Which Spending Trend?
Thanks for bringing the spotlight to the spending trends chart!
While you might not be able to “source” my actual $, they are derived from district total spending less PI and Bond funds according to Ohio Checkbook. Why Forecast, General Fund, General Fund + Misc Op Funds, and Cupp numbers do not agree is a big question which certainly needs to be addressed by the District. As you can see below: Regardless of source, the spending trends are all higher than projected in the Feb 2020 forecast.
MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN!
1) Why is Cupp “operating” spending more than Forecast?
2) Re “the increase in spending accounts for the increase in funds from the 2014 levy.”
Could the 2014 levy have “lasted” longer had spending not increased so rapidly?
3) Based on the $10.4 million 25% increase in spending 2015-2019:
Are we to believe the district can hold to increases of $7.5 million or 14% in 2020-2024?
We don’t have evidence that they can.
4) Re the “Yes for Loveland” explanations for the increase in spending, here is some interesting information:
6) Re: the District’s explanation:
BUT, 75% of the technology spend was made from the Permanent Improvement Fund, and was not funded by the 2014 operating levy.
How can we believe the district can hold increases to less than 3% when 5.9% is their history? Especially given that fmp and renovation and repair decisions need to be revisited, insurance costs will likely continue to increase and pressure will mount for more union raises
7) Even IF we agree with the forecast, won’t bond/pi levies becoming before 2024?
Business Manager says major maintenance on buildings have largely been ignored for more than 5 years
When asked, the Business Manager says: No. There is not a stockpile of PI funds waiting to be used on the neglected repairs & maintenance. WHY?
Maybe because the district spent $4.2 million in PI funds on Forward Edge 2015-2019?
8) These questions and concerns don’t even begin to consider the effects of this pandemic and resulting economic recession.