Some residents have put together a flyer that they are distributing. Here is what it says:
Why Doesn’t Syracuse Have Sufficient Funds to Repair Roads?
1.
Syracuse City is reporting $10 – 13 million shortfall over next 5 – 10 years to repair/maintain roads. City Council recently considered raising city taxes 28.75% ($450,000) to fund road repair shortfalls.
a) Public opposition motivated city council to “kill” tax increase proposal.
b) City Council decided to place a bond issue on Nov 2011 ballot to raise $3 million for road repairs. Estimated $8 - $10 will be added to citizens monthly utility bills to repay the bond and to fund ongoing road maintenance projects.
2. Public Works Director Mike Waite stated he has not been given road repair funding for several years.
In a July 2011 city council meeting Mike stated “we have only $78,000 this year for road repairs.” When asked about the $650,000 Class “C” Road funds shown on 2011 city budget, Mike stated “I don’t get those funds, I am given a budget allotment by the mayor and her staff.”
3.
UDOT has provided Syracuse City a total of $4,500,000 Class “C” Funds over the past eight (8) years. This further breaks down as follows:
a) $2,300,000 during past 4 years
b) $1,300,000 during last 2 years
c) $658,050 in FY year 2010
d) $650,000 for FY 2011
4. In a Sept 2011 telephone conversation,
Jim Holfelt, UDOT Auditor for Class “B & C” Road Funds, etc.(telephone 801-965-4819) stated Class “C” Funds are only for repair & maintenance of roads. Such work is limited to labor, materials and equipment. He cited Utah Code 72-2-107 & 108.
5. Syracuse City FY 2010 budget reports to UDOT, Syracuse website postings for public information, and the City Self Audits do not coincide for Class “C” Road Funds reporting:
a) $879,479 expenditures Reported to UDOT
b) Syracuse Self Audit shows $598,897 expenditures
c) $720,000 in FY 2010
6. On 28 Sep 2011 Stephen Marshall, Syracuse City Finance Officer, provided information requested by Val Cook about the number of employees currently paid using B&C road funds.
He reported there were 14 different employees, 5 full time and 9 part-time & seasonal, who had payroll and/or benefits allocated from B&C Roads. The City Council recently reported there were four (4) employees in the roads department. This is a contradiction to the 14 being reported on the finance records.
7. The Syracuse City Council meeting 9 Aug 2011 was videotaped.
Councilman Matt Kimmel made comments about: (1) we don’t have a road problem, we have a wage problem, and (2) we have been cooking the books. These comments can be heard & viewed starting at the time mark 1 hour & 39 minutes on the 9 Aug City Council Meeting.
This 9 Aug 11 City Council meeting video can be viewed at:
http://www.syracuseut.com/
“Syracuse City”
“Your Government”
“City Council”
“Live Council Meetings”
“USTREAM”
“Archived Council Sessions”
“Syracuse City Council 08/09/11”
CONCLUSION: Budgetary documents seem to indicate that during recent years Class “C” Road funds provided to Syracuse City by UDOT were NOT used for road maintenance/repairs as required by Utah Code 72-2-107 & 108. It appears they are being diverted to pay expenses for other city departments. Citizens of Syracuse have not been given accurate information about where Class “C” funds are being used.
