The city is spending money faster than it is bringing it in, with bills and financial obligations mounting but tax dollars not flowing into the treasury until October.
To keep city government operational without significant cuts in spending, Cohen last night introduced a charter amendment to the City Council that would double the city's credit limit, from $10 million to $20 million.
If the legislation passes it will be the second time since the council and mayor were...
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mass exodus - 2010-08-03 09:09:53
good start Josh. In retiring that Elliott person Josh has shown that he is responsive to good advice. He was also smart when he retired the overpaid Harbormaster. I do , however, ask that a full disclosure of Elliott's mistakes be made know to the People. It is a shame Josh felt it necessary to use the euphemism 'retire' instead of the phrase 'terminated' but I guess we must take what we can get for mr nice guy. Now if only we could get Josh to stop paying so much for consultants and lease -negotiators.
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reynold cavern - Annapolis, md - Karma: Terrible
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FYI - 2010-08-03 08:39:24
The rats are the first to jump off a sinking ship.
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A Jones - Not naptown but Annapolis, md - Karma: Good
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FYI - 2010-08-02 21:53:23
The Finance Director just resigned. I am not sure this bodes well for the City, he reportedly was the ONLY person who really knew what was going on.
http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2010/08/02/annapolis-finance-director-retiring/
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John Frenaye - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Ed K - 2010-08-02 12:38:32
Good advice. Maybe Obama should follow the same advice.
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Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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Exit Strategy - 2010-08-02 11:54:41
Whenever you take on additional debt, you should have a plan to repay and be able to explain that plan. I would like to know how the city plans on repaying all of this debt.
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Ed K - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Humpty Dumpty - 2010-08-02 11:36:17
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Could not put Josh Cohen back together again.
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Stanford Erickson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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reynold cavern - 2010-07-31 23:58:44
Who do you propose he fire? The police force maybe the Fire department? Maybe if we just rid the city of all employees then that would fix things? I must disagree. We need a work force to keep us safe and to provide things that all residents need on a daily basis. Safety,water,Removal of trash and sewage. Would you like to see trash blowing down our streets in great heaps? Maybe people that break the laws would just stop . Fires burn out of complete control, no Ambulance to take you to the hospital when that bad guy attacks and injures you? Lets think about this. The mayor tried to place this on the backs of the employees once and that did not work. then he try's again to make this the employees and newly retired employees fault.
Lets try coming up with real solutions for a change. Everyone needs to help in this and that means everyone. Employees and residents alike. Yes I am a home owner in the city and I know what the taxes are like. But a question that I have is why are the taxes in the township of Denton MD with a population of 2900 and so much less in services more then what they are in this city with a population of 36000 ? Could it be that the city residents actually get a great deal for where they live?
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A Jones - Not naptown but Annapolis, md - Karma: Good
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The Future is Now - 2010-07-31 16:34:23
Two things...
Julie just could not pull it off. No wonder she is now on the sidelines complaining as usual. Thanks Julie for being on the sidelines - sorry no one listened, but you need to take a look at yourself and try to understand why folks did not.
Secondly, the city's financial model is way out of date. The Mayor needs to recognize this and make appropriate changes that will ensure good revenue forecasting for future budget projections.
Why is Ross Arnett the only city council member that gets this?
Can others speak to this!!!
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jason1 argom - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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mass consumption - 2010-07-31 13:48:32
It is of no surprise to me that Josh has not explained and that the council did not demand specifics as to why we need this money and how it will be allocated. This my friend would seem to be the responsibility of that Elliot fellow, the one at the helm when the money was removed from city hall. He is , or should be held accountable should he not ? Yet we are told that the finance czar is fine and simply needs to have someone recheck everything he does--Josh wants to hire someone from the outside to verify and triple check everything.
What we need in this city is not a propped up boy mayor trying to make nice with all of mummy and daddy's friends, we need a mean, lean, man willing to do that which no one else dares to do.... fire people !!! not just people that are the 'others' but people that look like 'us'.
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reynold cavern - Annapolis, md - Karma: Terrible
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Time for a Rain Dance - 2010-07-31 11:47:03
If Josh needs twenty million dollars, I think we should all do the big thing and give him thirty million. Think about it, when you were a child, did your parent only give you what was absolutely necessary? Of course not! They made sure you were happy, and that is what we need to do with Josh.
Better yet, I think we should all assemble at City Hall with the titles to our houses, and lay down in the gutter with arms outstretched to indicate total surrender. Maybe that way the wrath of Josh will be appeased.
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Brandon Gates - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Face It - 2010-07-31 07:16:34
The City of Annapolis is Finished.
The Revenues aren't there,Big Events like the Boat Shows are Tanking,and the Only Solution would be to increase the already High taxes that Residents pay.
Does anyone have the answers? No.
I've said it now for the Forth Time.
This is Not Baltimore. This is Annapolis. The Capital City Of Maryland. The State should step in and Pony Up.
