Town of Buffalo Blowing Public Trust Funds?

Several months ago the Town of Buffalo formed a public trust authority. It was formed for the purpose of handling the moneys generated from the $14.00 increase on your water and sewer bill. Granted the trust formation was to give the TOB greater flexibility. Nevertheless, each month 7 bucks from the water bill and 7 bucks from the sewer bill is being kept tract of and put into its very own Trust “savings” account. It is very similar to putting back money for your kid’s college fund because you know sometime in the future you are going to have to spend a whole lot of money on them.

Their goal (at that time) was to raise the rates for infrastructure improvements that will be needed because the systems in place now are at the end of their life cycle. The infrastructure needs attention and that will cost lots of money. The savings are building and have been nicely since the rates have increased. Around $60,000 had been saved up since this was implemented.

The Public Trust had a rare meeting and decided to spend $23,000 to buy a house next to the fire department for more parking spaces. They were promised that $15,000 would be put back into the coffers of the Trust by other entities. That means that the Public Trust spent $8,000 of money that originally was intended for infrastructure improvements. That is a downfall of having a Public Trust that you can’t trust. Its flexibility has lent itself to self inflicted abuse. They used your rate increase for something it was never intended to be used for, to buy real estate. The fact is Harper, Buss, Daley, Carpenter, and Orange; as the public trust authority spent, thousands and thousands of dollars to buy a house, for more parking spaces, using moneys from the water and sewer rate increase.

Here is the kicker, as if you need more. The Town of Buffalo had left over from last year’s regular budget close to $100,000. They could have moved $8,000 of that over to the Public Trust fund instead of using any of the water and sewer fees to buy that house with. I’ll bet there are people in this town who would have much rather seen those very same dollars spent to repair/replace fire hydrants that don’t even work right.

I think I’ll go out and buy me a new fishing boat using my kid’s college savings fund.

Transparent Government

Here is a REPORT that is based on transparent government. This was written by Oklahomans for Responsible Government. It is geared towards our schools and their websites. In this report are some ideas that would also serve the common good of our community and its municipal government. It would be nice to someday see these guidelines implemented by the Town of Buffalo if it should ever decide to become pro-active.

I have copied ideas and suggestions from this report that would apply to the Town of Buffalo bringing a higher standard that could easily be achieved with a little effort.


From the Report;

Taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent in order to let elected officials know if that is the right way or another direction is needed.

Technology makes it easier for government entities to provide transparency, but only if they take advantage of everything that computers and the World Wide Web have to offer. It is up to taxpayers to let their leaders know that transparency is important and that technology is the most cost-effective way to provide the information to anyone who wants to view it at any time of the day.

The Internet is often the first place someone turns to in order to find out about a subject, so every government entity whether federal, state or local needs to have a presence on the web. But even a website is just the first step; it’s the content of that website that matters most. The best government websites are simply laid out, well organized and packed with information like how to contact elected officials, a budget or meeting schedules.

Complete information regarding contracts.

Board members were listed; there was no contact information or details on election dates or boundaries. Board members are the direct link between a taxpayer and the money being spent and as an elected official, they should have their contact information on the web where it is easily accessible.

The feature common to the most websites was contact information for administrators. Many also had the most recent board agenda online, but that is not enough. If someone wants to figure out exactly when a topic was considered by the board, there needs to be an archive of past agendas. Very few districts had minutes of past meetings posted. This needs to be corrected to hold the board members accountable for their votes.

Nothing about a budget or how to contact board members.

The budget for the current fiscal year plus previous years should be easily accessed.

Websites should list the date, time and location of every board meeting for the year. Agendas and minutes of past meetings should be posted online as well. Regulations covering public input at meetings should be clearly displayed.

Elected officials: Members of the board should have their names and contact information posted on the website. Each member should also have the term of their office and date of next election posted as well as the boundaries of their ward/district. If the board has committees, those committees and their members should be listed as well. It would help taxpayers if any financial disclosures and conflict-of-interest statements required of its elected officials are posted.

Public records: The website should include comprehensive information on how taxpayers can obtain public documents. That means listing which employee handles the request and what fees, if any, there are for copies of documents. It would also be nice if it posted an annual rating of its FOIA compliance: How many requests did it receive in a given year, how many it complied with, the average time required for compliance, and reasons for denials. If currently being sued for failure to provide public documents, this information should be included.

Post its policy on criminal background checks of current and/or prospective employees. The policy should include how often criminal background checks are conducted and what procedures are followed when it learns of past or current criminal conduct on the part of staff.

Check out this report to find your school's website evaluation

STICKING OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB (Originally Posted 1/28/2009)

After being questioned about the accuracy of the previous cancer rate chart, a different chart that is more current has been found.

Anonymous says "Sales Tax Collections Dropping Like a Rock"

Anonymous said...
“Easy to be critical isn't it? And if we dubbed you town board member tomorrow, how exactly would you address the water issue and where exactly, would you get the funds? With sales tax collections dropping like a rock, I just don't see where the money is going to come from."

Hey anonymous, Maybe you should be dubbed the town’s treasurer!

The sky is falling in Buffalo again.
The Town had a budget surplus of over 140 thousand bucks this last year.
That is money that could have paved a street or two. Maybe even ran a detailed water test.
Nope let’s put it in a 2% CD.

