Before you compare expenditures for each city, it's fair to tell us what is in each budget.

For instance St. George's proposed budget doesn't include any money for fire protection because the area already has fire services provided by other entities.

Review the St. George budget LINK and it tells you what they include.

Now I am not going to tell you or anyone else whether it's realistic or whatever; but I think before you start comparing budgets of each city it is best to see what they include.

For instance I did a quick check and Lake Charles includes fire protection in their budget. Wouldn't that be a factor when you look at expenditures per capita? Sure it would be a factor.

Now, I do agree that St. George's numbers should be carefully checked and that they are very important, but looking at other cities and then saying that per capita St. George's numbers are bogus isn't sound financial analysis.

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Posted by NorthEnd

Member since Oct 2007

2168 posts

Posted on 1/8/14 at 11:57 am to doubleb

My point is--if we have to build schools, why is that? If we were adequately represented would we not already have enough schools for our area?

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Posted by LSURussian

Member since Feb 2005

128380 posts

Posted on 1/8/14 at 12:22 pm to doubleb

quote:
Before you compare expenditures for each city, it's fair to tell us what is in each budget.

The St George 'budget' is so lacking in details I don't know what it really includes. Just look at the "Public Services" line. It's a mystery what all it includes or how the numbers were derived.

As I've posted before, I don't see where their budget includes any funds for street or bridge construction. ZERO funds. Want a new turn lane built so you can turn right on red? Sorry, no money. Want a new bridge to get into your subdivision to replace the one that's falling down? Sorry, no money.

My OP was an attempt to measure the "reasonableness" of the SG budget not its absolute accuracy. It is in no way a detailed analysis of every city's budget.

I compiled the numbers on other Louisiana cites and not one of them even came close to the per capita numbers for SG. Not within 50% of their per capita numbers. Some cities were more than triple the per capita spending rate of SG. I knew those numbers would be criticized so I deleted them from my spreadsheet.

If SG residents want to believe that their city is so unique that the new government can supply adequate city services as the residents in other La. cities receive from their city government at a 50%+ discount in taxes, then I have a bridge over the Mississippi River I'd like to sell them.....for them to use in their new city, of course, that is if they can find the money in their budget to buy it.

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