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June 6, 2013 at 12:50 pm

Teachers Should Be Mad

Posted by in Lake County

Lake County school teachers voted down a proposed contract from the Lake County School District, which gives them no raise for the year, and is there any wonder why?  Over the last decade, the District has overbuilt and overspent money on buildings, equipment and bureaucrats in the administration while squeezing every nickel and dime from their most important asset, our school teachers.

Most of our readers probably find it shocking that we are supporting the position of a teacher’s union; however, it is time for a “get real” moment.  Our teachers have been sold out for backdoor money and campaign contributions from large, out-of-town contractors.

In the May 28, 2013 edition of The Right Side of the Lake on the Eustis Heights Elementary School Renovation Project we pointed out how School Board Members had no problem paying exorbitant salaries to construction project managers and job superintendents but not our teachers.  How many teachers in Lake County will earn $220,887 in the next 64 months?  Or what about the $200,000 spent on the project for custom designs by School Board Member Kyleen Fischer?  This project isn’t the first time money has been wasted and overspent; it has been happening for a decade.

Now the District is in a box.  Interest payments and operational costs are so much from their overbuilding schools that they can’t afford to give teachers raises and 59 others are facing layoffs.  It seems to us that these cuts should come from higher-up, starting with the School Board Members’ salaries.  It is apparent–the only people in the District “taking one for the team” are the teachers!

Lake County teachers should ask their School Board Members why they don’t mind spending top dollar on buildings but not teachers.  Even worse, if not for School Board Members Bill Mathias and Tod Howard, the District would have overspent another $700,000 on the Eustis Heights Elementary School Renovation Project.

The most important factor in the education of our children is not a building, not an iPad, and certainly not a resort style courtyard; rather, it is our teachers.  Teachers, which are the most important part of the education equation, are the most scrutinized when money is doled out.  Embarrassingly, when we pointed out to a School Board Member the $220,887 salary of the Eustis Heights Elementary School Renovation Construction Manager, we were told they did not even look at that page.  Do you think the same thing happened with the teachers’ contracts?

Regrettably, we don’t know what real options the teachers have because you cannot get blood from a turnip.  The real question the Lake County School District and School Board must answer is simple, “Do you want great school buildings or great school teachers?”

We would like to hear from you on today’s newsletter.  Go to www.lakecountygov.info and let us know what you think.  You can leave a comment on this newsletter, or you can click on the “What’s on Your Mind?” button to leave a comment about something you feel strongly about.

The easiest and fastest way to get your copy of The Right Side of the Lake is to “Like Us” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rightsideofthelake.

Please forward this email to everyone on your list.  If you have not signed up for our free email newsletter service, be sure to sign up at our website www.lakecountygov.info.

This year, getting out the pro-growth, conservative message is more important than ever before.  Please forward The Right Side of the Lake to everyone on your contact list and encourage your friends and family to sign up for this free newsletter by going to www.lakecountygov.info or www.therightsideofthelake.com.  If you would like to make a comment about today’s newsletter please (click here).

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June 4, 2013 at 11:47 am

New Homes and Businesses Slightly Propel Tax Revenues- Areas with No Growth are Still Declining

Posted by in Lake County

In a news release by Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker, for the first time in five years Lake County’s property tax revenues have turned positive, if ever so slightly.  The 0.21% increase is minuscule; however, it represents a bottom, which could lead to a valuation turnaround.  Although this is good news for Lake County, don’t get the band out yet because there is a long road of improvement ahead.

Property Appraiser Baker made some very interesting comments in his news release, which reinforces our belief as it relates to growth.  Baker wrote the following:

  • “New construction helped to balance out the roll for the county and most cities. It basically offset home, business and land values that were still declining in some areas of the county during 2012.  874 new residential homes and 46 new commercial buildings were added.  It appears home sales finally hit bottom and we’re seeing signs of stabilization; it’s great news for the county and most cities following five years of decreases.”
  • Other portions of the tax roll experienced decreases in values.  Declining Tangible Personal Property values (mostly business property) contributed heavily to the 2013 tax roll with a loss of $77.1 million in value.
  • However, for several smaller cities, the lack of new construction value, the lingering effect of foreclosures and the annual depreciation of buildings are contributing to a decrease in taxable value.  

The clearest message is growth is the only reason why property values are increasing, and Baker especially emphasized the areas where there was little to no growth.  The other big news is Lake County is losing businesses at an alarming rate and the vacant commercial properties are a major concern.