Tax collects for the last six months in 2009
Jan $28,607 vs $20,958 in 08
Feb $21,888 vs $17,254 in 08
Mar $21,196 vs $16,778 in 08
Apr $17,014 vs $16,106 in 08
May $18,887 vs $20,230 in 08
Jun $27,079 vs $22,509 in 08
July $19,786 vs $20,461 in 08

Please tell us anonymous, what sales tax collections you are basing your theory on!
The “we are going broke” hoax is alive and kicking.

Watch and enjoy while the TOB raises the water meter fees and account deposits. Hang on while the citizens of Buffalo get water boarded by the 300 thousand dollar water sprinkler system for the golf course. Buffalo politics at its finest.

THE STEVE WILKOS SHOW...Buffalo Toddler, Garrett Rice's Death Case

The cold case of an infant who died in the care of a baby sitter is reopened.
Episode Detail: Admit It, You Killed My Baby - Steve Wilkos Show--- Allegations of child neglect that led to a 1-year-old's death from a drug overdose are discussed, and lie-detector tests are administered to the parties involved.

The show is going to air this Tuesday May 5th.

From looking at the previews it is going to be a heart wrenching show.

KOCB Oklahoma City

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TUESDAY

Direct TV Channel 34 Tuesday May 5, 2009 @ 10:00am

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Pioneer Channel 11 Tuesday May 5, 2009 @ 10:00am

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Wednesday Chicago's WGN

Direct TV WGN 307 Wednesday May 6,2009 @ 1:00am

RUB-A-DUB-DUB THREE MEN AND THEIR TUB

Recently an antique pedestal tub was removed from its original location. It was destined to be taken to the pile of white goods where it would have met its ultimate fate when the car crusher returns to town. During the removal of the antique tub it was discovered that it was manufactured in 1928. It was quickly claimed by one of the three men removing it with the condition that it had to leave the current property. It was strategically placed on a concrete slab on another piece of property the claimant owns.

The purpose of the location that was chosen was, first and foremost, to get it out from under their feet as quickly and easily as possible. An incidental purpose was to camouflage the awful traffic yellow paint color that clashes with the claimants landscaping and building color scheme. Traveling across rural America you might often see an antique tub, such as this, nicely done up with beautiful flowers and plants. What transpired in the short time (6 days) that it sat at its location was nothing short of shameful.

Its location became the topic of the town. Intriguing questions were directed back as to what was going to be done with the tub by numerous people. Some expressed concerns, some declared their unsolicited opinions, and many declared their absolute displeasure. All of the comments because of an empty antique pedestal tub sitting on a concrete slab.

The comments came from various people throughout our community. Co-workers mentioned it. Town trustees were quick to utter their thoughts. The city administrator gave his speculation about it. Acquaintances opined. The coffee shop gossip spread. Spouses spoke. Even the town’s economic developer along with the newly hired policeman stopped what they were doing to move the tub to another location. The consensus was all the same. It was unsightly and something had to be done about it.

The tub garnered a lot of attention. The local people demanded immediate action. All because of an empty antique pedestal tub sitting on a concrete slab

If only the same community outcry would occur regarding the DUNG HOUSE situation on the other side of town.

Rub-a-dub-dub three men and their tub.

"DIRTY" LITTLE SECRETS

If you were suffering from any stomach cramps, diarrhea, or nausea around the middle of the month of July up until just recently, and wonder what the heck was going on, it quite possibly could have been the recent positive test of coliform bacteria in the town’s supply of drinking water. Get you a copy of the Town of Buffalo’s administrators report to learn more about it. That is one of the documents that are part of the consent agenda that is rarely discussed but routinely passes each month. What some refer to as the “Secret Documents”.

For those that have a sensitive immune system and need to know immediately when the water fails such test, there will come a day when the internet will be discovered by city hall that could put up a notice on their website. If the community is even luckier, the people at city hall may even discover that you can create an email list for those that desire to be notified immediately when the water becomes contaminated with coliform bacteria .

If only the new clinic had been opened prior to this outbreak they may have gotten off to a very prosperous grand opening.

Enjoy your belated letter of confidence that you will receive from city hall telling you about this occurrence of bacteria in you town’s water supply. That is all they are "required" to do.

New Topic Comments II

This is for comments that may not be related to topics that have been posted.

HOT TOPIC!

Here is a link to a real hot topic.

HOT TOPIC

Topic authenticated by person with local lineage.

145th Army Band Scheduled to Perform in Buffalo on July 4th

Buffalo will be honored by the performance of the 145th Army Band during the activities scheduled this 4th of July. If you are looking for a relaxing afternoon and evening of entertainment, Buffalo's Celebration Park will be the place to be. Parking within a short walking distance of the park may be the most attractive feature of this year’s 4th of July. Bring a lawn chair and grab a shady spot for a stress free Independence Day Celebration.
Area residents are invited to avoid the Bush crowd and inconveniences. So come unwind with us in Buffalo this Saturday.

TOWN BOARD TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY?

The Town Board is a having "special meeting" to discuss and act upon some special things concerning special people.

They may even go so far as to declare that there is an emergency in Buffalo politics.

Well isn't that special that they couldn't do this at the regular meeting that is coming up in July.

This meeting is really special because everyone will become rudely acquainted with the itinerant vendor ordinance. Maybe they will go so far as to tell the community why there is an emergency situation with this.

Oops! Almost forgot about slipping some cash to the Clerk and Treasurer. $1187.08 for each one of them. Better hurry and get er done before the audit changes again. Can you say Christmas in July!

Here is the link to the agenda for the "SPECIAL MEETING"