There is no surplus. The city is $21 million+ in debt. The city should have said “budget surplus.” What does that mean? Say you thought you were going to spend $35,000 this year, but instead, you spent $20,000. You don’t have $15,000 in your pocket. Instead, you have a budget surplus of $15,000.
Perhaps you spent less money because you didn’t take that vacation that you had planned. But it shouldn’t be because you didn’t get the oil changed in your car (because you will end up spending more money later for that mistake.)
In the city of Columbus’ case, city officials decided to not hire ten more police officers, as planned. There was an increase in pay for administration, while they decreased pay and benefits for the firefighters and police officers. And that’s how the city ended up with a budget surplus and not a surplus of money.
Please take a moment to read and understand what the city of Columbus is saying about its “surplus.” City officials believe that not paying the city’s debts puts it in a “better financial standing.” This shell-game being played by the city is an insult to every citizen. If we believe the numbers that have been provided – and it appears the auditors may have some concerns, since the most recent audit report is from 2018 – Columbus had $2.8 million more than it expected on September 30, 2020. City officials would have you believe that that means it has a “better financial standing.” It turns out, though, that the “biggest cut in spending comes when the slashed $1.94 million …used to pay the city’s debt.” Simply put, this city believes that not paying its debts puts it in a “better financial standing.” Maybe it is time to get better thinkers in City government!
