vernonia’s
voice
city news
april
2008
07
Council Receives Auditors
Report: City Budget
Committee Begins to Meet
Vernonia’s Voice
Hosts “Meet the Candidates”
On March 17 the Vernonia City Council received the audit report for the city budget
for fiscal year 2006-2007 from Tom Glogau, a representative of Grove, Mueller and
Swank. The auditors noted no concerns with the preparation of the budget. They
did note concerns for the city with a shortfall of $113,562 in the City Governmental
funds; this means the city did not collect enough revenue through taxes, licenses
and permits, or other miscellaneous sources to cover the expenses of general gov-
ernment, community development, public works, and public safety. The audit firm
also noted that the amount of debt service that the city has accumulated in its water
and sewer operations and shall be responsible for paying in upcoming years will in-
crease. In 2007 the debt service was $284,200. In fiscal year 2009 the debt service
is expected to increase to $887,610. The auditor suggested this increase leaves the
city with two basic options- cut services or increase fees.
The format will be questions from a pre-selected panel of Vernonia area residents.
There will then be an opportunity for the audience to meet and question the candi-
dates in an open house setting following the panelists’ questions.
Concerns about the financial situation of the City of Vernonia received some clarifi-
cation in March with the report from the city audit firm on the status of city finances
through fiscal year 2007.
The City Budget Committee met in a workshop with City Council on March 18th to
begin discussions about the upcoming budget preparation and to set dates for official
Budget Committee Meetings and Hearings. During the workshop the Budget Com-
mittee members and Council received an update on the current fiscal year financial
situation and year to date revenue and expenditures. There were also discussions
about upcoming priorities and needs.
Temporary Financial Officer M.R. “Dick” Kline addressed the workshop and ex-
plained the financial situation of the city as “tenuous.” Kline explained that the “belt
tightening” that city staff was instructed to carry out last year has been effective but
that even more will probably be needed again this year. There have been unexpected
costs and losses of revenue associated with the flood. There was a discussion about
how last year’s budget was balanced through numerous fund transfers and loans.
Kline explained that using loans to balance individual funds is not sustainable. He
explained that the choices for the budget committee and council will probably be
very difficult this year, and citizens should probably expect cuts in services.
Vernonia’s Voice will be the host for an exciting and informative event we are call-
ing “Meet the Candidates”. The event is a Question and Answer forum with those
candidates who have filed to run for the positions of Columbia County Sheriff and
for Columbia County Commissioner, Positions One and Three. The event will be
held on May 8, and will start at 6:30pm at the Vernonia Scout Cabin.
The following is a list of the candidates who have filed to run and who have been
invited to participate in the candidates’ forum:
Commissioner, Position 1
Democrat
Republican
Commissioner, Position 3
Democrat
Republican
Sheriff
Joe Corsiglia
Earl Fisher
Glen Dorschler
Warren Nakkela
Pat Zimmerman
Tony Hyde
Gerald “Gerry” Simmons
Robert W. Crain Jr.
Jeff Dickerson
Ruth Baker has filed to run for County Treasurer. Wally Thompson has filed to run
for Justice of the Peace. Both are running unopposed and were not invited to par-
ticipate in the panelist question portion of the event, but they were invited to attend
and participate in the open house.
Questions about this event should be directed to Scott Laird at 503-367-0098, or by
email to scott@vernoniasvoice.com.
The Committee has scheduled the presentation of the 2008-09 budget for May 5,
2008, during the regular City Council meeting. A public hearing is scheduled for
May 13, 2008.
In Vernonia – Did You Know...
• True Value Hardware sells home appliances and paint and if you don’t see
something you need in the store, they can order it for you.
• Cornerstone Naturals sells vitamins, herbs, and fresh spices. They will spe-
cial order as well.
• Black Bear Coffee now sells cheeseburgers and fries. Don’t forget the beer
and wine.
• You can get a new pair of saddle shoes at Muffy’s, located across from
Vernonia Realty.
• West Oregon Electric offers scholarships. Five Sam Hearing scholarships,
2 VOLTA scholarships and 2 YES camp scholarships. See Sara at WOEC.
Deadline April 15.
Just a reminder of services offered in Vernonia brought to you by
the Vernonia Area Chamber of Commerce 503-429-6081.
Birkenfeld Store and Café
Home of the 1/3lb. hand-pressed burger!
Come and enjoy delicious home-cooked food
and old-fashioned milkshakes. Also serving
beer & wine.
his
Now offering a kids
menu & “value meals”!
Grocery & Liquor Store:
Mon. - Sat. 8am - 6pm
Sun. 9am - 5pm
Café open daily 9am - 4pm
t
ion ¢ off
t
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d
a
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11139 Highway 202
(503) 755-2722
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Time for some
fun!