Troy Citizens United

Troy Citizens United Has Been Vindicated!!!!! OUR FACTS ARE VETTED

2011-07-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

Hi All:

I wanted to send you an update on the August 2, 2011 VOTE NO NEW TAXES campaign in Troy.

As you may know, the City Council and their tax and spend majority groups around town have really ratcheted up their marketing campaign in an all out attempt to portray this unneeded tax increase proposal as a "last-ditch effort" to save our library.

They ran a very one sided article in the Somerset Gazette recently, attacking the Troy Citizens United facts, without any fact check.

Meanwhile, Troy Citizens United created a ad to run in the Troy Times local newspaper detailing the many facts that we have gleaned from various public records.

When the Troy Times first received the TROY Citizens United ad copy, they refused to run it, stating that the facts were misleading and inaccurate. The leadership of TCU pushed the issue and convinced the Troy Times staff to send our ad to their Legal Department along with our supporting documentation regarding the 12.3 million dollars the city has hidden in their slush fund that could be used to keep our library open - in fact could be used to keep 5 libraries open - and the outrageous compensation packages being paid to the top 20 employees in the city.

After reviewing the information, THE TROY TIMES LEGAL DEPARTMENT had to agree that our FACTS were verifiable and so THE TROY TIMES WILL BE RUNNING OUR AD in their July 28, 2011 edition.

TROY CITIZENS UNITED HAS BEEN VINDICATED BY THE LIBERAL PRESS - It pays to tell the truth!!

MANUFACTURED CRISIS to Cause Panic and Anxiety Among Residents

2011-07-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

Vote “NO” on the 11% tax increase
August 2nd

Over the past 18 months, Troy residents have gone to the ballot box twice and soundly defeated five separate tax increase proposals.

Now, the City is attempting a new approach by laddering tax requests as follows:

Special August election for a .7 mill tax (having a special election creates a non-budgeted cost of $90,000, not to mention the cost of potentially higher taxes).
Hired a communication consultant for $100,000.
Council plans to discuss an additional 1 mill roads tax for the November election after the August vote (who knows what other millage requests they have in store for us if the above taxes are passed, with the help of a communication consultant to educate us - paid for by our tax dollars).

The City’s current budget does not include numerous favorable items which can fund services they threaten to cut:

Employee concessions (over $1 million per year).
Pension over funding ($12 million in the next five years) due to favorable earnings of the pension fund (see December 31, 2009 actuary report and investment returns for 2010).
Favorable residential market valuations which are better than the city’s forecast ($1 million per year of additional tax revenue).
“Rainy day” fund balance of $12.3 million as of June 30, 2011 (see city budget for 2011/2012 page 5).

The Troy City Council has voted to have yet another tax election.

Please share this information BEFORE you and your friends vote!

ANOTHER LETTER FROM ANOTHER CONCERNED TROY TAXPAYER

2011-07-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have spent many Monday evenings at the Troy city council meetings over the last 4 months or so and I agree with TCU on every point that they have made. I have recently been going there (for the first time ever) trying to understand all of the issues.

First I believe that Birmingham withdrew their interest in the transit system due to property issues around that area. And yes the initial funding was to come from Federal dollars - but wait isn't that our money too? Don't we want that money to be spent wisely? I am not convinced that now is the time to be getting into such a project in light of the economy and all of Troy’s financial issues. Also, I can say I am not sure of the benefits of this transit system especially from the financial end. Like anything else I would hope that it would be a benefit.

It seems to me in observing the 4 council members voting for the tax increase, they are very reluctant to openly discuss this excess surplus (12%) when they say there is no money available to fund a library. Are they putting this money aside and hiding it so as to get this tax increase? That is what it appears to me. Mayor Schilling and Councilwoman Kerwin always seem to have a smirk on their face when they are discussing this issue and there is never a reasonable response to these comments after everyone in the audience has spoken.

Also, not one of the Troy citizens speaking at the meeting ever said they did not want a library. So it is not a vote of "do we want to library or don't we." Additionally I do not see how it could cost an extra $700,000 to keep the library open until November when we will already be going to the ballot box. But I am sure it has nothing to do with these same 5 council people coming up for re-election. If this library issue is not settled by the November scheduled election do you think their re-election will be in jeopardy?????

So now the citizens of Troy are going to pay an extra $92,000 for an August vote – oh, but wait isn't this our THIRD try at approving a new tax increase? I guess the majority vote (twice) does not mean anything. Now at a recent meeting the council of 4 approved an additional $12,000 to send out a "neutral" letter to the poor Troy citizens (who are getting fed up with all of the BS) coming out of these Monday night sessions. Wasn't Hooters an embarrassment enough?

I know I will be voting NO in August and I know who I am not voting for in November......

Letter from a Troy Resident

2011-06-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting letter written by a Troy resident regarding the August 2nd ballot issue for a tax increase:

Hello friends,

I just want to tell you about my little experience when I went to the city council neeting this week. I sat in attendance for 3 hours of discussion. I did not speak, just listened. 3/4 of the public who spoke was in oposition to a new millage for the library and especially in oposition to a special dedicated millage vote in August- as it would cost our city another $92,000 (like the one last February) that the city claimed before we didn't have (for Ed Kempen's petition to keep the library open with available funding). However, the city did have enough money to call in an outside firm to streamline operations for them (I think they paid around $200K but I may be wrong) plus $22,000 for the firm that surveyed about 400 households, plus all the literature and advertisements for the past millage that failed (around $30,000 if I'm not mistaken, maybe more), and now they are willing to pay another $92,000 to have a special election in August instead of November, because, per mayor Schilling, citizens would be confused and they want this resolved asap. Expediency over savings.

