WELLINGTON TRANSFERS MONEY TO COVER LEGAL COSTS
By Lauren Miro - November 30, 2012
Facing mounting legal expenses, members of the Wellington Village Council voted unanimously Tuesday to transfer $215,000 from its Rate Stabilization Fund to cover the costs.
In June, Village Manager Paul Schofield asked council members to transfer $250,000 in expectation of “unforeseen” costs, but council members said they wanted to see actual figures before making a transfer. “We are now at that point,” Schofield said.
The actual cost of litigation to bring the village up to date for its 2012 budget year came in at $215,000 — $35,000 less than predicted. That amount is in addition to the $456,728 budgeted last year for the village’s legal counsel.
Because there is about $600,000 of available financing in the rate stabilization fund, council members were able to do a line-item transfer rather than a budget amendment.
“That way we’re not taking it out of reserves,” Schofield said. “There is a fund for that, and we’re not having to take it out of an operating account for this year.”
Councilman Matt Willhite asked whether Schofield expected to need another transfer of funds this year. “This brings us up through October,” he said. “Do you anticipate bringing back another transfer during the remainder of the year?”
Schofield said that although the village will be paid off for 2012, he anticipates going over the 2013 budget for legal costs.
“For fiscal year 2013, the legal budget is about $400,000,” he said. “Based on litigation, we expect to be over that. I do not anticipate having a firm number for you for that until your first or second meeting in January.”
Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said she felt it was necessary to take from the fund, which is typically reserved for storms or other extraordinary events.
“It does seem to be an extraordinary event,” she said. “I think it’s appropriate to take it out of the fund. We don’t have anywhere else to take it from at this point without cutting into some capital improvements.”
She said she would support the measure, but unwillingly. “I just don’t believe that these costs were unforeseen,” Gerwig said.
Willhite made a motion to approve the measure, which passed unanimously.
Today I am shocked when reading up on what has gone on involving the new facility. I have been grooming for over a decade now both Jumping and Dressage. I have watched Robert Dover instruct in Palm Beach Point and at Tuny's facility for years now. I have also groomed for Deeridge Farms/SolarSport Systems. Normally I would bite my tongue but this is heartbreaking to read. I worked for Deeridge in for both the 2009 season and 2010 season in which Charlie Jacobs enjoyed and said he loved showing on the Derby field winning the $50k CN Derby and said he wanted to do it again the following year. What happened from then until now, who knows. I was let go from Deeridge due to budget cuts, but I know if was for more personal reasons. Yes they own a huge farm in Wellington and each child has a house around town. They are very active in the horse show. Lou daughter was with North Run group and the Robinson's train with Heritage last I knew. They do not stay here year round nor the majority of the year. They are clueless as to what Wellington is about other than the fun parts those privileged enough can enjoy. That brings me to the rest of us, the ones who stay all year and support Wellington. During the off season, these town homes become cheap places for drug sellers to rent, section 8, and more. We moved away to Lake Worth to keep sanity in the summer months. I work in Wellington daily taking care of 60+ horses at various farms. The off season (OS) equestrians keep the facility operating by using the grounds in which is not in debate. If the show grounds set empty during the summer, the rings would be like they were before, bad footing, too deep, too shallow, tents not up in time, etc. Business, say goodbye. I have watched several food related companies come and go because they simply could not turn a profit all year. I agree, the season money is great, OS, not so great. My family depends on these horse shows to survive in South Florida. If even half my clients leave, were done too. I take care of both Grand Prix dressage and Grand Prix jumpers on a daily basis and I can tell you that nearly every farm is listed for sale right now in the event the new grounds is demolished. Heck, I even bought property west of Ocala in the event everyone gives up on Wellington and starts going there.
ReplyDeleteSadly, this is not a fight about whats best, right or wrong. It's a money war and someone is pissed off at another person. Meanwhile while the Jacobs & Robinson families run around filing lawsuits, I'm betting they will happily show this season along with us. Except they need to realize all the little people that help them to have their fun, will leave and find stability elsewhere. This includes groundskeepers, jump crews, show organizers, investment partners (who fund the prizes for all of the classes), trainers, grooms, and businesses. I hope everyone at the horse show can give them the welcome they deserve, by not allowing them to compete.
Remember, horses can be a love, a business, and a learning experience. Take the time to observe what you see and learn from it. Like the three children leading short stirrup ponies across South Shore from someone on the Jacobs side of Pierson heading to the show. Those kids had smiles ear to ear heading over, and did not seem one bit unhappy about traffic, crossing the road, anything. Just happy to be with the horses and go to the big show.