Carefree Truth
Issue #642, May 5, 2018
Mayor Les Peterson asked Gary Neiss to put the sheet up on the projector showing the cost recovery results, which includes funds or in-kind donations to the Town sponsored events. The expenses go into 16 different categories; the budget combines those into one figure. With the cost recovery model, the projected 2018/19 marketing budget is lower than the 2017/18 budgeted figure.
Issue #642, May 5, 2018
Mayor Les Peterson asked Gary Neiss to put the sheet up on the projector showing the cost recovery results, which includes funds or in-kind donations to the Town sponsored events. The expenses go into 16 different categories; the budget combines those into one figure. With the cost recovery model, the projected 2018/19 marketing budget is lower than the 2017/18 budgeted figure.
Expenses for the Pumpkin Festival in 2017 were $129,605, with $40,319 of those costs recovered, bringing the out of pocket total to $89,286. Additionally, approximately $10,000 worth of in-kind donations were received. The festival brought 65,000-75,000 people to Carefree. Councilman Gene Orrico remarked, "That's a buck and a quarter a head to bring that many people up". Mr. Neiss added that those figures don't take into account the indirect revenue, which is the sales tax revenue generated by the people shopping in the stores and eating in the restaurants.
Mayor Peterson said that they must look at the benefits to the town and its citizens in terms of what they are trying to achieve, and trying to find the proper balance when planning any of these events. The Christmas in Carefree festival cost $101,496. $40,022 was recovered, with a final out of pocket cost of $61,474.
The Veteran's Day event has been organized and run by Vice Mayor John Crane for the past 5 years. The out of pocket costs for the 2017 event was $2556. Carefree respects the veterans and does not seek to recover costs for this through sponsorships or merchandise sales. The Town partners with the Veterans Heritage Project, with event participation in exchange for a direct mail list of veterans. This partnership benefits both, is in good taste, and is in keeping with the spirit of the event.
The Mayor said, "If you look at Memorial Day, this is why a number of us, including myself, took umbrage at the last meeting, and I think the Sonoran News picked up on that and reported it incorrectly. The Memorial Day event has out of pocket costs from the Town totaling $2,095". "We've received a donation from a generous gentleman, even though I think he didn't know the whole story." Mr. Farrar responded that the band was paid $1,400 and there was vigorous marketing for the Veteran's Day event. No line items were shown on that, but they were shown for the Memorial Day event. "And for the exact same reasons where you said that the veterans deserve this service and there is no cost recovery, is the very reason why those wreaths that you don't mention also are perpetual wreaths that will last us for years, at a cost of $1000, and if, I'm just surprised that you took umbrage at that, because I took extreme umbrage that you would resist my efforts."
Mayor Peterson replied that it was piecemeal and no one knew about it. Mr. Farrar said he'd been talking about it since last November with the marketing director. The Mayor explained that the Town needs a piece of paper that lists events, how the whole thing transpires, and the out of pocket costs. Mr. Farrar responded that the marketing budget was $425,000 and $387,000 was spent. The Mayor said that is a different subject. Mr. Farrar said, "Don't tell me we didn't have enough money for $1000 for wreaths". Mayor Peterson pointed out, "You didn't have enough time to write up something understandable that we could say, 'Is this the kind of thing we want to do?' Let's step back. I have all the respect and honor in the world for veterans. I have a family full of veterans. I have lost uncles, etc. There's a difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day is a celebration of all veterans. Memorial Day came about after the Civil War, when whole towns lost a high percentage of their young men primarily in Civil War battles, and they put up monuments in town. And since that time, after WWl, after WWll, the Korean War, Vietnam, and up to the more recent ones, it celebrated the dead in battle. And part of our concerns, my concern, we've had some discussions, not that we don't honor them. We should. But wreaths on a commercial stage? I question it, but even if we put that aside, you just steamrolled it through."
