by: Diane Benjamin
Monday night the Council will be asked to approve buying the property south of the current library. This item is on the CONSENT AGENDA which means nothing to see here, sit down, shut up and vote.
Council members can pull items from the Consent Agenda for discussion. I bet this one gets pulled.
This property is being purchased to expand the library. Next, the Council will be asked for money to tear it down.
Hey, it’s only $250,000 (to start)
The budget was just passed at the end of April. Funny how this property didn’t make it in the budget.
As we all should be seeing by now, the budget means nothing because Council is continually approving items outside of the budget. Where is the money coming from? Last meeting they just approved a lease for the old Connect Transit building to use as a storage shed. What was the triggering point that lead to the city no longer being able to use this facility for free? And, why was it approved outside of the budget?
This is a very disturbing trend. Those who think they can reform Renner and company by changing the way the next budgeting process goes, need to think again and take note of this trend. The problem is they’re spending money they don’t have. A budget is only as good as the Council’s ability to live within it and our city has a terrible track record with that.