In our view, here are some issues that must be considered in growth management based on the property tax revenue projections.

  • Growth pays for itself, and Baker’s message reinforces that notion, if the last five years didn’t convince the last of the anti-growth establishment who have not been foreclosed on.
  • Just like the automobile market, new homes and new businesses drive the price of the market.  If new construction is not prevalent then foreclosure pricing will set most property values.
  • We have contended (and in our view Baker’s message proves it) that the local municipalities must take action to encourage the reoccupying of vacant commercial properties.  This will require fee waivers, tax waivers and most importantly a relaxation of odious building and fire codes.  When it costs less to construct a new building instead of remodel an old one that is “stinking thinking”, which will destroy a tax base.  This area’s commercial property is dying, one over-the-top code at a time.
  • Some in South Lake County are pushing for impact fees to control growth; however, most areas of the county would die completely if impact fees are implemented.  If South Lake County wants to control or stop growth then they should do so through an ordinance but not through impact fees.  South Lake citizens should weigh very closely any anti-growth decision, because a trip to Leesburg shows what no growth and declining values look like.

Here is the bad news–improvement is not guaranteed.  Probably 90% plus of the business people in Lake County have zero confidence in President Obama’s policies and most consider Obamacare a total disaster.  Obamacare is the single worst government policy ever created in America in regards to creating jobs and economic growth because it is paralyzing small businesses.

While we are encouraged by Property Appraiser Baker’s numbers they mean little for a lot of people who are in the process of losing everything.  Everyday businesses are closing in Lake County, and we are a long way from getting out of the darkness.

We commend Property Appraiser Carey Baker for his frank and honest assessment of Lake County market, because it is going to take this type of thinking to get the people in this area working again.

We would like to hear from you on today’s newsletter.  Go to www.lakecountygov.info and let us know what you think.  You can leave a comment on this newsletter, or you can click on the “What’s on Your Mind?” button to leave a comment about something you feel strongly about.

The easiest and fastest way to get your copy of The Right Side of the Lake is to “Like Us” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rightsideofthelake.

Please forward this email to everyone on your list.  If you have not signed up for our free email newsletter service, be sure to sign up at our website www.lakecountygov.info.

This year, getting out the pro-growth, conservative message is more important than ever before.  Please forward The Right Side of the Lake to everyone on your contact list and encourage your friends and family to sign up for this free newsletter by going to www.lakecountygov.info or www.therightsideofthelake.com.  If you would like to make a comment about today’s newsletter please (click here).

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May 30, 2013 at 3:59 pm

School District’s New Outreach to Local Vendors

Posted by in Lake County

“Hopeful Signs of Change”

It appears Superintendent Dr. Susan Moxley is beginning to push the Lake County School District staff in a direction, which will level the field for local vendors and contractors.  Most importantly, the District is starting to implement structural changes in their policies, personnel and bidding process.

First and foremost, as of June 1, 2013, the position of Director of Facilities, Design and Construction is being frozen, and Gary Parker will no longer be in charge of construction projects for the District.  Parker has been the single biggest obstacle for many local bidders, and his departure ends the worst period in history of waste and overspending by the District in construction projects.  Many local bidders gave up bidding projects for the District because of Parker and his staff and how they stacked the decision-making process.  Removing Parker from this position is one of the best decisions Superintendent Moxley has made.

Next, sources close to the District told us that Superintendent Moxley has instructed all District staff to encourage local participation, and the instructions are simple: “Lake County Schools is diligently working to foster a better relationship with local businesses to assist them in becoming successful in the School District’s procurement process.” This statement represents a huge paradigm shift for local vendors, and we applaud the new direction!

In a real tangible move to promote local participation, Superintendent Moxley recently took another step in the right direction by reopening two continuing contracts for architectural consultant services and civil engineering consultant services. Architectural and civil engineering consultant services for Lake County Schools were approved with six firms on June 13, 2011, for a period of one year with options to renew for one additional year in 2012 and 2013.

A source close to the District told us, “Instead of recommending these contracts be renewed for the final one-year term, Superintendent Moxley is recommending the contracts for these consultant services be re-advertised to increase local competition. In addition, the Procurement Services Department at Lake County Schools is making every effort to contact local businesses to alert them of the opportunity to bid on either of these consultant services.”  This is a change that is long overdue for many talented local professional firms.

