tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post3175258299645249966..comments2024-03-22T13:06:27.366-05:00Comments on WataugaWatch: Here We Go Again!J.W. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17694324792688711136noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-1680459343456185672011-03-03T21:54:15.211-05:002011-03-03T21:54:15.211-05:00Rocky Nelson's response:
He started his lette...Rocky Nelson's response:<br /><br />He started his letter with: "In that the spiteful personal attacks enumerated in the above referenced letter are purely political and erroneous, no response is needed; however, please accept the following facts regarding the high school projects."<br /><br /><br /><br />"The current plan provides for $70,000,000 package with includes a $25,000,000 short-term loan, three-year loan. The intent is to retire the debt with proceeds from the sale of the existing high school that has a current asking price of $36,000,000. However, in developing a conservative debt service plan, $25,000,000 from the sale was projected. In the unlikely event that the property does not sell within the three-year period, the Commissioners are prepared to adopt a .02 cent tax increase to handle the debt."Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-49617570299783447032011-03-03T21:24:03.561-05:002011-03-03T21:24:03.561-05:00Rocky Nelson's response was to this statement ...Rocky Nelson's response was to this statement in Deborah Greene's letter to the local government commission:<br /><br />"We have heard that the existing high school site will be sold when the new on is finished. We have heard that we will get in excess of $30 million to apply against the debt service. However, the school board attorney says the existing site appraised for $18 million (the appraisal is not public record because the school board attorney paid for it out of his pocket for some unknown reason; bids made on the school site have not been made public either without explanation). We are not even sure that the bids exist. For all we know, they could have been fabricated to come up with the selling price. We also understood that the bids were pulled because the Town of Boone would not ok the proposed projects. However, the Town of Boone does not recollect anyone to date approaching them about any proposed projects. New zoning and slope laws have been implemented, since the original bids, to guarantee the use of the existing site is further limited. The Town of Boone has made it clear that big box retail stores do not fit into their comprehensive plans and fail to meet their Unified Development Ordinance. So, how much is the existing high school really worth?"<br /><br />The entire letter and response is available at the County office.Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-82903255535142478382011-03-03T19:24:48.086-05:002011-03-03T19:24:48.086-05:00Here is an old letter to the editor. Not sure it ...Here is an old letter to the editor. Not sure it ever got published; it explains it all. This is how they have managed (remember Commissioner F's statement?)<br /><br />King Street Math<br /><br />It was while listening to Jonathan Jordan’s explanation of “Raleigh Math”, I realized the county has its own version, “King Street Math”. <br /><br />1) Budget less income, come in over budget. Call it “conservative”<br /><br />2) Budget more expenses, come under budget. Call it “frugile”.<br /><br />3) Don’t budget unpopular expenditures. Call it “opportunities”. <br /><br />4) Use budget amendments for unpopular expenditures. Call it “necessities”. <br /><br />5) Grow the “slush fund”. Call it “emergency fund”.<br /><br />Where did the money come from to pay the unbudgeted $5 million for the furniture and fixtures for the new high school; where did the $9 million in construction over runs come from; where did the money for the bike trail property come from; where did the architectural fees for the recreation building come from and so on and so on? This has been going on for years. Despite all of the unbudgeted “necessities and opportunities”, King Street has managed to grow the “slush fund” from $10 million to $17 million.<br /><br />Commissioner Winkler credits it to “budget cuts”. So, you budget excess departmental expenses, you spend less than budgeted, you replace the gap with “opportunities”, you grow the “slush fund” and you call this process “budget cuts”.<br /><br />Commissioner Winkler takes credit for an increase in net assets. So, the school board gives you the old high school property decreasing their net assets while increasing the county’s and you call it sound financial policies.