A bunch of folks in Maple Heights have been asking about the brand new police vehicles they see cruising around.
They are especially concerned because money meant for people (who abut the railroad) in districts 3 and 5, was thrown into the general fund recently (because of a resolution that was passed in March of this year). Some of the residents who abut the railroad in districts 3 and 5, will only be receiving 20% of that "railroad" money. The rest of the money went into the general fund.
Anyway, according to a resident from district 5, she said she called Eric Dean, the finance director, to ask about the new police vehicles. She was concerned because she was told (by others) that the city had financial problems.
She said that the finance director stated that the last vehicles that were purchased [by the city of Maple Heights] were purchased in 2008; whereupon she asked if she could have a written accounting of how the railroad special fund monies were spent before being transfered into the general fund; and now that the railroad special funds have been transfered into the general fund, how is that money being spent? She's still waiting for a response from the finance director.
[Update 7/20/2012: Since this post, Mr. Dean has been very helpful in providing financial information requested. He is the only department head that has responded with information that we've requested. Various members of council have also decided not to respond to our requests for information. We'll post those names in another post after August 1st]
[Update 7/20/2012: Since this post, Mr. Dean has been very helpful in providing financial information requested. He is the only department head that has responded with information that we've requested. Various members of council have also decided not to respond to our requests for information. We'll post those names in another post after August 1st]
So there are several questions on the table. 1. If the vehicles were purchased in 2008, why are we just seeing these vehicles now? 2. If they are not purchased vehicles, are they leased vehicles? 3. If leased, how are we paying for them? 4. Since the special fund money went into the general fund, on what has money in the general fund been spent?
Another resident added: "Yeah, they must be really proud of those vehicles, because you hear police sirens more often. Don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing."
Related:
07_18_2012_WENS_10_04_PM_4427
