Comments on: Antioch Council deals with budget, revenues are up, but City faces deficits starting next year

By: Rich

Rich — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 19:01:09 +0000

In reply to Marty Fernandez. I've been here for 67 years. I can relate. Again, I can't do it myself, but I am attempting to get the residents involved.

By: Marty Fernandez

Marty Fernandez — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:32:17 +0000

Rich: I have been trying to get the animal shelter shut down and moved to the county ever since the voters voted to have our own shelter. It was an informational post card poll that asked the citizens, then a much smaller town, what they would like, our own or county run. It isn’t an ordinance I know of and isn’t a law that we must have our own shelter. Residents from Oakley and Brentwood use our shelter also. Drivers licenses should be verified for residence for anyone using the shelter for any reason.

Good luck on that one Rich. I have given up on this city after nearly 50 years of living here.

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:15:57 +0000

With regards to the police staffing; the City Managers weekly report (04/03/2015) lists 11 pending housing projects. 10 of the 11 projects represent an increase in population of almost 11,000. based on our current staffing and officers to 1,000 residents, we would need an additional 13 sworn officers to support the addition of that size population increase (not including the unspecified 11th project). Currently, we have 88 sworn officers, in fact the average sworn officers since October, 2010 is exactly 86.96 (lets round to 87). However, boots on the street averaged 11.11 less since that same date. Meaning 76 sworn officers available for patrolling and performing full duty at any given time. Ironically, those averages are basically what we are close to what we are currently experiencing; 88 sworn officers and 8 injured. The point being, if the city is padding the budget ot make it look good by showing a surplus by not hiring, they have shot themselves in the foot (pardon the expression). So, if the city got to where they were supposed to have been years ago with 102, that would cover the additional population, however, that has not happened in the last 5 years, what is miraculously going to happen to to increase the sworn staffing to 102 PLUS the 11 (to compensate for the injured)? The total needed would be a minimum of 113 plus project number 11’s unknown amount. I have heard every excuse so far as to why this city is unable to get to 102 (the number Harper promised to get to, in fact it was higher then). Either this is a major smoke and mirrors scam going on or there is not a snowballs chance in meeting those numbers, much less within the next year.

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:53:06 +0000

I have lot more reading to do, even though I skimmed and read certain parts of your article, I need more time 🙂

If, what the council members and City Manager are saying, I believe it is about time they started to grow up and realize they are being watched. In all honesty, I would like to believe I have had a little influence in the residents of Antioch paying more attention to what is actually happening with their city.

I myself have thought about the change to a Charter City, which would put more emphasis on what the voters want, not what the council wants. However, if their only reasoning is to be able to generate more revenue and property transfers that is piss poor and they are not being realistic on all the possibilities – good and bad of becoming a Charter City.

I do think the white elephants in our closets have been there far too long and should have been addressed years ago. Namely the golf course and water park. They have been a fiscal drain for quite a while and the original intent was to make money, not subsidize the entities.

Like I said, I need more time, but if the sincerity is there (which I am not convinced at this point), they may well be going in the right direction.

However, that being said, we have sold our soul to the devil with the pensions and raises and they are currently in negotiations? Someone needs to put their foot on the brakes and start reassessing what has transpired.

The APD staffing is basically the same as it was pre-Measure C and certainly less that previous to that. The staffing for the city has all ready shown an increase of several persons and at least one incumbent. That’s the sincerity I am questioning. Seems like they are talking out of the side of their mouths.

I would like to know how much overtime we spent for 2014 for the APD and how much to date for the APD. In addition, how much has it costs, to date and also for 2014 to “host” all these other agencies. Last year was the 150 for a week, plus innumerable single and weekly proactive efforts – same with this year.

They may be talking about making some significant changes, but if 74% of the general fund is for police services, THAT is the area that needs to be addressed because that’s where the expenditures are! If it means animal services goes back to the county, so be it. But it sounded like a rather large laundry list of additional expenses that need to be scrutinized; body cameras, radio system upgrade and new radios, etc. etc.

I guess I want to be positive, but they have proven thus far that they can not be trusted and are not transparent. Being a Charter City, that would help in that aspect.

More to come 🙂

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 04:56:10 +0000

Great article Allen!

In a separate email I sent you some comments. I didn’t want to partially make a statement and then finish it later. I want to take enough time to fully discern what is truly being recommended and the sincerity