The bond resolution to cover override costs associated with the City Courthouse died at the City Council meeting Monday night. Mayor Valentine called forth Resolution 105-2008; Councilwoman Angelo made a motion, but there was no second, and thus the resolution died.
“I did a lot of checking into this bond”
Councilwoman Dickinson wanted to know the amount of unappropriated funds in the general fund, requesting the City Manager find out by Wednesday.
“I know that we need the bond”
Councilwoman Bell stated that she wanted “to see some of the serious issues addressed.”
“What are we telling them?”
Councilwoman Angelo expressed concerns about the Court Authority and suggested getting a list from the comptroller of the overrides.
“You have to consider… your ability to repay”
Councilwoman Bello questioned the fiscal prudence of the type of bond. “There is that concept of trimming the fat, and there’s a lot of fat to trim in this government.”
“We vote on picayune things, and discuss them”
Mayor Valentine declined to make concluding remarks as part of the council meeting, although he spoke informally after the meeting and expressed frustration.
Additional coverage in today’s Record.
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There’s an editorial in today’s Times-Herald Record, “Show public all the costs for new court”: http://recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080724/OPINION/807240304/-1/OPINION02
Another article in today’s Times-Herald Record, “City of Newburgh courthouse bond vote on hold”:
http://recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/NEWS/807270329
Excerpt:
Council members have said they want a detailed list of the expenses and have hinted they could delay any future consideration of a bond until the annual budget talks. They want answers to other questions too, questions like, why didn’t the city know about the asbestos in the walls before they had to pay $2.5 million to deal with it?
McGrane had hoped to deal with those questions later. She says the most pressing issue is the bond. If the council never approves it, the city could use its general fund to pay the extra costs. That would nearly wipe it out, McGrane said, leaving Newburgh vulnerable to any emergency expenses.
She had argued there was plenty of time to talk about things like asbestos later but said Saturday that she now sees a new bond has little chance until all of the council’s questions have been answered. That means going through the financing to explain how a $12.2 million project became an $18.6 million one.
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