Mr. Farrar said that he'd been talking to the Mayor and Gina about this since November. The Mayor replied, "Talking?" Mr. Farrar continued, "You told me at the last Council meeting, Mayor, I feel like you're resisting me on every move, and you, you know what you said to me? You said, 'You're right; I am'. That is the objection you're bringing now. And that's completely because Memorial Day is a Mike Farrar event." "We follow the exact same model as the Veteran's Day event. There's your cost. That's the assumption we were going to make. That's the same amount of money." Mayor Peterson responded, "Did you bring that to the Council for discussion or approval?" Mr. Farrar said the Mayor told him "to move forward with his Memorial Day event" back in November. "Unless your memory is failing." The Mayor clarified that he said to keep developing it for approval, versus doing it.
Mr. Farrar said he spent quite a bit of time organizing it because in December there were no events planned on the calendar in the highest tourist season from January to May, other than the Thunderbird events. He met with Gary and the Mayor to express his extreme disappointment that there was a half million dollar budget, yet nothing was planned in December, no events on the calendar. "And I said, 'Let's do a Memorial; I'm going to make some activities myself. If you don't do it, Mayor, I'll do it for you!' "
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said, "I think we explained at that meeting, and I don't want to get into a, I don't want to use that word, we had things that hadn't hit the calendar yet. You kept saying there was nothing planned. We showed you what we" Mr. Farrar interrupted, "That was not on the calendar, Cheryl". Ms. Kroyer continued, "We hadn't hit it yet. Gina said she was putting it on. The next week, it was on. They were already planned. So, it's not that you had to come running to the rescue to put something in the spring. There were things planned for the spring." "I'm not arguing with this event. I just want to set the record straight."
Mr. Farrar said, "In my perception, there was nothing on the calendar and we're competing with other cities and towns. And I showed you the calendars from both Cave Creek and Fountain Hills in December, showing you what their activities were planned for the next 5 months. The Mayor told me specifically, 'Mike, I instructed Gina, because she was so overwhelmed with the Christmas Festival, don't do any work on planning activities for the next January through May' ". Ms. Kroyer responded, "I have to disagree with that, because we already... Mr. Farrar interrupted, "Mayor, you told me that." The Mayor replied, "I said she can not do anything through December because we are booked, but let's talk about it in January. And there's time to write something down in January, here's what we're planning, here's the anticipated cost, is this what we want to do." In January, they received nothing.
Councilman Mike Krahe said, "Mike, I didn't see any numbers on this." Mr. Farrar responded, "It's the exact same budget". Dr. Krahe replied, "But it never made it here, Mike. I never saw it." "But that's the point, I think. The point we were trying to make is to get something together so we can look at it rationally and react to it. I like the event and I'm glad you're doing it. But that's not, I think, the point the Mayor's trying to make." Mr. Farrar replied, "No, the point the Mayor is trying to make is very clear. He said, 'Mike, move forward with the Memorial Day event'. The assumption was that it would be the same cost as the Veterans Day event". The Mayor said, "Maybe your assumption". Mr. Farrar said, "Look at the cost. It's almost identically the same". Dr. Krahe agreed that it was, but again noted that he never saw anything. Mr. Farrar said it should not have to go for a Council vote. Dr. Krahe asked why this was being discussed when there is money there for it this year. Mr. Farrar replied, "Because the Mayor is making an implication that I took umbrage at his resistance to the cost for the wreaths".
Vice Mayor John Crane said, "Until we saw these numbers, I never saw any numbers for Memorial Day. And prior to this meeting, I saw an article in the Sonoran News that said there was zero contribution from the Town. That's exactly what he said. Wes reported it correctly. Mr. Farrar interrupted, "I was referring to the wreaths". The Vice Mayor continued, "And so, until now, we've seen no numbers on the program. And out in public there's been some misinformation that the Town was virtually not supporting the program at all. That simply wasn't true. We can see it here. The Town is supporting the program".
Mayor Peterson said that they must look at the benefits to the town and its citizens in terms of what they are trying to achieve, and trying to find the proper balance when planning any of these events. The Christmas in Carefree festival cost $101,496. $40,022 was recovered, with a final out of pocket cost of $61,474.
The Veteran's Day event has been organized and run by Vice Mayor John Crane for the past 5 years. The out of pocket costs for the 2017 event was $2556. Carefree respects the veterans and does not seek to recover costs for this through sponsorships or merchandise sales. The Town partners with the Veterans Heritage Project, with event participation in exchange for a direct mail list of veterans. This partnership benefits both, is in good taste, and is in keeping with the spirit of the event.
