Rodney Perez
City of Peru 2014 Budget Approval:
On Wednesday April 17th. The City of Peru voted to approve the 2014 fiscal year budget. The vote was 7-1 with my vote being the only No vote.
Over the past few days I've been questioned on the reason for my NAY vote. I will take this opportunity to explain:
Over the past year I have asked Mayor Harl to consider implementing "Strategic Planning, and Round Table" meetings amongst: full council, department supervisors, budget director, and our economic developer to discuss the future of Peru.
( as in any business, or, our personal finances there needs to be a vision, short-long term budget goals of how we will move forward and plan for the future)
In my opinion... "spend as we go" is not a fiscal responsible, nor a transparent way to manage tax payer funds.
The way our process works: each committee... which consists of two aldermen per committee; reviews budget line-items from their city departments committee. I currently serve on the Public Health and Safety Committee along with Alderman Ferrari. We review the budget line-items that the police and fire chief's figure in for the following year.
When the annual budget comes before the full council for approval, each alderman votes to approve the "entire budget." In my opinion, since each official is responsible for approving the entire budget, the process should equally involve each alderman... working together of how "all" funds will be spent, and not left solely up to each committee.
In mid February during budget discussions I made another request that we schedule a round-table meeting to discuss our 2014 budget.
Mayor Harl stated he would get dates together to present to the council.
After two weeks had past, I asked Mayor Harl if he was able to put meeting dates together; Mayor Harl stated there was no need for round-table discussions to discuss the budget.
Over the next 5-10 years The City of Peru will need to purchase large public works equipment, emergency vehicles, and most importantly the city should have funds going into a "Rainy Day Fund" this past storm is a great example of that. If we lost our Hydro, and, or waste water treatment plants, this would have been a major devastation, and financial blow to the City of Peru.
Over this next year the City of Peru plans to demolish the Kings Inn and possibly the old Howard Johnson's Hotel.
The city will spend nearly $250,000.00 to demolish the Kings Inn Property. My research leads me to believe the city would lose approx. $200,000.00 ( after land is sold)This would not be a loss to the city if we found an investor/ Developer.
If this sort of financial loss is estimated from the Kings Inn. Imagine what it would be for the Howard Johnson's property.
The City should not be in the real-estate business. We have many incentives to offer investors, and developers to purchase and raze properties.
In addition; when a municipality purchases these properties, that property becomes tax exempt, several taxing bodies lose that tax revenue; revenue schools can't afford to lose!
In addition, I believe there are several items throughout the budget that the council should've discussed further before approving.
Lack of planning, excessive spending is my reasoning for voting Nay for the 2014 budget.
Thank you,
25 comments:
Thanks for the considered reply and explanation of your vote and your position.I am well aware that the chorus of "look at the grandstanding by Rodney "and "now we gotcha Rodney", will surely follow. But I ask you, whether you agree with this lone alderman or not, do you ever see the Mayor or any other alderman even consider lowering themselves to explain a vote to the people, in this or any other forum.
You do not need to agree with someone to respect the fact they offer their reasoning to you, not whitewashed responses in the news tribune.
This kind of breaking from ranks is considered bad by so many in this area, and that is exactly why we are mired in us vs them. The mayor is intransigent and easily frightened by opposing forces. Don't think that by frightened I think he does not retaliate. That is often the first choice of people frightened by those who view things differently.
From my viewpoint, I believe they don't because they are not required by law to do so. I remember a brief conversation with the mayor when he was planning on developing the 3 x 5 card. He stated that he was not obliged by law to allow people to speak or as he said "I don't have to". That in a nutshell is how the alderman and mayor conduct city business. Except for Ald. Perez and Ald. Mayszak and if Steve had been elected, I would have included Ald. Weberski . Does that help you understand this last city election and why so much money and effort was put into defeating the unwanted candidates?
Why vote NAY without a explanation at the public meeting? Somebody writing your script?
11:45 AM
Well CONVENIENTLY the video is not posted on the city web site, once AGAIN.
@11:45 How do we know the alderman didn't explain his reasoning before or after the vote? Were you there? From what I recall from reading the no-news tribune it said Perez voted No because Harl refused budget meetings and foolish spending. That to me was an explanation. I must hand it to the alderman for his commitment of being up front with the people regardless of Harls lack of transparency. The city needs to take care of our underground sewer system before they go and spend hundreds of thousands on tearing down hotels. I fully agree with Perez. The city shouldn't be in the realestate business. Has Vickery tried finding developers other than City of Peru Janko Realty?
Sounds like the Mayor -- say yes and then back out of it later.
Thank You Alderman Perez for your explanation. My husband and I knew there was more behind the reason for your not approving of the budget. For the mayor not wanting to implement strategic budget planning for the city is irresponsible and foolish. I'm interested in knowing if this is how he manages his families finances. If his wife asked for them to sit down to figure out a 10 year plan to invest in a large remodeling of the house project and planning for his children's college funding if he would tell her NO there's no need to discuss, or plan for it.
I'm thankful we have at least one city official willing to give us the facts. The paper article on the budget came across as though we are the city of fiscal responsibility.
That is not the case and only the blind leading the blind would believe that.
Interesting as to why the yes vote from Mayszak??? I thought she was also a watch dog for the citizens???
Rodney I hate to be the voice of reason but in the business sector each department is responsible for developing their budgets, if each committee is doing what they are appointed to do then all is good. It sounds to me that Rodney gets plagued by micromanagement. If his discord is justified then maybe all alderman should serve on every committee then they all know what is going on at all times. As far as the vacant hotels how long is long enough before Peru decides that they need to take action?? I am sure no business wants to develope in an area that is not currently ready for construction.
