Regarding the ITID budget presented Wednesday (video link below), this was a staff proposal. This meeting was the first and only workshop planned for the Board which is unusual in itself since in the past, we have started earlier in the year with a board workshop to receive board input before a draft budget being presented at a workshop. That did not happen this year. To be honest, I did not have an opportunity to meet with staff prior to the meeting to review what was being proposed due to conflicting schedules. I was and am as shocked as all of you on the proposal.
Let me say that I am very proud with how our staff and board have over the past 5 1/2 years been able to accomplish what we have on a shoestring budget. We have saved $ becoming proficient in-house on project that would have cost significantly more being contracted out. We have become as lean and efficient with the budget as possible. We have applied for grants and have many in the works that need matching dollars. Every year, we ask for funds from the legislature for drainage projects, only to be denied. It is important to point out that drainage infrastructure such as culverts under roads were not on a replacement plan and had exceeded its lifecycle by 10-20 years. 6 years ago we had failing infrastructure in critical need of repair. Over the past 6 years, we have worked hard on creating plans and implementing them with little fiscal impact to the taxpayers to do so by tightening our belts, reorganizing, bringing projects in-house and training staff. Additional infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks and parks need to be addressed and we have been focused on that over the past 6 years as well. What we have accomplished from a fiscal standpoint is outstanding when you understand all of the needs and responsibilities as well as impacts happening.
I have repeatedly stated that the District can not be sustained as we currently are with non ad valorem assessments and no additional revenue considering all of the outside pressures and impacts on our community and infrastructure. Our community is unique in all of the issues we are faced with. We are not unique in facing inflationary pressures and costs.
Having said all of that, I was no more prepared than you for a staff proposed $12 million increase to a $14 million budget. I was also surprised that none of the other board members appeared to have concerns about this, considering their past comments about tax assessments to residents. Any of those discussions pale in comparison to what is proposed. The budget is a PRIMARY responsibility of the Board of Supervisors.
July 13th there is a public meeting for community input on what is proposed. The Board is going to need to make some very tough choices before this budget is finalized but I have faith that this will not be the final budget. I want to remind people that I am one member of the Board out of 5. I don't and have never had the power to make the decisions on my own.
https://itid.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=286