The Mayor said, "If you look at Memorial Day, this is why a number of us, including myself, took umbrage at the last meeting, and I think the Sonoran News picked up on that and reported it incorrectly. The Memorial Day event has out of pocket costs from the Town totaling $2,095". "We've received a donation from a generous gentleman, even though I think he didn't know the whole story." Mr. Farrar responded that the band was paid $1,400 and there was vigorous marketing for the Veteran's Day event. No line items were shown on that, but they were shown for the Memorial Day event. "And for the exact same reasons where you said that the veterans deserve this service and there is no cost recovery, is the very reason why those wreaths that you don't mention also are perpetual wreaths that will last us for years, at a cost of $1000, and if, I'm just surprised that you took umbrage at that, because I took extreme umbrage that you would resist my efforts."
Mayor Peterson replied that it was piecemeal and no one knew about it. Mr. Farrar said he'd been talking about it since last November with the marketing director. The Mayor explained that the Town needs a piece of paper that lists events, how the whole thing transpires, and the out of pocket costs. Mr. Farrar responded that the marketing budget was $425,000 and $387,000 was spent. The Mayor said that is a different subject. Mr. Farrar said, "Don't tell me we didn't have enough money for $1000 for wreaths". Mayor Peterson pointed out, "You didn't have enough time to write up something understandable that we could say, 'Is this the kind of thing we want to do?' Let's step back. I have all the respect and honor in the world for veterans. I have a family full of veterans. I have lost uncles, etc. There's a difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day is a celebration of all veterans. Memorial Day came about after the Civil War, when whole towns lost a high percentage of their young men primarily in Civil War battles, and they put up monuments in town. And since that time, after WWl, after WWll, the Korean War, Vietnam, and up to the more recent ones, it celebrated the dead in battle. And part of our concerns, my concern, we've had some discussions, not that we don't honor them. We should. But wreaths on a commercial stage? I question it, but even if we put that aside, you just steamrolled it through."
Mr. Farrar said that he'd been talking to the Mayor and Gina about this since November. The Mayor replied, "Talking?" Mr. Farrar continued, "You told me at the last Council meeting, Mayor, I feel like you're resisting me on every move, and you, you know what you said to me? You said, 'You're right; I am'. That is the objection you're bringing now. And that's completely because Memorial Day is a Mike Farrar event." "We follow the exact same model as the Veteran's Day event. There's your cost. That's the assumption we were going to make. That's the same amount of money." Mayor Peterson responded, "Did you bring that to the Council for discussion or approval?" Mr. Farrar said the Mayor told him "to move forward with his Memorial Day event" back in November. "Unless your memory is failing." The Mayor clarified that he said to keep developing it for approval, versus doing it.
Mr. Farrar said he spent quite a bit of time organizing it because in December there were no events planned on the calendar in the highest tourist season from January to May, other than the Thunderbird events. He met with Gary and the Mayor to express his extreme disappointment that there was a half million dollar budget, yet nothing was planned in December, no events on the calendar. "And I said, 'Let's do a Memorial; I'm going to make some activities myself. If you don't do it, Mayor, I'll do it for you!' "
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said, "I think we explained at that meeting, and I don't want to get into a, I don't want to use that word, we had things that hadn't hit the calendar yet. You kept saying there was nothing planned. We showed you what we" Mr. Farrar interrupted, "That was not on the calendar, Cheryl". Ms. Kroyer continued, "We hadn't hit it yet. Gina said she was putting it on. The next week, it was on. They were already planned. So, it's not that you had to come running to the rescue to put something in the spring. There were things planned for the spring." "I'm not arguing with this event. I just want to set the record straight."
Mr. Farrar said, "In my perception, there was nothing on the calendar and we're competing with other cities and towns. And I showed you the calendars from both Cave Creek and Fountain Hills in December, showing you what their activities were planned for the next 5 months. The Mayor told me specifically, 'Mike, I instructed Gina, because she was so overwhelmed with the Christmas Festival, don't do any work on planning activities for the next January through May' ". Ms. Kroyer responded, "I have to disagree with that, because we already... Mr. Farrar interrupted, "Mayor, you told me that." The Mayor replied, "I said she can not do anything through December because we are booked, but let's talk about it in January. And there's time to write something down in January, here's what we're planning, here's the anticipated cost, is this what we want to do." In January, they received nothing.