I will tell you what else I'm apalled about: Councilmen Howrilak and Flemming discussed a different budget from the council's but the rest of the council did not get to see it until late last night, so it was tabled for later discussion. There were savings in there but I'm not experienced enough to explain it to you. I do have a copy, for anyone who's interested. It just seems that any time someone attempts to look at the budget closely, the mayor and the council (save these two) clam up.
At the same time, our city's Fund Balance (a kind of Savings Account) stands at 22% of the total available funds. The stated goal for the Fund Balance (voted on by the City Council) I understand is 10-15% of the total, which means there is a surplus in the "Savings Account" of 7-12%. We have a surplus which they (the city council) does not want to touch. This is separate from the operating budget, so we have like a savings account and a checking account. The savings account is a little tight, but the council does not want to tap the savings account for emergencies. Well, what else is a savings account for?

Also, I heard during the meeting that aparently, the 2011-2012 budget does not yet include possible approved savings from union concession. They did get them, we just don't know how much because they are not reflected in the budget. Those would free up additional money. Another item: the budget, according to Wade Flemming, has historically been inflated on the police funding side and has usually had money left over at the end of the year for contingencies, to the tune of hundreds of thousands (in the previous year it was something like $480K). This year the projections are that the the police dept. will be under budget by approximately $780,000. Again, these are projections. Everything is a projection in a budget, however, it looks to me like our city council is flatly against drawing any more cost savings and denying that they are there and, but for Howrilak and Flemming, we would know close to nothing about the way our council uses our taxes to run the city. The only transparency we have is from these two, yet, they are villified, marginalized and bullied by the other city council members and that should be of concern to all citizens of Troy because they represent the voice of the people.

I am not against taxes, please don't misunderstand my position. Whether it is $40 or $4000, as long as it is used appropriately and judiciously, I will be happy to support the community in which we live and raise our kids. However, when there are people out there who claim that there are cost savings worth looking at and our city council does not give a convincing response, I start to lose trust and start doing my own homework. Can we keep the library open within the existing budget without cutting essential services? There are those who say yes, and I'm going to find out why and start informing everyone who wants to know about it.

I may have told you what drives me to keep this circle going: in our former town, the city council decided (late evening one Saturday) to get rid of the city manager whom they've hired and came with accolades from another state. This lady had business training and knew how to get the city budget back on track with union concessions and other tools to cut costs. They got rid of her in a secretive vote over the weekend and the city of Saginaw ended up paying dearly for it: a year of severance pay for a person who was doing the job she was hired for.

The city council makeup is totally different now, but I remember it and my former neighbors remember it (and still pay for their elected officials lack of proffessionalism and petty politics. And I don't want to see Troy being pulled in a direction that is not beneficial to its citizens.) At least question them, please. Find out what is at stake and why they can't give a clear answer as to why they can't present an accurate updated budget. Are there anymore savings in there that could keep the library going? Is it feasible to reduce hours and non-essential services for a couple of years or privatize or borrow money from a fund deemed to act as a "savings account" until we can get over this depressed economy? If not, why not? Do you see red flags like I do when things are rushed? What decision is sound when it's made quickly? "This offer is only good for the next X hours"? Is this what the August special millage election is about? Do it quickly, before they find out more?

I'd like to give you more information and I have linked on Facebook to the TCU (an organization that has been vilified but that has obtained actual documents from internal correspondence within the city council that show where they draw their figures from) and I'll follow my email with another with the attachments in question. If you can look at them and understand more than I do, please share your knowledge...I would really appreciate it.

If I have my facts wrong, I'd be happy to verify and correct my position. Right now, though, from what I've observed at the city council meeting, we have a mayor and a majority city council who are not interested in dissenting opinions. They like their own, right or wrong, and they sure like to hear themselves speak!

On a last note: please give a thought to that transit center they are intent on building. It is, supposedly, with federal funds totally. No money involved on our side. It will cost us nothing. Then why did Birmingham pull out of this venture? If it's supposed to be a winner, how could Birmingham pass up? Maybe it's not zero cost to all involved. Here's a novel thought: even if there's zero cost for Troy to build it, it will become like the library: one or two million to staff it, maintain it, inspect it, clean it, etc. etc. If it produces a revenue that makes it self-sustaining, that's great! But what if it doesn't? What if it's like the Smart busses that cost a lot of money to run and have a handful of passengers on them everyday? Will we have another millage to keep this "enterprise" going for years on end? Who will be left with the tab? Troy taxpayers.

That's all I have for now, I'm sorry it's so lengthy (I worked on this a few days, between kids' practices, etc) but I know we all love this city and it's not just about money, now (although when you look at it, it all adds up: more money in water bills, gas, food, pay-to-play, etc), but it's about being able to trust your local, state and federal representatives, and it IS good to be vigilent and let them know you understand what's at stake.

Thanks.

School Tax Votes: When ‘No!’ Means … ‘Maybe Later?’ - Sounds Like the City of Troy and the Library Issue

2011-06-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

It seems to be a universal tactic of government: First they scare taxpayers with some doom and gloom scenario that rarely materializes, then they wring their hands when the voters don't give them more money to waste on big-government projects, then they say something like, "The voters just didn't understand." So they put the issue back on another ballot with the goal to try, try again until the voters cave in and finally give them more money.

Thankfully, some of our legislators, like Dave Agema, State Rep, R-Grandville are finally considering legislation to put a stop to this nonsense.

Our city governments need to accept the fact that NO means NO.

School Tax Votes: When ‘No!’ Means … ‘Maybe Later?’

http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/15160

Mysterious Money Found - Now let's spend it!

2011-06-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have been reading the backup for the communication contract that council will be voting on Monday, June 6, (agenda item I-13) and found the following:

- The minimum charge is $228,000 over two years ( $9,500 per month).

- There is no limit to the maximum charges to be incurred although council must approve of additional charges

- Mileage will not be charged for travel in southeast Michigan.