<br /><br />Commissioner Winkler defends the County’s ability to borrow for the recreation center using Moody’s rating. According to Moody’s opinion: “Moving forward the county has no additional borrowing plans, having just done a $70 million bank loan (included in the debt burden) to finance school projects, and as such we expect that the average direct debt burden (1.1% of full value) will decline.” The Finance Director admitted she hadn’t seen Moody’s opinion. Obviously, Commissioner Winkler hasn’t. Moody also expects you to maintain that “slush fund” balance. <br /><br />You use “King Street Math” to support your extravagant spending and fleece the citizens. it will catch up with you. It is the citizens who demonstrated common sense by voting down the tax increase and subsequent borrowing. And, while you are fixed on the County’s legal $600 million borrowing capacity, we have the common sense to know we can’t afford it. And, while we are not given the opportunity to vote on every debt you incur, you remind us we do have the opportunity to vote you out of office. And, we have the common sense to do that too!Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-31596081264835498072011-03-03T14:15:59.294-05:002011-03-03T14:15:59.294-05:00JW, I hope you will post this direct quote; a quo...JW, I hope you will post this direct quote; a quote many people may not be aware of. Thank you. <br /><br />To quote directly, from Rocky Nelson's letter, dated August 17, 2006 to Tim Romocki: <br /> <br />"To address some specific points of Ms. Greene's letter; regarding the Smitherman/Winkler property purchase, I am of the opinion that if the acreage was placed on the market today, it would bring $3.5M or more. The current plan for this parcel is to be included with the adjacent high school property and sold once the new high school property is occupied. It is anticipated that the County will net $33 million or more from the sale of these two properties."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-20868004211244954032011-03-03T13:56:37.275-05:002011-03-03T13:56:37.275-05:00We could save $30,000 by not having another refere...We could save $30,000 by not having another referendum to raise taxes! We voted these commissioners into office because they said they would not raise taxes! That was the referendum!<br /><br />They said they would "cut up the county credit card!"<br /><br />Let them do it. Put the $30,000. toward saving one of the county jobs that might otherwise have to be cut!Watauga TAXPAYERnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-33241943136265895792011-03-03T10:52:25.726-05:002011-03-03T10:52:25.726-05:00The Simple Truth is:
1) Deborah Greene is not the...The Simple Truth is:<br /><br />1) Deborah Greene is not the only person with the answer. Many others think the same and maybe have even other suggestions. We just don't hear from them. <br /><br />2) A padded budget is carried forward as the starting point for the next year. According to the audit report, page 58, it was padded by 10%. So start with a 10% budget cut. <br /><br />3) Commissioner Deal claimed that there were 3 bona fide offers; then he later stated that there were never any real offers on the old high school property. He also took $2.5 million from the "slush fund" when he was first elected to buy a problem piece of property from one of his clients. And, we know what spin he put on that - we needed it to renovate the high school because we couldn't afford to build a new one (that was when he was spinning economic woes; this soon turned to leveraging the "rainy day-slush fund"for the benefit of the RAT PACK. The simple truth is that $2.5 million that he wasted would have cured the lower end of the budget woes estimate we are experiencing now. Commissioner Deal said that land was worth way more than that so start the auctioning at $2.5 million. The school board has been hiding the appraisal on the old high school; however, they forgot or were not in office when it was announced in the paper that they had an appraisal for $15 million. So start the auctioning there on the old high school property and that would get us a total of at least $17.5 million to pay down the debt. That would reduce the debt payment which is part of the budget woes.Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-10675615028681934812011-03-03T10:22:57.476-05:002011-03-03T10:22:57.476-05:00Deborah Greene performs a service for this communi...Deborah Greene performs a service for this community in the same way that JW does!<br /><br />Keeping their "eye" on our elected officials and sharing their observations, opinions, and facts, with the rest of us is a GOOD thing. <br /><br />Even when you don't agree with one of them.