1:53 I can see you hate to be the voice of reason. You treat this town like it is New York, with each department and fiefdom and committee doing their thing , and questioning/oversight is considered micromanaging.
It is friggin Peru. Leader of a little bitty valley.
What the alderman is asking for is reasonable and prudent for a town this size. Very few cities take on demolition of private properties to the extent this city proposes, and you can sit back with your reason cap on and ignore the demolition spending and contracts for the 150 crowd all you want.
Voice of Scotty the Crane in the Peru Tank Engine toy is more like it.
Anon1:53 reading Rod's post he mentioned the department supt. do develop the budget. With the corporation I'm with the entire board plays a role in the budget process.
Our parts, office, and purchasing managers draft their year budgets and the board digs through it with a fine tooth comb before they approve anything. I would expect public officials whom we elect to micromanage our tax dollars. I would also assume business prospects would first investigate utility rates, and underground sewage issues before moving into Peru. LaSalle, Utica and Ottawa are much more attractive. Especially for Industry.
12:33 he was quoted in the Newstribune as not explaining his no vote. Don't put Ald. Mayszak in the same category 1:25. I voted for her and hopes she runs again.
2:45 PM
Which of our department supervisors do you believe is qualified to put together a budget for their department?
And how many of our aldermen have an interest in the same? Don't you remember we just had a dept. head sign off on a purchase which caused an employee to quit.
1:53 your too bright for this blog. don't waste your time explaining positive viewpoints to limited posts.
How can a department head do anything except trying to be a be shot and the life of the party when they can't spell or write a correct sentence, or balance a checkbook. Won't mention which department, but easy to figure out!
Wasn't it stated that a department put money into the wrong account that was suppose to go to operation promise? How long before this error was supposedly caught. Who does budget for this department? This speaks for itself, I would imagine.
3:27 Too bright for the blog? When one makes a blanket statement about businesses not reviewing budgets in detail because the department head has complete autonomy,the poster is going to be challenged. The main reason is it is irrelevant comparison to a municipality, but I will stick with just wrong. How many operate with our checks and balance, strategic planning, and line by line budget review during low cash flow and bad times?
As far a the vacant hotels, there is other action that can be taken to incentivize land purchase and private party demolition. It happens all the time. Just here in Peru, there might be some union rat picketing the first company that tried to do anything they didn't agree with.
When the city takes on a demolition they take on many liabilities. It should not be done just to give your buddies work and give people free fill from the demolition. The city does too many things like a private business which opens it up for multiple lawsuits.
So 3:27, go ahead and dumb down the positive spin so we dummies can understand it ok?
rodney is the new dave potthoff-he was always the nay guy what happened?
I don't think I would purchase anything more from connecting point anymore if they can't get this one simple little video recorder to work. Heck, my kids can video tape more with their cellphones and post to you tube for free! I am beginning to think that CP doesn't have a clue as to how to operate equipment! But I bet we still paid them. Call a real tech service company and get it done right. The FIRST time!
10:01 I think it's amazing how it seems to work selectively, depending on the sensitivity of subject matter. I wonder if the Mayor had to pay extra for that?
LOL@10:01pm
It's doubtful that your kids have a clue what video "tape" even is.
I was told that the way Radtke was so proud of himself for tabling the vote for 2 weeks and then saving money on the price was that some guys from the Electric department did most of the the install to save labor cost. So I guess that I will agree with you that they should have let a real tech service do it the first time.
Alderman Perez: I was informed to visit this blog and to read comments in regards to commercial real-estate.
I'm familiar with your cities north end dilapidated property issues. As a suburban-commercial realtor for 19 years I would have to agree with your statements.
Alderman Perez, my firm has done business with your local developer so I'm familiar with the commercial real-estate within your town. I will say this, hotels mentioned in your blogging had outside offers several years ago but were rejected. When your city leaders condemned those properties they closed the doors on those properties being sold.
I would recommend questioning the city. If you're related to or know Chico Perez you should question him also. From my understanding he had reliable offers on those properties at one time but they were forced out of the market.
David
Anon 8:09 your statements make sense.
I just checked Peru's famous new development web page. If the city owns Kings Inn why is that property not listed FOR SALE trying to find a buyer? Is the Kings INN in a TIF? If so why won't the city try and sell that hotel and allow a developer demolish that property. The city will spend all that money on demolishing it and won't be refunded by their own Tif. If a developer purchases and demolishes it they would get all the demolishing expenses back through the Tif. ( if its in a TIF) which I think it is.
The Howard Johnson's was probably condemned as the other post states. That would have been condemned by the city. Perhaps this is a scheme for a certain developer. Could a certain developer be sitting and waiting for the city to spend to purchase and demolish these hotels then come in to steal it from the city for pennies on the dollar? I think Alderman Rodney Perez is onto something and the only city official watching over the city.
Kings Inn and HOJO are both in the TIF.
1. If the hotels are purchased and demolished prior to the TIF is it still a blighted area?
2. If infrastructure and infiltration is being addressed with the Eakas expansion TIF funds wouldn't be required for infrastructure correct?
So who and what exactly are the TIF funds being utilized for?
Kristy
Is there anything in the 2014 Budget that will get our sewage system cleared up? Mayor Harl can take that 200,000.00 that he has to tear down that hotel and put it towards our sewer system. The City has bigger problems than tearing down hotels!!!!!!!!!!
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