Lets Build Our New Firehouse the way we Promised.

News: Lets Build Our New Firehouse the way we Promised.

In case you missed it, below you can find the letter to the editor I wrote and was printed in the Huber Heights Courier.  Twice already this week I've heard the City Manager say that it would be irresponsible too commit to buiding a Firehouse, yet in the same week he recommends we sign a $225,000 dollar a year, unbreakable for ten years, contract to a management company to run the Music Center.

So where will the $1.9 million in the bank go towards?

Since it was already from a special levy specifically for a new fire station, who gets to change the law redirecting the money?

If I voted for money towards a specific project…and then the council changes it for whatever they want…then why would I ever believe them again? Such as the newest income tax levy coming up in November?

Does the council just not care what people think?

I'm already a "no" vote coming in November.

Why would I want to move to the newer neighborhood north if I-70 and have my kids go to Bethel, if my tax money does not go towards helping that school system?
What happens if Bethel says no to giving up 70% of the taxes? All they have to do is tell Huber to pay for the new fire station from the $1.9 million. Why wouldn't Bethel simply offer up the additional $100K and tell Huber to build the damn fire station. They would get the best of both worlds, a new station and get to keep all of their rightly due tax monies.

Response to Doug

Doug,

If the city finds a different way to pay for the Firehouse then the money set aside already can be used for operations.  Example if a rich person were to donate $2.2 million toward building the Firehouse then the money in the bank wouldn't be needed for building the Firehouse and the $1.9 million could be used for operations.

If Bethel schools were to take my recommendation and refuse to agree to a 70/30 split of their money then City council could take a vote and make them give up 75% of their money.  

Music center management

Will the new management company have any requirements as to the number of concerts it must schedule each month?

If they only schedule 6 concerts a year then how would they justify their salary? If they are a bad company, are we stuck with them for 10 years? Is there a buyout clause to get rid of them?

 I'm not against the $225,000 if they do great and help make the music center a huge success. That might be a bargain price.

What would happen in years 5 thru 10 if they are doing excellent and they demand a raise? When Huber says no because you have a contract, they simply could stop scheduling as many events. Are there repercussions for that?

As Tom said, the city is in a big hurry to sign a contract but will we ever see details before hand?

Will or is the city attempting to get any other management companies to offer bids and state what they can bring to the table?

Odds are, the city manager called the first company out of the phone book and we will be stuck with them.  
Thanks Doug,

These are exactly the kind of comments that I hope other council members hear and think about.
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