FY 2010-2011 Budget Document Posted on Polk City's Web Page

The Fiscal Year 2010 - 2011 Budget Document that goes into more detail on the actual revenues and expenditures is posted on Polk City's web site now.  Here's the link:  FY 2010-2011 Budget Document

It is quite a long document, but not as long as the similar documents from previous years.  If you compare this one to the earlier ones, you will notice that the explanations of how the revenue figures are estimated, revenue trends, and how external factors may effect them are omitted from this new document.  Other information comparing similar sized municipalities in Polk County on several different factors, explanations of fund appropriations, basis of budgeting, financial policies, and debt service information and summary are also omitted.  I called Pam Lawson, the Financial Administrator, for an explanation.  She stated that this information is not required to be in the budget document and that all required information is there.  That may be the case, but it sure would have been nice to see how they arrived at these figures this year in a little more detail.

I also got clarification that the "Priviledge Fees" under the Sewer and Water categories are the WAC (Water Access Charge) and SAC (Sewer Access Charge) fees.  $169,450 in SAC fees and $83,570 in WAC fee revenues are budgeted.  When I questioned the placement of these estimated revenue sources in the budget when the legality of these fees, according to Vice Mayor / Acting City Manager Block's statement at the County meeting on September 15th, are being questioned and legal council out of Orlando has been retained by the City to look into this issue further.  Ms. Lawson expressed certainty that these fees were legal and that maybe some wording would have to be tweaked, but that these fees will be assessed and collection procedures would be started for those that are not paid.

When I asked about where the money for all the lawsuits was budgeted, Ms. Lawson stated that Department #514 in the budget is for Legal Council.  According to the adopted figures for "Professional Services - Legal Council" and the "Professional Services - Other - Legal Council" categories totals $42,000 combined.  When I questioned that the budgeted amount seemed rather low considering the multiple lawsuits currently against the city and the possibility of future ones, Ms. Lawson stated that this is just a rough estimate and if additional money is needed, then less money will need to be spent in other areas of the budget to help pay for it.  Not very comforting.

I also questioned the line items under Expenditures for "Fund Balances/Reserves/Net Assets" totaling $228,533 that was in the tentatively approved budget prior to the city cutting the $348,799.34 to the county, and was still approved in the final budget later that same week.  Looking at the bank statement, those monies were pretty much depleted by writing that check.  Ms. Lawson stated that the money doesn't need to currently be in those accounts for it to be approved in the budget.  According to her, those monies will accumulate throughout the year to cover these needed expenses.

That appears to be pretty wishful thinking considering that the FY2009 Audit stated on page 33, "The result of our assessment indicates the City is experiencing an overall deterioration in its financial condition.  The general fund's total liabilites exceed the general fund's total assets by $246,728.  The enterprise funds owed the general fund $169,155 as of September 30, 2009, for which resources were not available for current repayment.  Furthermore, the enterprise funds' current liablities of $1,226,507 far exceed its current assets of $393,794.  The two enterprise funds are not generating fund's resources.  Other causes of this deteriorating financial condition included a lack of short-term and long-term financial plans to guide the City, a lack of cash analysis and forecasts and various control deficiencies as reported in prior audits."

I didn't see anywhere in the budget document any explanation as to where the city is going to come up with the outstanding $531,000 in back Impact Fees that the city owes the county from 2007 & 2008, either.

But then again, the City officials keep stating, "The Budget is Balanced."  What do you think??

Lawsuits

On September 20, 2010, Polk City officials took everyone by surprise when they presented a check in the amount of $348,772 to the Polk County Commission for two defaulted loan payments on the Mt. Olive Water & Sewer Facility for 2009 & 2010. This payment was made on the deadline that the county gave to the Polk City to prevent the County from contacting the Governor's office to have Polk City declared in a Financial State of Emergency.  This payment, however, does not reverse the county commissioners' decision , made on September 15, 2010, to take back the Mt. Olive Water & Sewer System.

After this payment was received from Polk City, Polk County Commissioner Sam Johnson e-mailed this response to all the e-mails he received. 

     "Good Morning!  Thank you for your emails.  The County will continue our efforts in securing control and operation of the Mount Olive System.  Unfortunately it appears we will have to begin legal proceedings due to the action of the Polk City Commission.  We will do what has to be done.  However, the only ones who will really benefit from the legal maneuvering are the attorneys.

Sincerely,
Sam Johnson

Did Polk City officials, in their 2010-2011 budget include upcoming legal fees that will cover this litigation, as well as addition legal battles on the horizon?  The Fantasy of Flight de-annexation battle is by no means settled. It's awaiting a decision to possibly be heard in a higher court.  Mt. Olive Shores North is awaiting the city's decision on their request for de-annexation.  If that is not favorable to the Mt. Olive Shores residents will that decision result in an additional legal battle?  The Cardinal Hill waste treatment plant is also on shaky legal grounds in 2012 with local residents not happy with the city's decision to place this treatment plant in their backyards under pretenses that it was only temporary until July 1, 2012, at which time it is to be dismantled, according to the lease. 

