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Finances
The City paid $500,000 for the small piece of
land next to the north Price Chopper to move the commuter lot on
Highway 7. For a parking Lot? How many police car difibulators or
uniformed officers could this have provided?
Through a grant, the City embarked on
beautification of the intersection of Adams Dairy Parkway and
Interstate 70. The beautification included the installation of
17,000 plant units, according to the most recent broadcast of “In
the Hot Seat” on Channel 7. The broadcast did not mention the costs
involved in the maintenance of those plant units—nor the cost of
maintaining the fountains at each corner of that intersection.
The City recently accepted a bid for
maintenance of the pool at Baumgardner Park. The accepted bid came
from a maintenance firm in St. Louis. The accepted bid was also
reportedly $27,000 higher than the bid proposed by the Blue Springs
School District, who has a vested interest in the proper management
of the pool, along with individuals with the proper credentials and
experience to run it efficiently. Why was a significantly
higher out-of-town bid given preference to our own school district?
In about 1975, it was it was promised to all of
the Blue Springs citizens if they voted in a sales tax that they
would never have to pay ambulance fees. Whatever happened to that
concept? How many citizens have paid for ambulance fees that were
supposed to be funded by the City. What was the City done with the
sales tax proceeds earmarked for ambulance service? Last year,
the city had sales of $582 million. A 1/4 cent sales tax would yield
$1,455,000.00. What was done with that money? What has been done
with it for almost three decades?
During the 1970s, the City, having potential
water problems due to population growth, voted in assessments and
millions of dollars worth of bonds to buy land in the Missouri River
bottom. The City paid for litigation and it went clear to the
Supreme Court, as this concept and plan was challenged by the local
group wanting to maintain solitary rights to furnishing water, etc.
The City won the suit. Thereafter, the City caved in and contracted
to buy water from Kansas City, Independence, and took over District
8. What happened to the bond monies and court costs?
After audited and detailed review of the
city-owned golf course, Adam’s Pointe, other cities such as
Independence and Lee’s Summit have refused to enter similar
ventures. How badly is the golf course fairing that would cause
these larger municipalities to say “no”? |
