For the life of me, I have read this Ordinance 1032 over and over again! I consider myself somewhat intelligent but this is over my head. If it is to Amend Ordinance No. 1013, how do I find out what it says? Honestly, it sounds to me like any part of the government budget not used yet can be used to pay for whatever they want. I think these legal issues are worded this way on purpose so no one objects.
Well. I object that everything legal is so hard to figure out.
ORDINANCE NO. 1032 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST RIDGE, TENNESSEE, TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO 1013 ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE REVENUE FOR THE CITY OF EAST RIDGE, TENNESSEE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2016 TO JUNE 30, 2017 APPROPRIATING THE SAME TO THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT …” BY DESIGNATING A PORTION OF THE FUND BALANCE OF THE GENERAL FUND AND BY CHANGING THE REVENUES OF THE GRANT FUND, DRUG FUND AND CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND AND BY CHANGING THE EXPENDITURES OF THE GENERAL FUND, GRANT FUND, DRUG FUND AND CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND (1st reading)
Also, a citizen picks up the council meetings printouts at the time of the meeting. I feel like we are rushed through the agenda before I have a chance to figure it out. When I sign up for the Citizens Communication period of the meeting, it takes place before the new business so how do I ask questions after that? I have raised my hand before and again, only to be made to feel “out of bounds.” I guess I need to read “Robert’s Rules of Order” before the next meeting!
Sometimes the Mayor refers to something in their agenda that is highlighted, say yellow. We, the public, don’t get that version of the agenda so sometimes it can be confusing. Items in first reading can be voted on by the council in one meeting. This is usually accepting grant funds. I get that part now.
I have been trying to do my research on the policies of the City of East Ridge but just one item like sanitation is over 30 pages long. Do they expect the citizens to read all that? It reads like here is a bunch of reasons why you can’t do this or that. There is even a section for disposing of “Radioactive” waste. Oh, I forgot all about the nuclear warhead in my front yard and I want to get rid of it. OSHA regulates medical radioactive waste disposal and so I guess they mean that?
I have learned another very important lesson … don’t skip a meeting. There is so much covered during one City Council Meeting. When I miss a meeting it takes me a month to get back on track! Hope to see you at the next City of East Ridge City Council Meeting on April 27th at 6:30pm.
