IGNITE: Citizen seeks budget details

There’s a public hearing on ignite cda’s proposed 2016 budget this coming Wednesday, Aug. 19. The hearing is required for adoption of its $7,000,000+ budget, but ignite cda refuses to disclose where the (taxpayers’) money is going. The “budget” lists only three expense items: “administration,” “expenses/debt service” and “capital/debt service.” Nothing more specific than that. (Unknown “expenses/debt service” are more than $4,369,000.) This taxpayer wanted more information from ignite cda and emailed its Executive Director, Tony Berns. Here’s my question and Mr. Berns’ answer.

Mr. Berns:

1. According to the Notice of Public Hearing, “additional information” regarding the Urban Renewal Agency’s FY2016 budget, goals and strategies is available from the Agency website. I cannot find any information about the proposed budget on the new website. When will it be posted?

His reply:

The statement “Additional information regarding the Agency’s FY2016 budget, goals and strategies is available from the Agency’s Executive Director, or from the Agency website (www.ignitecda.org)” included in the legal notice is intended to be general in nature and intended to direct folks who want to learn more about the Agency (e.g. Agency goals/strategies via review of posted minutes, review of past Agency financial audits, review of recent Agency financial statements) to the website.

Really? The legal notice states that ignite cda welcomes comments about the “budget” and invites the public to submit questions. Not true. Ignite cda: new name, same old run around.

AMY LYONS

Coeur d’Alene