Councilman Mike Krahe said, "Mike, I didn't see any numbers on this." Mr. Farrar responded, "It's the exact same budget". Dr. Krahe replied, "But it never made it here, Mike. I never saw it." "But that's the point, I think. The point we were trying to make is to get something together so we can look at it rationally and react to it. I like the event and I'm glad you're doing it. But that's not, I think, the point the Mayor's trying to make." Mr. Farrar replied, "No, the point the Mayor is trying to make is very clear. He said, 'Mike, move forward with the Memorial Day event'. The assumption was that it would be the same cost as the Veterans Day event". The Mayor said, "Maybe your assumption". Mr. Farrar said, "Look at the cost. It's almost identically the same". Dr. Krahe agreed that it was, but again noted that he never saw anything. Mr. Farrar said it should not have to go for a Council vote. Dr. Krahe asked why this was being discussed when there is money there for it this year. Mr. Farrar replied, "Because the Mayor is making an implication that I took umbrage at his resistance to the cost for the wreaths".
Vice Mayor John Crane said, "Until we saw these numbers, I never saw any numbers for Memorial Day. And prior to this meeting, I saw an article in the Sonoran News that said there was zero contribution from the Town. That's exactly what he said. Wes reported it correctly. Mr. Farrar interrupted, "I was referring to the wreaths". The Vice Mayor continued, "And so, until now, we've seen no numbers on the program. And out in public there's been some misinformation that the Town was virtually not supporting the program at all. That simply wasn't true. We can see it here. The Town is supporting the program".
Mr. Farrar said he has a string of emails with Gary and the Mayor in direct opposition to that. They suggested using flags in lieu of wreaths. Then they said they would do 1 wreath. The agenda had already been planned. There was 1 wreath for every service branch. He voiced surprised at what the Vice Mayor had said, since they had talked about the Memorial Day event and Vice Mayor Crane had shared information on the costs. Mr. Farrar said he had talked to Gina about marketing for the event. "There was nothing else that would cost the Town for the Memorial Day event other than the wreaths."
Dr. Krahe noted that they were there to talk about a budget and recommended that they "take all this other stuff offline" since it was not germane to the topic. Mr. Farrar replied that he was "responding to the Mayor's dig".
Agreeing with Dr. Krahe, Mayor Peterson moved the meeting back to the budget, to talk about the Block Party. The Town spent $5797. $3,772 was recovered, between sponsors, advertisers, and food sales. The out of pocket cost was $3,605. Over 30 Carefree businesses participated. $475 was donated to the Library and $350 was donated to the YMCA. The Food Bank partnered with Venues Cafe. The Town received a number of positive responses, and inquiries about participating next year. Over $5,000 worth of goods and services were donated, such as Nathan's Hot Dogs, and hamburgers at a reduced price from Bashas'.
The Italian Festival raised a point of contention. Mayor Peterson noted that the event was on private property immediately adjacent to the Town restrooms and park. Use of those facilities would normally incur a charge, but because of Councilmen involvement, the Town is holding a bill for $1250. Banners and sign frame use were not approved. Mr. Farrar punted that to Mr. Orrico, saying he was responsible for that. Mr. Orrico explained that they didn't use the banners Gina provided. Gary and Gina had said they could use the chairs, just like the Town uses Kiwanis' tables. The actual cost for the restrooms is $300 a day. Mr. Farrar said they used the restrooms in Corrado's. Mr. Orrico said there were only a couple rolls of toilet paper in each one. His wife's shop was used, as well as the Town bathrooms.
Dr. Krahe noted that they were there to talk about a budget and recommended that they "take all this other stuff offline" since it was not germane to the topic. Mr. Farrar replied that he was "responding to the Mayor's dig".
