Water Department Audit


By DIA, Section News
Posted on Wed Sep 28, 2005 at 05:56:38 AM EST

The audit of the Albany Water Department has been completed, including the Dept's response. Initial word is that if you are tired of the high prices you've been paying for gas these days, you aren't going to want to hear what this report is predicting for your future.

Inherit the Dream.

Update [2005-9-28 9:23:49 by DIA]: I'll have the full press release up in a bit but for now, here is Mr. Hevesi
“The Albany Water Board and Finance Authority are more examples of very poorly operated public authorities,” Hevesi said. “The result is huge deficits and fast growing costs for Albany water ratepayers.”
Anyone want to guess who appoints the people who run the water department? Could it be the same person that is wasting millions on a landfill we can't use?

< Arrest the Democrats! | Hevesi's Press Release on the Water Department >

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Water Department Audit | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 hidden)
Just heard on Dicker: (none / 0) (#1)
by Mike the Friday Caller on Wed Sep 28, 2005 at 09:24:19 AM EST
he got a report from Dominic Calsalaro.  In spite of huge rate increases this decade, the Water Board is still in fiscal trouble.  Expenses have risen at a faster rate than recievables.  As a result, they will have trouble servicing their debt.  

Bottom line:  expect even more expensive water.

This is probably a good as time as any to start discussing what we get for our money here in Albany.

I own a house I bought for $57,500 in March of 2001.  I paid $1104.67 ($92.06/mos.)in property taxes and $708.88 ($59.07/mos.) in school taxes.  In addition, I paid over $600 in water/sewer bills.

For that, what did I get in services?  It's in a homeowner's association, so I didn't receive garbage service.  Streets are pot-hole infested.  Almost any service I need from the city or courts is charged for - everything from my annual dog license to court filings required for me to evict shoddy tenants.  Policing in Albany has shown problems with accountability and in controlling gun crime.  The fireman have been kept busy, but that seems to be due to a seeming inability to catch arsonists.  The schools are having trouble keeping our kids safe, let alone educating them...

So aside from paying for the City Treasurer's car, where exactly have all my taxes gone?

correction (none / 0) (#2)
by DIA on Wed Sep 28, 2005 at 09:29:06 AM EST
 "As a result, they will have trouble servicing their debt."

I think what you meant to say is "we will have trouble servicing their debt".  Because we will be the ones paying the bill.    

[ Parent ]

Speaking of the Common Council.... (none / 0) (#3)
by McLain for the 7th on Wed Sep 28, 2005 at 10:45:22 AM EST
"It is our job to work cooperatively with the Mayor and the City administration to insure that tax dollars are responsibly spent and that all residents have access to the services and programs that make urban living safe, affordable and desirable."

Don't they have oversight committees regarding city functions?  Where is the Common Council on this issue?

fprm
[ Parent ]

Citation (none / 0) (#4)
by McLain for the 7th on Wed Sep 28, 2005 at 11:04:38 AM EST
This quote is from the Common Council web page at www.albanyny.org.
fprm
[ Parent ]
Water Department Audit | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 hidden)
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