City Hall’s Fuzzy Math

Example of fuzzy math: A worker estimates he’ll make $60,000 this year while facing $85,000 in expenses. Before the end of the year, he discovers he’ll make $70,000. What should he do with his budget surplus?

There’s no surplus. However, this is the type of nonsense promoted by City Hall and published in the OC Register.

On Sept. 21, the OC Register stated Mission Viejo had a “million dollar surplus” for the year. Here’s the link to the article by Chris Boucly: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-372372-revenue-million.html

The so-called surplus reported in OCR resulted from city officials underestimating revenues by $1.8 million. Adding to the confusion, they began talking about how to spend the surplus. The idea of spending nonexistent money was still being perpetuated by OCR on Oct. 25: http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-375680-ury-park.html

On Nov. 2, City Hall admitted Mission Viejo spent $5.3 million more than it took in during fiscal year 2010-2011. http://missionviejodispatch.com/budget/5-3-million-mvs-fifth-consecutive-deficit/  It was the city’s fifth consecutive year of deficit spending, and reserves are down by 50 percent from three years ago.

The city has no surplus of money and refuses to live within its means. City officials are taking funds from reserves to make ends meet.