These are major concerns that need to be addressed by the Polk City officials. 

Note in FY 2009 Audit about TEMPORARY Cardinal Hill Plant

If you look at page 40, marked page 25, of the Fiscal Year 2009 Audit posted on Polk City's website, FY09 Audit of Polk City , you will see about 2/3rds down the page, the 3rd bullet point.  It states:

"The City has entered into a lease agreement with Cardinal Hill, LLC to lease a parcel of land to be utilized for a temporary wastewater treatment package plant.  In lieu of a cash lease payment; the City credits the property owner with one water and sewer impact fee per month of the six year lease which began on February 1, 2006.  The City guaranteed complete removal of the wastewater treatment plant operation no later than July 1, 2012.  If the City has not removed the wastewater treatment operation as of July 1, 2012, the City will continue to credit the owner with one water and sewer impact fee per month plus an additional monthly cash payment of $1,000 until the operation has been removed."

My question is, if this is a temporary plant as stated in the lease agreement that is to be REMOVED by July 1, 2012, why is the city budgeting to spend $65,500 in Capital Outlay for this plant?

The detail of the FY 2010-2011 budget states $58,000 will be for "Improvements Other than Buildings- Card Hill WWTP"
"Description - Included in this category are expenditures for capital improvements over $500 in a given department.  Items would include the expansion of water and sewer lines, street repaving, computer software, etc.  Justification - Two new quieter blowers to replace ones that are in need of rebuilding $33,500.  SCADA system $6,500, Fence and security for plant after theft this year $17,500.  Approx 6800' force main to 33 to move water to spray field ($850,000).  $45,000 to remove 15 single family home off well and on to city water to allow expansion of spray field."

This sure doesn't sound like a TEMPORARY plan to me!!  I guess as one homeowner in that area so politely stated at the last meeting on September 21st, there will be more lawsuits to come.  Just what this city needs!!

DEAL OR NO DEAL???

Here are a couple of Ledger Articles discussing the outcome of the August 6, 2010 meeting between Polk County Manager Mike Herr and Polk City Acting City Manager, Trudy Block.  The first article dated August 9, 2010 titled   Agreement With County May Be Near on Polk City's Debt  Then there is the Ledger article published on the editorial page on September 28, 2010 Polk City: Secret Deals, Bad Memories 

Quoting from the August 6, 2010 article:  "Acting City Manager Trudy Block on Monday said she and Polk County Manager Mike Herr agreed on key points of a new deal to pay off $2.2 million in Municipal debts to the county at a meeting Friday afternoon from which the public and press were excluded.  Polk County commissioners will consider the deal at their Sept. 15 meeting."

"I thought Friday's meeting would be a little more difficult.  They really want to help," Block said.  "They know we're in trouble.  I think they want to help."

"Negotiators agreed on presenting two options at the Sept. 15 commission meeting.  One would nullify the 2008 deal that turned over the Mount Olive water and sewer system from the county to Polk City.  That involved a $1.7Million loan, both principal and 11% interest, over 10 years on the transfer of a roughly 30-acre property the sewer treatment plant uses as a spray field for treated wastewater."

The news article goes on to say that "Block, also one of five  council members, said she thinks the city can retain ownership of the Mt. Olive system under restructured finances.  Herr could not be reached to comment on Monday, but Freeman said county officials will present the options without a recommendation, unless commissioners ask."  Jim Freeman is the deputy county manager over the utilities department.

"For the city to retain ownership it will have to present a detailed financial plan showing it can meet all its debt obligations at least for the next decade, said Freeman, adding county officials want assurance the city's finances won't unravel again.  As part of Polk City's financial restructuring, Herr agreed to lower the loan interest rate to 3.3% per year, a 70% reduction.  That would lop off about $50,000 a year on interest payments."

The article continues:  "Block entered Friday's two-hour meeting facing a gap of about $144,000 in her projected 2010-2011 city budget, which did not include payments to the county on either The Mt. Olive or impact fee debts."  Additional revenue from savings due to changing the city's contract with Polk County Sheriffs Office to only keeping 1 sheriff at the Polk City Hall, and projected revenue of approximately $200,000 from property owners who have not yet paid the new water-and-sewer-acces fees council approved in November, 2009, should balance the budget.  Although now it seems that the WAC & SAC fees are going to be challenged in court.  In the County's September 15 meeting, Mayor Joe LaCascia said these fees are perfectly legal according to a FL Statute, but later Ms. Block contradicted his statement by saying that these fees are propably going to be discontinued because the legality has not been established, and Polk City has retained legal council in Orlando to deal with this issue. 

