*Note: This is a reader-submitted opinion piece. Opinions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@crawfordcountynow.com

 

Dear Editor,

 

First of all, the 1st Amendment right and What I believe to be true. This is everyone’s right to address issues.

It seems like the chairman of the Finance Committee is running away with the show again. Far from the truth, unproven facts and hiding something from people. Kind of reminds me of a Daytime Soap Operas on TV. Maybe we should call this “As The Wrust Turns”.

During Thursday night’s Finance Committee Meeting, the Fire & Police levy was on the agenda. But only city council members were given information about this matter, but Not The Public. I found out that it wasn’t released until after 4pm and was not put on Documents on Demand for the general public to review before the meeting. Was this intentionally done ? YES !

I believe that this council member didn’t want anyone to know about this information beforehand. And didn’t want anyone to ask questions or prepare themselves on this subject matter.

When I brought this up, suddenly copies were being handed over right away. Also, many other things happen during this committee meeting. They thought that they could run this as regular legislation, but I pointed out that would not meet the deadline for filing for the ballot. The information showed only up to 2 millage and not the 3.25 millage that they wanted to be placed on the ballot.

They didn’t even know how much money that this would bring in. Many property owners get homestead and 2.5% rollback on their property taxes, however they didn’t even bring this matter up. How can this committee think that this millage will cover the cost, when you don’t know all the facts.

The information provided by the Fire & Police Chief’s was good, but didn’t show the real figures over the 5 years. It only showed the current cost and not any project cost of vehicles and other things that were needed. I know that the cost of things is going to continue to rise every year. It is called INFLATION !

There were so many things that were never discussed, so I will give you some additional information:

This levy doesn’t address the current money situation on funding that the Police Budget which is about 2.5 million dollars and Fire Budget is about 3.5 million dollars and will continue to grow each year. This funding is approximately over 80% of the General Fund currently, and will grow even more with the current contacts and spending with these two departments.

This levy is ONLY for Fire and Police Vehicles, equipment, radio systems and the back door of the Police Station.

This doesn’t address the over $500,000 dollars for the Fire & Police buyouts that is neither in the current budget or is being talked about. Where is that money going to come from?

That the current Fire & Police Pension levies that are currently on the books, doesn’t cover the total cost of what the City has to pay out on this.

That the Fire Department’s Ladder Truck is currently OUT-OF-SERVICE and has been for some time now ( Months ). Waiting to see if $80,000 dollars will fix the issue or not. I do understand the safety factor on this issue, but what is going to happen if they can’t fix the problem. This was not even addressed by committee members or a factor in this levy. WHY ?

The Chairman of this committee made several statements that I found interesting:

The cost was only $63 dollars on a $100,00 valuation, it is pocket change, the cost of a cup of coffee each day. That was based on a 2.0 millage, not 3.25 millage. The information didn’t have the figures above that. Basically it didn’t have any factors that were truly needed to base any facts on.

That he didn’t want any Open Public Forum on this matter for residents to ask questions, they can just come to committee meetings. I feel that there should be an Open Public Forum, because you are going to vote on this matter in November.

Then the OUT-OF-TOWN tax issue came into play, which it always does in committee meetings. It was said that it would not be repealed if this levy passed. I don’t believe this at all !!! More to come on this matter.

This will never go away, it basically hangs in the air until the city needs money. The only right way to this issue is; Pass Legislation that states that if this levy passes that the OUT-OF-TOWN tax issue SHALL not be issue during the entire time of this levy and that it SHALL not be repealed by this council or any other future council during the 5 year tax levy. PERIOD.

I will once again encourage citizens to watch the meeting on the Bucyrus Facebook Page, get information on Documents on Demand, come to meetings, write letters and call your council members. Let them know what you think ( remember to be respectful and considerate ). Don’t hide behind facebook or for some of you, many facebook accounts using fake names.

In Closing, this issue and other issues ( like Wastewater Treatment Plant, Pool, Parks, Money issues and More ) have been known about for many years.

Former Administration and Council members didn’t want to talk or do anything about these issues while in office. The current Mayor and Staff, Council members and every City Department are looking for ways to fix these issues, but it will take time and dollars. Money that the City of Bucyrus doesn’t have at this time. Maybe the trees around the city should have been money trees and we can sell some tee shirts to fund a new ladder truck. You never know.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Greg White

1125 Hillcrest Drive

Bucyrus, Ohio 44820