Settling a long and contentious discussion about Mayor Scott Foster's handling of a city contract for professional services with former Alderman and part-time Mayoral candidate Garry Forsythe, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen this week voted to terminate the city's contract with Forsythe.
Forsythe was hired by the Mayor without the knowledge of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and his contract, for nearly $50,000 a year, has been questioned ever since it came to light. It's unclear why existing city staff can't complete the tasks Forsythe was assigned.
Forsythe is now claiming he's not being treated properly by both Mayor Foster and his former colleagues on the BOMA.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
County Commission Makes History With Budget
The Sumner County Commission made history this week, passing both the school and general purpose budgets BEFORE the start of the fiscal year (July 1) for the first time anyone can remember or demonstrate by record.
Of course, this historic moment comes after extremely contentious budget cycles in 2011 and 2012. And less than a year before the May 2014 primary elections for County Commission. Perhaps Commissioners believe citizens will forget their unwillingness to fund schools in the past?
It's worth noting that the fact that this is historic means the Commission has been neglecting its duties for years. The School Boards of the past helped, too, of course -- not getting budgets to the Commission in a timely fashion.
The past two years, however, the School Board has delivered its budget early, making needs known in April, passing a budget plan in May. This year, not a single County Commissioner attended the School Board's May budget meeting -- despite the schools being the single largest county-funded program.
Some have suggested the process can't be done too much earlier, because estimated final budget numbers would mean the School Board would end up operating with additional funds in reserve.
Here's what happens now, though: The School Board operates with the MINIMUM amount of reserves allowed by state law. Roughly enough to keep schools open for 7-10 days. That means in the event of a disaster requiring expenditure of funds, the Board would have a tough time making ends meet.
Of course, the alternative would be to present the budget earlier, use even more conservative numbers, and increase the reserve balance after the books are closed for the fiscal year. IF both the Board and the County Commission are comfortable operating with the MINIMUM reserves allowed by law, the Board can simply include the reserve overage in the next year's budget. Alternatively, the Board could set a goal of having reserves totaling 10% of operating costs and then spend any excess toward the next year's budget.
The lesson this year, though, is that the budget process doesn't have to work the way it has in ALL those years before 2013. It CAN work smoothly and be passed on time IF the goal is the development and funding of excellent schools that benefit the entire community.
Of course, this historic moment comes after extremely contentious budget cycles in 2011 and 2012. And less than a year before the May 2014 primary elections for County Commission. Perhaps Commissioners believe citizens will forget their unwillingness to fund schools in the past?
It's worth noting that the fact that this is historic means the Commission has been neglecting its duties for years. The School Boards of the past helped, too, of course -- not getting budgets to the Commission in a timely fashion.
The past two years, however, the School Board has delivered its budget early, making needs known in April, passing a budget plan in May. This year, not a single County Commissioner attended the School Board's May budget meeting -- despite the schools being the single largest county-funded program.
Some have suggested the process can't be done too much earlier, because estimated final budget numbers would mean the School Board would end up operating with additional funds in reserve.
Here's what happens now, though: The School Board operates with the MINIMUM amount of reserves allowed by state law. Roughly enough to keep schools open for 7-10 days. That means in the event of a disaster requiring expenditure of funds, the Board would have a tough time making ends meet.
Of course, the alternative would be to present the budget earlier, use even more conservative numbers, and increase the reserve balance after the books are closed for the fiscal year. IF both the Board and the County Commission are comfortable operating with the MINIMUM reserves allowed by law, the Board can simply include the reserve overage in the next year's budget. Alternatively, the Board could set a goal of having reserves totaling 10% of operating costs and then spend any excess toward the next year's budget.
The lesson this year, though, is that the budget process doesn't have to work the way it has in ALL those years before 2013. It CAN work smoothly and be passed on time IF the goal is the development and funding of excellent schools that benefit the entire community.
Athletic Facilities Receive Funding
Athletic facilities at Station Camp, Westmoreland, and Merrol Hyde Magnet Schools will proceed with funding from a $32 million County Bond Issue.
In August, the School Board will be presented with a proposal for expansion of Hendersonville and Gallatin High Schools -- adding 20 new classrooms at HHS and 18 at Gallatin.
No word yet on a proposal to eliminate or significantly reduce the number of students attending class in portables. Nor any discussion of rezoning to ease over-crowding of schools.
In other Board news, the School Resource Officer program is set to expand -- with 13 new officers trained and ready by the time school starts in August and a proposal to add officers at all schools starting in the 2014-15 Fiscal Year.
In August, the School Board will be presented with a proposal for expansion of Hendersonville and Gallatin High Schools -- adding 20 new classrooms at HHS and 18 at Gallatin.
