Submitted By: mkuestner10@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
The good news is that the Manzanita Budget Comm. reviewed this year’s budget, including Indirect Cost Allocation methodology this Spring. With no axe to grind, and dealing with legal, municipal and cost realities, after rigorous discussions, the budget and methodology were voted on and approved by a unanimous vote of City Council. Half of the Budget Comm. consists of highly qualified volunteers who applied, were interviewed and then appointed by unanimous vote of our elected/appointed representatives. The other half of the Budget Comm. consists of the City Council and our highly qualified Chief Budget Officer, Leila Aman. This process, which by law happens every year, assures that the Manzanita budget is secure, legal and produced with the utmost professionalism. In contrast, resident Kugler wants Manzanita to follow his personal budgetary opinions, which consistently display an astounding lack of understanding of municipal budgeting or budgetary acumen. Every year, we hear the same tired, irrelevant tirades. A few years back, he even threatened to sue the city if they didn’t follow his opinions. Thank you to the City of Manzanita for following the law and common sense, and including resident input from all of us, not just a self-appointed “expert”. We have real problems to face and exciting opportunities facing the city. Let’s continue to focus on these, or actual challenges.