Staff Writer
Floor coverings and bleachers for the new community wellness center were approved by the City Council on Monday, but not before another heated discussion about accountability surrounding the project.
Contributed Photo
State Rep. Bernard Ayotte (R-Caswell) stands with Annie Charles, of Limestone, in front of the speaker’s rostrum in the House Chamber, Jan. 22. Charles had the honor of singing the National Anthem at the beginning of the House session and was the guest of Rep. Ayotte.
The council voted 5-2 to spend $68,918 for the two items, which had not been included in the original construction bid. A first reading of the proposed purchase was brought to the council two weeks ago with anticipated approval of the expenditure on Monday.
The issue was one of several subjects discussed during a two-hour meeting where there was standing room only in the council chambers. City Manager Steve Buck also reported that the city ended the year 2.47 percent under budget last year and that city ended the year with 4.57 percent more in revenues. A small reduction in taxes may be realized from the 2008 budget, Buck said.
“Management knew about these bleachers and flooring coverings,” said Mark Goughan, council member. “We only found out about these two weeks ago. I based my votes on money being turned back.”
Project officials explained that the two items were kept out of the original bid in order to save money due to contractor mark ups. Funds saved in this fashion are now to be used to purchase the bleachers and floor coverings directly from the manufacturer.
“What this all boils down to as we all know is money and the bottom line for the project,” said Susan White, chairperson of the building committee. “
On July 18, 2006, voters approved a $3.37 million bond for the project, White said. To date, the project has expended $249,348 less than the bond amount, the chairperson continued.
“The cost of the bleachers and the floor coverings in no way even comes close to that original figure so even with the purchase of those two items we still come in significantly below the voter approved total of $3.37 million,” White said.
Councilor Doug Morrell said that when the contract bid of $2.9 million was received, that was what voters believed would be spent, regardless of the bond issue amount. Morrell compared the situation to a private contractor who upped his price after a residential job was complete knowing the money was there for the project.
“This has been beat right to death,” said Morrell. “If this was in the private sector, the fur would fly.”
Morrell continued to question why the bleachers and floor coverings were not in the original bid.
Kathy Mazzuchelli, parks and recreation supervisor, explained that there were three items, including basketball hoops, that the committee considered about omitting. Ultimately, the hoops were put into the original bid, Mazzuchelli said.
“Hold me accountable,” the recreation director said.
In an apparent effort to move discussion along, Councilor Dave Martin said at the time of the original bid, the city had a council that was against the project, “regardless of the public vote.” Martin motioned to “move the question,” which was seconded by Goughan.
Prior to the vote on the items’ purchase, Goughan said that the “trust factor” is lacking.
“Once the bids came in, we should have been notified,” Goughan said.
In other business, the city manager presented the end-of-the-year financial statement and requested council approval for overdrafts on some accounts. The overdrafts were approved by votes of 6-1, with Morrell in opposition.
In his financial report, Buck said that the city spent 97.5 percent, or $8.01 million of its 2007 budget, which saved $202,854. On the revenue side of the spending plan, the city ended the year with a possible cash balance of $356,192, or 4.57 percent more.
The net financial result is a positive $559,047, according to the city manager. Coupled with other transactions, the funds available to offset taxation, without dipping into any surplus money, is $526,911, Buck explained.
Work has begun on the 2008 spending plan, which initially calls for a small reduction in the tax rate. The first workshop is planned for Monday, Feb. 4 at City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.