- The additional charges could be $200 or $2 million, no limit in the contract only council's approval.

- This is a no bid contract that is unbudgeted.

This is over the top...no bid contract, unbudgeted with no dollar limit in the contract. The city cannot find $200,000 or so to plow the streets but they have $200,000 for two special elections. over $200,000 for a consultant (ICMA) to review the city's operations and now well over $200,000 for a communication consultant.

Some of the additional charges in the contract are:
- Production Costs - Media clip services, public relations and other newswire services,graphic design and artwork, layouts, photography, printing, film and video production, reproduction and distribution of internal or external communications, purchasing and advertising time and expense.

- Out-of-Pocket - Courier service, postage, mileage outside southeast Michigan etc..

- Additional Costs - Third party resources and special event costs.

Troy City Budget

2011-05-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

On Monday, May 16, Councilman Howrylak presented a budget for the 2011/2012 fiscal year for Troy. This budget was seconded by Councilman Fleming.

The proposed Howrylak/Fleming (H/F) budget would have kept the library open and not decrease any expense items in the budget presented by the city staff.

The H/F budget provided funding for the library from reserve funds which now exceed 20% of city general operating fund expenditures. Council agreed, previously, that reserve funds should be 10% to 15% of expenditures. Due to numerous favorable factors, the reserve fund remains very high and is greatly in excess of stated goals.

Furthermore, in the three year budget that was ultimately adopted on a 5 to 2 vote, numerous positive factors have not been incorporated, such as:

- Actuary reports for current funding data have not been incorporated in the budget. The data is estimated to show up to $.3 million to $1.5 per year in savings.

- Expected union concessions will yield another $1 million to $2 million per year.

- The $300,000 of information technology (IT) expenditures at the library for maintenance, replacement and help desk for 108 computers etc. (approximately $3,000 per computer). This is not a realistic charge. Because these IT charges are internally performed, overcharging the library has the effect of library operations subsidizing other areas of the City. It also “pads” the budget, by creating unrealistic cost assumptions.

Thus, the money is there to support the library (and 24 hour snow plowing) in future years.

The H/F budget was voted down with not one word from any council member explaining why they voted no.

Ask Mayor Schilling and council members Beltramini, Kerwin, Slater and McGinnis why they want a tax millage increase when the money is already there? Ask what is wrong with the H/F budget if they could not vigorously support it?

Troy’s Troubled Two: Mayor Schilling and Mayor-Pro-Tem Kerwin - Lawlessness and Deceit in City Politics

2011-05-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Troy’s Mayor Louise Schilling and Mayor Pro-Tem Mary Kerwin are at it again. Thanks to them, the real topic behind Troy’s budget woes, excessive employee compensation including benefits like pension formulas more than double the rates private sector employees receive, has been carefully structured out of the recent community “Round Table” discussions, out of the now notorious $20,000 taxpayer-funded push-poll propaganda device, and out of council’s own budget discussions. The city’s budget of $58 million is 71% consumed by employee pay and benefits. It’s no fluke, for example, that Troy’s police department costs $27 million, three times as much as the $9 million Rochester Hills pays for police service in a similar size community next door. Over $23.3 million (86.4%) of this police budget goes for pay and benefits! The difference of $18 million in the cost of police service accounts for one half of ALL Troy’s property tax collections, and yet these two have refused to respond to public comment seeking an accounting for the difference. We think that our public employees do a great job almost all of the time, and would like to keep them, but they are being priced out of competition for their own work. A public call at council meetings for openness on this subject by posting an employee pay and benefits cost list by job title just like the Troy Public Schools does on their web site has also received no response from Schilling or Kerwin.

Last Fall’s Ed Kempen citizen’s petition would have given Troy voters, for the first time, the opportunity to actually vote for themselves on keeping Troy’s library open by forcing Council to reopen the budget process and reset priorities. “Oh no you don’t” this pair voted, along with several other council members. “We’re going to use your own tax dollars in court, to sue Ed Kempen and the People of Troy, so that, in spite of the City Charter’s provisions, you never get to have a vote about overriding OUR royal decisions on anything, especially the budget,” they seemed to say. In the ensuing court case, the city lied in sworn court documents about the financial impact that keeping the library open would have on other city services like the police department. The city claimed the current-year cost of the library equals one-third of the police department staff, while in fact this number is 9.7% per the city’s own budget detail report. The City also testified that Troy taxpayers could ill afford the $90,000 cost of a special election that would be necessary if Council did not enact the petition’s language on their own. And now we hear that the city taxpayers somehow have no problem footing the same $90,000 bill to finance a special election in August in order to try, for the third time in 18 months, to raise our taxes.

Troy citizens are becoming so fed up with all this that 300-400 people showed up for the April 18 council meeting – this was the last scheduled meeting before the announced May 1 library closing. Most of these people had never attended a meeting before, but chose to appear to lobby for keeping the library open and cutting bureaucratic waste instead. These are people who have lived with a reported 21 percent reduction in family incomes in Michigan over the past decade; who have through their jobs and businesses and family budgets been making the tough financial choices required by the times; while these two, who have never held private sector jobs so far as we can learn, insist that the only way to move forward is by levying more taxes!

All this is the subject of a special 6:00 p.m. Council budget discussion Monday evening (May 9), followed by a regular Council meeting at 8:30 p.m. where the results of their budget discussion, including any special election decision, will be voted on. Michigan’s Open Meetings Act requires that these same two officials must anticipate the public attendance at such meetings and hold meetings in a suitable location. These two have scheduled the budget meeting for the Council’s “Board Room”, where fewer than 40 seats are available to the public. The regular council meeting following is scheduled for Council Chambers where seating for about 100 is available. And these two “leaders” refuse to anticipate, as required by the Michigan law mentioned above, that the People of Troy will be flocking to this meeting more than ever before to demand accountability and responsiveness from them! This scheduling is just one more lawless act to deny the People their lawful voice in our community’s events!