<br /><br />(real NewGuy)NewGuynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-69630496746195545242011-03-03T08:07:38.061-05:002011-03-03T08:07:38.061-05:00Good idea, bettywhite. I would certainly vote for...Good idea, bettywhite. I would certainly vote for her. So would many others.member of the majoritynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-18531155406731100702011-03-02T18:17:12.403-05:002011-03-02T18:17:12.403-05:00This is what I've often wondered: if Deborah G...This is what I've often wondered: if Deborah Greene is so smart and knows how to pay off the county debt and "clean up" the government, then why the heck hasn't she run for county commissioner? Surely she'd be elected in a landslide, right? Then she could show us how it's done! :-)bettywhitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-70922531943003212292011-03-02T15:07:04.855-05:002011-03-02T15:07:04.855-05:00Anonymous
No secret budget. See page 58 of curre...Anonymous<br /><br />No secret budget. See page 58 of current budget. It was padded!Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-36837402011443360822011-03-02T15:05:11.739-05:002011-03-02T15:05:11.739-05:00Henery
No,I don't know blog etiquette and cou...Henery<br /><br />No,I don't know blog etiquette and could care less whether you think my emphasis is screaming or not. Don't like; don't read it.Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-32743265679225654802011-03-02T11:52:44.423-05:002011-03-02T11:52:44.423-05:00Another SIMPLE TRUTH: The Commissioners left out ...Another SIMPLE TRUTH: The Commissioners left out one very important option- <br /><br />AUCTION OFF SOME OF THAT PROPERTY!<br /><br />Talk about a RAT HOLE. We have lined the pockets of Commissioner Deal's RAT PACK. Enough is enough!<br /><br />Start with Commissioner Deal's Smitherman Winkler Property. <br /><br />Add the old high school. The school board will not give up the appraisal; however, my recollection is an appraisal mentioned in news of $15 million. Start auctioning at $15 million.<br /><br />Add the new high school property that was separated into a separate track.<br /><br />Add the bike path.<br /><br />Add in Tweetsie property. Might have to lower the price to get someone to continue to County's obligation for next few years at $1 year lease, then Tweetsie can deal with the new owners. <br /><br />Add in the Brookshire property that was bought for affordable housing.<br /><br />And, we will be able to balance the budget, take everything the State throws our way, increase the fund balance, take care of the other school facilities, pay our teachers and get a tax decrease.<br /><br />And, that property will be back in the tax base which means an increase in revenue.<br /><br />NOW THERE'S A OPTION THAT THE TAXPAYERS CAN AGREE ON!<br /><br />And, by all means dive into that "slush fund" that is being leveraged for millions of debt. Stop the RAT PACK!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-89193289998105052212011-03-02T11:09:12.660-05:002011-03-02T11:09:12.660-05:00Go to the website Anne provided and look at page 5...Go to the website Anne provided and look at page 58. Go down to total expenditures. The first column is the budget, the second column is the actual, the last column is the padding - $5 million! So a 10% cut will take care of the current projected $2.5 to $4 million with some to spare.Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-4345714112138957892011-03-02T09:49:01.099-05:002011-03-02T09:49:01.099-05:00Anne has provided you with the website. See pages...Anne has provided you with the website. See pages 59 through 61 of the 6/30/2010 audit. Below is information taken from those pages that verify information provided earlier. <br /><br />B. Liabilities (continued)<br />7. Long-term Obligations (continued)<br />b. Installment Purchase (continued)<br />For Watauga County, the future minimum payments as of June 30, 2010, including $17,960,841 of<br />interest, are:<br />Governmental Activities Business Activities<br />Year Ending June 30 Principal Interest Principal Interest<br />2011 $ 28,540,314 2,798,302 45,568 409<br />2012 3,081,298 1,797,040 -- --<br />2013 2,942,333 1,672,335 -- --<br />2014 2,942,333 1,549,321 -- --<br />2015 2,942,333 1,426,102 -- --<br />2016-2020 13,428,335 5,340,041 -- --<br />2021-2028 18,000,000 3,377,700 -- --<br />Principal payments $ 71,876,946 45,568<br />Total interest payments $ 17,960,841 409<br /><br /><br />B. Liabilities (continued)<br />7. Long-term Obligations (continued)<br />c. Annual debt service requirements to maturity for the County's general obligation bonds are as<br />follows:<br /><br />Governmental Activities<br />Year Ending<br />June 30 Principal Interest<br />2011 $ 1,404,027 242,728<br />2012 1,354,027 192,618<br />2013 1,344,027 142,700<br />2014 1,329,027 92,795<br />2015 1,284,027 43,125<br />2016-2020 645,139 --<br />Total $ 7,360,274 713,966<br /><br />Now run an amortization schedule on $25 million for 18 years at 3.49% interest and you will get the interest on the $25 million loan that converted from principle only to interest and principle after 6/30/2010.Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-35700497923799514002011-03-02T09:26:11.835-05:002011-03-02T09:26:11.835-05:00Deborah Greene,
