Letter: Disappointed to see councilman disparage city staff and finances
To the editor,
It’s disappointing to see Bob Kelley disparage city staff and finances. Starting in 2008 the city tightened its budget through layoffs and attrition and has continually found ways to reduce costs. We’ve been a lean operation for a long time. During those years the city’s revenues decreased dramatically and despite cuts, we’ve needed to use reserves-which is why we have them. We do not borrow money, like the federal government. We budget conservatively and almost always do better. Our reserves are near 36-percent of general fund expenditures, an enviable position for any public entity.
Kelley equates full-cost recovery with raising fees. What it truly means is that, for example, if a developer wants to increase the zoning density of his/her property (to make a bigger profit) he/she needs to pay for any general plan amendment or re-zoning and not shift that cost onto the city’s residents. I think our residents appreciate that. Bob’s vote would essentially have the public subsidize the profit of developers.
He talks about “accounting tricks” – maybe that’s how it works in his experience of being a developer but it’s not how the city runs. Our financial statements are subject to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards, and our external CPA firm that performs an annual audit is subject to those same standards and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.
Kelley made two visits to the city’s CPA firm to ask questions independent of staff. Information he requests from staff is continually provided. The offer to have more Finance Committee meetings is out there, but he’s declined. He regularly criticizes our finances yet in my four years on council, he’s voted for the budget every time.
Bob asserts that Tom O’Malley’s lapse on the radio two years ago regarding a budget number somehow disqualifies him from being mayor. I think if a momentary brain freeze is all it takes then we’d all be disqualified.
In fact, the only “requirement” for mayor is to be 18 years old and a registered voter in the city. But meeting the requirement does not mean someone is equipped or experienced for the task at hand. Nor does memorizing a number or two indicate someone has knowledge of city finances. We need someone who has a strong understanding of the budget and the experience to maintain our fiscal stability. For me that person is Mayor Tom O’Malley.
Heather Moreno
Atascadero resident, CPA and Mayor Pro Tem
