Mike Jacobs is a former Wall Street financial analyst who has spent around 40 hours so far analyzing the budget line by line.  I estimate that if the City of Bellaire and the CM paid to have this done it would cost at least 20k.  I have been a strong advocate of utilizing our residents who are willing to volunteer their skills to the city instead of wasting money on consultants and studies.  Our city is filled with truly bright individuals who posses the skills necessary to help solve the tough issues we face.   Below is Mike’s open letter to the Bellaire City Council and City Manager that was posted on Nextdoor. https://nextdoor.com/post/122451841?init_source=copy_link_share

Dear Council,

I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend. Unfortunately I am stuck at home with a sick kiddo. Glass half full: I’ve had a chance now to review four departments (with more to go) and have easily found enough cuts to actually lower taxes / not increase water rates with minimal (if any impact) to essential services.

Stepping back into the data, you should also be aware that this years budget reallocated “risk management” – the line item responsible for workers comp, safety and loss prevention, drug and alcohol testing, the city’s fund and risk management insurance coordinator, etc) to Finance & Courts from the City Manager’s Budget. Ok – you might as – so why is that relevant?

Well, in order to better-understand spending trends for the CM’s office, we need to look at the historical budget trends excluding Risk Management (“RM”). When we remove RM, we see that Mr. Hofmann’s predecessor ran his department for 3yrs at an average cost of $1.33mm per annum. In his new budget, Mr. Hofmann is asking for $2.57mm for those same items. So let’s examine what extra funds is he asking for vs the prior CM, in order of increase…

• Salaries (up $364,092 vs predecessor) or up 55%
• Professional Services (up $310,148), +125% 
• Contractual Services (up $266,472), +175% 
• Benefits (up $148,841), +70% 
• Maintenance (up $41,492), +196%

Also note that we have spent / adopted $479,322 on hardware and software for the CM’s office – and he’s asking for another $95,000 for 2020.

Stepping back – it’s worth noting that – as you know – I have no plans to run for public office and I have yet to endorse any candidate – incumbent or otherwise. But once I finish this budget analysis, I will be making recommendations on how to cut significantly from our budget. And that’s really all I can do to help you from my station as a constituent.

But after i serve you in this self-appointed advisory capacity, I will be shifting my focus / efforts to helping support those candidates – incumbents or otherwise – that I believe are making / will be willing to make the tough decisions in the best interest of their constituents. Much of this spending is excessive. And it needs to stop.

Respectfully, Mike Jacobs