October 24, 2006
Herenton challenged critics of his proposal to raise property taxes to show him a better way.
The above statement was in a CA this morning. Watchdog has been publishing examples of how the City of Memphis can save money. They should implement these savings and sources of revenue before they consider any new taxes.
Big hits on local government by Herenton and city council
1. Linebarger contract- 5 million per year savings, cancel this stupid self serving contract and let Bob Patterson collect delinquent taxes.
2. Mata trolley system- 3 million loss per year, do away with this money losing system.
3. January 2001 pension resolution-over $60 million total cost and current cost to date $3.6 million. This is an example of how the Mayor and the City Council threw away our scarce tax money.
4. Convention Center contract-$60 million cost overrun over the initial bid, another example of how they wasted our tax money.
5. Fed Ex arena- 32 million left in pyramid debt and what happened to the extra floor of the parking garage and where is the intermodal transfer point and what happened to the original plans and specifications that no one can seem to find to compare with the “as built” drawings and specs? Some people should go to jail for this scam.
6. Appointed people over and above what is needed or allowed by the City Charter, 5 million per year. Lay these people off and save $5 million per year.
7. Pilots and exempt properties $52 million per year. We desperately need independent oversight on this program and the City Council taking it over will not provide it. Are the recipients of these contracts doing what the contract promised? Who knows but no one is checking.
8. Professional contract given to friends of the Mayor. Change this provision of the City Charter, really get competitive bids and save millions.
9. Don't build the Beale Street Landing as it is not needed and will save $27.5 million.
Herenton challenged critics of his proposal to raise property taxes to show him a better way.
The above statement was in a CA this morning. Watchdog has been publishing examples of how the City of Memphis can save money. They should implement these savings and sources of revenue before they consider any new taxes.
Big hits on local government by Herenton and city council
1. Linebarger contract- 5 million per year savings, cancel this stupid self serving contract and let Bob Patterson collect delinquent taxes.
2. Mata trolley system- 3 million loss per year, do away with this money losing system.
3. January 2001 pension resolution-over $60 million total cost and current cost to date $3.6 million. This is an example of how the Mayor and the City Council threw away our scarce tax money.
4. Convention Center contract-$60 million cost overrun over the initial bid, another example of how they wasted our tax money.
5. Fed Ex arena- 32 million left in pyramid debt and what happened to the extra floor of the parking garage and where is the intermodal transfer point and what happened to the original plans and specifications that no one can seem to find to compare with the “as built” drawings and specs? Some people should go to jail for this scam.
6. Appointed people over and above what is needed or allowed by the City Charter, 5 million per year. Lay these people off and save $5 million per year.
7. Pilots and exempt properties $52 million per year. We desperately need independent oversight on this program and the City Council taking it over will not provide it. Are the recipients of these contracts doing what the contract promised? Who knows but no one is checking.
8. Professional contract given to friends of the Mayor. Change this provision of the City Charter, really get competitive bids and save millions.
9. Don't build the Beale Street Landing as it is not needed and will save $27.5 million.
posted by watchdog at
9:58 AM
3 Comments:
There are plenty of other areas as well before we propose a property tax or a payroll tax. I guess they never heard of belt tightening ? It's time to start organizing to take back the city and I'm not talking about John Lunts failed Charter cast nobody liked that approach it will have to be more acceptable to the voters.....
By
Anonymous, at 2:20 PM
To J.S.,
I wish you would be more specific. The Charter Commission had the possibility to possibly change some things such as the current right of the Mayor to give professional contracts without bids. The right people elected to the charter commission could have voted for that. There are other areas that only a charter commission could do but you are right, the people have to want it. Tell me how you would want to proceed.
Watchdog
By
Anonymous, at 2:23 PM
I believe we need to seriously consider a consolidated city county government. Why we're funding two is beyond me and beginning to really irritate me given that the city is looking to annex more and more area.
I agree that the appointed positions need to go. I'm not sure that the mayor really needs any. Any Human Resources decisions need to be handled fairly and responsibly.
As for the Trolley. If you really want to make it cost effective then stop running it like a tourist event. Equip the medical loop trolleys with devices that will trigger the light so that it can run from midtown to downtown without stopping unless someone needs to get on or off and increase the speed. Do that and more people will ride it.
Go to a fair tax system. Make it more affordable to live in the city limits and more attractive. Focus on police and fire. Get rid of the non-essential functions. Make it safe and economical and people will come back.
By
Anonymous, at 8:56 AM
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