Tuesday, June 16, 2009
40 Jealous Whores / Hannan / Politics / The Economy Nashville Metro's Budget & Finance Committee: Capable Titanic Deckhands
Posted by Caleb Hannan on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 12:23 PM
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Far be it from me to complain about anyone's ability to balance a budget. I'm pretty sure Verizon overcharges me $60 every month, but I lack both the will and rudimentary math skills to properly explain to them why I'm getting screwed. But I think it's at least worth mentioning that Nashville's Metro council has just been handed a $1.5 billion dollar budget, and their biggest maneuvering to date involves an attempt to save 17 jobs.
Now, I'm sure the 11 guys and gals who work for Parks & Rec are really thankful the council is seeing to it that they can pay the rent. But those jobs represent a shuffling of less than $1 million. Or, to look at it another way, Metro council has taken the Mayor's proposed budget and determined that 99.25% of it is just fine the way it is.
Deck chairs. Titanic. You get the point.
But maybe, you say, the Mayor's budget really is that good. Maybe, despite one of the worst economic climates since the days of FDR, Nashville is a financial oasis in a desert of defaults because we pinched pennies and filled our piggy bank.
Maybe. But District 23 Councilmember Emily Evans says there's reason to worry...
On her blog, Evans points to "a few dark clouds on the horizon." Dark clouds that add up to millions in debts or extra costs that will come due as soon as next year.
Meanwhile, here's Budget & Finance Chairman Jim Forkum's quote to the Tennessean this morning: "We feel like this will go a long way with some of the issues we have in our districts, like high grass (emphasis ours)."
For the record, we've called Forkum and yet to hear back from him. But really, high grass? This is the serious and pressing budgetary concern facing Nashville? Not the $67 million we've taken out of our piggy bank in the last two years that will need to be paid back? Not the $3 million we're likely to owe cops?
I'm not trying to heap all of this on Forkum. He's a decent, well-meaning guy. But the problem, if I may advance a theory here, seems to be that neither he, nor many people on the committee designed to deal with numbers, actually have a great grasp on the subject.
Just for fun, here's a breakdown of the Budget & Finance committee and what they do for a living:
Jim Forkum Chair Retired insurance salesman
Megan Barry Ethics and Compliance officer for healthcare purchasing organization
Erik Cole Executive Director for the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services
Michael Craddock Realtor
Tim Garrett Undertaker
Jim Hodge Realtor
Jason Holleman Lawyer
Jerry Maynard Lawyer (lapsed)
Sandra Moore Therapist
Anna Page Florist
Rip Ryman Vice Chair Lobbyist
Ronnie Steine Doesn't have to work if he doesn't want to
Parker Toler Retired (former engineer and marketing manager)
Charlie Tygard Accountant
I'm not saying that none of these people are capable of putting a fine-tooth comb to the budget. I'm just saying we're not taking advantage of our natural resources.
Carter Todd, Executive Vice President of Gaylord, isn't on the list. Neither is Evans, who got bumped off last August. She just happens to be a freak of nature; the kind of person who, because she spent her life working with municipal bonds, actually enjoys this sort of stuff.
Maybe one, or the both of them, would be better utilized on a committee where they actually have some expertise. Cuz at a time when it seems everyone's just shuffling deck chairs, it'd sure be nice to have a few folks with the foresight to notice that big white shiny thing we're headed towards.
Comments (2)
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Mr Hannan appears to be suffering from a terminal case of cranial rectal inversion. If you think Verizon costs too much cancel them and get another provider or better, take the initiative to call the number on your bill. I quite Verizon years ago and have no special love for them however your attack goes beyond reason. Can you please stop whining and develop some better copy? I'm getting to the point where if I see your name I simply ignore the bit__ session. Get a life!
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Posted by
Jim
on 06/16/2009 at 2:10 PM
