Afghanistan RPCV Robert Oldakowski is Mayor of Key Biscayne



Afghanistan RPCV Robert Oldakowski is Mayor of Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne Mayor Robert Oldakowski

I have created this interactive web site to better communicate with Key Biscayne residents.

I will share my thoughts with you about the important issues for our continued vision of making Key Biscayne a world-class community. But more important is that you share with me your thoughts and concerns about our community.

Want to share your thoughts? Click the link to the left, and let me know what's on your mind.


TAXES AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER
May 2003


Like all Key Biscayne taxpayers, I am concerned about our taxes. And as your mayor, I am particularly sensitive to the effect on taxes of all decisions made by the Village Council. I know there are concerns among some residents about the costs to build and operate the planned Community Center project; that if we proceed with this project, we will have to raise taxes to pay for it, or to pay for other basic necessities such as public safety. While I respect these concerns, I do not share them. That is why I will be voting NO on Tuesday, May 20. Let me explain why.

First, it helps to understand what makes up our total tax bill, and how much the Village is able to affect. Miami-Dade County takes 83% of our tax dollars; 50% of that goes for schools, and the rest goes to the County. The Village of Key Biscayne portion of our tax bill is only 17%. This 17% covers everything: fire and police protection, public works, building & zoning, recreation, administration and debt service.

The Village’s operating budget for the current fiscal year is $ 15.5 million. $2.9 million of this amount pays for principal and interest on our current debt, which includes borrowings for the Village Green, the Fire and Police/Administration buildings and the planned Community Center. Assuming no future borrowings, the debt service payments for the next twenty years are projected to be $2.8 million per year. Since we have already borrowed the money needed to build the Community Center, we know what our principal and interest payments will be until the debt is fully paid. That is why we can build the Community Center without increasing taxes. The money to pay for this project is already included in our current and projected budgets.

Nevertheless, the concerns of some of our residents are valid. How will we pay for increases in needed services for fire and police? A sewer system? Future beach renourishment? The long list of improvements included in the annual Goals & Objectives workshop? These are valid questions, and the answers are found by looking at our projected revenues and expenses for the next few years.

Most of our revenues come from property taxes, and the tax base for the Village is still growing. As a result, our projections for the next five years show revenue growth of nearly 27% with no increase in taxes. Similarly, we are projecting our expenses to grow by a similar rate, taking into account increases in services as well as the effects of salary adjustments and inflation. These projections show an excess of revenue over expenses of approximately $1 million per year for the next five years. This amount is available to pay for any additional increases in services, as well as the items on our Goals & Objectives list. Obviously we will need to establish priorities and budget cautiously, but we will have the money to pay for these items without increasing taxes.

Residents are right to be concerned about the future well being of our community. I can assure you that the entire Village Council shares those concerns. But these concerns do not have to hold hostage our planned Community Center. The costs of this project have been looked at very carefully, and included in our five-year projections. The Village Council voted 7-0 last October to give final approval to the Community Center. My conclusion has been that this is a project that we need and that we can afford.

Key Biscayne has faced enormous decisions before: whether or not to incorporate; whether or not to create our own fire rescue and police departments; whether or not to purchase what is now the Village Green for $9 million. All these decisions and others created fears in some residents that they were not the right actions to take and that taxes would increase. In hindsight, these fears proved false, and today we enjoy the benefits of the wisdom of taking these bold actions. I predict that the decision to complete the building of the Community Center with be viewed the same.

I assure you that I will continue to scrutinize operating budgets and capital projects as your mayor, just as I have done for the past four years. I have consistently supported the Community Center project because I am convinced that it is the right project at the right size and the right cost for Key Biscayne. That is why I will be voting NO on Tuesday, May 20. I would be happy to discuss these matters with you if you have questions or concerns.

By John Patrick Bailey (c-71-196-24-0.hsd1.fl.comcast.net - 71.196.24.0) on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 11:41 am: Edit Post

Hello:

My partner and I have permanently relocated to the area to be close to family and as a result I am actively networking and job seeking. (Please note that I have recently submitted my resume for the Executive Director of the YES Institute.)

I was wondering if you would be so kind as to review the enclosed materials. Should you have any suggestions or leads, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Please note that I thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Best regards!

John Bailey



JOHN PATRICK BAILEY

1530 NW 132 Street Miami, Florida 33167 305-766-8291 jbeducationalconsultingservices@yahoo.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

April 2004-December 2006 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HomeAid Los Angeles/Ventura, Westlake Village, California

Ø Conduct strategic and forward planning for the agency to include project forecasting
Ø Serve executive leadership function as liaison to affiliated national and regional organizations
Ø Collaborate with the Building Industry Association to plan and implement capital projects serving the transitionally homeless
Ø Oversee the implementation of comprehensive fund raising effort
Ø Train, manage, supervise and provide professional development opportunities for staff
Ø Develop and maintain print and television media relationships through a comprehensive public relations/public affairs program

February 2002-February 2004 DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Northwest Youth & Family Services, Shoreview, Minnesota

Ø Conducted strategic planning for agency fundraising efforts
Ø Cultivated donor relations with individuals, corporations and foundations
Ø Supervised development staff on data management and donor stewardship

September 1999- November 2001 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Los Angeles County Public Library Foundation, Downey, California

Ø Conducted strategic planning and coordinated multiple fund raising efforts
Ø Developed collaboration with the Building Industry Association to fund infrastructure enhancements to system of literacy and homework centers
Ø Cultivated relationships with Library stake-holders including County Board of Supervisors, Library Commissioners, corporations and foundations

May 1996-September 1999 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Los Angeles County Public Library Foundation, Downey, California

Ø Initiated, cultivated and maintained relationships with funding agencies
Ø Developed and presented funding proposals and programming to Foundation Board of Directors
Ø Coordinated grant process in the areas of technology, literacy and homework centers
Ø Served as liaison to Board of Directors and library staff

November 1994-May 1996 RESOURCES DEVELOPER
Los Angeles County Office of Education, Downey, California

Ø Developed collaborations, products and services with outside agencies
Ø Secured grants, developed concept papers, articles and project manuals
Ø Researched and recommended projects for funding

March-November 1994 DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Ø Coordinated mentoring program for ASEAN students

October 1991-August 1993 INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR
Saint Xavier University, Chicago, Illinois

Ø Created and implemented a comprehensive internship program
Ø Established and chaired the Internship Advisory Committee
Ø Secured Illinois Cooperative Education Work-Study Grants

John Patrick Bailey, Ph.D., Page 2

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Educational Administration and Policy, May 1999
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Intercultural/Non-Formal Education
Dissertation: Examining The Effectiveness of Library-Based Educational Support Services

M.A., Comparative Politics, January 1991
The American University, Washington, D.C.

B.A., Political Science, March 1989
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

MEMBERSHIPS

1999-Present National Association of Fundraising Professionals
1993-Present The American Educational Research Association
1993-Present The Comparative and International Education Association

REFERENCES

Minda Johnstone
City National Bank
9701 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600
Beverly Hills, California 90212
310-888-6461
minda.johnstone@cnb.com


Arlen Miller
Miller Brothers Investments
4232-8 Las Virgenes Road, Suite 101
Calabasas, California 91302
818-871-2900, X15
amiller@millerfamilycos.com


Caryn Spencer
Lennar Homes
23823 Valencia Boulevard
Valencia, California 91355
661-260-2850
caryn.spencer@lennar.com