Hello, Jeff,
Here’s how the rule works:
Snow and Ice is considered a legal deficit (meaning we will not reduce your free cash by the amount of a snow and ice deficit, should you have one…) IF you appropriated at least as much for your snow and ice budget as the prior year.
So, using your example below:
In FY2013, if you showed a snow and ice deficit on your 6/30/13 balance sheet that you submitted to us for free cash certification, we would have hit your free cash for the amount of the deficit because you did not appropriate at least as much for the snow and ice budget as you did in FY2012. That is how the rule works. You can reduce your budget, as you did, but you roll the dice and lose if it happens to be a snow heavy year when you gambled it would not be. That is why our legal bureau said it’s not illegal, but not prudent… It’s a gamble.
If the accountant said, we will not allow it, I am sure that she meant we would hit your free cash if there is a deficit.
In 2014, if you had a deficit in snow and ice, and you appropriated at least as much for snow and ice in 2014 as you did in 2013, the deficit is legal, and there is no impact to free cash
So, according to the director, Templeton town accountant was/is wrong regarding snow & ice budgeting. The town could budget 300 K one year and budget 290K the following year. There is cause and effect, but, nowhere does it state "you can never appropriate less one year than you did the previous year." In fact, the director states "you can do it."
This will be the 10th yr ,I believe, that Templeton has had an Un-Certified Town Accountant.
ReplyDeleteWe have a CFO in name only who sat beside the Town Accountant unable or unwilling to correct the "mis-statment" of the Accountant.
Then you have Town Counsel who sat their and said nothing when Moderator Hall misspoke and stated the AG reviews all warrant articles ( they review bylaw changes) a couple years ago. He did exactly the same thing when the Accountant misstated a legal position.
I wasn't clear on this so I asked at town meeting and the more misinformation was spread. Then I looked at our bylaw, hmmmmm
§ 47-4
Town Counsel.
[Amended 8-31-1978]
Section B states in part: to appear at any and all hearings on behalf of the Town whenever his services may be required; and generally to advise and act for the Town officers, boards and committees upon and in legal matters touching the duties of their respective offices.
Town Counsel works for the people on the stage, some on the floor and some in the audience, but NOT the TAXPAYER unless you happen to work for the town.
Employees we pay , train, educate misinform us to promote their agenda and no consequences exists! This is one of the main reasons its important to have an elected Select Board that maintains ethical accountability. In my opinion they have not done so to this point and the taxpayers are to disengaged to notice.........
We are on a downhill slide .....................Thanks to the elected people in Templeton being unqualified
I wonder how much we paid for that advice at Town meeting? Accountant, Town Administrator, Town Counsel. Did it help the taxpayer?