The District has also taken two other meaningful steps, which could open the doors for local vendors:

  • The Lake County School District Procurement Services Department has begun the process of reaching out to local vendors to educate them on how to bid the District.  The next scheduled training session will be Tuesday, June 18, 2013.  This session will help local businesses understand how to do business with Lake County Schools.  If you are interested in attending the session please go to www.lake.k12.fl.us/procurement to find out how to register for this training session.
  • The Lake County School District Procurement Services Department is updating its website (www.lake.k12.fl.us/procurement) to provide vendors with information about active bids and contracts and professional service opportunities. Interested businesses can also register online to become a vendor with Lake County Schools. When a business registers as a Lake County Schools’ vendor, the system emails the business with any open bid opportunities the District has issued that may apply to the respective business.

The tangible and proposed actions taken by Superintendent Moxley and the District make us cautiously optimistic that there is going to be a positive change for local vendors.  Local vendors understand that they must earn the District’s business, and having a real opportunity for these companies and their workers who pay local taxes is fair for all.

There are two other aspects of this change that cannot be ignored.  Based on the recent contracts the District has been and continues to be getting ripped off by the out-of-town contractors–they are not getting any special deals.  Secondly, local companies will be invested in District projects with superior workmanship and better warranties.

If the Lake County School District has any hope of passing the local option penny tax in 2016 they must get the support of local businesses.  Many local businesses and their workers have no interest in paying or renewing an extra penny sales tax for tax dollars that are going to be spent on out-of-town companies and frivolously so.

If there is indeed a new positive attitude by the District toward local companies this could be a win-win situation for everyone.  The District will find a willing and outstanding array of local businesses that can take care of all of their needs–if they give them the chance.

Finally, a message to our local businesses:

The District indicates they are going to earnestly make an effort to reach out to local companies to do business.  It is imperative you forget the times when Parker was in charge, because we cannot change the past.  Your quest now is simple:

  • Aggressively bid projects—especially, the local architects and civil engineer consultants who felt they were shut out before.
  • Attend the seminars on how to do business with the District.
  • Check out their website.
  • Hold the District accountable.  Our motto remains the same, “A little bit of showing beats a whole lot of telling.”

It appears that the Lake County School District is trying to change for the positive and we hope they are successful!

We would like to hear from you on today’s newsletter.  Go to www.lakecountygov.info and let us know what you think.  You can leave a comment on this newsletter, or you can click on the “What’s on Your Mind?” button to leave a comment about something you feel strongly about.

The easiest and fastest way to get your copy of The Right Side of the Lake is to “Like Us” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rightsideofthelake.

Please forward this email to everyone on your list.  If you have not signed up for our free email newsletter service, be sure to sign up at our website www.lakecountygov.info.

This year, getting out the pro-growth, conservative message is more important than ever before.  Please forward The Right Side of the Lake to everyone on your contact list and encourage your friends and family to sign up for this free newsletter by going to www.lakecountygov.info or www.therightsideofthelake.com.  If you would like to make a comment about today’s newsletter please (click here).

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May 28, 2013 at 2:21 pm

Eustis Heights Elementary School Renovation Project Approved — Many Questions Remain

Posted by in Lake County

Last week, the Lake County School Board unanimously approved the $12.6 million Eustis Heights Elementary School renovation project.  Although on the surface it appears there was a victory for fiscal responsibility, many questions remain.  Since we have reported on this project as well as the Umatilla Middle School project, there has been a growing angst in the community over the Lake County School District’s lack of fiscal responsibility; failure to hire local companies; and sheer incompetence when it comes to the bidding process.  The main driver behind this project was School Board member Kyleen Fischer who, it appears in her zeal to construct this project, literally gave tax dollars away.

We are not sure if fiscal responsibility really did occur, because the original contract with AllState Construction, Inc. out of Tallahassee was $12.6 million, while the new contract is for the same amount with a caveat that the price may increase by $2 million.  We are not sure why the contract price was not reduced.  We have emailed this question to school officials, and have not received a response.

In the New Contract

The new contract contains several significant changes, which were pushed by School Board Members Bill Mathias and Tod Howard with absolutely no help from fellow School Board Members Rosanne Brandeburg and Kyleen Fischer.  Let’s not forget that Lake County School District construction staff under Chief Operating Officer John Davis urged passage of the old contract at a much higher cost.  Here are the primary differences in the contracts:

  • AllState Construction’s general conditions under the old contract were $1,263,743.  In the new contract, the amount has been lowered to $722,627–a savings of $541,116.
  • Gone in the new contract is $133,230 in “other items” costs, which included $128,000 for relocating workers to Lake County–more savings.
  • The profit and overhead percentage amount in the old contract was 5.85%, which for a $12,640,000 project would be $739,440.  In the new contract the profit and overhead was reduced to 4.25% or $537,200.  This saves taxpayers $202,240.
  • What did not change is the 1.5% for owner’s contingency and 2.5% for the construction manager’s contingency.  These are the amounts for foul-ups and omissions.  For all of the planning and experts involved in this project, the amount is huge–$505,600!

