Corrections for Cameron
Cameron Stewart, who's running for Grand Forks City Council in Ward 2, has gotta be one of the hardest working candidate this election season. He's sure been handing out a lot of flyers.
So I hope I'm not discouraging the fella but I've noticed an error, which I've informed him about, that might panic or confuse those not in the know. And the error is this: "The City of Grand Forks has an annual operating budget of 123 Million. At the same time it has an income of Nine (9) million, so this leaves a deficit."
The implication is that the city is short $114 million. Crickey!
The 2006 budget totals $120.7 million, so that part is about right. Revenues, however, are expected to be about the same amount resulting in a balanced budget.
The $9 million is actually the $9.5 million in property taxes that the city expected to collect. As you can see property taxes are a small part of the entire budget. That amount is supplemented by $3.8 million in sales taxes.
Where's the rest of the money coming from? I can't even begin to dissect the budget at this hour -- it's midnight -- but there are plenty of examples. Utilities are funded mostly with utility fees, which amount to about $24 million. State and federal government transfers are another significant revenue source, but they're spread out all over the budget. If you're truly curious, download the city budget and see for yourself.
I also noticed another error where he says "Once a heavy budget is established that drives the property mill rates up. When that goes up, it means higher taxes." Actually, government leaders have been cutting mill rates or tax rates. But because property values are going up taxpayers are still paying more. That's what everyone's are up in arms about.
A third error, which Cameron has acknowledged, is that his opponent Tom Kenville doesn't have family ties to someone "Clifton." That would be Thomas Clifford, the old UND president. And as far as I know, Kenville is doing his own campaigning.
Here's some of Cameron's flyers, here, here and here.
So I hope I'm not discouraging the fella but I've noticed an error, which I've informed him about, that might panic or confuse those not in the know. And the error is this: "The City of Grand Forks has an annual operating budget of 123 Million. At the same time it has an income of Nine (9) million, so this leaves a deficit."
The implication is that the city is short $114 million. Crickey!
The 2006 budget totals $120.7 million, so that part is about right. Revenues, however, are expected to be about the same amount resulting in a balanced budget.
The $9 million is actually the $9.5 million in property taxes that the city expected to collect. As you can see property taxes are a small part of the entire budget. That amount is supplemented by $3.8 million in sales taxes.
Where's the rest of the money coming from? I can't even begin to dissect the budget at this hour -- it's midnight -- but there are plenty of examples. Utilities are funded mostly with utility fees, which amount to about $24 million. State and federal government transfers are another significant revenue source, but they're spread out all over the budget. If you're truly curious, download the city budget and see for yourself.
I also noticed another error where he says "Once a heavy budget is established that drives the property mill rates up. When that goes up, it means higher taxes." Actually, government leaders have been cutting mill rates or tax rates. But because property values are going up taxpayers are still paying more. That's what everyone's are up in arms about.
A third error, which Cameron has acknowledged, is that his opponent Tom Kenville doesn't have family ties to someone "Clifton." That would be Thomas Clifford, the old UND president. And as far as I know, Kenville is doing his own campaigning.
Here's some of Cameron's flyers, here, here and here.
posted by Tu-Uyen at 12:09 AM
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