$2 Million “Discrepancy” Explained- Just the Facts

By Dave Freneaux

On the basis of "A proposed Budget for the City of Central prepared by the Central Transition District" which was obtained via the Public Records Request of Mike Mannino, it has been reported that "the same services could have been provided by a combination of city employees and private contractors for about $1.3 million a year".  With that "information" circulating through Central in print, in conversation, in emails and on the internet, CentralSpeaks.com felt it prudent to verify the facts.
 
Fact: CentralSpeaks.com also filed a Public Records Request with the City of Central asking only to view records already approved for viewing by the City Attorney.  No additional legal fees should be incurred.  Having reviewed all of the Central Transition District's available records, CentralSpeaks.com paid $10 for forty pages to be copied.  Two of these forty pages are an undated spreadsheet titled only "City of Central – Proposed Budget".  This document appeared to be the source document, and contain exactly the same cost breakdown, as the information printed last week and being discussed at length in Central.  To be prudent, CentralSpeaks.com asked Mr. Mannino if he would share the source document he had obtained.  Mr. Mannino has been gracious and open in his cooperation, always asserting that he only seeks the truth.  It was indeed the same document.
 
Fact: There is no indication on the document that it is the work product of the Central Transition District.  Fact: There is no date on the document indicating it is a budget for 2005.  Fact: The first CTD (Central Transition District) Budget, which was neatly hole punched and filed in order in a binder with the minutes of the meetings where the budget was approved, was for "Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2006", is clearly titled "Central Transition District" and signed by the Chairman.  Fact: That budget, which repersents only a nine month period, lists $3.24 million to be paid to the City of Baton Rouge for what we are now calling "City Services", not the reported $1.3 million.  Fact: The Transition District ammended this budget on May 18, 2006 and restated the expense to be paid to the City of Baton Rouge as $3.95 million.  Fact: The CTD budget for year ending June 30, 2007 calls for Baton Rouge to receive $3.69 million for "City Services".
 
Fact: The two page un-dated document which seems to be the source of the claim of a wasted $2 million was indeed found amongst the CTD papers.  However, it was not hole-punched and placed in the binder, it was obviously a photocopy, and had highlights and handwritten notes and marks on it.  Indeed it looked lik a "worksheet".  Its appearance and condition was inconsistent with the actual labeled records of the CTD.  Fact: CentralSpeaks.com was VERY curious as to the origin and author of the "Proposed Budget".  After speaking with the majority of the members of the CTD as well as others involved in the brainstorming from 2002 to 2005 of what it would take to create the City of Central, here is what was shared.
 
The process of trying to obtain usable financial data from Baton Rouge was long and frustrating.  Over a period of several years the group attempting to create this city fought for information, reviewed numbers, spoke to officials, and were still unable to determine with complete certainty what  the real numbers were.  Indeed, since the area of the Parish that is now our City of Central was simply a part of the large rural area maintained by Baton Rouge, the city itself was often unable to identify which portion of the "City Services" were actually spent in "Central".  All of the individuals CentralSpeaks.com spoke with told this same story.  Two of the individuals who saw the two page "Proposed Budget" identified it even before being asked what it was.  They knew it to be the culmination of a long and frustrating search for data to give themselves assurance that the economics of forming a city could work.  The recognized that the data was far from perfect, but it was they best that could be obtained.  So, exercising the best judgment they could, the decision was made to proceed with incorporation, resulting in the Central we all enjoy today.
 
Fact: There was never any intent on anyone's part to assert that these numbers were anything near perfect.  Fact: This document IS NOT the work product of the CTD.  Fact: That the documents were found, filed loose in a binder of the CTD only proves that a member of the CTD brought these papers to a CTD meeting.  Fact: The actual CTD budget for 2005-2006-2007 is very much in line with what Central pays for "City Services" in 2010.
 
Fact:  CentralSpeaks.com does not claim that the contract with CH2M HILL is perfect, or even good, as there is no way of determining that until it is rebid.  Fact: CentralSpeaks.com is as interested as anyone, and more interested than some, in having quality City Services provided as inexpensively as possible.  Fact: CentralSpeaks.com hopes and expects that Central's City Services contract is re-bid for July 1, 2011.  Fact: If it is found that the service Central receives from CH2M HILL can be provided at a $2 million savings, CH2M HILL needs to leave town quickly.  Fact: CentralSpeaks.com believes that if the bid process shows that CH2M HILL has charged fairly for services rendered and they are the low bidder, they should be retained.
 
Fact: All of the documents referenced in this article can be seen at the office of CentralSpeaks.com.  Fact: If there has been ANY mis-statement, omission, misinterpretation or indeed anything in this article is found to be less than the truth, CentralSpeaks.com stands ready to immediately post the entire truth, along with an apology, on CentralSpeaks.com and will print a correction and apology in the next weekly paper.
 
Fact: This article is intended to inform, not to offend.  Feel free to contact Dave@Central Speaks.com or call Dave at 262-3730 if you feel the need to discuss this issue.