Agreeing with Dr. Krahe, Mayor Peterson moved the meeting back to the budget, to talk about the Block Party. The Town spent $5797. $3,772 was recovered, between sponsors, advertisers, and food sales. The out of pocket cost was $3,605. Over 30 Carefree businesses participated. $475 was donated to the Library and $350 was donated to the YMCA. The Food Bank partnered with Venues Cafe. The Town received a number of positive responses, and inquiries about participating next year. Over $5,000 worth of goods and services were donated, such as Nathan's Hot Dogs, and hamburgers at a reduced price from Bashas'.
The Italian Festival raised a point of contention. Mayor Peterson noted that the event was on private property immediately adjacent to the Town restrooms and park. Use of those facilities would normally incur a charge, but because of Councilmen involvement, the Town is holding a bill for $1250. Banners and sign frame use were not approved. Mr. Farrar punted that to Mr. Orrico, saying he was responsible for that. Mr. Orrico explained that they didn't use the banners Gina provided. Gary and Gina had said they could use the chairs, just like the Town uses Kiwanis' tables. The actual cost for the restrooms is $300 a day. Mr. Farrar said they used the restrooms in Corrado's. Mr. Orrico said there were only a couple rolls of toilet paper in each one. His wife's shop was used, as well as the Town bathrooms.
Mr. Farrar said the Special Events permit fee was waived because it was on private property. Mr. Neiss clarified that is was waived, but originally the event was to occur in Alberto's parking lot and would not tax Town resources. As the event morphed, it was relocated to Corrado's parking lot. The Town only got the layout a couple of days before the event. Mr. Farrar challenged that, saying they had gotten a liquor license a month before, so the Town had to have seen the layout. Mr. Neiss replied that a liquor license is one thing; it contains the area that's enclosed, not specifics such as restrooms to be used.
"According to your numbers, you had 3000 people. If I knew 3000 people were going into the restrooms, I would have asked for fees to be covered. This is not against you; it's that standard applied to all non profits and any doing business in or adjacent to the Gardens, as we try to cultivate a cost recovery model." There were no paper products left in the restrooms when Mr. Neiss checked them on Sunday evening, and he said the restrooms were "a pig sty". "This represents something bad about the Town. We need this communication in the future." He said a policy is needed for Council members when they work on events. "Let's take those ideas to the Town Council." They are all good events, but they must be discussed to work through a road map of how it's going to be done. It's not a question of financing them, but the Town doesn't want to absorb all the liability. "We are the fiduciaries of the public funds, and we're trying to think through a business plan to recover it. And then we run into these issues where we're not covered. And that's why I think there needs to be a policy, so we're all playing on the same level playing field." "Everyone has good intentions, but if each individual Council member does their own thing and goes rogue on us, it's hard to manage the budget on a daily basis, so I think these elements here, they're all a cost to the Town. We're just trying to...
Mr. Farrar interrupted. "I've got to take real exception to call, implying that the Italian Festival and implying that I went rogue, Gary, you knew about the Italian Festival 2 months in advance. You are just now bringing this up. None of this was brought up prior to the festival. I was asked to produce a vendor calendar, a list, a map, 3 days before the event. I was instructed by Gina the day before the event that there was a $100 fee that was going to be incurred." He said that a follow up email from her said she didn't realize it was on private property. "This is an attempt to tarnish my efforts to create an event in our town, and I gotta tell ya, Gene Orrico came to me and said, 'They're going to let us use the Carefree tent and to say the Town's all over it.' " Why, because we were handing out literature promoting the Town of Carefree to market the town. Mr. Neiss said that was irrelevant. Mr. Farrar asked why Gary didn't come to him and tell him that it was going to cost money, when he knew about it for a month. Mr. Neiss replied, "You did it piecemeal". Mr. Farrar said he filled out a permit application. Mr. Neiss agreed that Mr. Farrar had, but that it was not filled out completely. "I have to implement it." Mr. Farrar responded, "I turned it in all at one time".
Dr. Krahe again interjected, stating that the meeting was back in the weeds and it was not where it belonged. Mr. Farrar said, "I'm talking!" Dr. Krahe said, "Let me just finish. We need to get back to the budget. If we have issues about what was done and what wasn't done, that needs to go offline and we have to make sure, going forward, that we all plan and coordinate and get everything done the way it's supposed to be done. I think it was a great event and I applaud that you did it. If we need to tighten up the reins on how it gets done, then that's what we need to do". Mr. Neiss said, "Absolutely".