"The additional revenue will balance Polk City's budget, including the payments on its county debts if the County Commission agrees to the proposed financing plan," Block said. 

In the Ledger's editorial article dated September 28, 2010 "Polk City officials are now miffed that county government staff reneged (they claim) on a closed-door deal to allow them to keep the Mt. Olive water and sewer system.  A DEAL'S A DEAL?  One odd new development in this episode is Polk City officials complaining that they thought they had a deal with former County Manager Mike Herr and his staff, following a closed-door meeting in early August that the Ledger reporter was barred from attending.  They say they thought the county loan would be refinanced at a much lower interest rate and extended for two more years to 2020."

"Clearly, someone either misheard something or changed their mind or received new persuasive evidence that the deal was a dud, from the county's standpoint."

"DEAL OR NO DEAL"??

Send a Message to the City

Want to send a strong message to the city that you don't approve how the city is spending your money?  Here's how you can.

A city resident, who only wanted to be identified as J.T., informed me that he too was concerned about how the city is picking fights and starting lawsuits with no regard to the welfare of the people.  He felt the city has enough debt already.  Although his mortgage company is regularly scheduled to make the payment of his property taxes early in November to qualify for the small discount, he did not want to do that this year.  He contacted his mortgage company over the phone and informed his mortgage company that he would prefer to delay the payment of his property taxes until March or April.  The mortgage company said that this would not be a problem.  They only required that once he received his final tax bill that he send a written request to do this.

You too can contact your mortgage company and do the same.  Keep in mind, that by paying your property taxes in March or April, instead of November or December, you will not qualify for the small discount that is given by paying your taxes early.  By paying your taxes in March or April, your taxes will not be late, you will only not qualify for the early discount.

With the way the city has recently cleaned out the funds to pay the county the overdue payments of $348,779.34 for the Mt. Olive Utility System, the city's operating funds are low at best.  As verified in the 2009 Fiscal Year Audit, the city still owes the county $531,000 in back Impact Fees collected from Developers from 2007 & 2008 which were never forwarded to the county.  The next payment in excess of $174,000 due to the county for the Mt. Olive Utility system is due in February. The city is operating on borrowed time already.  If the city does not get the Ad Valorem taxes as early as they planned, it will only speed up the inevitable.  The Governor's office will declare Polk City in a Financial State of Emergency.  The city will be required to provide a solid plan to get out of it's operating deficit and show that the city has a viable plan for the future, or else.  This is long overdue.

Good Afternoon Fellow Citizens,

Good afternoon  fellow citizens,   

 

         A lot has happened in our city since our city hall was filled (and overflowing) because of a headline we all read in the Lakeland Ledger.  That headline read: 

 

                                         Polk City Residents to Get

                                          $300 Sewer Assessment

 

       Do you remember that?   I do.   The date of that paper was Jan. 8, 2009, & citizens came forward.  Do you remember the little lady who came marching up the aisle during that meeting  to announce that people were outside & they also should be able to hear all that was happening?   I do & I was just as exuberant as everyone else at the nerve that she displayed.   She was right & we were noisy in our response to her appearance.  We were noisy ...but we weren't angry.    

 

      Later on, as citizens gained more information concerning the activities of the city gov't., we citizens began to distrust the leadership of the city gov't. more than ever.   Then we were told that somebody had been banned from entering the city hall....Threats we were told.    What?!  

That was news to me & my neighbors.    We were busy working to rally up support against the proposed waste water treatment plant; calling the county commissioner; calling our state representatives; reading the law; physically meeting with the people at the Department of Environmental Protection....Nobody we knew...making threats.  

 

     Well, now we are in a different mode & new leadership has come to the forefront.  New leaders both in the city gov't. and new leaders who represent citizens who want Polk City to be unincorporated. The new leaders that have come forward  have more in common than not. These are individuals who sincerely believe in the effort they have assumed. These citizens are leaders, willing to make decisions and work toward the goal they believe is best.  They exhibit intelligence, perseverance & thoughtfulness, every last one of them.

The last thing we fellow citizens need here in Polk City is any evidence of hate-filled language.   No Deal.

 

I personally believe that what is Best for Polk City will be the final outcome.  

I believe that because of Faith in our Creator.   

                                                              

Sincerely,   

Linda Fuller

Financial Audits Available on Polk City's Web Site

I know there has been a lot of public concern about what the findings were on these recent audits that were done.  I see that now Fiscal Year 2008 & fiscal year 2009 audits are available for public viewing on the Financial page of Polk City's website.  Here are the links:

Fiscal Year 2008 Audit
Fiscal Year 2009 Audit

They are quite lengthy, but in both documents starting on page 39, the "Schedule of Findings" pages list the areas that problems were found, what is recommended that the City do to fix them, and what the City has done based on these recommendations.

