Library debt service still questioned
To the editor:
Ms. Chappina: I am pleased that you are thoroughly impressed by my calculations concerning the library. I assume then that you agree the statement that 28,900 people went through the doors in February is factually challenged.
You are more than confused as to why I am expressing my beliefs at this point. The point is that the methods used by the Fort Myers Beach Library director and Library boards to force us taxpayers to fork up $9 million were confusing and misleading, hence perhaps your confusion now.
I will give you only one example. There had to be an entry in the budgets and financial statements alluding to the fact that considerable money was being raised by taxation for the new building. The appellation Building Fund would have fitted just fine.
Instead the money for building was described as “Debt Service Principal” although for years no debt was being repaid. In the 2007 budget, under “expenditure” is the figure of $801,930 for debt service. There, of course, was no debt service paid in 2007. So that amount and very high over budgeting resulted in the library having a surplus of $1,564,974 for the year (i.e. money for building).
I know it is done now with a fine, expensive and under utilized building. I wonder what the result would been in a 2007 survey “Do you want to be taxed $1,564,974 for a new library or pay $1,564,974 to start replacing a troubled water system?”
Peter Reid
Fort Myers Beach