Dr. Krahe continued, "And Mike, I want to say something and I want it on record. In no way, shape or form am I thinking of this as some way to tarnish you. You did a good thing. You hit speed bumps. Maybe it was right; maybe it was wrong. I don't know. I don't care. What I care about is you do it next year and you do it the right way and we have another great event. And for now, I want to go back to this budget and let's get it done".
Mr. Farrar said, "I believe the Mayor knows I'm running for mayor in the next election, to stop making, and also our Town Administrator Gary, these ridiculous insults to me that are just now coming up, to slight the Memorial Day event and the Italian Festival that was held on private property, using facilities in a private building. And Councilman Orrico, I have to ask, did Gary and Gina tell you you could use... Gary interrupted, "This is not a court of law, Mike". Mr. Orrico replied, "They said we could use it". Mr. Farrar asked, "Did they say there would be a charge?" Mr. Orrico responded, "No, I think they are showing here that if they were to charge, this is what it would be. Both Gary and Gina were super
and said, 'Whatever you need' ".
Dr. Krahe again said, "Council, can we get rolling on this now? The budget? And put this stuff, please, away?" Mr. Farrar replied, "I didn't bring this up". Dr. Krahe continued, "Please, Mike, please everybody, let's move on". He noted the Town was recovering a lot of money, which didn't even take into account the sales tax that comes in, so the number spent goes down even more. The Town is spending $1.25 to bring a person up here who will hopefully spend $20. "Directionally, I like what this is doing. We've got a lot of good events, yours included, John's included, everybody's included, and I applaud it. Mayor Peterson said, "But there's a way to do them". Dr. Krahe said, "Please, let's drop this stuff; let's move forward". "And I want to applaud Gina and Gary for what you're doing and how you're getting it done and how you're being responsible with the taxpayers' dollars. And I want to thank Councilperson Kroyer." "Now, where do we go from here, Gary?"
Mayor Peterson asked Gary to please pick up on the budget. Mr. Neiss explained that this concludes where we are on the marketing. He asked the Council members to please let Jim or him know if there are any other issues with the line item budget and they will fine tune those numbers. "As we get proposals, we import the numbers and we fine tune those numbers. And hopefully by the end of this week it will be finalized." The bottom line, which is the overall expense threshold that can not be exceeded in the following fiscal year, will get adopted at the May 1st Council meeting. The formal budget hearing will take place at the June 5th Council meeting and it will be considered for formal adoption. It takes effect on July 1st.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher questioned the line on the Block Party for food sales of $1,272. He asked if it was sales tax. Jim Keen explained that it was the sales of all the food. He pays sales tax to the Town on all that is sold. Mr. Orrico said it was hot dogs and hamburgers. Mr. Neiss said it was the revenue to the Town.
https://vimeo.com/266684631
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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"According to your numbers, you had 3000 people. If I knew 3000 people were going into the restrooms, I would have asked for fees to be covered. This is not against you; it's that standard applied to all non profits and any doing business in or adjacent to the Gardens, as we try to cultivate a cost recovery model." There were no paper products left in the restrooms when Mr. Neiss checked them on Sunday evening, and he said the restrooms were "a pig sty". "This represents something bad about the Town. We need this communication in the future." He said a policy is needed for Council members when they work on events. "Let's take those ideas to the Town Council." They are all good events, but they must be discussed to work through a road map of how it's going to be done. It's not a question of financing them, but the Town doesn't want to absorb all the liability. "We are the fiduciaries of the public funds, and we're trying to think through a business plan to recover it. And then we run into these issues where we're not covered. And that's why I think there needs to be a policy, so we're all playing on the same level playing field." "Everyone has good intentions, but if each individual Council member does their own thing and goes rogue on us, it's hard to manage the budget on a daily basis, so I think these elements here, they're all a cost to the Town. We're just trying to...