Thankfully, the People of Troy have the opportunity in November to take these two out of our wallets, and out of city leadership positions for good!

Dan

Backdoor tax increase

2011-02-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

There is a council meeting on February 21, 2011, at 7:30 pm where the city manager is requesting, indirectly, that city council vote for a 1 mill tax increase.

The residents of Troy have voted down two millage increase requests in the past 12 months and the city manager is using a special provision of the law that would allow council to increase the tax 1 mill without a vote of the residents. Why is it that senior management and certain council members just have no respect for the residents of Troy?

A Clear, Concise, Heartfelt and Honorable Message from Retired Sargeant Major Joseph Haddad

2010-02-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

Please make it to the polls on Tuesday February 23rd and Vote “NO” on the Millage increase.

On February 24th, support our city leadership as they still have a job to do. Hold them accountable as they make tough decisions and demand from them, transparency in the decisions they make. Give them a chance to explain why they are doing what they are doing. If you do not agree with their course of action, provide an alternative solution that is well thought out. The millage proposal was premature; send them “back to the drawing board” and ask them to explore other options.

Respectfully,

Joseph N. Haddad,

Member: Troy Command Officer's Association, Retired United States Army Command Sergeant Major and Proud Troy Resident since 1979, son of Tony (number one Redhawk fan) and Beatris Haddad.

$51,000,000 per Mile Runaway Subsidy Train Troy/Birmingham

2010-02-21T08:18:00.000-08:00

Our great Patriot friend David L Wisz of Birmingham, MI gives a much needed dose of reality to the statist's transit center debacle. Please read then take the active steps to call the culprits listed at the end of this post:

Next to national health care, no liberal dream has lingered longer than forcing people out of cars and onto mass transit – even in MI! Like health care, the justifications shift with the political winds but needless to say, the current rational is “jobs”. However, unlike real jobs created by the private sector, taxpayers are forced to subsidize these public sector union “jobs.”

The 2010 SMART bus operating budget is $122 Million to support but 900 union employees. About one-third of the total bus operating expenses are siphoned from Michigan’s Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF) - a mass transit subsidy carved from Michigan’s annual road budget. Nearly all CTF funds come from federal fuel taxes (18.4 centers per gallon); state fuel taxes; and state vehicle registration fees.

CTF is a redistribution of wealth from the MI’s car and truck drivers to public sector union controlled mass transit agencies like SMART bus. Car and truck drivers actually pay substantially more for bus trips they never take than do the bus riders themselves as less than 10% of SMART bus revenue comes from ridership.

Even now, MI House Bills 5758, 5769 and 5770 have introduced a TAX HIKE of 8 cents on gasoline (currently 19 cents per gallon) and 12 cents on diesel (currently 15 cents per gallon).

Yet even this is not enough…

MI House Bills HB 5731-33 have been introduced to form a Regional Mass Transit Authority which will have the power to levy taxes to subsidize MI mass transit projects which in France, Spain and Japan average $51,000,000 per mile.

We have also seen attempts at the County level by “Republican” Oakland County Commissioner Dave Potts who was the only “Republican” to vote with ALL the Democrats for a $17,000,000 Countywide Bus TAX HIKE – despite a veto threat by L. Brooks Patterson - in his attempt to subsidize the public sector Bus unions.

Now too, on the local level, Troy is pushing a 29% TAX increase, the largest property TAX HIKE in city history; and Bloomfield Township is pushing a similar TAX HIKE - of course with the encouragement of Mr. Potts.

We already pay for bus trips we never take and may soon subsidize the Troy/Birmingham Transit center Bus Station we will never use.

Citizens and Business owners are fed up with high taxes and wild government spending on such inefficient mass transit ploys which are primarily designed to TRANSFER WEALTH from taxpayers to public sector unions.

Rather than spending more, we should follow the lead of NJ Gov. Chris Christie and CUT millions from these mass transit boondoggles.

As President Reagan said: “Government does not tax to get the money it needs; government always finds a need for the money it gets.”

**********Vote Tuesday, February 23rd ************

Charter Township of Bloomfield - Vote NO
City of Troy - Vote NO

Annoy LIberals and STARVE BIG GOVERNMENT

Contacts:

Dave Potts - Oakland County Commissioner (R – in name only )
[248-858-0100; 248-258-1438; potts@butzel.com ]
Perhaps ask Mr. Potts, why he continues to be the only “Republican” that works with the Democrats in opposition to fellow Republicans and L. Brooks Patterson to increase taxes on the Citizens and Businesses of Oakland County that don't want mass transit and oppose the transit center bus station boondoggle which will significantly decrease our property values and negatively impact the safety of Birmingham and Troy Residents??

Chuck Moss - State Rep. (R)
[Mobile: 248.227.1479; Office 517.373.8670; chuckmoss@house.mi.gov]
Perhaps, ask Mr. Moss will he now disavow his chosen successor Dave Potts and vote against MI House Bills 5731-5733, 5758, 5769 and 5770?

Jana L. Ecker - Birmingham Planning Director
[248-530-1841 Jecker@ci.birmingham.mi.us]
Perhaps ask Ms. Ecker – resident of Royal Oak by the way – why she does not take the bus from Royal Oak to Birmingham? If even she does not take the bus; who exactly will?

Best Regards,
David L. Wisz

http://www.mackinac.org/11429; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204575039752047732906.html

Thank you David for your insight and passion for Liberty.

Real People Get It ...

2010-02-18T19:38:00.000-08:00

Please read what the women of Troy think about the city’s MONEY GRAB …

My husband's company required employees take 5 weeks unpaid furloughs last year to help offset the declining economy in addition to other benefit reductions.

That approx. $400/year impact for us is gymnastics classes one daughter wants to take.

