AWARD WINNER FRUGAL SPENDERS…#6 MARTINEZ AND #7 KNAACK
Councilmember Martinez spent $7,117.47 in 6 months of expenditures and Vice Mayor Knaack spent $3,672.29. Both exhibited restraint in their spending with the exception of a few items. It would be appropriate to get an explanation from Councilmember Chavira on his expenditures that in 6 months that are 7 ½ times the amount of Vice Mayor Knaack.
It should be noted that Councilmember Martinez spent $4,126.97 (53% of his 6 months of expenditures) for its intended purpose — that of infrastructure improvements within his district. He, like other councilmembers, has cell phone charges of $411.13 and land line charges of $1,328.00. Otherwise his budget is clean and all of his expenditures are reflected in his infrastructure expenditures, phone charges and the state National League of Cities convention.
Vice Mayor Knaack has no phone charges and is to be highly commended for that practice. She did donate $609.62 to the Glendale Arizona Historical Society. I wonder if she was aware of the thousands of dollars this organization received from other councilmembers. She, too, attended the state National League of Cities convention, very frugally.
Both of these councilmembers have repeatedly called for all councilmembers to reign in their spending and to return portions of their budgets back to the city’s General Fund. They are the only 2 councilmembers to consistently practice what they have preached. They get it. They understand that with Glendale’s financial constraints every penny and every dollar and how it is spent becomes important. Kudos to both.
I agree completely, Joyce, on these two council members. I have watched through the last few years and they both question projects where “the peoples'” money is spent and have managed to cut back their own expenditures. I really admired Councilmember Knaack for her scrutiny on when the BC/BS rates were raising to exorbitant highs for medical insurance. It was just a ploy to get rid of the retired City workers that had already given their all to the City expecting the loyalty back. I know she also helps with funding of feral cat spay/neuter. This might seem unimportant to most people, but these people are the first to complain about the stray/feral cats running their neighborhood. My area is overrun with these cats because there are very few that take care of their pets at all. But obviously in the vast amounts spent in Ocotillo, this was not a priority or even a consideration. Hurray for Knaack and Martinez!!!!!