Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to post that much over the past few days, mostly because  over the Holidays, I went from three people living in my home to six, so it has been what seems like an endless cycle of cooking, cleaning and washing clothes.

But If you remember my post about Chesprocott earlier last week, I did mention that Cheshire, Prospect and Wolcott pay Chesprocott a per capita fee of $6.

TO REITERATE:

So, for example, Cheshire, with a population of approximately 29,187 would pay Chesprocott $178,122 per year;

Wolcott, with a population of approximately 15,215 would pay Chesprocott $91,290 per year and Prospect, with a population of approximately 8,717, would pay $52,302 a year.

This adds up to a grand total of $321,714!!!

This should make you wonder what all this money each year is used for: is it to pay for salaries, fees for services, i.e. inspecting leach fields, providing flu shots and sponsoring the various health programs they conduct each year? I don’t know–do you?? Chesprocott provides a lot of services, but damn, this three town subsidy is no chump change either!!

So last Monday, Dec. 22, I went over to Chesprocott and spoke with the director, Thomas Wegrzyn. He was very cordial but cautious as usually is the case in this town because let’s face it–the municipality has gotten used to no one really questioning them.

We spoke for quite a while about the doings of Chesprocott. It was mostly FYI which is fine. He did provide me with an auditor’s report, some of which I will be featuring in this post.

My concern was what this $321,714 was being used for. I also wondered about the fee schedule: i.e., was it too low. Did fees need to be raised? Was the state giving them enough money or any money at all?

According to Wegrzyn, fees account for 22 percent of the entire budget.

(Boy I had better get my “O” key fixed or I am going to be in a lot of trouble),

I did manage to look at the auditors report which incidentally, was just completed so it was timely. I managed to scan some of the report, but I did take down notes on a few of the pages.

Chesprocott Financial Highlights

NET ASSETS:

Cash &Investments: 2008-$245,430; 2007-$301,012

Other Current Assets: 2008-51,041; 2007-$14,707

Net Capital Assets: 2008-34,960; 2007-$19,037.

TOTAL ASSETS: 2008-$331,431; 2007-$334, 756.

LIABILITIES: 2008-$81,797; 2007-$72,722.

TOTAL NET ASSETS: 2008-$249,634; 2007-$262,034.

CHANGES IN NET ASSETS:

Program Revenue: 2008-$288,401; 2007-$232,617.

General Revenue: 2008-$449,261; 2007-411, 754.

Total Revenue: 2008- 737,662; 2007-$644,371

Total Expenses: 2008- $750, 062; 2007-682,162.

INCREASE(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:

2008-($12,400), 2007-(37, 791).

Quoting from the audit report:

“ne f the most important questions asked about ur finances: “is the Dsitrcit as a whoole, better off or worse as a result of the years’ activities”?

“Net assets decreased by ($12,400) during the current year. The economic downturn experienced in 2008, officially labeled a recession has slowed development activity and revenue from this activity such as soil tests, septic installations, wells, etc.

“Although the slowdown was anticipated and relfected in the budget for Anticipated Revenue, the slowdown has been greater than anticipated. One action taken to control expenses has been not yet filling a part-time position vacated through retirement.”

Quoting from the audit report:

“Capitol assests are currently adequate to accomplish the business of the District.”

The report went on to state:

“The District maintains a fleet of five autos. Two vehicles were purchased in a current year to replace two aged vehicles. The remaining are performing well and there is no plan to purchase any additinal vehicles in the near future.

Office and Emergency Preparedness equipment have been added allowing for more capabilities.”

ECONOMIC FACTORS:From the audit report:

“Economic factors expected to impact District this incoming fiscal year are the continuing recession which may deepen.

The impact of this continues to be felt on development. District revenue from fees will continue to be affected. Additional municipal and state fiscal woes will reduce the likelihood that either the State or the towns can be further tapped for these revenue shortfalls.

Although there has been information on grant availability, much of this money is for specific program areas and are competitive applications. They are not likely to reduce the impact on the general funds.

CHESPROCOTT HEALTH DISTRICT

Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances-Governmental Funds and Reconciliation to the Statement of Activities:

June 30, 2008

Revenues::

Local Revenue: (General Fund) $470,432; Bio-Terrorism- $1,475; Other Govt Funds-ZERO;

Total: $471, 907.

State Revenue: (General Fund) 115, 293; Bio-Terrorism-ZERO; Other Govt Funds-$1,007.

Total: $116,300.

Federal Revenue: (General Fund), $2,874; Bio-Terrorism; $126, 493; Other Govt Funds-$7,015.

Total: $136, 382.

Interest, Savings and Investments” $12,073

TOTAL REVENUES: (General Fund) $600,672; Bio-Terrorism: $127,968; Other Govt Funds: $8,022;

Total: $736, 662.

Editors Note: God, can the State of Connecticut SPARE IT??

EXPENDITURES:

Personnel: (General Fund) $366,406; Bio-Terrorism: $4,308; Other Govt Funds: $3,115;

Total: $373, 829.

Employee Benefits: (General Fund) $125, 116; Other Govt Funds: $238. Editors Note: CAN THE GOV’T SPARE IT!!

Total: $125,354.

Consultant/Professional Fees: (General Fund): $11,516; Bio-Terrorism: $112,192; Other Govt Funds: $2,550.

Total: $126,258.

Editors Note: I am NOT going to put down all the figures here, just the ones that would interest the public because it is boring number one, and number two, space is limited. You are welcome to go down to Chesprocott on Highland Avenue in Cheshire are read the report yourself!!

Travel/Vehicle: $6,410.

Editors Note: the following category was interesting:

Occupancy Expenditures:$43,916.

Total Expenditures (remember I did NOT LIST everything): $637,048 (General Fund);

Bio-Terrorism: $127,968;

Other Govt Funds: $8,022

Total: $773,038

Excess (Deficit) Revenues: General Fund: ($36,376).

Total: ($36, 376).

Proceeds Vehicle Disposal: General Fund: $1,000.

Total: $1,000

Fund Balance-Beginning: General Fund: $250,050.

Total: $250.,050.

Fund Balance-Ending: General Fund: $214,674.

Total: $214,674.

Reconciliation to the Statement of Activities

Net Change in Governmental Fund Balances: ($35.376).

Amounts reported for Governmental Activities in the Statement of Activities differ because:

Governmental funds report capital outlays as expenditures: $29,374.

Depreciation is reported in the statement of activities: ($9,410).

Governmental funds report capital lease repayments and disposal cost. $3,012.

Change in Net Assets of Governmental Activities: ($12,400).

Ok, I got tired of typing so I scanned in the Fees for Environmental Services and Fee Schedule.

This is what Chesprocott charges to do let’s say, soil testing and food service permits, to name a few. There are a lot more.

chesprocott-health-district fee schedules

That is all for now. BUT I will be making a comment on the next post about the CPD following my son for several miles early Saturday morning around 2 a.m. as he was coming home from a friends house that he went to visit after working that day.

I already spoke with Lt. Deegan about this-this is the THIRD time this has happened. Why? Not because he was intoxicated as this Police Department seems to think that everyone who drives after 11 p.m. must be. He was coming to our house after WORK!!

In Cheshire, 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.–off limits!!! Then they want to know why the businesses are closing!