According to the contracts, the Lake County School District should save $743,356 in profits and overhead–money that would have been paid to the construction manager– AllState Construction, Inc. out of Tallahassee.  If School Board Members Fischer and Brandeburg and COO Davis had their way, this money would have been paid to the contractor.  School Board Member Mathias brought the issue forward and School Board Member Howard stood with Mathias for fiscal responsibility.

Fischer Blamed for Overruns

As the heat intensified on COO Davis and his construction team, he was quick to the throw School Board Member Fischer under the bus for cost overruns on the Eustis Heights Elementary School renovation project.  Multiple sources close to the District told us that Davis said as much as $200,000 in costs were added to the project based on special design requests made by Fischer.

School Board Member Howard questioned COO Davis several weeks ago on why established prototypes were not used at Eustis Heights Elementary School, and Davis never gave a straight answer.  Many familiar with the project and School Board Member Fischer’s involvement theorize her passion for the project’s quick approval was to mask her role in the design, which created the huge cost overrun.  From day one, Fischer voted “yes” on the project and she desperately wanted to get the discussion of money behind her.

The voters and taxpayers of Lake County won’t get the final cost for the project until sometime later, when “A Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) amendment will be presented to the Board at a future date upon completion of the Drawings and Specifications.”  However, they can be rest assured that Fischer will be there with her “yes” vote to spend.

Teachers Should Learn Construction to Make More in Lake County

The Lake County School Board has promised no raises for teachers and they are threatening to layoff 59 others to cover a possible $16 million shortfall in the budget.  On the contrary, when it comes to construction salaries the District spares no expense.  Under the contract they have just signed with AllState Construction, Inc. they are paying top dollar for their employees for this 68 week long (one year and four months) project.  Below are actual salaries being paid to AllState, which have been approved by the Lake County School Board:

  • Project Manager – Keith Hendry – $220,887.04 for 64 weeks (or $3,451.36 per week)
  • Assistant Project Manager/Project Engineer – Tom Campbell – $150,960.00 for 68 weeks (or $2,220 per week)
  • Project Superintendent – Jason Woods – $194,436.48 for 68 weeks (or $2,859.36 per week)
  • Project Administrator – Local Hire – $75,776.00 for 64 weeks (or $1,184 per week)

Plus all three men get some form of vehicle or fuel allowance.

Here is the question of the day:  While teachers are not getting pay raises and they are facing layoffs, does it seem fitting that the Lake County School Board did not challenge the rates being paid to AllState employees?  The District pays the best and buys the best in everything, except when it comes to teacher’s salaries.  Is this fair?  As a teacher, would you rather work in a regular building without extra Fischer designs and make more money?

Davis Has Got to Go

This new contract demonstrates above everything else that Lake County School District Chief Operating Officer John Davis has got to go.  School Board Members Mathias and Howard drove this contract price down; and, if not for the intransigence of the other school board members the price would have gone lower on rebid.  It cannot be forgotten that Davis said they had negotiated the best deal for the District on the first contract, which was $743,356 higher after Mathias and Howard got involved.  We’ve asked this question before, “How many times can John Davis be wrong until he is terminated by Superintendent Dr. Susan Moxley?”  His proven failures will soon become hers if she fails to take action.

Finally

The District claims to be charting a new course when it comes to local purchasing and construction.  In Thursday’s edition of The Right Side of the Lake we are going to explore their new path to see if they have taken a new direction or the same old way.  There have been so many failures in leadership regarding the Eustis Heights Elementary School renovation project; however, one thing is for sure—School Board Members Mathias and Howard earned their salaries for the next four years with this one.  We are going to be closely monitoring this project to see if the cost comes in below $12 million.  We hope the District is not going to be socked $2 million more for the custom-Kyleen-Fischer design!

We would like to hear from you on today’s newsletter.  Go to www.lakecountygov.info and let us know what you think.  You can leave a comment on this newsletter, or you can click on the “What’s on Your Mind?” button to leave a comment about something you feel strongly about.

