Time for Comment
First, I must apologize for the long pause between posts, but the Mayor and City Council have not moved anything pertinent enough for comment to improve the conditions of the city.  The meeting of April 19th is a different story. The two items that I heard that had relevance to me as a taxpayer were a presentation  to create a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) and an issue of waiving a connection fee for the Wilmer Academy, our charter school.
First, lets explore the TIRZ and the reasons that they are created. TIRZ creation is a mean for creating development in areas that are in such an extreme and burdensome condition and/or because of geographical location that there is not any interest in the developer community to invest. That is certainly not the case for Wilmer. Wilmer is the Alpha and Omega for the logistics hub with the Union Pacific inter modal . Generally, TIRZ are created for areas commonly referred as blighted areas (slums) that have little value to a developer unless incentives are made to him.The incentive to the developer is property value is frozen and taxable only at appraised value upon creation of the TIRZ. The development of the zone increases the appraised property value; hence, increases the property tax but the taxes due for the property have been frozen at pre-development value. This difference between pre-development and post development valuation is the increment of tax that is credited to the property owner for the development.
What is wrong with allowing a developer to have incentives to make improvements in the city? Nothing, but we, as taxpayers, should be aware of what we are giving up because city leadership must not. Property values have lost 20-25% in valuation in the past 3 years; therefore, creating a TIRZ at this chronological time guarantees the developer an additional built in bonus check of this amount from the citizens when the market corrects itself. The creation of a TIRZ also mandates the appointment of a Board of Directors made up of LANDOWNERS who are not necessarily citizens, essentially creates a quasi-government with the authority and power to evoke EMINENT DOMAIN with the authority to issue bonds, such as, CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. We, the citizens, are on the hook for this debt without reaping any benefits because the property values have been FROZEN and taxed at pre-development level.
Investment incentives are tools that a well managed city offers for the improvements needed in the city. The creations of jobs is a main incentive for a city to partnership with developers. Tax abatement, 380 agreements, and other tools entice developers to create value for the city. Good leadership in the city will realize that the right tool is needed for the job. A hammer is a good tool but it would not be used in a china shop. City leaders should create an ENTERPRISE zone with tax incentives which will accomplish development without the substantial risks involved with a TIRZ.

Next, the city has an issue with waiving a connection fee for the Wilmer Academy. With blatant disrespect, Pena showed his lack of knowledge about charter schools calling it a "for profit" school. Mr. John Dodd, representing the Honors Academy, explained that a charter school receives funding from the State of Texas just as every other PUBLIC school with tax dollars.
It is clearly evident that this council is doing everything within its power to damage the only school located in  Wilmer. Charging a public school commercial water and sewer rates is not customary and is evidence that Pena and the Mayor do not care or value the youth of the city. Prohibiting the children from the library after school to this latest attack on the school only affirms the lack of interest for the children. Mr. Pena and the Mayor are unmarried so that could explain the insensitivity to the children of Wilmer. Residential rates have historically been charged to the school. The investment in our community should be realized with our children as first priority not with carpetbaggers. 

Entitlement Mentality Gets Us Nowhere

I am on a research assignment for a class that I am enrolled in and was asking a colleague about healthcare. As a financial planner, my friend stays current with trends and he passed on this information. There are actually two messages here. The first is very interesting, but the second is absolutely astounding - and explains a lot.

  A recent "Investor's Business Daily" article provided very interesting statistics from a survey by the United Nations International Health Organization.

            Percentage of men and women who survived a cancer five years after diagnosis:

             U.S.                    65%   England              46%              Canada               42%


            Percentage of patients diagnosed with diabetes who received treatment within six months:

             U.S.                     93%  England              15%              Canada               43%


            Percentage of seniors needing hip replacement who received it within six months:

             U.S.                     90%  England               15%             Canada               43%


            Percentage referred to a medical specialist who see one within
one month:

             U.S.                     77%   England              40%             Canada               43%


            Number of MRI scanners (a prime diagnostic tool) per million people:

             U.S.                     71      England             14              Canada              18


            Percentage of seniors (65+), with low income, who say they are in "excellent health":

             U.S.                    12%    England               2%          Canada               6%


            And now for the last statistic:

            National Health Insurance?

             U.S.                 NO

             England            YES

             Canada             YES

            Check this last set of statistics!!

            The percentage of each past president's cabinet who had worked
in the private business sector prior to their appointment to the cabinet.
You know what the private business sector is a real-life business, not a
government job.  Here are the percentages.


            T. Roosevelt.................... 38%

            Taft.................................. 40%

             Wilson ........................... 52%

            Harding........................... 49%

            Coolidge......................... 48%

            Hoover............................ 42%

            F. Roosevelt................... 50%

            Truman........................... 50%

            Eisenhower................ .... 57%

            Kennedy......................... 30%

            Johnson.......................... 47%

            Nixon.............................. 53%

            Ford................................ 42%

            Carter............................. 32%

            Reagan........................... 56%

            GH Bush......................... 51%

             Clinton .......................... 39%

            GW Bush........................ 55%

            Obama..................... 8%


            This helps to explain the incompetence of this administration:
only 8% of them have ever worked in private business!

            That's right!  Only eight percent---the least, by far, of the
last 19 presidents!  And these people are trying to tell our big
corporations how to run their business?

            How can the president of a major nation and society, the one
with the most successful economic system in world history, stand and talk
about business when he's never worked for one?  Or about jobs when he has
never really had one?  And when it's the same for 92% of his senior staff
and closest advisers?  They've spent most of their time in academia,
government and/or non-profit jobs or as "community organizers."  They should
have been in an employment line.

