Accomplishments
|
Accomplishments |
 |
On December 3rd, the Polk-Des Moines Taxpayers Association gathered together representatives from all 16 Polk County school districts and the Polk County-Wide Oversight Committee for their annual meeting. Polk County school districts received $57.6 million in Local Option Sales Tax in FY2009, and $542.4 million since the sales tax began. The Association staff functions as staff for the Oversight Committee, collecting the financial data and organizing the meeting. Superintendent Narak(WDMPS), Superintendent Robinson (Urbandale), Superintendent Sebring (DMPS), and Ankeny’s Superintendent Wendt all have stated that they find the Committee’s work to be very valuable as a check and an independent verifier on behalf of the taxpayers in Polk County. The Association does ten governmental budget reviews every year. In addition, last year the Association held an informative talk with Supt. Wilkerson, the head of the Waukee school district. As each year passes, the Association will gather more and more data on the fastest growing district in Iowa. Our impression is that The Association has worked hard this past 12 months to reinforce relationships with area administrators. Our members hold quarterly meetings with Jeff and Dr. Narak in West Des Moines and Rick and Dr. Sebring in DM, discussing issues, offering our advice, and acting as a sounding board on potential actions. WDMPS CFO Kurt Subra spoke to the Association’s Board on Iowa school finances last month. The Association continues to be deeply involved with Broadlawns Medical Center. The Association has commented favorably on the data-driven decision-making and performance measures that CEO Jody Jenner has started at the hospital. Tightening the financial side of the equation, while improving care, has allowed BMC to embark on a much needed $30 million facility update.
The Association maintains its well respected reputation as a non-partisan, independent information source for the metro area. Members and staff are sought out by the media to comment on numerous issues, acting as a fact-checker, as a source of background information, and a leader & advocate of good, efficient government. |
One of the major changes for the Association took place in 2008. The usual procedure was for our members to meet with administrators just once a year – a budget time or, perhaps, on exceptional issues such as referendums. Experience demonstrated that this did not offer the sort of communication that both parties desired. Administrators offered up tax and spending plans with no public input or advice prior to their unveiling. Taxpayers Association members often did not have the time to ask questions or fully digest these plans. The commitment was made by both sides to meet on a regular basis. It was hoped that in the future there would be no surprises. We’ve held these meetings the past year. Most were very successful, with insights, information, and opinions passed back and forth. Many members have expressed their thanks that 1) they had the opportunity for greater involvement, 2) they have learned much more about what is going on, and 3) we’ve established bonds with the administrators that have shown dividends when it has come time for those administrators to make recommendations to their respective Boards and Councils. That’s not to say, however, that all of the Association’s recommendations and thoughts have taken root. Far from it, unfortunately. But the Association has been proactive rather than reactive. On two 2008/2009 budgets – Polk County and the City of West Des Moines – the Association requested that those entities reduce their tax levy’s. Both had General Fund Balances greater than the recommended 25%. The Elected Officials in both cases did not honor our request. While the Association was not successful, NO ONE ELSE even approached the dais to ask for lower taxes. The Association reviews the budgets of Broadlawns Medical Center, Polk County, and the city and school districts of Ankeny, Des Moines, Urbandale, and West Des Moines. Research projects and comparisons continue to be a staple of the Association’s staff. Once the four City budgets were complete, staff assembled various Revenue and Expenditure data into charts and graphs on a per capita basis. These were quite illuminating, revealing both the similarities and differences in each city’s priorities and needs. School comparisons were limited to the Des Moines Independent School District. The Census Bureau was one data source used in a comparison. The Association’s records provided another. The Iowa Department of Education now only carries about 50% of the CAFR data that they used too. Promises to supply additional data to the Association were not honored. Staff’s choice on its “Mid-sized Iowa School District Comparison” was to do one of limited use, on not to do it at all. Staff chose the latter. |
Made special efforts to maintain contact with elected and administrative officials throughout the year. In several cases, quarterly meetings were arranged to increase familiarization between both parties. Staff attended 150+ meetings, workshops, forums, and other public discussions held by the nine governments that are tracked by the Association and other taxpayers funded organizations. Completed the “Ten School Comparison of the Des Moines School District” using US Census Bureau data and nine midwestern school districts. Started the process in which staff and officers met with members throughout the year to discuss issues and their organization’s involvement. Completed a six-year history of the Des Moines Independent School District’s Revenues and Expenditures, showing trends on a per pupil basis. Analyzed and reviewed the budgets for Broadlawns Medical Center, PolkCounty, 4 cities, & 4 school districts. Continued to add to the Association’s website. Performed as staff for the Polk County-Wide Oversight Committee, SchoolInfrastructure Local Option (SILO) sales tax. Continued to be a non-political, non-partisan, independent source of information on local governmental activities |