It's almost 20 (1/2 a year) piano lessons that we can't justify.

It's almost 2 years of after school art classes that another daughter wants to take.

It's about how much it will cost to do Safety Town for one child and summer softball leagues (through Parks & Rec) for 3 others.

I'm sure if given longer I can come up with more stuff we can better use that $400/year for...not to mention what my husband can come up with.

And another …

Based on our new assessment and how much our Troy taxes is supposed to decrease and compare it to the INCREASE should the millage pass...between the 2 houses we're looking at about a $400 hit that we would be paying to Troy.

At a time that my home value has dropped 35% in one year.

When the employees receive benefits that are unheard of elsewhere where everyone else has had to forfeit or take decreases.

Where money is being spent to fill in a ditch that has been in existence for decades and was never a problem before.

Where the city manager makes more than the governor of the state of Michigan.

Where $70,000 was spent to pay a research agency to help fill a city position and then none of the applicants was chosen and they picked a past employee anyway. And why wasn't the position posted with all these other agencies & reputable on-line boards that even if there was a fee...wouldn't be anywhere near that exhorbitant amount!

Where $40,000 is still missing from the police department and no one seems to have a problem writing it off as nothing was determined.

Where they won't even consider decreasing certain perks or to privatize golf courses (I know you're a golfer...but when times are tough and you can't pay the bills you have to make adjustments).

Where they won't consider closing the library 1 day a week or charging nominal fees for certain usages, especially to non-residents, to help off-set expenses.

Things are tight. We have to cut things out. My kids would prefer to buy their lunches, but at about $2.50/day...that's not practical when we're trying to cut expenses. That $400/year is about 160 lunches.

Or $400/year is about 3 months preschool tuition.

Or $400/year is about 3 months speech therapy.

Or $400/year is about half a years of monthly date nights that we've given up to cut out expenses.

Over 5 years that's $2000.

$2000 is a couple years of homeowners insurance.

$2000 is a couple years of automotive insurance.

$2000 is a more than 6 months of utility bills.

$2000 is about how much we'll have to supplement out of pocket for in dental expenses for the next couple of years.

...or about how much we have to subsidize for our medical premiums for one year.

There's just too much out there they haven't cut and adjusted the purse strings with for me to just nonchalantly say it's ok to give them another $400/year! Once they've exhausted all efforts and implemented all these other cost reductions and eliminations of excesses and they still need some money...then come back and talk to me.

Also...when there are elections we usually check to see who's providing financing for various candidates. That can help determine what types of people/organization are supporting them...because if they are...there's usually something in it for them.

I've seen it noted several times that the funding for the Yes millage is over 60% supported by city employees and/or their unions. It seems to me that must mean that they get the biggest benefit of the increase ... more so in the way of not losing any of their excessive benefits or a reduction in them.

I think the City needs to be more responsible and better manage what they have and exhaust all other efforts/possibilities before coming to me for a 5-year increase.

We have to adjust and cut ... that's just the way it is. Why shouldn't my local government be any different? I just don't see where they're doing enough.

Sorry ... but the more I think about what we have to do small or large to make adjustments for this economy, the more I get aggravated that my local, state and federal government don't! We're called to be better stewards of our finances and I don't see it happening there, so I can't justify condoning it to continue.

QUESTION: WHY DON’T OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS GET IT?

Troy Group Opposes Millage Increase

2010-02-14T15:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/02/14/news/doc4b761a0e70def636059378.prt

Please read the following article to see the nice job that Frank Howrylak did explaining some rational options that need to be considered BEFORE we give the city a tax boost of any dollar amount. Frank was interviewed by Mike Scott of The Oakland Press ...

Sunday, February 14, 2010

By MIKE SCOTT
Special to The Oakland Press

Opponents of a proposed 1.9-mill increase set for a Feb. 23 vote in Troy will be hosting two informational meetings about city finances and possible alternatives Friday and Sunday.

Former Troy councilmen David Eisenbacher and Dave Lambert will be giving Troy citizens their insight on the city’s budget and financial situation, as well as some viable options to balance the budget without a tax increase. It is expected that Eisenbacher and Lambert will have views similar to that of a group of Troy residents who reformed a coalition known as Troy Citizens United.

That coalition has proposed an alternative plan that will help the city save millions of dollars per year, and will make it unnecessary for the city to increase any taxes within the next two fiscal years, said Troy Citizens United member Frank Howrylak.

The two main ideas the coalition hopes city leaders will consider is to limit or adjust the city’s employee benefits package and to cut a variety of costs ranging from pension fund management consulting to Brownfield Revolving Loan funds.

“This is not a question of layoffs, but controlling costs,” Howrylak said.

Troy Citizens United believes that no tax increase is necessary for the next two years, using the city’s projections, through June 30, 2011. Any shortages can be made up from a variety of reserve funds, including the city’s Undesignated and Unreserved fund and the Brownfield Revolving Loan fund.

“Projections beyond this period are just guesses and can go any way based on the economy and whether property values will (stabilize),” Howrylak said. “So let us wait and evaluate the situation after we follow (our recommended) process. This process would allow us to get Troy’s expenditures under control.”

Troy Citizens United has been formed in advance of high-profile city elections and votes in the past 10 years, including a vote 10 years ago to address city pensions and before discussions of building a large convention center in the city were permanently scrapped.

Howrylak said the consortium’s efforts played a large role in the 2008 passage of a measure that would require residential approval before any millage increase was levied by the city, necessitating this February special vote.

“We weren’t the only ones involved in getting that issue on the ballot, but you can say we were one of the main reasons this millage hasn’t already been levied.”

Although Howrylak said there have been no formal discussions between any of the more than 300 coalition supporters and city leaders, some of the group’s recommendations such as privatizing the city-owned Sanctuary Lake Golf Course and professionally managing the city’s $100 million-plus pension fund have been communicated to city leaders and are being considered.