         Why hasn't this fact been exposed in the media? Oh wait, the media is state controlled isn't it?

Dallas County Water Department

There is an effort underway for the needed waterline for Wilmer to be constructed by Dallas County along the I-45 corridor. Although the need for a Wilmer access point to secure Dallas Water at wholesale or bulk rates is critical for the development of the city, the plan for Dallas County to exercise its powers created by a special act of legislation, should cause the citizens to investigate and ask questions.The Dallas County plan is advantageous for Dallas County but it critically undermines the self governance of Wilmer.

First, the water infrastructure improvement for the city are needed. Historically, the city has been short on resources to maintain the system that exists today which also lacks the capacity to serve current needs. With the focused effort to identify and prepare a strategy, the 2030 plan was implemented after council approval in 2010. This plan was crucial in identifying critical needs of the city and is now part of the North Texas Council of Governments current assessment of southern Dallas county infrastructure study and can be viewed at www.nctcog.org/trans/sustdev/landuse/funding/plan/sdcia/index.asp . This plan calls for each city, especially the cities of Hutchins, Wilmer, and Lancaster to be responsible for its infrastructure construction. This is important as each city will have differing timetables for build out as development increases. The ability of each city to build as needed allows for better management of the debt.

Next, the plan that Dallas County will present very soon will be to construct a huge 30 inch water line from Stewart Simpson road south to Ferris, TX. The construction cost to build the line will have to be paid for by (a) an increase in property tax or (b) an increase in water rates. How is this option any different than the bond proposal that was adamantly opposed by council member Pena? The difference is that with the Dallas County proposal, Wilmer will not have input in water rates because Dallas County Water Department will have the authority to set rates. Hutchins and Lancaster will not sign on to this project because they have been ahead of the curve and has issued debt for water infrastructure improvements by bonding; therefore, Hutchins and Lancaster will not be part of the factoring of costs associated with this project. So, that leaves Wilmer and Ferris to carry the full weight of the debt for this project. Why should Wilmer be paying the extra expense to extend the oversized water line to Ferris? As Mayor, I had been in initial discussion with Ferris to offer water by the same inter local agreement that Wilmer currently enjoys with Hutchins. This scenario enhanced the viability and sustainability of Wilmer issuing debt for the constructing the water line on its own.


In conclusion, the writing is on the wall and I am concerned that our governmental body is being swayed to opt for the Dallas County option of building the water line. This will have immediate effects to us, the citizens of Wilmer, because the burden for paying for the construction of this project will be evident in the increase of cost to live in this city. With the increase of cost, people will relocate: therefore, the oppressive cost will increase because fewer customers will be available to pay. This defeats any vision of the city of Wilmer to grow.

City Administrator

With the confusion and lack of a plan, I am very excited that the city council will discuss hiring an administrator but how do we pay for the position? The amended budget has inflated revenue to offset the expenditures and is guaranteed to be in the RED by June/July so that issue needs to addressed. This hire is critical to the proper management of the city as the duties that have been delegated to the city secretary are beyond her capabilities. Perhaps this council can correct this horrible decision by hiring a competent person that can manage city hall.The budget fiasco is prima facie evidence that the Mayor has a lack of leadership as he allowed council member  Pena to put forward a budget which has no chance of succeeding. Pena is out of control and as long as the Mayor and other council members allow unfettered authority, the situation will only get worse. The Mayor has stated that his administration would be inclusive. I have one question for the Mayor. When do you plan to have an administration because Mr. Pena has stolen your authority? Did you take the appointment knowing that you would only be mimicking what Pena tells you or do you have any leadership abilities? I am waiting for signs of a leader but, alas, I am anxiously awaiting for a sign that one exists.  It is obvious that this city is mired in a sea of moronic decision makers so I hope that they can get this decision right. Let's hope.

How long does progress take?

A critical issue for the city of Wilmer has not been addressed by the current council. Identifying the serious issues regarding the water supply, a task force was formed on July 7,2011. Council member Hector Pena was named as chair of this task force to offer solutions to the dire need of water infrastructure improvement. As to this date, all the citizens have to show for his efforts is a political campaign sign in city hall above a sign up sheet. Evidently, Mr. Pena doesn't understand the severity of the water problem or he doesn't care. After 5 months there should be at least a committee formed. This situation would be laughable if the risk to life and property wasn't involved. Let's pray that a major house fire doesn't light a fire under Pena after the fact.

Illegal Budget Posted On City Website

In an appalling act of incompetence, the city has finally posted the alleged ADOPTED city budget on the website as mandated by law. Upon quick review, the unbalanced budget is $26,100 in the hole.This finding is as plain as your nose as your face! What is going on with the ineptness as City Hall? The citizens better wake up and demand competency for the payment of our tax dollars. Mr. Mayor what are you doing? You are responsible to provide a balanced budget by law. This budget has been manipulated by someone after the adoption of the 9-22-11 council meeting. This action may rise to a criminal intent. Who has changed the numbers? Mr. Mayor, you need to get to the bottom of this because it is you that is on the hook for the budget. Mr. Pena Mayor Pro Tempe what are you doing beside creating problems instead of solving them? Someone needs to be called on the carpet because of this blunder.

Why is it necessary for an increase in taxes in the city?

Less than 6 weeks from adopting this years budget,Mayor Casarez  finds the need to restate/amend the budget? Less than 6 weeks and he should be able to explain why this amendment is necessary so early into the tax year. When did the council call for public hearings to change the budget? Should be interesting November 3 at the council meeting.