Donation came at high cost to taxpayers
Published 10:15 am Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Recently the USC School Board opted to overturn a decision of a previous board by naming the new stadium after a donor. I am not in favor of naming anything after anyone. The board’s reasoning is that it was such a generous donation. However, this donation did not come without a high cost to the taxpayers.
The original estimates to move the existing bleachers, build a new pressbox, concessions and bathrooms came with a price tag of $163,200.
To date, the price of the stadium is $222,816.74. The only cash donation for the project has been from the Booster Club for $20,000.
Future expenses include $4,000 for stadium signage and an estimated $50,000 to move the old bleachers. In addition, there will be the cost to reset the goal posts to their proper distance.
So the donated stadium will cost the taxpayers over $256,000 (this is the figure after the Booster Club donation is taken out). This is over $93,000 more than what was originally budgeted for the athletic complex.
To make things even worse, the School Board has not been paying for this out of the construction fund from the $28.8 million bond referendum! Only $126,238.70 has been paid out of the construction fund. The other money — $76,578.04 — has come from the general fund. No funds should come from the general fund for this project.
The general fund is where funds from voter-approved operating levy money are placed. The operating levy ends in 2020. Voters were told that levies are for learning and bonds are for buildings. Now your tax dollars are being used incorrectly. Keep this in mind when this operating levy expires, and you are asked to vote for another one. You will be told that programs will have to be cut if the operating levy is not passed.
Clearly, there is a mismanagement of funds — robbing Peter to pay Paul. Why is it happening? It is happening because the taxpayers are not holding the administration accountable. If you are not outraged, you should be. All of this information was received from the district office — I merely requested it. Don’t get your info from the coffee shop, ballfield, elevator, etc. If you have questions, ask the administration.
Sharon K. Parriott
Wells