Why Contact Kelly Stargel and Paula Dockery's Offices?

Feeling a little lost about why contacting Paula Dockery and Kelly Stargel's offices are the right thing to do next?

Maybe this will help answer some questions and give you some guidance.  As stated in the previous article Here's How You Can Help the Legislature has the power to step in when municipalities no longer continue to have a reason to exist or if there are problems with how they are being run.  The process that the Legislature uses to determine what needs be done is spelled out in State Statute 189.428 - Special Districts; Oversight Review Process.

(1)  The Legislature finds it to be in the public interest to establish an oversight review process for special districts wherein each special district in the state may be reviewed by the local general-purpose government in which the district exists. The Legislature further finds and determines that such law fulfills an important state interest. It is the intent of the Legislature that the oversight review process shall contribute to informed decision making. These decisions may involve the continuing existence or dissolution of a district, the appropriate future role and focus of a district, improvements in the functioning or delivery of services by a district, and the need for any transition, adjustment, or special implementation periods or provisions. Any final recommendations from the oversight review process that are adopted and implemented by the appropriate level of government shall not be implemented in a manner that would impair the obligation of contracts.

In other words, if there are enough complaints to Kelly Stargel's offices (House of Representatives) and Paula Dockery's offices (State Senate) they will have to look into these concerns closer and they will initiate this review process mentioned above.  

• Tell them about how high your taxes, water, sewer, etc. Bill have gotten while your income whether fixed or reduced due to economic factors has gone down.  
• Tell them how you are having a difficult time to keep paying these bills and have little to no services to show for your hard earned money.  
• Tell them how the cost of living in surrounding areas under the county and other local cities is substantially cheaper, and those areas actually provide most of the services they are supposed to.  
• Tell them how you are concerned that with the mounting debt, mounting law suits against the city, and tiny tax base, and that it will be next to impossible for the city to dig out of this financial hole.  
• Tell them that the new city officials keep promising that they are working on it and things are looking good, but when pressed for details and a solid plan of action to get out of the current financial hole, they look like a deer in the headlights or they promise to get back to us and don't.

 All of these things and more are issues that the individuals at the State level would be very interested in hearing FROM the PEOPLE.  The more concerns that are brought to their attention, the more urgent they will know our situation here in Polk City truly is.  

Another part of this same state statute 189.428 addresses some other specific areas of concern that you personally may be able to shed some light on to these state officials:

(5)  Those conducting the oversight review process shall, at a minimum, consider the listed criteria for evaluating the special district, but may also consider any additional factors relating to the district and its performance. If any of the listed criteria does not apply to the special district being reviewed, it need not be considered. The criteria to be considered by the reviewer include:

(a)  The degree to which the service or services offered by the special district are essential or contribute to the well-being of the community.

(b)  The extent of continuing need for the service or services currently provided by the special district.

(c)  The extent of municipal annexation or incorporation activity occurring or likely to occur within the boundaries of the special district and its impact on the delivery of services by the special district.

(d)  Whether there is a less costly alternative method of delivering the service or services that would adequately provide the district residents with the services provided by the district.

(e)  Whether transfer of the responsibility for delivery of the service or services to an entity other than the special district being reviewed could be accomplished without jeopardizing the district’s existing contracts, bonds, or outstanding indebtedness.

(f)  Whether the Auditor General has notified the Legislative Auditing Committee that the special district’s audit report, reviewed pursuant to s. 11.45(7), indicates that the district has met any of the conditions specified in s. 218.503(1) or that a deteriorating financial condition exists that may cause a condition described in s. 218.503(1) to occur if actions are not taken to address such condition.

(g)  Whether the district is inactive according to the official list of special districts, and whether the district is meeting and discharging its responsibilities as required by its charter, as well as projected increases or decreases in district activity.

(h)  Whether the special district has failed to comply with any of the reporting requirements in this chapter, including preparation of the public facilities report.

(i)  Whether the special district has designated a registered office and agent as required by s. 189.416, and has complied with all open public records and meeting requirements.

I know just from the research we as a group have done to date, there are several of these areas of concern that the city is running into problems.  LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD AND THINGS WILL HAPPEN!!!  Look at how much we, working together with the public, have accomplished in approximately 1 month since we started Concerned Citizens of Polk City.  Working together we CAN make a difference!!  Contact our representatives TODAY!!

Here's How You Can Help

Our group, The Concerned Citizens of Polk City, has already initiated the process of dissolving the City of Polk City in raising public awareness and involvement by starting this blog.  We have received overwhelming public support in our petition drive a few weeks ago and also in the public responding to our requests to contact our County Commissioners and asking them for their support. 

