Council Recap: Audit, Audit, Audit

The Richardson City Council held a work session July 17. There were several topics on the agenda for which the Council received lengthy presentations: National Parks Month, Park maintenance strategies, IT work plan, and Drainage utility strategies. There was one other item on the agenda that received little time. Less than six minutes, in fact. That topic was "Review and discuss the 2021-2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Presentation." Because the Council's review and discussion was perfunctory, those six minutes are what I want to talk about.

WAIW: Neighborhood Mural

Where Am I Wednesday?

Fifty points to the first person to identify where this photo was taken. This fence is a great improvement over the usual, boring, weathered fences seen all over Richardson. To this homeowner, I say "Well done."

Answer will be given on Thursday.

Platonic (TV 2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Platonic (TV 2023): Two old friends, one newly divorced and the other in a stale marriage, reconnect, platonically. A broad, slapstick comedy of middle-aged people getting drunk and doing stupid things that get them in trouble. Not my kind of humor. For Seth Rogen fans. C-

ACFR: Christmas in July

For city finance wonks, Christmas comes twice a year: once in August when the city budget is set and again in February when the city financial audit is published. The budget specifies the city's cash flow (its planned revenues and expenses). The financial audit details the city's assets (the value of city property, bank accounts, etc.) and its liabilities (outstanding debt, pension obligations, etc.).

For some reason, Christmas is coming late this year. The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal 2022 is being published in July, not February as before. I'm sure there's a good explanation, but I don't know what it is. Fire??? The public will see it when it's presented at the July 17 City Council meeting.

POTD: Alleyways of Chania

From 2022 11 01 Chania

This photo-of-the-day is from Chania, Crete, Greece. It shows a random door in a random alleyway. The old city is a delight to wander.

A bonus photo is after the jump.