Additional steps, such as decreasing the multiplier percentage used to calculate pension fund payments, should also be considered to help save future costs, Howrylak said.

If the city takes on a number of the recommended steps made by the consortium, Howrylak admitted there is a possibility that a millage increase will be required — but at a later date.

“We’ve made these recommendations by taking the (financial) numbers the city has provided to its residents,” Howrylak said. “We’re using their numbers.”

Rocky says VOTE NO on February 23

2010-02-11T04:03:00.000-08:00

9th District Republican Congressional Candidate Rocky Raczkowski, A Business leader and Major in the U.S. Army Reserve - veteran of the war against terrorism, stands strongly with Troy Citizens United in opposition to the proposed 29% tax hike.

“Troy residents and citizens everywhere are tired of being threatened by the proposed reduction of Police and Fire services if the citizens turn down a tax proposal.
Citizens across Oakland County are overtaxed by city halls who refuse to make the necessary decisions to cut fat out of government budgets. Now is the time for
citizens to stand up to wasteful spending and unnecessary new, higher taxes. Please vote no February 23rd on the Troy millage increase.” --- A. Rocky Raczkowski

Thank you Rocky ... we appreciate your keen understanding of the priority of getting the governments' house in order before they come to our house looking for more money!!

Troy Resident James Kinsler Instructs Troy City Council on Business Management

2010-02-06T19:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you Mr. Kinsler ... you are indeed an asset to our community ... please continue to speak at the Troy City Council meetings so that we can all learn from your insightful and reasoned approach to business communications.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPnU9ZyORgg&feature=related

What is Troy’s 1.9 Millage increase?

2010-02-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

IT'S A 29 PERCENT TAX INCREASE!

Believe it or not – IT IS TRUE!

As a Troy Taxpayer, there are three undeniable facts that you need to know!

1. If the Troy millage increase proposal is passed, every property owner will pay 29 percent more City General Operating Tax than if the tax does not pass. The Troy City Assessor Nino Licari admitted this at the January 25, 2010 City Council meeting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPCEdxeonzQ

2. Voting NO on this millage increase will force the Troy City Council and City Manager to cut costs and eliminate pet projects ... to get their own house in order before coming to our houses for more money!

3. Despite the claims that some are spreading: Defeating this millage will have NO significant effect on Police or Fire services. City Council members refuse to say they will cut any of these services. Don’t listen to their scare tactics!

VOTE NO on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010

15 QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TROY CITY COUNCIL AND MANAGEMENT

2010-02-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

1. I understand that the current City General Millage rate is 6.5 mills. If so, isn’t an additional 1.9 mills equal to a 29% increase (1.9/6.5 = .29) and so if the tax increase is passed an individual will pay 29% more going forward for the City General Millage assessment than they would if it wasn’t passed?

2. I understand that the City expects to gain almost $40 million from this increase. If so, how is it that some say this increase in millage rate is a decrease if you would be getting almost $40 million more than if it wasn’t passed?

3. Why does the City spend $2.5 million breaking up the Rochester Road/Big Beaver Road intersection and adding a fountain if it is concerned about police services?

4. Why does the City spend more than $100,000 for a Library drop box and canopy – which it never had before – if it is threatening to possibly close the library?

5. Why does the City have one of the most costly pension benefits in Michigan for some of its employee groups (with a pension formula of 2.8% x final average pay x years of service) when this is 87% higher than that of teachers in most public school districts - where the factor is 1.5% (2.8/1.5 = 1.87 – i.e. 87% higher)?

6. Given the tough economic times, why has the City not negotiated an hourly pay rate reduction with a single union? Are not furlough days actually only reductions in service?

7. Why does the City have one of the highest if not the highest paid top administrator in Michigan – over $220,000 including currently paid Troy pension – and why does the City Council allow this individual to also run a side consulting business?

8. Why does the City have a 401(k) contribution that is so generous – 10% - when the average Company match in the private sector is 3% and many currently receive 0%?

9. Why do City employees only pay an average of $85 per month for health insurance when the average in the private sector is more than twice that?

10. Why does the City continue to run a golf course that loses $700,000 per year if it is concerned about maintaining police services?

11. Why is such a large tax increase demanded – when the City Manager’s own analysis says that only about $1.5 million is needed as an increase in the first year and the 29% millage increase will produce almost $10 million more in that year?

12. Of the more than 200 municipalities in Southeast Michigan why does Troy have to ask for the highest millage percentage increase of any (and while most are not asking for any increase)?

13. If the County of Oakland is committed to balancing its budget without a millage increase, why can’t Troy do the same? Does this indicate bad management on the part of the Council and City Manager?

14. Why don’t we wait for the Zucker Report on reorganization and privatization recommendations are implemented before we ask for a tax increase? Shouldn’t the City of Troy work on getting its own house in order before coming to the houses of its residents looking for a 29% general millage increase?

15. Why not use reserves for unnecessary and undesignated items like the $2 million for Trails, the $1.75 million for City Hall grounds, the 700K for non specified Park Development? How much will we spend for the new police Command Bus?

WE THE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO OBTAIN SUFFICIENT AND VERIFIABLE ANSWERS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE MOST EGREGIOUS INCONSISTENCIES BEFORE WE ARE ASKED TO CONTINUE TO FINANCE THE PAMPERED LIFESTYLES THAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CITY UNION WORKERS HAVE GROWN ACCUSTOM TO ... I SAY JOIN THE REAL WORLD, THEN COME TO US WITH A RATIONAL, REASONABLE AND HONEST REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE.

City Council Needs An Economics Lesson on Real World Defined Contribution Programs

2010-02-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

The following email from an astute Troy resident explains how the real world works ...

