Commission Financial Reforms and then there is the School District

Dan Miller's December 9 post on his blog, is Financial Reforms.  Dan writes:

But as our budget vote quickly approaches I have worked with staff, other Commissioners, and citizens to put together a series of financial reforms that I believe will make sure that we do not repeat the same mistakes that have gotten us here. And to be clear- this failure in my opinion rests on the Commission majority. While acknowledging that an overwhelming amount of residents are happy with Municipal services- the Commission majority has been unwilling to tell you that these services cost more then you are being billed. I believe that simply voting for a tax increase alone does not “fix” this problem. In my opinion any tax increase must be accompanied by such fiscal reforms listed below that will mandate real responsibility from elected officials- regardless of whether service levels are cut or increased moving forward.

Dan goes on to list his eight proposed ordinances and comments but adds:

* Note: These ordinances may not yet be finalized completely. While I do not expect the intent of them to change it is possible that in order to receive majority support some words or items may have to be altered. I also have included a couple areas where I believe it is reasonable to negotiate. Additionally I have offered some brief comments after each one to help give context for them- believe me, I have more to say on every one.

Dan, I want to publicly thank you for all your hard work - even up to the bitter end of your term.  You have been fair and open.  You have adopted constituents outside of your ward (like me) and have been an excellent role model for our new junior commissioners, current commissioners, and hopefully has made an impact on our school board directors.  Thanks, Dan.

Now the School District, on the other hand, has this on their next agenda.

2012-2013 Preliminary Budget – The Board must prepare and approve a final budget for
2012-13 in May of 2012. In preparation for this final budget, the Board’s first action
must be to determine what potential millage increase will be required in that final budget.
There are still many uncertainties in preparing the budget for 2012-13 so early in the
year. We do not yet know our staffing needs, student course selections, numbers of
retirements, health care cost increases, earned income tax trends or state funding
parameters. Without these critical pieces of information, any budget projection at this
time includes inherent inaccuracies due to estimates without factual basis. Act 1 of 2006
gives the Board the option to pass a resolution in December of 2011 stating it will not
exceed a millage increase permitted under the approved Index which calculates to about
.37 mills if the Index is 1.4%, or .45 mills if the Index is 1.7%. We believe that we will
require significant budget cuts to meet Index limitations. If the Board wants to preserve its rights to raise millage to include both the increase for the Index plus the three allowable exceptions for PSERS cost increases, Pre-Act 1 Debt and special education cost increases, the Board must pass a preliminary budget at the January Board meeting. That preliminary budget must include a millage rate high enough to require exceptions to the Index. Note that even if the Board approves such a preliminary budget in January, the final budget in May does not have to include the same millage rate. It can be approved at any millage rate up to the one allowed by the Index plus any approved exceptions

Granted there are still many uncertainties on the District budget side, but I would like to add something to the equation that needs mentioned, a presentation made by former School Board Director, James Fraasch. Perhaps James will update the numbers if, or when the bids come in too high.