Glendale City Living Beyond its Means but City Manager Avoids Answering Legitimate Questions.
In June 2013 the Civil Grand Jury reported its survey of various measures concerning the fiscal condition of 88 Los Angeles County cities; it ranked cities accordingly on each. Glendale ranks well on some, low on others. It’s low on the measure examining revenues versus expenditures.
The City Manager, with the silent acquiescence of the Council, dismissed Glendale’s low ran kings, saying in his professional opinion it was garbage in garbage out. But, the exhibits, containing the data determining the rankings, cite their sole data source as city Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs)··the cities’ independently audited financial statements. Glendale’s is submitted for council approval by its Director of Finance with prior approval of the City Manager.
Absent further explanation, it appears the City Manager sought to discredit low rankings by labeled our CAFR, which he approved, as garbage.
More important than rankings, is the data upon which they are based. They show Glendale spending more than it takes in. According to the report expenditures exceeded revenues in 2010-11 by 9.1 % and in 2011-12 by 11,2% for the total of all funds (including GWP),
Because the Grand Jury reported the unassigned general fund balance dropped from over $63 million in 2011 to under $38 million in 2012, I assume this drop went to plug the gap.
These numbers, based on the CAFR, showing the city living beyond its means and doing so by eating into its reserves are serious. Glendale Residents deserve more than a “garbage in garbage out” dismissal. But, so long as a docile voting public accepts such dismissals that’s all they’ll get. Those who have the audacity to question, get tongue lashing and name calling from individuals sitting on the Dias.