I watched the television broadcast of the City Council meeting last night and was absolutely amazed. There was so much serious talk about what the City of Troy has done to save money and then I heard the "gold mine" statement.

The City Administration proudly talked about how they moved from a defined benefit pension program (yes, they are tremendously expensive) to a defined contribution program. Hooray! Then the statement I couldn't believe. Troy has now moved to only a 10% contribution to such a program. I would suspect that Troy has 0% voluntary turnover if this is representative of what the City does on the benefit side. There has to be a significant amount of cash flowing out for such payments which means there must be a gold mine somewhere in Troy.

I just retired after 40 years in the Human Resources field and the last 15 years in the automotive supply side of the industrial world. My defined contribution plan had a 3% match in good years and a 0% match in the bad years. The last five years of my employment saw no increase in pay and some years without a bonus. Many of those I worked with were in the same boat and our turnover was minimal. The Company by the way has grown in the last five years due to its tight holding of its dollars. There was a significant amount of money to be paid if you wanted to participate in the health care program which also had major co-pays. Yes, we did have some pay cuts and forced lay offs during this same time. Yes, we were able to negotiate with the UAW to hold wages steady or implement cuts of five to ten per cent along with the same approach on the benefit side.

My responsibilities covered five plants and some 2,000 employees for the whole spectrum of Human Resources activities. It sounds like the Troy City Administration has not scratched the surface when it comes to addressing cost savings and along with the City Council would rather split the City than make the hard decisions. How sad!

Discussions with David Eisenbacher and Dave Lambert

2010-02-03T12:47:00.000-08:00

9th Congressional District Republican Party

TROY LEADERS TO HOST MILLAGE INCREASE COFFEE QUESTION & ANSWER SESSIONS
Show & Tell @ Starbucks to Address Concerns of Troy Citizens

MEDIA ADVISORY CONTACT: Glenn Clark
02-03-10 (248) 396-3826

On Sunday, February 7, 2010, and Thursday, February 18, 2010, two well-known and highly regarded Troy citizens will address the concerns of Troy residents over the February 23rd millage increase ballot election. Former Troy Councilmen David Eisenbacher and Dave Lambert will be co-hosting a series of coffee gatherings called ‘Show & Tell @ Starbucks’ in which they will show residents the facts as related to the city’s finances and they will tell residents their perspective on the need to make hard decisions now and in the future related to city services and personnel.

The events, which are open to the public, are planned for:

Sunday, February 7th
2 – 3 PM Starbucks Coffee
Sixteen and John R. Roads
1921 East Big Beaver Rd
Troy, MI 48083

Sunday, February 7th
4 – 5 PM
Starbucks Coffee
6908 Rochester Road North
Troy, MI 48085-1292

Thursday, February 18th
7 – 8 PM
Starbucks Coffee
Big Beaver and Crooks
1434 W. Big Beaver
Troy, MI 48084

Residents are welcome to attend to have their questions answered. Eisenbacher and Lambert will draw on their vast experience within Troy government to address their concerns over the proposed 29% tax increase on properties within Troy.

Paid for by: 9th District Republican Administrative Account, P.O. Box 4553, Troy, MI 48099

TCRF Endorses NO VOTE - The Oakland Press 01/29/10

2010-02-03T01:52:00.000-08:00

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/01/29/news/local_news/doc4b635472b4888878294809.prt

Thank you Troy-Clawson Republican Forum!!

Simple Math and Quid Pro Quo - MORE GOOD REASONS TO VOTE NO ON FEBRUARY 23, 2010

2010-02-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Watch as Jack Witt and Janice Daniels present logical, coherent cases against the city propaganda machine during the February 1, 2010 Troy City Council meeting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua7DHRpLb1E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg9XfP_BlKU

NINTH DISTRICT REPUBLICAN PARTY and AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY endorse a NO VOTE on February 23, 2010

2010-02-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

TCU is proud to have the Ninth Congressional District Republican Party Committee and Americans for Prosperity of Michigan support a No vote on the February 23, 2010 election.

Resolved,
The 9th District Congressional District Republican Party strongly opposes the February 23, 2010 Troy millage of 1.9 mills which is a 29% tax increase and is unnecessary and highly excessive. We, the Executive Committee of the 9th District CDRP urge all Republicans, independents and conservative Democrats to vote No on this ballot measure.
The resolution passed unanimously.

"During these tough economic times and amid falling home values, Michigan and Troy taxpayers have tightened their belts. It's time for local government to do the same. Americans for Prosperity-Michigan is proud to add its voice to that of Troy Citizens United as they lead the fight to defeat the Feb. 23 millage increase proposal."

-- Scott Hagerstrom, State Director, Americans for Prosperity-Michigan www.afpmi.org

2010-02-02T13:24:00.001-08:00

TROY CITY ASSESSOR LICARI ADMITS 29% TAX INCREASE

Those who support a tax increase can stop calling Troy Citizens United (TCU) members liars. TROY city assessor Nino Licari is agreeing with TCU—if passed we will have an unprecedented 29% tax rate increase.

In the link below you will see Mr. Licari agree with TCU at the January 25, 2010 city council meeting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPCEdxeonzQ

"That would be correct, it would be an operating rate increase of 29%" said Mr. Licari to Councilman Howrylak.

It is simple ... a 1.9 mil increase divided by 6.5 mils (which is the present city general fund operating millage) equals a 29 percent increase in your city operating tax rate.

No question now, the spin doctors for a tax increase, Troy Leadership Coalition, the Troy Chamber of Commerce and Troy employees can stop their deceitful tactics to confuse the Troy voter.

How Much Would Wages Have To Be Cut To Cover The Deficit?

2010-01-30T19:46:00.000-08:00

On January 25, 2010, during the councils' discussion of public comments, Councilman Wade Fleming asked the following question: "Hypothetically, how much would wages have to be cut to cover the deficit"? That was a very good question, Councilman Fleming.

