Debra Watkins & Rebekah Denison guest of David Denison
Michael Hulsizer guest of Steve Sanders
Toni guest of Joe Hay
Kate Q. Tandy guest of Colleen McGauley
Mona Pankey guest of Pete Pankey
Chris Machado guest of President Steve Roach
Jenny Dirk: visiting Rotarian from Pismo Beach
GOOD NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Kristen Beall: reminded us of our upcoming Club fundraiser – the ONLY one we do – Havana Nights at the Shambaugh Estate, on June 21st from 6 pm – 10 pm. Waterman Foundation Proceeds will benefit student scholarships and the Lee & Krystyna Jamieson Recovery Home in the form of solar installation. THANK YOU AC ELECTRIC/SOLAR.
Buy a Table now, they’re going fast!
Mary Barlow with RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) update: 2 RYLA attendees gave an emotional testimony about the RYLA camp we helped make possible for them to attend.
THE PROGRAM
This week's program features Bakersfield's City Manager Alan Tandy. Mr. Tandy has served in this capacity since 1992. Under Mr. Tandy’s direction, the City Manager's Office is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City, development of the City budget and implementation of City Council goals and policies. Prior to this, he held similar positions in Billings Montana, Gillette, Wyoming, and Napoleon, Ohio. Mr. Tandy has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon in Political Science and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in Municipal Administration. Mr. Tandy is married to wife Dr. Kathleen Tandy, and has four adult children.
The focus of Mr. Tandy’s presentation was the proposed 1 cent Sales Tax measure. He laid out a logical and thorough case as to why this sales tax was needed, how the City is very fiscally responsible, and that there’s already broad support across our community (especially as it pertains to Public Safety).
Some Highlights & Main Points:
WHY:
The City provides numerous services including: Police Department, Fire Department, Recreation and Parks, Code Enforcement, Streets/Street Lights/Traffic Signals, Building and Planning, Sewer, Water, Curbside Trash/Green Waste/Recycling.
Bakersfield has grown…A LOT! Since 2000 there has been a 57% increase in city population, 2 new Police Substations added, an 82% increase in street miles maintained (from 878 miles to 1,596 miles), 2 new Sports Complexes, and a 97% increase in park acres maintained (from 394 acres to 776 acres).
Crime is up 30-80% since 2003, but we have below average numbers of Police staff.
Yet revenue has not kept pace with this growth and will continue to fall even further behind. Our Energy and Agriculture based economy is cyclical in nature, Oil sector is unlikely to see 2013/2014 levels, large non-energy companies have announced layoffs/reassignments, and the growth of online purchases reduce City’s sales tax revenue by 50% or more per transaction.
The State continues to place roadblocks by taking actions that increase demands on local law enforcement, divert $1.5 million/yr from City to State, end $8 million/yr redevelopment, and numerous other mandates that require staff and resources but have no funding.
And there are significant known cost increases on the horizon including CalPERS, Health Care, Utilities, and a new public safety radio system
IS THE CITY RESPONSIBLE?
Bakersfield City has shown itself to highly efficient with resources over the years. It has the leanest staffing ratio out of 107 cities w/ populations over 200,000, won awards for budgeting process and reports, is one of the most efficient cities out of the top 20 cities in CA in several statistics, and are currently the only city out of the top 20 that doesn’t have any kind of sales tax.
The City feels confident that there is a long-term, sustainable plan in place with this sales tax and that they won’t just be back in a few years wanting to raise it again.
IS THERE VOTER SUPPORT?
Short answer is “yes”.
Polling and research shows broad support by Ward, Age, Gender, and Race.
They see 2 paths moving forward:
Status Quo: a further deterioration of City services with reductions to public safety, limited economic development, limited ability to leverage grant dollars, and limited ability to address quality of life services & programs.
Additional Resources: long term stability that enhances public safety, attracts new business, leverages grant dollars for transformative projects, and enhances quality of life services & programs.
Com'on Garro, everyone knows that mic doesn't work and that Jeff Gutierrez doesn't give interviews.
Girish commented on how white I am, and that maybe I could use some sun. Judging from this picture, he may be right.
Hodel's food never gets old... for me anyway.
David Denison brought his mom and sister, who also happen to work at his company. Side note, I went all through school with his mom since first grade.
The possibility of passing a 1% sales tax makes even Alan Tandy smile.
Alan Tandy reads his presentation notes on the back of his eye lids.
These RYLA attendees gave an emotional testimony about the RYLA camp we helped make possible for them to attend. They also gave a nice framed photo to their advisor, Mary Barlow.
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.com to your safe sender list or address book.
To unsubscribe from future e-mails, click here.
To forward this email to your friends, click here.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
