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| Bruce Anderson CSD Director 2013 President |
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| Leah Green, CSD director, 2012 President |
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| Tarey Reed,CSD director |
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| Bill Hansell, CSD Director |
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| Cyane Dandridge CSD Director resigned in October 2012 replaced by Michael Dudasko in January 2013 |
[Editor's Note: It is 2013 and now Bruce Anderson has moved up to CSD President after taking over from Leah Green. Together they have presided over a $1.2 million dollar deficit- the largest amount in CSD History. After concluding a three year contract with the Fire Union in 2012 that locks in generous pay and benefits with few concessions, it is now up to the board to make adjustments to the budget with the rest of the CSD. Many creative solutions have been offered but no actual decisions have been made. The remaining staff volunteered cuts which went into effect in June 2012 but further cuts remain to balance the budget. We hope that the CSD looks into improving operational efficiencies/ profit centers before releasing any of our highly trained and valued staff. ]
In the 52 years operating a fiscally sound organization, the CSD has only failed to meet it's budget three times. Once, after lowering the retirement age for firefighters from 55 to 50 years old (One of the lowest age retirements in Marin County), they forgot to calculate the cost to the pension system and were suddenly $250,000 in arrears for the pension payments. The other two years were 2011 and 2012 where "suddenly" more money was spent than received from tax receipts. In 2011-2012, we lost an important $350,000 in contract revenue from San Rafael Fire Department JPA where our Marinwood Fire Department would operate as a first responder to North San Rafael. That revenue loss was to be "cured" by an increase of parcel tax voted in 2011. Additional aggressive cost cutting measures were to be proposed. After a year long review, the special "Sustainability Committee" recommends the reorganization and outsourcing of certain staff functions. The Parks and Recreation staff volunteerly took pay cuts and furlough days to help make up for the losses BEFORE the sustainability committee reached its findings. At present, the CSD is allowing itself an additional period of review and analysis before any specific action is recommended.
The combined loss to net assets of both fiscal years is $1,274,066. For a small 21 person agency with a total budget of $4.2 million dollars, the loss is a staggering 25% of net assets. CSD directors have floated the idea of a bond but to infuse cash into the district that is having cash management problems, it may only hide the problems for longer. Clearly it is the decisions and management by the CSD board which have resulted in two years of back to back failures.
Rigorous financial and managerial help will come in 2013 from an accountant tasked with quarterly reviews to alert staff when budgets get off course during the year. Last year the another auditor delivered the CSD board a stern review, especially criticizing the cash accounting methods instead of the modified accrual method required by state statues. Modified accrual accounting methods provide the CSD a better understanding of costs and cash flows.
All of the current CSD board have been appointed. The last "election" was announced on a Monday morning in July 2011 in legal advertisement in 6 point type. Subsequently, no one challenged the board and all sitting board members won by default.
Michael Dudasko, Parks and Recreation Committee Chair and Sustainability Member was has been appointed in the seat vacated by Cyane Dandridge. We wish Michael the best.
Six other candidates with strong qualifications also applied and we look forward to seeing them in next November's race. (Remember to submit your paperwork by August 1st).
We asked the board to consider the challanges poised by growing our community by 20% in affordable housing without significant additional tax revenue will have on the CSD. Board President, Leah Green quickly quelled discussion claiming that "we aren't talking about that" and offered no response.
Clearly the CSD Board has serious challenges ahead.
If you are concerned about the growth of affordable housing and a solvent CSD. If the impact to Dixie schools with the additional enrollment of children without significant tax revenue bothers you, join us for our Monday meeting to discuss. All are welcome. Email us at savemarinwood@gmail.com
P.S. The 2011 and 2012 audits are available at the CSD office We'd post them here but blogger doesn't allow PDF attachments.
We need competent business people on the CSD board. Clearly those now and in the past have all been the wrong people (aka: incompetent people).
ReplyDeletePeople that think it would be "cool" or "neat" to be on the CSD board, or those of you that have a "liberal agenda" whether it be marxism, socialism or saving the earth....should all stay home. We have seen what you people are capabale of doing, you had your chance,you blew it beyond belief, now leave it to the pros to clean up your usual mess. Again, stay out of the way of competent people.