The State of Florida Statutes, the County and City ordinances outlines the process, which can sometimes be a lengthy one. The 2010 Florida Statutes, Title XII, Chapter 165.051 deals specifically with Dissolution Procedures of Municipalities.  It states:

(1)    The charter of any existing municipality may be revoked and the municipal corporation dissolved by either:

(a)   A special act of the Legislature; or

(b)    An ordinance of the governing body of the municipality, approved by a vote of the qualified voters. 

Which means that

(a)    The Florida Legislature may pass a special act repealing the enabling act of the municipality and any subsequent amendatory acts.  This method is subject to all requirements of law or rule applicable to the consideration and enactment of any special act.

(b)   The governing body of the city seeking dissolution may pass an ordinance dissolving the municipality, subject to the approval of the qualified voters in the affected area.

Some of our readers have been asking how they can help in the process.  We are working behind the scenes, but you can still be of tremendous help by now contacting your Florida State Legislatures.  Their job is to represent their citizens and listen to their concerns. 

Our Florida Representative District in #64 – Rep. Kelli Stargel

Or:         P. O. Box 2839                                  District Office: Suite 109

              Lakeland, FL 33808-2839                    2000 East Edgewood

                                                                        Lakeland, FL 33803-3639

                                                                        Phone (863) 614-9156

            Her legislative assistant is:  Rachel Barnes

            Her District Secretary is:  Chris Dowdy,  Phone (863) 614-9156

                                                            e-mail:  chris.dowdy@myfloridahouse.gov

                                                Capital Office:

                                                                        405 House Office Building

                                                                        402 South Monroe Street

                                                                        Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

                                                                        Phone (850) 488-2270

To e-mail her go to www.flsenate.gov On left side, click on: Senators

                                                            Enter your zip-code+4, then find Kelli Stargel

                                                            Click on her name, and below her picture is

                                                            her e-mail link.  Fill out the required information

                                                            then click:  continue 

Our Florida Representative in District #65 – Rep. John Wood

                                                                        705 East Main Street

                                                                        Haines City, FL 33844-4226

                                                                        Phone (863) 419-3470

His legislative assistant is:  Hedy Weddington

            His District Secretary is:  Katherine Bell

                                                Capital Office:

                                                                        210 House Office Building

                                                                        402 South Monroe Street

                                                                        Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

                                                                        Phone (850) 488-2721

To e-mail him go to www.flsenate.gov  On left side, click on Senators

                                                            Enter your zip-code+4, then find John Wood

                                                            Click on his name, and below his picture is

                                                            His e-mail link.  Fill out the required information

                                                            Then click:  continue

           

Our Florida State Senator in District #15 is:         Paula Dockery

                                                                        P. O. Box 2395

                                                                        Lakeland, FL 33806-2395

                                                                        Phone (863) 413-2900

                                                Capital Office:

                                                                        302 Senate Building

                                                                        404 South Monroe Street

                                                                        Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

                                                                        Phone (850) 487-5040

                                                                        e-mail:dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov

                                               

                                                                       

The Saga of Polk City

Everyone in Polk City has their own reasons for living in this peaceful, rural community.  Many have been born and raised here, some have moved here for it’s peaceful tranquility and slow pace of life to retire here.  There are also those who commute to Orlando, Lakeland or elsewhere but found Polk City a “nice place to come home to at the end of a busy day” and it was affordable living compared to living near their jobs.  When we moved here 10 years ago, we built a home in the outskirts of Polk City in the county.  We had to get our permits from Bartow and Lakeland, which was NOT an inconvenience at all.  Our roads were taken care of, our trash was picked up twice a week and the sheriff stopped and talked to us on occasions during his frequent patrols through our neighborhood.  We paid $13.00/month for our water bill,  $98.00/year for the trash pickup, which was included in our annual real estate tax bill.  The Town of Polk City (yes, then it was still called a TOWN) had all the little stores you would expect in a small rural town and the citizens were happy to be here. 

Then everything changed with the housing boom nationwide.  Our town officials expected the same aggressive expansion that the rest of the nation was experiencing, and they needed to prepare for this building boom by preparing the necessary infrastructure like sewers, higher demand for water, better roads, a bigger city hall.  So they went into the sewer business when they purchased this problematic Mt. Olive sewer system.  Had the “housing bust” not occurred it might have been a good business plan. However, the city’s business plan did not include a back-up plan in case of an economic recession.  The enormous debt had been created, and no way to pay for it.  Money was squandered in legal battles with Auburndale and Fantasy of Flight.  The city officials had to find a way to finance this debt by aggressive, forceful annexation practices, raising taxes and finally skyrocketing water and sewer rates. 

