About Me - Part One

In the coming weeks I'll be expanding the "About Me" posts. However, I thought I would start now with some basic information for people that don't know me.

I moved to High Springs from Chicago where I lived for almost 15 years. I was raised in Michigan (Kalamazoo) and am first generation "off of the farm". My Grandfather's farm has changed from its chicken and cow roots to now be a major swine operation run by my Cousins. In Illinois I worked primarily in the film and television industry. I was the Regional Manager for a film lighting company called LTM and ran the company's rental & sales operations in the Chicago area.

While working for LTM I became involved in a number of volunteer groups, one working specifically with gangs in the inner city. I became active in the program and decided that I'd like to try working with youth for a living. I left LTM and worked for almost seven years with, what was then, the largest private childcare institution in the United States. Run by the Catholic Church I worked at Maryville Academy and became a Certified Family Educator and Trainer. My work was primarily with youth 7 to 18 years of age who were in a "Diagnostic Unit" and supervised 24/7. Most of the youth I worked with had "failed" a number of other DCFS placements. It was a tough job but I loved it. However, circumstances had me again consider a sales position in the film & television business.

I left Maryville Academy to work with a small family company, Fletcher Chicago (www.fletch.com). The company grew from six employees to over 30 when I left my position as Sales Manger after eight years. In all of my positions I've never left on terms where I would not be welcomed back. I've directly supervised as many as eight employees and oversaw annual revenues in excess of five million dollars. I came to High Springs because of the City's rural location, small town friendly feel and to work with Wes Skiles at Karst Productions.

Karst Productions was a wonderful introduction to Florida. Working on the Water's Journey series, I've learned a great deal from Wes about Florida's water, geology and natural history such that I have a deep appreciation for why so many come to our area to visit. I continue to work with regional video production companies helping to coordinate a variety of projects. Additionally, I've recently worked with organizations such as High Springs BMX (www.HSBMX.com) to organize a National BMX Race sanctioned by the National Bicycle League.

As you can begin to see, I've have many interests. I've always been active in volunteering, where ever I live; which is why I became involved in High Springs soon after arriving. I’ll be adding more, but this is a start at letting you all know something about me. I welcome your questions and comments.

Meeting the Community

I'm active in the community and have the opportunity to interact with a number of local voters, but I certainly have not heard from everyone. This past week friends asked me to come over and speak to them personally about specific issues they had with City Government. I really enjoyed the exchange and am looking for more opportunities to sit and talk about what people are concerned about and answer the questions they have for me.

If you would be interested in getting together for a few minutes or hosting a gathering where I can meet your neighbors and friends please call or email me. THESE GATHERINGS WOULD NOT BE TO ASK FOR FUNDS.

City Budget and the use of Savings

Rightfully so, there is currently debate in High Springs about our City budget. The City recently adopted a policy that will prevent what happened in a nearby community - where the City Manager all but depleted the Reserve Funds to operate the city. The new High Springs policy (the idea of Commissioner Shupe) was to establish a MINIMUM amount of Reserve (savings) that the City must maintain. The minimum established was two months operating income based on the coming fiscal year. This year that amount is just over $630,000 ($315K per month).

The audited balance of the City of High Springs current Reserve is approximately $1,100,000.00. Yes, we currently have "saved" almost twice the amount our new policy says we need in the event of an emergency.

Each year as part of planning for the City budget certain "contingencies" are allowed for in a number of different areas. The City Manager cannot spend this money with out approval from the City Commission. These monies are to be available in a "worst case" situation - a fire truck is totaled while responding to an accident, a sink hole opens up on Main Street in front of City Boys, the water tower requires emergency repairs that were not budgeted for, etc. Something that MIGHT happen probably won't but sometimes does. Each year allowances for these things are made and the city allocates some portion of the "savings" to cover these types of costs.

In the history of the City all of the money allocated from savings has never been spent. In the last three years NONE of the money was spent. In fact, last year almost $80,000 LESS was spent than budgeted so that the City's "savings" INCREASED another $79,000 - with out touching reserves.

