finance committee in 2013, I'm not sure this should be a higher priority than public safety, health, and quality of life.

Another question was raised regarding whose numbers were right, either those presented by this administration or by Thunder Bayou's financial people. This an excellent example of misleading information because, simply put and as stated, both sides were actually correct. The administration's numbers were based on the original budget proposal, but didn't consider their final proposal; which was never considered by our finance committee. This resulted in a deficit in Parks and Recs of over $200,000.00. As stated by Thunder Bayou's treasurer, the final numbers proposed would have resulted in only approximately a $20,000.00 deficit. This is a number that would be easily covered from within Parks and Recs, if we are committed that general fund has no responsibility to quality of life. Other possible areas of waste within Parks and Recs were not fully discussed.

Certainly there is more that could be said, but I just want to assure the citizens of this city that I AM NOT against everything this administration wants to do. However, as long as I am allowed to serve, when there is questionable motivation or when facts don't bear out; I will stand up. Until I see more responsible management, more accountability with city finances, and better, more factual communication I will continue to vote what I feel is in the best interest of our citizens. That especially includes any tax referendum which may come in the future. YOU DESERVE BETTER!

Tommy Abbott

Alderman

Ward 1 Position 1