Part Three: Live blogging, as communications by city officials confuses Li'l Stevie, but what's new?

COMMUNICATIONS – CITY OFFICIALS:

Steve Price questions overpayments to contractors (Kay Garry answers), and also something about sewer bids (not through Garry's office) ... Price says, it's not really directed at you (so why ask it) ... here goes ... avalanche time. What about the Tabernacle (Zurschmiede: "Not her, either.")

Price: "Carl, you're the assistant mayor, whatever ... once again we're written up ... it looks like there's no management."

Price: "Who's calling the shots ... I've been here six years" (pronounces Garner as Gardner -- he's been here six years, but can't pronounce people's names right).

Malysz: The England administration intends to address some of these. And, the statute doesn't speak to buying a building at sheriff's sale.

Coffey: "Circumvent" the process.

Malysz: "There is no process."

Anyone seen Robert's Rules of Order lately?

Malysz: We made money off the hurricane.

Coffey: "So you knew the storm was going to hit?"

Price begins questioning individual department head claims and says that he has no computer but still keeps records. Thinks that it is important in context of threats to shut the firehouses and lay off people.

Coffey: "I've never seen anyhting like this."

Coffey finally thinks to return the discussion to something relevant.

Diane Benedetti: Some flooding tort claims are being turned down. She'd like to ask Shane Gibson, but he has left the room.

Kevin Zurschmiede: Regarding another audit of records, the state says what they have before them tonight is complete, and what's more, it would be illegal to commission another one because that would be copying information that's already been done. State says: Tough shit; no politics; our audit is as good as anyone else's; faggitaboutit.

Coffey: "This (document) will tell you it's not a complete audit."

Coffey alleges that business paople just went to Indy today and were told that by golly, the city is mishandling tax monies!!

Is any audit a complete audit? The wildest of wild goose chases will remain a leitmotif of council obstructionism for years to come. I wonder if Erika scripted Coffey's off-the-Robert's comments here?

Coffey: "Citizens are very upset -- the question posed to me today, will the council do something?"

Of course, like the pumpkin patch and hambers, he doesn't say their names.

BUDGET DISCUSSION:

Next week hearings ... Coffey makes threats about balanced budgets no matter what! Jeff Gahan asks some questions. Coffey talks about approving and changing budgets, blames a variety of factors. Pat McLaughlin asks a question of Garry. Gahan wants to make decisions about 2009, then move to 2010. Very little of this makes sense to me.

Coffey: "We can't cut on 2009 ... have to appropriate, and cut on 2010."

COMMUNICATIONS – MAYOR

Glad Halloween is over ... "maybe the witch hunt will stop."

Talked to Charlie Pride, who said the audit's done. Police and fire are not properly funded -- underfunded. Mayor defends his people, and says he's glad that business people talk to Coffey. Downtown good, three businesses in the industrial park.

Mayor is angry at accusations. Leaves are being collected. City Hall talking to garbage people about replacing lids.

Budget ... police and fire are underfunded. Funded through general fund property taxes), and with the caps in places, the option of LOIT is offered (as recently passed in Clark County). In 2010, we'll be a million and a half short. I'm asking to fund the impending shortfall, and work with the county council to see that LOIT passes as in Clark. Not asking to cut or lose, but to lobby for LOIT -- "there's no other way out."

We've always had a shortfall -- lack of taxes, which is different than overspending.

Semantics?

For eight years, alays a shortfall. General fund is supposed to pay for operations, EDIT for economic development. Employees only pay LOIT.

"Sit there behind a table and throw anger at people ... bring it on."

Advocates for LOIT. Directs at Steve: "If you don't have a job, you don't pay LOIT tax."

Mayor rejects Price's mention of struggling people -- what's Price gonna do? What's his position?

Price: "My position is I'm not votin' for it," and waves the audit that he feels is incomplete.

Mayor: It didn't get this way in a year and a half.

"I want you to work with us, and we're here to work with you."

EDIT for 2010. After that, barring EDIT forever, then LOIT is a must. Mayor believes that the county officials will come to their senses and pass it.

"The city's gotta be run."

"Personalities we can take care of outside the room."

Price: "Some people want streamlined government ... warned y'all about bonuses ... I warned everyone about raises ... this council voted, I voted no."

Price: "It's not personal ... it's a philosophy."

Mayor: "Will you let me finish?" Pride says, better equipment needed. He takes that as a compliment. Urges Coffey to speak with Charlie Pride.

Price: Stormwater fees raised ... liens not recorded ... raised rates ... delinquent ... whatever it is, it's still money ... just my opinion."

Price is acting like a baby, but whatever; it isn;t personal, just a philosophy of infancy.

Coffey: Everyone pays EDIT tax ... I don't mind using it to shore up ...

More to come.