Don't you know anything about ...Deborah Greene,<br />Don't you know anything about blog etiquette? ALL CAPS is considered rude because it's SCREAMING.Henerynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-26305826655185837102011-03-02T09:25:35.919-05:002011-03-02T09:25:35.919-05:00FWIW, I seem to remember some of the people who ob...FWIW, I seem to remember some of the people who objected to the tax increase at that public meeting in the courthouse worried out loud that the money might go to debt reduction and not a rec center. At the time I recall thinking that I personally would have supported the tax increase then if it was for debt reduction and I had trouble understanding their position. <br /><br />I'm still okay with a tax increase for debt reduction, but both sides on the commission trouble me: the Republican switch for the reasons JW says, but also the Democrats for being willing to raise taxes in order to borrow more money last year, but unwilling to raise taxes to pay off the debt. <br /><br />Do they (and commenters like Anne and Larry) think Obama's Magic Unicorn is going to come pay off our debt for us? So much for the "reality-based community's" tenuous connection with Planet Earth.Your friendly neighborhood Teahadistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-50555789064378853312011-03-02T08:34:22.720-05:002011-03-02T08:34:22.720-05:00The simple truth is:
1) Every GOVERNMENT EXPENDIT...The simple truth is:<br /><br />1) Every GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE has to be appropriated.<br />2) If the EXPENDITURE is not budgeted, then you have to do a BUDGET AMENDMENT.<br />3) The CAPITAL EXPENDITURES that are not budgeted for come from the GENERAL FUND by way of a BUDGET AMENDMENT (transfer from the general fund to the capital fund).<br />4) The County didn't budget for furniture for the high school, the construction over runs, etc. We are talking about $10 million non-budgeted. <br />5) The GENERAL FUND represents the budgets of the various departments of GOVERNMENT.<br />6) If these NON-BUDGETED EXPENSES came from the GENERAL OPERATIONS BUDGET, then the GENERAL OPERATIONS BUDGET is PADDED. <br /><br />THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS:<br /><br />1) A SALES TAX REFERENDUM IS NOT NECESSARY.<br /><br />2) A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IS NOT NECESSARY.<br /><br />3) A CUT IN THE PADDED BUDGET IS THE ANSWER!<br /><br />4) THE COUNTY MANAGER HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS WITH COMMISSIONER DEAL.<br /><br />5) THE COUNTY MANAGER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY!<br /><br />AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE INQUIRING; THERE ARE OVER 200 SIGNS FROM THE LAST REFERENDUM IN THE BARN READY AND WAITING. <br /><br />Commissioner Deal set the stage. He lamented on how much the Finance Director has cut the budget during his tenure. Problem is everyone believes his CRAP. Then in comes the dire warnings of untold millions of STATE MANDATES being pushed down to the local level. The commissioners don't want to raise property taxes so they want another option. The SIMPLE TRUTH:<br /><br />1) They trust Commissioner Deal too much.<br /><br />2) They trust their Staff too much.<br /><br />3) The MONEY is there and has been for years. Commissioner F said it best when he voted NO on the sales tax and said "We've always managed in the past."<br /><br />TELL THAT COUNTY MANAGER YOU WANT A 10% BUDGET CUT. ANYTHING ELSE, TAKE IT OUT OF THE "SLUSH FUND" OR "RAINY DAY FUND"! IF THESE ARE NOT RAINY DAYS THEN WHAT ARE RAINY DAYS. PUT YOUR BIG BOY PANTS ON!Deborah Greenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-55583624294621873732011-03-02T07:48:45.200-05:002011-03-02T07:48:45.200-05:00The point our leftist friends is missing is that d...The point our leftist friends is missing is that delaying the action could cost the county $700,000.00 IF the citizens vote to pass the referendum. The citizens get to decide if there will be even the possibility of this tax being created. The difference is the reasons for the tax and the referendum. Last time it was done slightly before a general election because the previous commission thought it would be easier to pass when fewer people would be voting. The purpose was to secure a loan for a recreation center that would have increased the county"s debt. This time the purpose of the tax is to pay down the huge debt created by the previous commission. The timing is in order to save the county a net of about $670,000.00 dollars IF he people approve the loan.