In a very short time this little peaceful community was burdened with huge debts and no way to pay for it.  New City officials with expert business backgrounds but not experienced in running a city, stepped in confident that they can fix this mess IN TIME.  Maybe they can if they can lure businesses into town with a temporary partial waver on impact fees.  But why would a business be interested in coming to Polk City when it’s much cheaper for them to establish their business in Auburndale or outside city limits where overhead fees and taxes are MUCH lower?  Landlords are stuck with many empty rental properties because tenants can’t afford the high water/sewer bills.  They can live much cheaper in Auburndale, and have a higher standard of living. People planning to come to this area drawn to the new USF Polytechnic Campus which will be built in Auburndale, will also find that it’s too expensive to live in Polk City.

To preserve this unique town, it is imperative to lower the extremely high cost of living and the high cost of doing business here.  If this is not done, the existing businesses will disappear, one by one.  In recent history we lost the Polk City Pharmacy/Medicine Shoppe, the IGA grocery store, the donut shop, the movie rental store, the Sub Shop, the original beauty shop, the original flower shop, the Antique Store, a car repair shop, a small general store, the bait shop, and several restaurants have changed hands.  Woodman’s Realty closed its doors.  Most of the gas stations in town have changed hands several times. All new business owners are complaining about the high cost of doing business in this town. How long will our unique Feed Store be able to hang in there, and the Ace Hardware Store?  The empty storefronts speak for themselves.  Real Estate agents are not motivated so show Polk City properties due to our high taxes and fees.

One of Polk City’s residents spoke so eloquently towards the end of the “Business Plan for Polk City” meeting on Sept. 21.  She told the story of this old dresser she acquired in a yard sale and paid a couple of dollars for.  The top was distressed and warped, but it had good bones.  She worked hard at it, and placed a heavy aquarium on the top to force the top to straighten out.  Her hard work paid off and now it’s worth a lot more than what she paid for it.

It will be hard work, but we can also do this with the city by dissolving Polk City to stop further skyrocketing debt. Spreading out the debt over 25 – 35 years adds millions of dollars to the existing debt.  Lawsuits with Fantasy of Flight in a higher court, County litigation over the Mt. Olive sewer system, and the Cardinal Hill Sewer Plant, the Mt. Olive Shores North de-annexation process, are inevitable.  Unpaid county impact fees in excess of $500,000, plus the unpaid lease of $300,000 on the Cardinal Hill WT plant are still to be paid.  This lease expires in 2012.   Land purchase needed to utilize the Cardinal Hill WT plant to its full capacity will be very expensive.  The city coffers are depleted after the interest payment on the Mt. Olive ST plant debt in excess of $348,000 was paid to the county on 9/20/2010.  The Mt. Olive ST plant needs to be returned to the county, since that was the beginning of our downfall.

If we dissolve the city, no more debt will be created.  Prime real estate that the Polk City currently owns will be attractive to prospective buyers, due to our easy access to the interstate. The possibility exists that we will be able to keep our library.  Miami-Dade added a small millage rate to their assessment to pay for their library system. Working together with Dade County, they were able to dramatically improve and expand their libraries to award winning status.  Utility rates will be brought back to county levels, police coverage will be dramatically improved over the 1 police officer who now covers the city in a 40 hour shift, our roads will be fixed.  Local businesses will start making more profit with lower overhead costs, and we will still be able to preserve the small town atmosphere that we all love.  Neighbors will be less stressed over their high costs of living. It will still be called Polk City, and we will still be the same community with the same citizens who care for each other and are proud to call Polk City their hometown.  Polk City will still be on the map and our history will not change. 

2010-2011 Final Adopted Polk City Budget

For those of you who did not get a copy of this at the September 21st meeting:
You can single or double click to enlarge and/or print.

Letter to our City Leaders

You can e mail this to all your members and post to your blog

Dear Council, Mayor, and acting City Manager,      

            

Our city will change in name only; our citizens will not. The people of Polk city will still be friendly, and still say hello and wave as you pass their homes. They will still be there for a neighbor in need, and join together to fight for what is right. They will still have love and friendship for their fellow citizens, and gather for the good times so celebrated in a small city like ours. Just like Mayberry on the Andy Griffith Show, will still be ourselves.

As for the utilities issue, the waste water plant has not turned a profit since Polk city took control of it. Furthermore, it has been a persistent drain on Polk City’s finances. This poor fiscal decision has triggered property taxes to rise to a level which will not permit future grown. By raising tax, water, and sewage rates, business who might have located here will probably be turned away, bringing some other city revenue. Polk City has some of the highest tax, water, and sewage rates in Florida. This fact alone will turn prospective home owners running in the other direction, causing valuable homes to sit vacant. Chiefly, a majority of Polk City’s residents will and do not support this purchase- it is bad business.

The city government has failed to notice the blatant red flags staring them in the face regarding not being financially fit for an undertaking such as the Mt. Olive Waste Water Plant. When one has to dip into funds not related to those allocated for the waste water plant, a red flag goes up. When said plant has not turned a profit since its purchase, and is in need of repair, another one flies up in the air. There is no customer, or tax, base to pay the bills for day to day expenses, and there are absolutely no funds allocated for repairs on the plant.

