Milton in need of transparent government

I am upset by the lack of information given at the town budget workshop meeting that was held on Tuesday, Oct. 24. The town supervisor read off account balances from Dec. 31, 2016, which will now actually be in separate bank accounts instead of lumped into the general fund, as was suggested in 2015. How much of these “fund” balances have already been spent in 2017?

No figures are available for year to date spending in many of the departments. How can you budget properly without knowing this year’s expenditures? I have created budgets and even set up accounting systems for multiple not for profits, and I always use year to date figures to comply the next year’s budget in a realistic manner.

The public was informed by the comptroller that all this year’s purchase orders are still being processed, and that payroll has not been entered since March. How has this been allowed to happen? According to the town law manual from the Association of Towns of the State of New York, the first responsibility listed for the Town Council is “The Town Law places responsibility for the general management and control of the town finances.” How are the council members doing their job if they have no idea of what the current expenditures are? Why are they not questioning this? And this is the year they will be voting on raising the tax cap.

It’s time for a change in Milton, and this year voters have a choice. I have a degree in business and Sergia Coffey is an economics professor, and we both are running for Milton Town Council. And more importantly we understand budgets.

It’s time for a transparent government with town council members who can understand the purpose of a working budget and their fiscal responsibility as stated in the Town Law manual.

Meg Stevens Milton The author is a candidate for Milton Town Council