The Government's Money »
The other day, I mentioned Charlotte's transit boondoggle.
From just over $1 billion to more than $6 billion, in just six years.
According to another source, when council member Don Lochman asked city staff about the discrepancy last month, he was told that the 1998 estimates of the project's cost were just estimates, and not an actual budget. Whether the amount was or was not a budget, it's a pretty bad indicator that our city can so badly estimate costs. From $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion, sure. But an increase of 500%?*
One option would be to cancel the plan. Observer columnist Tommy Tomlinson proposes just such a solution with school bonds passed four years ago. The bonds were for center-city schools to relieve overcrowding. Turns out everyone moved away, so the school is even less crowded now than it was four years ago. Rather than building something that's now not needed, or taking the money and using it elsewhere, which would be a direct violation of voter's trust, Tomlinson suggests a novel idea: Don't spend it at all.
Whether you agree with him or not, that's a powerful idea. Just imagine - not spending every dime available, just because it's there. The government actually showing some fiscal responsibility and at the same time showing that they are actually concerned about their constituents? Inconceivable!
Another alternative? Recoup the costs of services from those who are provided with those services. I'm not talking about having people pay for the police and fire departments. Though I'm not sure that's such a bad idea, I won't get into it here. No, I'm talking about people who, for whatever reason, do something stupid and cost the government a ton of money. For the sake of argument, say $70,000. Then the people who might be able to recoup that money get caught up in deciding whether or not they should file charges, which might result in some compensation. I can't figure it out. Can you?
* That's correct. The increase is 500%. The total cost, however, is 600% of the original amount. An increase is only the difference between the two numbers.