The easiest and fastest way to get your copy of The Right Side of the Lake is to “Like Us” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rightsideofthelake.

Please forward this email to everyone on your list.  If you have not signed up for our free email newsletter service, be sure to sign up at our website www.lakecountygov.info.

This year, getting out the pro-growth, conservative message is more important than ever before.  Please forward The Right Side of the Lake to everyone on your contact list and encourage your friends and family to sign up for this free newsletter by going to www.lakecountygov.info or www.therightsideofthelake.com.  If you would like to make a comment about today’s newsletter please (click here).

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May 23, 2013 at 4:15 pm

Thanks a Million!

Posted by in Florida, Lake County

Citizens for Better Government, L.L.C. has been going strong for almost nine years, and since July 2008, we have been publishing The Right Side of the Lake newsletter at least twice weekly.  Based on preliminary numbers in website views, Tweets, Facebook posts/shares plus our free newsletter, The Right Side of the Lake will exceed well over one million touches in 2013.

We have become one of the largest non-candidate/party PAC groups in the State of Florida, and the response we have received amazes us.  For many working people our newsletter, posts and comments have become their source of news in Lake County.

The reasons for our large readership and touches are simple:

  • All of our material is original.  We don’t cut and paste articles from other sites on the internet.  We do not plagiarize.
  • Our sources remain anonymous in their comments and contacts, unless they choose to be named.  We do not try to find out the sources of website comments (unlike the local out-of-county paper did to a local politician).  This is how we are able to obtain so much information from behind the scenes.
  • We remain congruent with our conservative principals–low taxes, less bureaucracy, and honesty in government.
  • Our focus has been and continues to be what is best for working families.  We represent the folks who don’t have time to show up at 9:00 a.m. Lake County Commission meeting because they are working to make a living.
  • Jobs and economic development are critical in our mission.
  • We try to be honest brokers and not bashers.  The good decisions are applauded and the bad ones exposed.  Our mission has never been about targeting people, although we know some would disagree.
  • Our website welcomes fair criticism and open dialogue as long as the comments are not vulgar, do not mention children’s names, or include links to other websites.

The reason we do not post links on our website is because we do not want to be a hub for viruses or spam.  In addition, many websites would love to tap into our readership base.

Here are some fun facts about The Right Side of the Lake:

  • You can sign up for our automatic newsletter sent to your email, follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook; or, like so many have done, go directly to our website at www.lakecountygov.info and sign up.
  • On Facebook, 52.9% of our readership is female with the highest demographic being 35-44 year old females.
  • Currently, there are 5,397 comments on our website with 330 or 6.1% designated as spam.  5,067 comments are posted to various columns.
  • Currently, 97.3% of all comments made are posted.  We do approve comments before posting, which is why there is a delay.  Keep in mind, only 2.7% of the comments have been rejected.
  • We have made 661 posts on the website, which is why when you Google anything having to do with politics in Lake County we are normally at the top of the list.

All of this is has been made possible by our readers and the support you give us.  We hope you understand that there will be times where you will not agree with our stance and that is okay.  However, unlike the current people in Washington, D.C., we believe a healthy democracy needs a full, hearty debate.  This website represents free speech at its finest and we thank every reader and person who makes a comment.  We can never be scared of other people’s standpoints.

We said in our first newsletter, “Whether you are a cashier at Wal-Mart, a security guard, or a stucco worker, you are important to Lake County and it is time you have a voice.  We will use this column in the future to keep you informed of the issues affecting working people.  We encourage you and your friends to sign up for this free column.  It is time your concerns and voices be heard, and we hope to make life better for working families in Lake County.”  What we said almost five years ago is still true today–thank you!

We would like to hear from you on today’s newsletter.  Go to www.lakecountygov.info and let us know what you think.  You can leave a comment on this newsletter, or you can click on the “What’s on Your Mind?” button to leave a comment about something you feel strongly about.

The easiest and fastest way to get your copy of The Right Side of the Lake is to “Like Us” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rightsideofthelake.

Please forward this email to everyone on your list.  If you have not signed up for our free email newsletter service, be sure to sign up at our website www.lakecountygov.info.

This year, getting out the pro-growth, conservative message is more important than ever before.  Please forward The Right Side of the Lake to everyone on your contact list and encourage your friends and family to sign up for this free newsletter by going to www.lakecountygov.info or www.therightsideofthelake.com.  If you would like to make a comment about today’s newsletter please (click here).

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