Real Estate Taxes in North Bay Village are going up!

Real Estate Taxes in North Bay Village are going up! It is inevitable.  Why? Fiscal responsibility is not part of this commission’s vocabulary.  Wait lets be fair, Commissioner Richard Chervony has been mentioning the budget woes at every commission meeting.  Last night’s commission meeting was no exception. It is very discouraging to see the unreserved reserves shrinking to red numbers.  Let us start with the projected general fund deficit for fiscal year ending September 30, 2013 according to our Finance Director Mr. Bert Wrains to date is $ 73,608.00.

The Commission approved by a vote of four to five to transfer $ 50,000.00 from the general fund to the special event line item of the general operation fund for professional services to update the Village Zoning Code.   Everyone is in agreement that updating the village zoning code is necessary. Why can it not wait until next fiscal year budget for October 2013 like Commissioner Chervony suggested? You guessed it - he was the only no vote, but does the commission listen?

Next is the matter of the cost to break the lease with the LEXI, which by the way is in Bankruptcy Court and Mr. Scott Greenwald is the Developer/Owner. $50,000.00 plus 2 month’s rent from the day of notice at approximately $ 18,000.00 per month equaling $ 36,000.00 for a grand total of $ 86,000.00 give or take.  The Interim Village Manager Ms. Jenice Rosado and her staff are going to reach out to the Bankruptcy Courts with Mr. Greenwald’s support to forgo the $ 36,000.00 since the Village Hall moved out more than two months ago. I would not hold my breath since the lease is totally one sided in favor of the LEXI; are you keeping tab? North Bay Village is always holding the wrong end of the stick! Just look at its history. Why?

Next, the partial shared cost to have a much needed registered nurse on a part time basis for Treasure Island Elementary School of $2,166.00 for the remainder of the school year. Settling with P.O. Mc Vey, gross less earnings of $ 125,000.00 and the Leave Accrual Payout of P.O. Costa roughly $ 90,000.00. The cost of moving out of the LEXI and into the Causeway Towers can add into the thousands. Additionally, landscaping cost not part of the signed contract, pending over budget legal police costs, Citizens survey study $ 15,000.00 and on, and on. Poof the $ 550,117.00 unreserved reserves is vanished and on the red.  Who is listening you ask…no one!!!

Humbly Opinionating

Mario Garcia

May 15, 2013

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!