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Terrible
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Robin's Infinite Wisdom... - 2010-07-30 21:13:58
I can go to sleep tonight knowing that all of Maryland (and PA's for that matter) problems are because we have Democratic governors. WOW - Robin, your political insight, and overwhelming brainpower is too much for this board. So let me get this straight...I vote for Ehrlich, and all of our problems will go away?? Can we pul-lease have the elections tomorrow so ours and PA's problems will go away 'cuz we'll have some new Republican governors.
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Mark Smith - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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You get what you choose - 2010-07-30 20:37:45
Moved out of Annapolis a few years ago. Three tiers of taxing. Annapolis has an identiy problem. The change from a manageable historic enclave to an ever annexing unknown, too costly. A city manager, without a doubt, necessary. Doing business with the city was like doing business in a foreign county. The Market House bidding was a perfect example. The lack of understanding basic principals of real estate was astonding. Ultimately witnessed by citizens ended up paying $3 million to Site Realty, for their mismanagement. Citizens of Annapolis have to get involved. Given the annexation and associated costs it may be too late. Consider the proposal to buy Annapolis Road golf course, or the massive 'recreation complex' on Hilltop. This versus an exclusive, manageable, Capitol/historic city... coupled with the 'sailing Capitol of the World', an entrepreneur's dream. Citizens get the government they choose.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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harry trampolini - 2010-07-30 15:50:19
Then maybe you can explain why he added so many more people at such a high cost? Smith at over $130,000 , New city attorney at over $130,000 , Malinoff at over $130,000 just to name a few. Are you kidding yourself or just trying to fool us. This man is a disaster and you voted for him. Next step is to raise your taxes. It's coming you can believe that.
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A Jones - Not naptown but Annapolis, md - Karma: Good
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Mayor Cohen - 2010-07-30 15:18:20
The situation results from decade of mismanagement and overpsending by former mayor, council and citizens. 'Boom' years ended with an explosion of debt. This year's budget is 14% less than last and he's made diffult choices with city personnel.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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State capital - 2010-07-30 09:38:48
Can you say Harrisburg, Pennsylvania? It just so happens they both have Dems for Governor. What a surprise....
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Robin Stanek - Churchton, MD - Karma: Excellent
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top heavier and clueless - 2010-07-28 11:19:34
" I believe we need to invest in bringing in someone, outside assistance to double- and triple-check the finances," Cohen said."
I think Cohen is incompetent and should stop hiring consultants to consult people that need to be terminated. Clearly, this ship is without a captain and a navigator. And, BTW, why is the city trying to be so grandiose with the MArket House when things are clearly not going very well ?
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reynold cavern - Annapolis, md - Karma: Terrible
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Were the Citizens Misled? - 2010-07-28 08:57:35
A request for a $20 million dollar line of credit less than 60 after passing a still bloated and controversial city budget can only be the result of mismanagement, incompetence or a politically expedient plan by the Mayor to get city taxes increased where he can place blame on someone else. There can be no other reasons.
An odds maker might say: Mismanagement..probably not, incompetence perhaps...a nefarious plan to deflect the responsibility of raising taxes...more than likely.
The Mayor and the definitely 'in over her head' Chairman of the City's Finance Committee Classie Hoyle, need to be honest with the citizens of Annapolis. The city's budget is a train wreck. The local economy is getting worse not better. Revenues for 2010/2011 will not be anywhere near projections. The city needs to take corrective budgetary action NOW and not wait until Annapolis is $20 million dollars more, in the hole, and the subject bankruptcy raises its ugly head.
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Mike B. - annapolis, md - Karma: Excellent
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Prediction - 2010-07-27 16:49:17
The City does NOT have a handle on its finances. I suspect that BOA may force the hands of the Council and Mayor and require a tax increase.
At that point, can the Mayor say it was out of his hands?
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John Frenaye - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Hmmm - 2010-07-27 14:46:48
Wow! what a shock! Can anyone say tax increase? You voted for him! Now you get what you asked for.
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A Jones - Not naptown but Annapolis, md - Karma: Good
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No Surprise - 2010-07-27 12:23:41
I am not surprised by the need to borrow additional capital. When I testified on the budget this year I stated that they needed to cut spending $30 million and it ends up - that's where they are. Unfortunately the Council refuses to make the necessary cuts - and that will involve more layoffs. The County is actually in as bad a shape as the City with $50 million owed to the revenue reserve fund and an increase in the debt limit per person to $2000 in the FY 2011 budget that allowed them to borrow just like a credit card and increase interest payments for debt in the future. What we need are new leaders who understand that government is a business and must be run like a business.
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Julie Stankivic - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Doomed - 2010-07-27 11:47:06
Time to shut the City down and turn the whole thing over to the county, get rid of the Mayor,the Council and let county government take over. Unless the City raises taxes or lays-off most of the employees there is no way it will ever get out of the debt it is building up.
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Dave Swanson - Millersville, Md - Karma: Good
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