This year the City is allocating $361,000 of "savings" for use in the coming budget. Last year this number was approximately $250,000 (and none of it was touched). With revenues down (from sales tax, property tax, etc.) the City is expecting, for the first time, to actually have to spend some of the savings on operating expenses. Something that is being planned for and budgeted for. It is estimated that only about $60,000 of the $361,000 will be used for the operating of the City. The rest of the money is for things that "might happen". If any of the reserves needed to be spent the City Manager would need to make the Commission aware and in most cases secure the Commissions approval.

We have $1,100,000 in "savings" and have established a minimum need of $632,000 for the coming year. If all of the worst-case scenarios come true this coming year and the City spent every dime that has been allocated (including the $361,000 in the reserve) we would still have $107,000 in our "savings".

Why has the City continued to save and build reserves if not for the purpose of dipping into them during down economic times? We established a minimum Reserve Level how about establishing a "maximum"? How bad a gloom and doom situation are we saving for? How bad does it need to be to justify spending 5% of the savings ($60,000 of the $1.1 Million)?

The realistic facts for someone reading the Independent Audit and looking at the performance of the City's Finance Department and Staff indicates High Springs is on solid ground and making good decisions.

Of course, there is always another angle to the story... All of this "responsible spending" and saving comes at a cost. The City of High Springs is NOT spending money on Capital Projects - including some routine maintenance. As a City Commissioner I will be an advocate for responsible savings but also the reinvestment of tax dollars to maintain the City's property and infrastructure.

As a Commissioner, I'd also advocate looking at creative ways to use the CASH on hand the City has to reduce or eliminate some of the interest being paid on loans (police cars, fire trucks, light poles, etc.).

Use of City Tax Dollars - Fire Service

The second largest portion of the City budget is allocated to funding our fire service. We have a Fire Department that most communities our size would welcome. Our Chief has great credentials, and is investing himself in the community and our Department; so are the firefighters (including the volunteers). Are the citizens of High Springs aware that 45% of the calls our fire department responds to are to meet the needs of Alachua County and NOT the City of High Springs?

There is no question that everyone deserves to have a qualified responder come when 911 is called. Everyone should want response times to be as short as possible. So the questions are:

Why should the citizens of High Springs subsidize fire service to Alachua County Residents?

Why did Alachua County increase the fire budget this coming fiscal year and CUT the fees they would pay the City of High Springs by 9%?

Why does the Alachua County Commission continue to advocate a "take it or leave it" posture when working with the City of High Springs? When, if High Springs did decide not to respond to calls in Alachua County (including the northern section of I-75 in Alachua County) it would cost the County significantly more money to provide the fire service they are required to provide than if they simply paid a reasonable fee to utilize the resources in High Springs that are being paid for by the Citizens of High Springs?

This is not a simple issue. There are many more details to the situation. Thursday September 3rd is a time for you to speak, listen and ask questions. There will be a joint meeting of the High Springs City Commission and the Alachua County Commissioners here in High Springs. Plan on attending - especially if you live in the County and expect High Springs to respond to your 911 call.

Note: Even if the City of High Springs was not under contract to respond to calls from Alachua County an existing "mutual aid agreement" would provide for immediate aid, when requested, by Alachua County. This is the same system that is used for Columbia and Gilchrist County to aid High Springs and for our City to aid these counties.

What are you thinking?

Small towns have a lot of conversations. I'm interested in knowing what everyone is talking about. This website is one of the tools I'm using to include as many people as possible in the conversation.

I invite you to email me with your specific questions or post a comment. Of course, the traditional phone works too - 386-454-8161.

Slow But Steady Progress

Last Friday it was official, eight candidates have qualified to run for the open two seats. I was surprised at how much fun it was talking to people this week and answering the questions they had. Of all the campaign tasks I have wanted to avoid, asking for money is at the top of the list. I've started to do that and so appreciate at how nicely people have responded. Even those that have not been able to donate money have been nice when they say no. This next Sunday I'm going to be shooting some short videos that I'll put up on this blog. I'm hoping that access to my words over the internet will help people that don't know me have a chance to learn more about me and why I hope to be a "reasonable voice" for our community.

First Campaign Contribution

I've never run for office before so, today, when I received my first campaign contribution in the mail it was pretty exciting.