Mr. Farrar interrupted. "I've got to take real exception to call, implying that the Italian Festival and implying that I went rogue, Gary, you knew about the Italian Festival 2 months in advance. You are just now bringing this up. None of this was brought up prior to the festival. I was asked to produce a vendor calendar, a list, a map, 3 days before the event. I was instructed by Gina the day before the event that there was a $100 fee that was going to be incurred." He said that a follow up email from her said she didn't realize it was on private property. "This is an attempt to tarnish my efforts to create an event in our town, and I gotta tell ya, Gene Orrico came to me and said, 'They're going to let us use the Carefree tent and to say the Town's all over it.' " Why, because we were handing out literature promoting the Town of Carefree to market the town. Mr. Neiss said that was irrelevant. Mr. Farrar asked why Gary didn't come to him and tell him that it was going to cost money, when he knew about it for a month. Mr. Neiss replied, "You did it piecemeal". Mr. Farrar said he filled out a permit application. Mr. Neiss agreed that Mr. Farrar had, but that it was not filled out completely. "I have to implement it." Mr. Farrar responded, "I turned it in all at one time".
Dr. Krahe again interjected, stating that the meeting was back in the weeds and it was not where it belonged. Mr. Farrar said, "I'm talking!" Dr. Krahe said, "Let me just finish. We need to get back to the budget. If we have issues about what was done and what wasn't done, that needs to go offline and we have to make sure, going forward, that we all plan and coordinate and get everything done the way it's supposed to be done. I think it was a great event and I applaud that you did it. If we need to tighten up the reins on how it gets done, then that's what we need to do". Mr. Neiss said, "Absolutely".
Dr. Krahe continued, "And Mike, I want to say something and I want it on record. In no way, shape or form am I thinking of this as some way to tarnish you. You did a good thing. You hit speed bumps. Maybe it was right; maybe it was wrong. I don't know. I don't care. What I care about is you do it next year and you do it the right way and we have another great event. And for now, I want to go back to this budget and let's get it done".
Mr. Farrar said, "I believe the Mayor knows I'm running for mayor in the next election, to stop making, and also our Town Administrator Gary, these ridiculous insults to me that are just now coming up, to slight the Memorial Day event and the Italian Festival that was held on private property, using facilities in a private building. And Councilman Orrico, I have to ask, did Gary and Gina tell you you could use... Gary interrupted, "This is not a court of law, Mike". Mr. Orrico replied, "They said we could use it". Mr. Farrar asked, "Did they say there would be a charge?" Mr. Orrico responded, "No, I think they are showing here that if they were to charge, this is what it would be. Both Gary and Gina were super
and said, 'Whatever you need' ".
Dr. Krahe again said, "Council, can we get rolling on this now? The budget? And put this stuff, please, away?" Mr. Farrar replied, "I didn't bring this up". Dr. Krahe continued, "Please, Mike, please everybody, let's move on". He noted the Town was recovering a lot of money, which didn't even take into account the sales tax that comes in, so the number spent goes down even more. The Town is spending $1.25 to bring a person up here who will hopefully spend $20. "Directionally, I like what this is doing. We've got a lot of good events, yours included, John's included, everybody's included, and I applaud it. Mayor Peterson said, "But there's a way to do them". Dr. Krahe said, "Please, let's drop this stuff; let's move forward". "And I want to applaud Gina and Gary for what you're doing and how you're getting it done and how you're being responsible with the taxpayers' dollars. And I want to thank Councilperson Kroyer." "Now, where do we go from here, Gary?"
Mayor Peterson asked Gary to please pick up on the budget. Mr. Neiss explained that this concludes where we are on the marketing. He asked the Council members to please let Jim or him know if there are any other issues with the line item budget and they will fine tune those numbers. "As we get proposals, we import the numbers and we fine tune those numbers. And hopefully by the end of this week it will be finalized." The bottom line, which is the overall expense threshold that can not be exceeded in the following fiscal year, will get adopted at the May 1st Council meeting. The formal budget hearing will take place at the June 5th Council meeting and it will be considered for formal adoption. It takes effect on July 1st.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher questioned the line on the Block Party for food sales of $1,272. He asked if it was sales tax. Jim Keen explained that it was the sales of all the food. He pays sales tax to the Town on all that is sold. Mr. Orrico said it was hot dogs and hamburgers. Mr. Neiss said it was the revenue to the Town.
https://vimeo.com/266684631
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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