If the preliminary budget for the town is adopted as it now stands, the final budget will result in a significant increase in property taxes for Milan’s residents – nearly 13%. (You can see the preliminary budget in detail by going to the Town Finances section of this website.) Since very few residents attended the November 5th public hearing on this proposed budget, and since, by law, the final budget must be submitted by November 20th, it is almost a foregone conclusion that this budget will go forward as is.
I had occasion to see the video of the town board meeting 7/13/09, and I noticed a serious mistake in your understanding of the BIRF fund established by Mr. Jeffreys in late 2003:
The monies used to set up the BIRF were NOT from the loan proceeds ($750,000) that Mr. Jeffreys and board used to pay for the Town Hall Addition project.
This point is critical because you indicated that you had relayed to the State Comptroller’s Examiner that it did consist of loan proceeds. He, then, offered some advice about the BIRF. At a minimum, you should inform the examiner of this point and let him review the situation again
Talmage addresses Town Board on statements made regarding his tenure as supervisor
Financial Facts
Van Talmage,
August 2009
Van Talmage comments on the financial mess in Milan and efforts to blame his administration for the troubles.
Van Talmage July 2009
Van Talmage Comments
Milan Finances: It’s the Users, Not the Software June 2009
As the former town supervisor who set up and used QuickBooks for four years, let me say that the current bookkeeping problems are not caused by the software, but by the persons using it.
During my term from 2004 to 2007, I filed the AUD on time and prepared timely, accurate and complete financial reports for the board; I kept the finances in the Town of Milan in excellent shape.
QuickBooks allows lots of flexibility and has all the functions necessary to manage the town’s books. If you do not fully comprehend accounting, however, and in particular do not have a grasp of municipal fund accounting, then you can easily get it wrong, mess it up, and blame it on the software and the former administration.
I stand by my record of handling the Town of Milan's finances. No AUD was rejected, and we kept the finances well understood and under control.
The problem is not the software. It’s the users.
Van Talmage,
former Supervisor, Town of Milan 2004–2007
