Where is the Budget?

 The Windcrest leadership must believe the Citizens of Windcrest do NOT need to see the budget.  The FY2013-14 budget was approved back in September.  Tomorrow is Nov 1 and the new adopted budget is still not available.  One has to assume the numbers do not match or something else is amiss.  The proposed budget had WEDC some $102,000 over budget.  The City Manager is responsible for presenting a Balanced budget to council.  Did Rafael Castillo, City Manager, even look at the numbers?  Why did Mr. Castillo forward to council a budget with one department projected to spend $102,000 more than expected revenue?
  Recently in another blog the author suggested 'Fuzzy Math", well, maybe he hit on something.

  During Oct  21st council meeting Mayor Alan Baxter told citizens there was only one employee with a severance package.  Folks, there are TWO with Severance packages.  Rafael Castillo has a severance package worth 4 Months salary and benefits plus $5,000 for mortgage "Closing Costs" if he purchases a home in Windcrest.   Then Robert Colunga has a severance package worth 4 months salary.  These severance packages are included in their Professional Service Agreements on file at city hall.

  You gotta wonder, if there are two severance packages and Mayor Baxter says there is only one, what else is he not revealing?  Sounds a bit like "I'll tell you what you NEED to know."

  Together these packages approach $100,000 but don't worry, these numbers are NOT included in the budget.  The $100,000 is surely a liability and previous budgets have had severance dollars listed in the budget.  Look at the budget line item for Termination Payout.  

Windcrest Fire Chief Resigns!!!

 Dan Reese, Windcrest Fire Chief, resigned as the Windcrest Fire Chief.  Several citizens recently addressed City Council asking they consider a pay increase for the Fire Chief, saying the Fire Chief deserved better than minimum wage.  The mayor and council ignored the citizens' comments and approved a final 2013-14 budget with the Fire Chief position funded at minimum wage.
  The FY 2013-14 proposed budget shows the title as Volunteer Fire Chief.  In all previous budget years, the title has been Fire Chief, NOT Volunteer Fire Chief.

  Meanwhile the City is on schedule to spend over $300,000 on pond upgrades.  That pond, by the way, receives its main source of water from run-off from Crestway Drive. You gotta ask!  Where are their Priorities?

   Chief Reese is a well respected, exceptionally capable professional Fire fighter and EMT.  The loss of Chief Reese is a great loss to the Citizens of Windcrest.

 The title of this Blog" "Windcrest Needs New Leadership" says it ALL.  Refusing to pay the Windcrest Fire Chief above minimum wage should put all doubts to rest, Windcrest Definitely Needs New Leadership.