Monumentally, the city owed a defaulted payment to Polk County for its purchase for over two years. If we could afford the payments, why were we in default? Why was there an emergency meeting called to pay a bill? Why was the bill in default? The answer is simple: the city cannot afford the Waste Water Plant.

The tactic of robbing Peter to pay Paul is one the municipality is quite fond of. This method of paying bills is like a Ponzi scheme: it works great until everyone starts calling in their chips. Then the bottom falls out, and after everyone realizes you have no chips, you wind up in deep trouble. More trouble than what would have originally transpired if the correct measure had been taken in the first place. Ask yourself: is the city government prepared for when everyone decides to call in their chips?

I believe our new Mayor was quoted as saying, “we deserve what we have gotten”.

To that I say, “you’re wrong”. We have gotten a Council, Mayor, and acting City Manager which we do not deserve.

The Citizens of Polk City deserve a Council, Mayor, and acting City Manager that listens to the constituents they represent, to the will of the people. They deserve a governing body who conducts city business with utmost honor and integrity, fulfilling their office’s duties with a thoughtful ear towards the Citizen’s wishes.

The people have passionately voiced their will.

There was a petition drive to dissolve the city charter. Comments either online or in person have been pouring into inboxes and psyches. Do the right thing and listen to the wisdom of the Polk County commissioners and citizens.

We have spoken. Are you listening?

GIVE BACK THE MOUNT OLIVE WASTE WATER PLANT

Sincerely

 Mr. Robert W. Bersey, Polk City, FL

Current Financial Situation of Polk City

Following up on a request made during the City Meeting held on September 21st, 2010, a city resident contacted Pamela Lawson the city's Finance Administrator to get the remaining account balances following the large payment for $348,779.34 to Polk County on the Mt. Olive Utility System.  Ms. Lawson informed him that he would have to formally present his request.

He did as requested and this is the information he received:  Please click or double click to enlarge or print.

This statement clearly shows the 9/20/2010 transfers of $100,000 from the Impact Fees Account, $46,772.34 from the Water Fund, and $114,000 transfer from the General Fund, and the Total Debit of $348,779.34 out of the Sewer Fund for the check presented to the County for the payment on the Mt. Olive Utility System.

The balance of the these accounts on 9/21, after the transfers and the check was cut were: Sewer Fund $4,878.71,  Impact Fee Fund $289.10, Water Fund $10,221.31, General Fund $20,842.73.  This does not reflect the monies that were in float at the time these balances are reported.

This report also reflects the utility payments received to date, since the due date on the utility payments is September 25th,  and the offices are closed on Friday and the weekend, September 24th-26th.

Since these monies when collected are earmarked for specific purposes and the City of Polk City Muncipality Code Section 2-112 states:

Sec. 2-112.  Appropriations.

(a)   The tentative annual budget shall be submitted to the town council on or before the 65th day prior to the start of a new fiscal year.

(b)   The appropriation ordinance shall state in clear and precise terms that the budget is adopted by reference and is made a part of the ordinance, and that the amounts therein are appropriated for the purposes and accounts indicated.

(c)   The total of appropriations (proposed expenditures) shall not exceed the total of estimated revenues and other funds made available.

(d)   At any time during the fiscal year, the town manager may transfer all or any part of an unexpended appropriation balance from one account to another account or to several accounts within the same fund.

(Code 1991, § 17-5; Ord. No. 2001-03, § 5, 3-6-2001)

What are the City's plans to repay the appropriate funds the monies that were all transferred into the Sewer Fund to make this payment to the County?

Addressing Concerns

Based on comments put on our blog over the past few days addressing our posts “Who’s Running Polk City”, our intent and reasoning behind these posts need to be clarified further.  From a business personnel perspective, any individual being considered for any position should be subject to a screening process that not only scrutinizes their qualifications, educational background prior to employment, but also integrity and ethics.  The findings we posted about both, City Clerk, Patricia Jackson, and the Mayor, Joe LaCascia were things we felt were very relevant.

 

The City Clerk, who has years of experience in both City Clerk and City Manager capacity in Eagle Lake and Mulberry, would be an obvious source of information to answer day-to-day questions our city officials might have.  Will she be considered to fill the City Manager position once Ms. Block steps down as Interim City Manager?  There may be a lot of things that Patricia Jackson did correctly to maintain her position over the years in Mulberry as City Clerk and then City Manager.  But the articles we cited in the previous post quote areas of concern in Patricia Jackson’s employment reviews done by her supervisors.  She may be a great City Clerk, but not necessarily qualified to be a City Manager.  The articles in the Ledger and News Chief regarding her performance as City Manager in Eagle Lake and Mulberry back this up.  To review these articles again, please read “Who’s Running Polk City” and the links are available there. 

