Utilities Service Board Gets Another Bath In Red Ink

News this week out of the City of Bloomington’s Utilities Service Board (USB) indicates the Monroe water treatment plant is $2.5 million short of funds to pay for ongoing improvement projects. Less than two years ago this same Board approved financing to cover a $2 million shortfall on the Miller-Showers Park debacle. After approving the bailout two years ago, the board was assured they wouldn’t be put in this situation again. The Board has indicated a total lack of communication on the part of the City and stated it has been left in dark up to this point. Board of finance chairman Sam Vaught said he was “totally embarrassed” by this situation. Tom Swafford, Board President said “I don’t recall ever hearing from anybody that we’re going to be two million short on these projects”. Board Vice President Tim Henke added it’s a problem the City has known about “for months and months”. Concerned about the ongoing absence of the utilities director Vaught suggested “I’m almost inclined to completely shut down financing for the utility until it comes to me and this board. It’s obvious that you guys cannot handle the engineering and financing of these projects.” Pat Murphy, Mayor Kruzan’s appointment as director of the USB has been unavailable for comment.
Mark Kruzan might have been labeled an effective Legislator but as a Mayor, he has fallen flat on his face. Granted, he has been left cleaning up a tsunami of red ink and fuzzy accounting practices from the previous democratic administration but let’s face it, he has failed the citizens of Bloomington miserably in his first fourteen months. This is just another blatant example of an administration that is out of control. The mayor should have been on top of this issue months ago but it seems that when he is in his office his management style is more one of crisis management than anything else. It is obvious that the citizens of Bloomington are on a need to know basis only, and that is usually preceded with a request for additional funding. This is just another prime example of irresponsible actions by King Kruzan and his court of merry jesters, the City Council. The democrats have proven that they have no concept of responsible fiscal management and yet they continue to author ordinances and support legislation that adds to the problem, not to the solution. The responsible thing for the USB to do at this point is withhold approval of any additional funding to the utility until a complete audit of its practices be preformed by the State Board of Accounts.