City Government
Spend the Cash and Spin The Justification
July 6, 2011 
Sometimes we can only shake our heads in disgust. Seems that government just has more money than they can spend.
The following item was on the Caldwell City Council agenda. When the Caldwell GUARDIAN sought an explanation, city officials forced him to file a public records request.
“4. Approve Resolution authorizing the granting up to 58 hours of paid time off for full time regular municipal employees, part time regular municipal employees, full time police department employees, and appointed officials and set an effective date of July 6, 2011.”
Is this just an automatic extra week and a half of vacation? Is it just a way to make legal the practice of leaving early on Fridays?
Meanwhile, thanks again to a public records request the DAILY PAPER found that BSU made a payoff to the former female track coach.
The $40,000 payment came from the Idaho Department of Administration. The budget unit was labeled “insurance management.”
Amy Christoffersen sued BSU for lost earnings and benefits and for damages following her demotion from track coach to an administrative post. She claimed gender bias. Last week a settlement agreement was reached.
When Boise City wanted to illegally award a contract to a cleaning service, they claimed to “piggyback” on a state contract. State law allows “piggybacking” for PERSONAL PROPERTY purchases, not service contracts which are all different specs.
Sadly there is no outrage from citizens. We get what we apparent tolerate.
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Jul 6, 2011, 12:56 pm
Citizens don’t have time to attend every municipal meeting in the treasure valley. We rely on responsible journalists to keep us informed. Rather than look down your nose at citizens for not inherently knowing about Boise City cleaning contracts, do your job by reporting political malfeasance and let them decide whether it really matters.
EDITOR NOTE–What more can you want than all the stories about the cleaning contract caper. We have been alone in revealing it…only one candidate running for office and he praises the entire council.
Jul 6, 2011, 1:34 pm
“4. Approve Resolution authorizing the granting up to 58 hours of paid time off for full time regular municipal employees, part time regular municipal employees, full time police department employees, and appointed officials and set an effective date of July 6, 2011.”
Any further details on this? Is this because they have acrued too much vacation and are allowing them to roll over an additional 58 hours, or does everybody on the payroll get 58 hours of vacation in addition to what they already receive?
EDITOR NOTE–We agree it needs an open and public explanation. Perhaps when the public records are released, we will have a better understanding…that’s all the Caldwell GUARDIAN asked for–an explanation.
Jul 6, 2011, 1:46 pm
The 58 hours of paid time off in Caldwell for every “regular” employee is a case of the city administration playing fast and loose with taxpayer money.
Jul 6, 2011, 3:06 pm
PC… his job?? Last I heard this blog was a labor of love (with maybe a few small contributions to cover expenses), not “his job.” I don’t think it’s fair to jump on him for something he does voluntarily.
Jul 6, 2011, 4:20 pm
Boise is a tolerant community Mr. Guardian or whoever you are! We elect our politicians because they are educated, have experience, and Boiseans put their trust in them to make the right decisions for us when we vote. Can’t you try to have a nice day Mr.Guardian man?
Jul 6, 2011, 4:27 pm
Canyon County is the most powerful Republican county in Idaho. It’s payback time folks!
Jul 6, 2011, 7:38 pm
CC has way too high of taxes for the dump that it has become and home vaules have dropped a long long ways. Freeloaders!
Jul 6, 2011, 10:27 pm
Thanks Mr Guardian man! Your community service is commendable. I actually consider your labor of love, investigative reporting, a fundamental part of our Republic. I only wish you had more time to scrutinize the political process in all of the Treasure Valley. Keep up the good work. Can you say Watergate Hotel?
Jul 9, 2011, 9:15 pm
Please explain something I have long wondered about diggity. How can you breathe when your head is buried so deep in the sand???
Jul 11, 2011, 5:42 pm
Cyclops, because you are myopic. Sarcasm is lost on the simple mind.
Jul 11, 2011, 5:50 pm
Mr.Cyclops, you must not be a Idahoan or one of us. We cherish and trust our Republican leadership otherwise we would be like California, and guns would be confiscated, and Christ would be just another man, not the foundation of the decision makers of our great state.
Jul 13, 2011, 10:01 am
Mr. diggity. You are correct,sorta. I have only lived here for 37 years.Please don’t pull the “I am a native Idahoan” card because that is purely an accident of birth that you had no control over!!!!
dog, I may only have one, but the good one sees real well, both close and far. The far part is seeing this valley’s politicians spinning us down the drain!!