<br /><br />This issue illustrates how the excess of the previous commission is going to have an adverse effect on the present commission as it struggles to pay for the loans taken to waste money by the previous commission.<br /><br />Mr, Gable was incorrect in one way. The comparison is not apples to oranges. It is apples (the current commission) to horse apples (horse manure) (the previous commission).Have to pay the piper somewaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-21253716149881799572011-03-01T21:08:06.120-05:002011-03-01T21:08:06.120-05:00Pam Blume, Chairwoman of the Watauga County Republ...Pam Blume, Chairwoman of the Watauga County Republican Party:<br /><br />“We all have friends who are out of work, and, in these economic times, it seems incredulous that we would consider this [sales tax] during these times,” said Blume.<br /><br />Of course she said this back last August, so I'm betting she's changed her tune by now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-35395720849885853732011-03-01T17:56:18.089-05:002011-03-01T17:56:18.089-05:00You can read about the county's debt in its mo...You can read about the county's debt in its most recent sudit here:<br /><br />http://wataugacounty.org/finance/audit.html<br /><br />The audit says the legal debt limit for Watauga is over $689 million. The county's debt service as of June 2010 was just under $80 million. The county's assets, however, exceed the liabilities by over $68 million.Annenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-42290524294395470892011-03-01T17:35:48.312-05:002011-03-01T17:35:48.312-05:00Deborah,
I would like to know if you are going to...Deborah,<br /><br />I would like to know if you are going to fight this tax increase referendum like you did the last one. I was opposed to the last one and I am JUST as opposed to this one. As you and others said during the recreation referendum, there are a lot of people hurting right now, and it is absolutely the wrong time to raise taxes. I am interested to see if you are as committed to principle.A Watauga Republicannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-56585440706120677232011-03-01T16:32:29.390-05:002011-03-01T16:32:29.390-05:00Henery claims that the people "who actually w...Henery claims that the people "who actually work in county government" say the debt is about 30 million less than the 100 million I claimed.<br /><br />Maybe the "people who actually work in county government" should read the county financial reports.<br /><br />Or did you just make that up Henery?Watauga TAXPAYERnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-40540558224314352422011-03-01T15:52:39.759-05:002011-03-01T15:52:39.759-05:00I voted for the referendum for the recreation cent...I voted for the referendum for the recreation center, but I'll be damned if I'm voting for one for debt reduction, especially when Ms. Greene says there's literally millions just laying around.Larrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-87051202479328838242011-03-01T15:50:18.023-05:002011-03-01T15:50:18.023-05:00"Find out why you have been able to manage to..."Find out why you have been able to manage to balance the budget without raising taxes over the past years and share it with the public and take that giant leap - take that pen out and give us a copy of the real budget!"<br /><br />So, Deborah. Now you saying there is a "secret" budget? Jesus.<br /><br />The Dems don't have to share their magic of balancing budgets with the deadbeats on the current board. I mean, these republicans said they could do it better, that they would cut all the fat out of the budget, that Democrats didn't know a thing about managing money.<br /><br />So hop to it. Show us your stuff!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-18481593200129564182011-03-01T15:46:18.414-05:002011-03-01T15:46:18.414-05:00BAAAAAAWWWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHH!
I am loving all the Te...BAAAAAAWWWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHH!<br /><br />I am loving all the Teahadists coming on here now and trying to find ways to explain (1) why they have to raise taxes now that they have been in office for TWO MONTHS and (2) why it's so different this time ("we are raising taxes for not one damn thing; they were raising taxes for a new rec center.")<br /><br />BAAAAAAAWWWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com