Editor,
As happens every year, it is time for Holiday Island to set next year’s budget. Every year every department submits a “wish list” full of “Fluff” that they know they will not get and the process begins.
So here comes the Incorporation Committee shouting the “gloom and doom” that HISID will have a huge shortage of money next year. The District Manager boasts of the District’s financial stability in one breath and then cries “the sky is falling” to support the process of incorporation in the next to amplify the “fear factor” and get residents to vote yes.
The wanna be mayor, if HI incorporates, is a member of the HI board of commissioners and has been actively using that position and the assistance of the HISID District Manager to further the incorporation cause. Questionable conduct at the very least.
This budget “shortfall” and scare tactic of an 8.3 percent raise in assessments is a new low. It won’t happen because HISID wants to preserve the assessment (yearly amount owners pay) and the budget game is just beginning.
As in every other year, the fat will be cut out of department requests, the capital improvement wish list will be modified to needs instead of wants, and the final budget figures will be brought in line as happens every year.
Strangely, requests made to HISID this year to see the department worksheets, the CPI wish lists and anticipated gains and losses that compose this “Draft Budget” did not come forth prior to a FOIA request.
With at least two critical factors in play, one of which is a lawsuit against Cherokee Village by its owners that could have a major negative impact on Holiday Island, using these tactics are dangerous to residents and owners.
Barbara Talbot
As usual, Barbara Talbot focuses on press releases with her attacks on the Incorporation Committee and anyone who supports them. Will she stand for questions in an open meeting, though? No. She just points fingers. Around Holiday Island, her credibility is waning. The Incorporation Committee has done an outstanding job of research, transparency, standing for questions, and developing a plan for the future. All Ms.Talbot does is attack and say no. She’d rather Holiday Islanders not see a significant percentage of their tax money be returned to Holiday Island for expenses. She’d rather not see Holiday Island be able to apply for grants. Why? Does she have a plan? No. She just says no to Incorporation. What is her motivation? Are there reasons for her continued fight to stop Incorporation?
Reasons that might benefit her? I suspect so. I did my research. Vote YES for Incorporation!