Northwest Indiana Discussion

Northwest Indiana's Leading Discussion Forum
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 2:49 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: The New Finance Committee
PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:22 pm 
Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:15 am
Posts: 3630
More transparency in government spending? Hope you post that one up on the website! So, we already have a dozen other committee's ...so...why not another? Are these volunteer committee's or do they get paid, I wonder. Got some bad news for all you government spenders. You have to start with cutting government first and all the little programs that go along with it. :roll: :smt005 :smt006

http://nwi.com/articles/2009/02/10/news ... 06d342.txt

ST. JOHN | St. John is turning to its residents to help report on the town's finances.

Councilman Mark Barenie, who was elected president of the council at the start of the year, is forming a finance committee. It will provide support and resources to the council, key staff and residents.

"We have over a dozen commissions and boards; why not a finance committee?" he said.

Barenie, a certified public accountant and finance professional, said that taxpayers are demanding more accountability and transparency, so they should get it.

Municipality accounting most often is based on the cash basis of accounting, but the committee will provide additional reports in the accrual method of accounting. That method is used in most businesses, because it provides a more accurate picture of when revenues are earned and expenses are incurred, Barenie said.

"It tends to simplify finances for the lay person and will add valuable information to make the best decisions possible," he said.

The committee also will establish and report on trends in expenses and revenues, he said.

"There has never been a more critical time to plan for the future with your finances and limited resources," he said.

Members of the finance committee also could assist in policy development for investments and reserves, as well as examining the feasibility of accepting electronic payments, Barenie said.

Municipal accounting is complex, because of the many funds, each of which has its own spending restrictions, he said.

"Throw in the fact that we are in a deep recession, and things get even more challenging," he said.

Enhanced financial reporting will help town staff and residents get a better understanding of St. John's financial workings, Barenie said.

Four people have applied for the committee so far. It will serve strictly in an advisory capacity to the Town Council, Town Manager Steve Kil said.

Applications are due by Feb. 20. A financial background is essential, and appointments will be based on experience, Kil said.

Applications are available at the clerk-treasurer's office or online at http://www.stjohnin.com. Submit applications to the office of Town Manager Stephen Z. Kil, 10955 W. 93rd Ave., St. John, IN 46373.

_________________
"President Xanax"


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The New Finance Committee
PostPosted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:01 pm 
Offline
Senior Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:53 pm
Posts: 885
You may have seen in the Sunday Times that Mr. Barenie said that if St John got some of this stimulus money, the projects that they would focus on would be the expansion of the Rte 41 and 93rd Ave corner....and the second thing he listed was PARKS AND RECREATION! How about fixing White Oak, or the sinking sewer manholes on the residential roads, how about fixing the flooding that occurs on 93rd with ditches, how about cleaning out the creeks that run through town, etc. etc. etc. St John officials better get their heads out of their asses and get their act together if this money comes to the state. Bet there is nothing in that 5 year or 25 year town plan regarding fixing things, only creating new housing which again, impacts all of the town's resources.

"There has never been a more critical time to plan for the future with your finances and limited resources," he said. Planning for the future, isn't that what the damn 5 year/25 year plan was for? But no, that plan cannot be changed or revised, it is set in stone and working well per Ms Tiebel. Maybe the town's plan for the future with limited resources needs to be put into this plan now instead of later.

"It tends to simplify finances for the lay person and will add valuable information to make the best decisions possible," he said.For the lay person, it seems that this committee is needed for the town officials to be able to understand the towns finances. They don't appear to have a clue up until now.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The New Finance Committee
PostPosted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:25 pm 
Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:15 am
Posts: 3630
They obviously didn't budget accordingly if they need stimulus money. Parks and recreation may have well been where money was spent that didn't need to be. How much were those splash parks? How much were those fests ? They can rant and rave all they want about this stimulus money.Bottom line is....the taxpayer is still the one funding that too! Oh, and how about all these grants that the town gets? They act like it's free money. No,no,no....it still comes from the taxpayers. One minute (not quite a year ago) the budget was in fine shape...no need for a garbage fee. Now, low and behold, the budget's in a big deficit and we need to pay a garbage fee. :? :smt006 Oh, and they claim this budget is due to having to live off of the amounts of tax dollars from 2006. What? Didn't know that was possible? That tax cap was the big talk and guess who didn't plan on that happening? :shock: :smt006

_________________
"President Xanax"


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The New Finance Committee
PostPosted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 6:30 am 
Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:15 am
Posts: 3630
Far be it to get the proper news from the newspaper. As inquiring minds want to know. After talking to several people about this budget mess and who gets paid for what, and for that matter....just WHAT IS GOING ON! Here are my findings from all the notes I took.
Turns out a year ago the budget wasn't fine at all.With the exception of Teibel and Fryzel, ways were being looked into to cut unnecessary spending; cutting overtime and perks ect. Being as the two amigo's like to spend sooo much, the garbage fee wasn't implemented on the first round due to the probability that the extra cash would of been lost in the General Fund and end up being spent on the Fryzel Fest. Had it been implemented it would of been raised regardless to the level we are now paying. Turns out the good guys, Volk, Forbes and now....Mr. Barenie worked out the fairest way possible to cut as much as they could from the budget. Now, get a load of this little scoop. Fryzel and Teibels answer to this was to IMPOSE EVERY POSSIBLE FEE UPON THE RESIDENTS and then make cuts IF necessary, all the while planning on bigger and better fests. Hmmm.
The reason the longevity was cut was because a pay cut would effect employee's pensions, some that were close to retiring.
The reason for the Finance Committee is because the town's financial problems are due to OVER SPENDING without forward thinking into the future. I guess Mr. Barenie is well aware of the damage that has been done to the town, therefore by forming this committee, he hopes to create a forward line of thinking, transparency and more ways to cut the budget without incurring more fees onto the residents.
In regards to the park director. He will now be able to do a better job and making money from the programs he produces. I guess his hands were a bit tied in the past due to park monies being bled to fund money for those money losing fests. Hmmm, Hmmm. Although the Haunted House finally made money this year, we need to understand the reason why. They were put on a budget and held accountable for it.
This Finance Committee will include people who will not be getting paid for their time, which we would like to thank them for. Thanks!
:D :smt006

I have one question here. I wonder if the Haunted House profits were used to pay for any type of infrastructure like road repairs ect. ? :roll: :smt006

Well, this has been fun reporting for the town...LOL I hope I did a good enough job reporting the news!
Scoop....Comedian :D :smt006

_________________
"President Xanax"


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group