Clearing up some misconceptions

To the editor:

I offer this information in an effort to clarify some misconceptions. In 2008 when I took office as Houston city treasurer, I took an oath that I take very seriously. During that time, I have worked under four mayors. One of my responsibilities is to advise the mayor and council on financial matters and to provide monthly reports. This information is always posted on the city website.

I have more than 40 years of experience dealing with budgets. In the current battles as to who spent or mismanaged money, some individuals are calling for an audit. They have no clue as to what an audit is or does. The city will have one soon because it is required to do so when the city receives $500,000 or more in legislative grants. An audit tracks whether funds were spent for their designated purposes. Auditors are not going to tell us who spent too much money. They can determine if there have been errors or irregularities and advise how to correct them. The city does not have annual audits since they are costly. The last one cost $16,000.

Trickle-down economics doesn’t just occur in federal government. For example, Councilwoman Ruth Blanchard stated that we used to have so much money. When the council established a police department in 2004, it never took measures to fund it. Even after taking into account revenue raised in fines, plus one-half of the PFD garnishments, this department — since its inception — has cost the city approximately $500,000. Unless some source of continuing revenue (like an increase in property taxes) is determined, the city cannot afford a police department.

An election to recall Mayor Virgie Thompson has been instigated by Councilmembers Lance Wilson and Blanchard, Planning Committeeman Ralph Buzard, and resident Nancy Sult. They have accused her of accepting a $1,500 paycheck last November without having put in the required 100 hours of service. This election is costing the city thousands of dollars. The appropriate action would have been to require the mayor to pay back the unearned portion.

Our books are open to the public. Mayor Thompson has not mismanaged the budget, nor authorized spending large sums of money. This has been a very tight year, with revenues coming in $60,000 under projections. We still managed to come in under budget for expenses.

And finally, the city is not bankrupt!

Carolyn A. Grabowski

Houston resident and city treasurer