The abbreviated response from City Manager John Szerlag was "50 percent." Mr. Szerlag went on to say that the deficit is 37.7 million dollars which is a correct number. And he said that the total payroll is 42 million dollars which is also a correct number.

But the 37.7 million dollars is a FIVE YEAR NUMBER and the 42 million dollars is the ANNUAL payroll.

If Councilman Fleming were to have been given the correct answer, Mr. Szelag would have had to divide 37.7 million dollars by 5 years which equals 7.54 million dollars ANNUALLY. If we need to reduce the 42 million dollar annual payroll to cover the deficit spread over 5 years it would need to be cut by and average of 17.9 percent.

But Mr. Szelag's "50 percent" answer went unchallenged except that Mr. Szerlag asked his assistant City Manager Mr. Lamerato the same question. Mr. Lamerato answered by saying that he didn't know the exact amount but that he thought it was more than 50 percent (so the exaggeration accelerated and intensified).

In actuality, the first year deficit is 1.585 million dollars.

When that actual first year deficit dollar amount of 1.585 million dollars is divided by the actual 42 million dollar annual payroll figure, the true answer is that wages would only have to be cut by 3.7 percent.

So, everyone, in other words a 3.7 percent city worker wage reduction would solve the entire 2010 / 2011 budget problem.

Why couldn't our city management have taken that bold step as a stop gap measure to hold us over until we could restructure our city operations in accordance with Chamber of Commerce recommendations?

The 29 Percent Tax Hike

2010-01-29T10:19:00.000-08:00

There is a great deal of confusion regarding the 29 percent tax hike that is on a special election ballot proposal being put before the citizens of Troy on February 23, 2010. This percentage is the truth.

If you consider the fact that the city portion of your total tax bill is currently at 6.50 percent, you would just add 1.90 percent to that current percentage (6.50 + 1.90 = 8.40 mils). Then if you divide the new millage rate of 8.40 by the current millage rate of 6.50 you get 1.29231 percent.

That means that the increased revenue stream for the city operating budget will be 29.231 percent higher than it currently is (keeping in mind that the first "1" in 1.29231 represents the current rate and the .29231 represents the increased portion).

This is simple math (I know, percentages are never simple but it really makes sense when you study it).

Now, when the citizens of Troy are seeing their own incomes declining by some percentage based upon their own unique circumstances (be it salary reductions, layoffs, unearned commissions, reduction in pension accounts, reduction in rental income, reduction in 401K distributions), Troy Citizens United is simply saying that NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR A TAX INCREASE OF ANY KIND LET ALONE AN UNHEARD OF 29 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE CITY'S OPERATING REVENUE.

The campaign to increase our property taxes is in high gear right now.

Please don't be discouraged by name calling and innuendo. The numbers speak for themselves.

VOTE NO ON THE SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT PROPOSAL ON FEBRUARY 23, 2010.

Considering the Facts and Asking the Questions

2010-01-18T18:24:00.000-08:00

Most of us have completely lost the equity in our properties, in Troy and across the nation. So, every single future dollar that we spend in maintenance, updates, mortgage interest, principal reduction and property taxes is all money that we are basically sending into a sink hole. We will never recover that money. Why should our taxes go up in any amount when our property values are going down?
"City services" is a wide open, vague concept that exists relative to the amount of money we have to support them, and the demand for services cannot exceed the dollars available to provide them. Nor can the dollars requested by governments, at all levels, exceed the amount of dollars available to spend. Why does the city think that they should maintain salaries, pensions and health care options for themselves that far exceed the private sector?
Some of us have lost our jobs, others of us are working much much harder for far less pay and so the additional savings as a result of our taxes going down relative to our property values going down is a much needed relief. With property tax relief in this time of extreme economic distress many of us might be able to stave off bankruptcy ourselves, keeping our homes and our jobs and ultimately contributing to the well being of our city without having to depend upon the perks that are couched in the name of city services. In this time of strife, what is more important, keeping our residents from bankruptcy and our businesses from failing or funding the government so that they can continue living beyond their means?
Our energy costs are going up as are many of our other variable costs such as food, health and auto care. We have no control over these costs except to either pay them or continue to pare down our expenses in any way possible or face bankruptcy. Why would piling additional city property taxes upon us help the residents of the City of Troy manage in these hard times?
Our property values are not unique (we are not an oasis) and our ability to be the nice comparative city that Troy is ... is not unique. All cities will begin to pare down on city services ... the basic party is over ... our city, state and federal governments all need to pare down if we are to survive as a nation. Won't Troy continue to be the desirable city that it is, relative to other cities, when all cities are experiencing economic difficulties and making difficult decisions to pare down services?
Paying additional taxes is not a wise investment (see point number 1). Troy is already an unreachable goal to many families because of our high property taxes. Why are you trusting that your money will be better spent by a government official than by yourself?
Taking dollars out of the private sector to put into the government sector will not stabilize our property values ... leaving more money in the hands of our business owners for their investment in jobs will potentially stabilize property values. Adding more tax burden to our businesses will only increase the cost of doing business (the owners will be forced to pass their increased expense on to the consumer or they will face bankruptcy themselves). Do you want to pay even more for your goods and services?

VOTE NO to the 29% City Tax Increase

2009-12-29T08:12:00.001-08:00

On February 23, 2010, the City of Troy will use taxpayers funds to hold a special election wherein they will try to get more of our tax dollars to pay for a City government that has not learned the meaning of fiscal discipline in a time of eceonomic distress.

Please join the effort to stop this tax increase in its tracks!

NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF TROY ... attend the City Council meeting that is being held on January 4, 2010 at 7:30pm at the City Hall Building on Civic Center Drive (North off of Big Beaver, West of Livernois Road). Stand up and be heard ... voice your opposition during the Public Comments portion of the Agenda.