No word yet on a proposal to eliminate or significantly reduce the number of students attending class in portables. Nor any discussion of rezoning to ease over-crowding of schools.
In other Board news, the School Resource Officer program is set to expand -- with 13 new officers trained and ready by the time school starts in August and a proposal to add officers at all schools starting in the 2014-15 Fiscal Year.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
New Budget, No New Taxes
Hendersonville's Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave approval to the 2013-14 budget which includes raises for most city employees. The budget does not require a tax increase. The raise for the Mayor, originally slated for a 30% increase, was whittled down to 6% -- or roughly $4000 -- enough to boost the Mayor's pay to just over $90,000. Foster will still make less than Gallatin Mayor Jo Ann Graves, who earns $111,000 a year.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Candidates Line Up for 2014 Races
Candidates for County offices in Sumner County are lining up for the 2014 election.
Sheriff Sonny Weatherford may again face Stan Hilgadiack.
Circuit Court Clerk Mahaliah Hughes is retiring, and County Commissioner Joe Matthews (who consistently opposed school funding during his terms on the Commission) is seeking the seat along with three others.
Matthews' run for Circuit Court Clerk creates an open seat in District 4. Democrat Kaye Kemnitz has announced her intention to run. Also running in District 4 is Frank Freels.
So far, no pro-schools candidate has announced against County Executive Anthony Holt, who is seeking re-election.
District 1 School Board member Vanessa Silkwood, the only Board member to oppose last year's school budget and a proponent of a costly outsourcing scheme for school staff who has questioned whether teachers deserve retirement pay, has announced her re-election bid. She's the only candidate in District 1 so far.
More news as announcements happen.
Sheriff Sonny Weatherford may again face Stan Hilgadiack.
Circuit Court Clerk Mahaliah Hughes is retiring, and County Commissioner Joe Matthews (who consistently opposed school funding during his terms on the Commission) is seeking the seat along with three others.
Matthews' run for Circuit Court Clerk creates an open seat in District 4. Democrat Kaye Kemnitz has announced her intention to run. Also running in District 4 is Frank Freels.
So far, no pro-schools candidate has announced against County Executive Anthony Holt, who is seeking re-election.
District 1 School Board member Vanessa Silkwood, the only Board member to oppose last year's school budget and a proponent of a costly outsourcing scheme for school staff who has questioned whether teachers deserve retirement pay, has announced her re-election bid. She's the only candidate in District 1 so far.
More news as announcements happen.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
That's one way to put it ...
County Commissioner Jim Vaughn is "applauding" the wisdom of Schools Director Del Phillips because Phillips is not asking for more funds for schools in this year's budget.
In short, Vaughn is gloating that after two budget cycles, Phillips has gotten the clear message that the County Commission (at least in its current form) won't be funding excellent schools. They seem content with portable farms, low faculty and staff salaries, and supplies funded by PTOs and fundraising drives and supplemented by teachers.
So, Phillips has taken better than expected numbers from the BEP and some county revenue growth and made the most of it, utilizing funds in a way that keeps schools going without asking for a start on the investment necessary for truly excellent schools. The alternative was yet another fight with the County Commission that likely would have seen that body ignore the will of the public and continue to under-fund schools. Layoffs mid-year would have likely followed.
Also, to say the budgets for all departments are passing early is a strange way of speaking. The fiscal year begins on July 1st and budgets should (and can) be passed by that date. In other words, this is the first time in a long time the County Commission has managed its business well enough to get their job done on time. I'm sure if Jim Vaughn had an employee who completed work on time once very six years, he'd keep him on -- or even give him a raise?
In short, Vaughn is gloating that after two budget cycles, Phillips has gotten the clear message that the County Commission (at least in its current form) won't be funding excellent schools. They seem content with portable farms, low faculty and staff salaries, and supplies funded by PTOs and fundraising drives and supplemented by teachers.
So, Phillips has taken better than expected numbers from the BEP and some county revenue growth and made the most of it, utilizing funds in a way that keeps schools going without asking for a start on the investment necessary for truly excellent schools. The alternative was yet another fight with the County Commission that likely would have seen that body ignore the will of the public and continue to under-fund schools. Layoffs mid-year would have likely followed.
Also, to say the budgets for all departments are passing early is a strange way of speaking. The fiscal year begins on July 1st and budgets should (and can) be passed by that date. In other words, this is the first time in a long time the County Commission has managed its business well enough to get their job done on time. I'm sure if Jim Vaughn had an employee who completed work on time once very six years, he'd keep him on -- or even give him a raise?
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