Bonds & Taxes

what city officials don't want you to know !

figures for 2004 are published -- the commission approved another McLemore rising budget.

For those who are not familiar with the financial antics of the city of winter springs' current commission and city management --- the budget figures, and bond issues are documented. these are vastly revealing figures as to how much the city has increased their huge annual budgets and bond debts.

The quoted publicized figure by city manager mclemore shows projected and uncontrolled growth resulting in future debt. in 1996 the approximate figure for the 96/97 budget was 8.32 million dollars.

also look below at a bond figure that will take you into the year 2030 ---- it's horrible !

the city manager's publicized quotes!

" the financial position of the City continues to improve and will begin fiscal year 1999 with the highest surplus on the record. ( Now the City doesn't even have money for safety speed controls )

There are no requests for increased taxes, rates for fees other than storm water fees," McLemore said.

According to McLemore -- "the City needs to increase its bonded DEBT for capital improvements related to the parks improvement program, storm water improvements, and the proposed new towncenter.

In the preliminary budget report, three FULL-TIME and one part-time position has been requested. One position will transfer from Public Works to Code Enforcement. The Finance department requested one part-time clerical/secretary, Code Enforcement requested one environmental inspector, Public Works and the Recreation department each requested a maintenance worker."

the current budget is now more than double the above figure!

The following documented figure was published by the city after the audited report published by the state in 2000. the document is dated September 26th, 2000.

F. ANNUAL REQUIREMENT TO MATURITY --- The annual debt service requirements to amortize all bonded debt of the City as of September 30, 1999 are as follows:

commissioner bob miller once stated at a public commission meeting that ---

"I CAN ACCOUNT FOR EVERY PENNY "

Now is the time to start counting, commissioner --- you voted for the budget !

A tape obtained of a "special" meeting held has overwhelming evidence of the lack of regard or knowledge, by the current commission, of the debts THEY have thrust upon this City in the past six years.

That "special" meeting continued to reek of the City Manager's hidden agendas. As we stated in a previous publication on the web -- "the footprints in the snow from Martin County loom large"!

Our City Manager, who lost his job as Asst. County Manager of Martin County, was relegated to an airport expansion project until its completion in January of 1996. From there, ex-employee of Martin County McLemore was on the loose and found refuge in the City of Winter Springs --- without even a proper background check. The story behind this is full of suspected collusion and related history.

This Commission has bought his antics lock - stock - and - barrel. His weight to them is worth gold while you, as a taxpayer, are committed to a debt- ridden city.

the taxpayer publication called the "insider" is being used for propaganda issues and segments of factual city information !

What follows is not a pretty picture. One, however, should really place the blame on the seated Commissioners of the past five years. All of the current seated Commissioners are re-elects, and solely responsible for the actions of City management by continuing to vote their support of questionable management antics.

NEVER have they revealed the actual bonded debt of this City. They keep the ears and eyes of the citizens attuned with the greatness of their ruling regime, while they blindside the taxpayer with debt. Our publications and web site have continued to stress the broadness of this indenture, only to be ignored.

No longer can you stand by and not be aware of the facts. The figures are here, and the lies are on the dais at City Hall. This can no longer be ignored --- in fact the City sent an audit to the State before September of 2000 that makes one wonder if the Commission has knowledge of the facts.

One Commissioner had some concern about the debt of the City. The Commissioner was then chastised by fellow members Miller, Martinez, and Gennell and called "irresponsible" in bringing forth the $42,000,000 dollar bond debts. It was a well presented concern even though the figure was far too low!

Commissioner Miller even went as far as to expound on his fellow Commissioner's "irresponsibility", but went further on to say "we have the lowest debt in the County" or "maybe next to the lowest --- Lake Mary may be lower". Miller even stated he was even so sure of this he "could account for every penny spent".

By the way, the one Commissioner with a conscience brought up the bond debt . He even stated the possibility of the necessity of raising the millage rate due to the constant increases in budgets and huge debts.

His concern was precisely correct -- the Commissioners raised the rates -- by 6.5% !

The funny thing is that the City Manager didn't disagree with him. Somebody has to bale this City out of debt ----- who else but you the taxpayer. Isn't it about time for a change in City Hall?

Here are the figures. These are straight from an audited report sent to the State of Florida, Auditor General's Office, Tallahassee, and are available by simply contacting that office. These documents should also be available at City Hall --- they must have them --- they are public documents. Ask for them!

Or better yet, ask your Commissioners why they have kept the documents from being revealed. Bet they can't answer that one!

PEOPLE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT