Jim, How Much Does It Cost?

Jim Newberry doesn’t seem to get the dollars and cents side of government.

From the Herald-Leader:

Mayor Jim Newberry on Tuesday announced details of the Lexington First Fund, which would provide taxpayer-subsidized scholarships to any public or private Lexington high school graduate who wants to major in certain fields.

Everyone agrees it’s a good idea.

"Ten or 15 years from now when we look back on this day, we're going to know that this city changed because of this initiative," said Stu Silberman, superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools….

The scholarship program will contribute to the effort of doubling the number of bachelor's degree holders in Kentucky to 800,000 by 2020, said Brad Cowgill, interim president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

(Remember Cowgill is the former Fletcher Administration State Budget Director that ran for cover at Council on Postsecondary Education and was a major player in creating the current budget crisis in Frankfort.)

Having a skilled, educated work force gives Lexington an advantage in starting and growing small entrepreneurial businesses, said Bob Quick, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington.

But the problem here is the Lexington-Fayette County government is facing a budget problems and Newberry admits he really doesn’t have any idea how much this program is going to cost.

It's unclear how much the program would cost the city. That depends on the number of students who choose one of those subjects and decide to attend a local college or university, Newberry said.

The program would be funded through city dollars and donations and would be administered by a contractor.

Before Newberry starts a program with possibly unlimited costs he should answer some of Councilman Ed Lanes questions.


Why is Lexington short on funds when its growth in revenues has been so robust?

Why are salaries for some of Lexington's public safety and regular employees below those paid by other cities, state and federal government agencies?

Why does Lexington's rainy day fund have only $6 million when Louisville's has over $60 million?

Why does Lexington spend $1.25 million to condemn the local water company but only invests $50 thousand annually in Commerce Lexington to promote economic development?

Why has your local government failed to upgrade its financial controls over the expenditure of the taxpayer's money? The LFUCG's current accounting system uses obsolete software that is no longer supported or updated by its initial provider.

Why has our local merged government not been restructured to improve its productivity and cost effectiveness?

Why have very few non-essential government services been outsourced to private businesses?

Why is the firefighters and police officers pension account under-funded by $137.7 million?


Apparently Jim Newberry is a little long on the feel good part of politics and a little short on the nuts and bolts part.

I’m all in favor of giving scholarships but Mr. Mayor how much is thing going to cost and how are you going to pay for it?