By: Libi Uremovic | Original Article at patch.com
What Needs To Be Built
The purpose of Beaumont’s CFD Workshop is to sell the idea of more bond debt. The City’s ‘What Needs To Be Built’ page lists the following Projects and estimated costs: http://www.ci.beaumont.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/23971
Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion, Desalination, and Brine Removal $69,500,000
Transportation Projects $21,800,000
Portrero Blvd Overpass $52,400,000
Oak Valley Parkway Interchange $35,000,000
Pennsylvania Ave Interchange $75,000,000
Highland Springs Interchange $35,000,000
Portrero Blvd Extension $1,000,000
Fourth Street Extension $7,900,000
Tukwet Canyon Road/Cherry Valley Extension $4,500,000
Brookside Ave Reconstruction $3,500,000
Fairway Canyon Regional Park $4,500,000
Sundance Regional Park $5,400,000
TOTAL $315,000,000
If those ‘future projects’ look familiar to the Mello Roos Property Owners it’s because they are the same ‘we’re going to build it with bond money’ projects that are listed on their Bonds. Property Owners in the Developments pay additional taxes so the City could build the infrastructure ‘before’ they sold the houses.
If the lists looks familiar to the citizens that monitor Beaumont’s Staff and Council it’s because it’s the same list of ‘to do’ projects that they’ve been pushing for 20 years.
The City has collected hundreds of millions in property taxes, mitigation fees, rate fees, and of course a $5 Million federal grant that went straight into Urban Logic’s pocket, but has never produced the products. After Urban Logic is paid millions to ‘consult’ there is no money left for construction.
And what about the four fire stations that were supposed to be built 10 years ago?
Not even on the list.
This is the ‘projects we can steal all the money’ list, which is why these projects are a priority to Beaumont’s Staff.
Fire Stations are State and Federally regulated. To build a fire station the City would have to follow State and Federal Laws. All Contractors would have to be verified by the State, which would prevent Urban Logic from embezzling money. The inspections would be done by the State, not whatever good ‘o boy the City paid to ok their shoddy work.