Once again I am pulling from DeKalb’s Debt Management Policy. This time it’s a limit on debt service expenditures as a percentage of General Fund expenditures. 3. Ratio of Annual Debt Service to General Fund Expenditures The formula for this computation is annual debt service expenditures divided by General Fund expenditures (excluding certain interfund transfers).…
How Close I Came in Estimating the VSP Payout Breakdown
I recently asked a City of DeKalb employee in the Finance Division how accrued payroll was accounted for in the budget and was told it is reflected in regular payroll line items (e.g., 8101, 8102). I was in despair that there apparently wasn’t a “clean” number reflecting just the separation payouts. Then I accidentally discovered…
Interesting Search Terms
Here are a few of the search terms people have used recently that led them to the citybarbs blog. Thought you might enjoy. “hunted houses” “universal rest group dekalb” “i lost minutes for a meeting” “1971, that was a bad year for libraries” “pig poop is black” People also wanted to see firefighters saving cats,…
DeKalb’s Limit on Per Capita Debt
As implied yesterday, I’ve got my hands on the City of DeKalb’s Debt Management Policy. The City Clerk is looking into getting this document posted at the city’s website, but meantime you can get a copy of it from him or from me. It’s a 12-page PDF. In continuing our look at DeKalb’s limitations on…
City of DeKalb’s Self-Imposed Bonded Debt Limit
In “A Look at City of DeKalb Debt,” we calculated whether the debt carried by the City of DeKalb currently exceeds the legal debt limit imposed upon non-Home Rule communities. It does not. Also, in 2010 DeKalb passed a debt management policy that actually sets a stricter limit on gross bonded debt than the state…
City Claims Ellwood Plan a Product of Public Meetings. It’s Not
I kinda figured they would do this (my emphasis). II. Background: In May, 2010, community members, financial institutions and city officials participated in an informational meeting to discuss the progress of the 2003 North 5th Ward Neighborhood Plan. The meeting was facilitated by the Center for Governmental Studies on behalf of the City. The meeting…
Contributions to Local State Reps from Energy & Utility Companies
There’s been a lot of talk about how ComEd and Ameren are spreading a lot of cash among state legislative leaders in hopes of an override of the governor’s veto of the Smart Grid legislation. Here’s a look at 2011 contributions from energy and utility companies to our legislators, State Rep. Bob Pritchard and State…
Total Property Tax Rates in DeKalb County, City
Here are some property tax numbers expressed as dollars per $100 of assessed valuation. The DeKalb County averages come from this state site, the city’s from my own tax bills. [table id=40 /] Other 2009 Property Tax Rate Averages Statewide — 6.43 Cook County — 5.89 Collar Counties — 6.47 Rest of State — 7.71…
On the Trail of the Legendary Comp Time Monster
Behold my latest puzzle: [table id=41 /]
Clarity
Hey, City of DeKalb, just so we’re clear: No fire station at the airport until the south side is taken care of.