In regards to our post on the Mayor’s background, the same logic and reasoning applies.  We obviously were not able to obtain detailed information on his employment history since he was not a public official, but the discovery of this lawsuit, whether found guilty or not guilty, we thought needed clarification.  Even if the plaintiff in this lawsuit had a grudge as his main motivation, for him to publicly and officially make such serious charges, he must have thought he had facts to support them.  For this man to go through the trouble of filing this lawsuit, he obviously had the perception that Mr. LaCascia was involved deeply enough in these questionable practices to be named specifically.  Whether or not he was actually guilty was left for the courts to decide.  We are simply bringing to light that this was out there and we are giving the Mayor an opportunity to clarify this to the public.  We are not making accusations, just bringing this to light, and it should have been questioned in a background check.

 We welcome any clarification that will shed more light on the information we have found on both City Clerk Jackson and Mayor LaCascia.  We are not accusing them of any wrongdoing in their current capacities with Polk City.  Considering Polk City’s past history, we are simply asking questions to prevent any future embarrassment. 

"Business Plan for Polk City" Meeting on Sept. 21st

By definition "A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons why they are believed attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals."

Last night's city meeting was a far cry from a Business Plan meeting.  It was more like a pre-planned sales pitch with planted audience members intended to sway the rest in attendance that the city's view points are more valid than those in opposition.  The public has still yet to be presented with CLEAR, DECISIVE, FACT BASED PLANS of how the city plans to get out of its current mess and be able to continue operations in the future.  If this had been a situation where a business was applying for a business loan, the presenting parties should be able to come up with FACTS and FIGURES, not just opinions and excuses, for the tough questions the bank would be asking.  The overly generalized examples with numbers not reflecting a true representation of how the average tax payer's bills are affected by the new millage rate in attempt to pacify the audience, in addition to the numerous "I don't know" and "we'll have to get back to you" responses would not look favorable in a business plan.  The blatant misstatements that the "Bills are Paid" repeated over and over did not reinforce the audience's confidence in the city's financial status, either.  It is common knowledge that the city stills owes the County over $500,000 for back environmental impact fees that the City collected since 2006 and never forwarded on to the County.  The City Officials are not denying this outstanding debt exists, but yet insist that the "Bills are Paid."  That does not compute!

The obvious favoritism to the Pro-city audience members asking questions was very unprofessional.   I understand that some of the questions presented last night may not have been easy to answer, but getting nasty, dodging ones that did not want to be answered, and admittedly skipping over issues on your own notes to avoid controversy does not instill confidence in the public that the right people are running the city.  The city has some tough issues, so the tough questions should be expected and answered, not avoided.

In the Sept. 15th Polk County Board of Commissioners meeting, several of the Commissioners with far more experience than the current City Officials, expressed clear skepticism of how Polk City could possibly pay down the mountain of debt and continue operations considering the small tax base and limited revenue sources available to them, while still being fair to the residents and providing necessary services.  If these proven experts are questioning the City Officials about how this could possibly be done, the public's concern over these same issues is certainly justified.  The public deserves DETAILS, FACTS, and SOLID PLANS not GENERALIZATIONS.  Repeatedly the Vice Mayor/Acting City Manager speaks of cost cutting measures the city has taken as a means to be able to continue operations, mainly citing the 3 reductions in staff.  The former City's Public Works Director was making $49,608 annually, as quoted in the August 24th Ledger Article.  To our knowledge it was not disclosed what the other two positions, assuming clerical, were getting paid annually, so we will use a ballpark figure of $25,000 each, just to estimate.  With these 3 three salaries combined it would have cost the city roughly $99,608 for the year, or $1,915.53 broken down per week.  The new expert contracted Utility consultant from FGUA was needed immediately to replace the former Public Works Director at the cost of $1,700 per week.  This works out to only roughly a small $200 per week savings.  Even with additional spending plans back tabled for now, where does the city plan to come up with the next payment of over $100,000 due in February for the next loan installment due to the County on the Mt. Olive Utility System, the money for repayment of the $500,000+ in overdue impact fees (even if allowed to repay in an installment plan with interest) and be able to maintain current operations, payroll, and other regular bills coming in when the tax base is so small?  The public would like more details since this math does not add up!

Prior to attending the meeting last night, when the updated agenda was sent out via e-mail, we actually had high hopes that the City Officials would actually be presenting HARD FACTS, ACTUAL NUMBERS, and CLEAR ACTION PLANS to resolve the many issues facing the city.  We came ready to listen to some SOLUTIONS.  We left the meeting feeling set up, and still asking the same questions we had prior to arriving.  What a disappointment!  It was business as usual.