I am still getting my sea-legs on this gig, and one thing that is hard to discern right now is what is pro forma, and what is important. Once cue I use is whether or not councilmembers have questions and amendments.
So for example, in the June 1st, 2021 meeting, there were very few questions on the following items:
- Items 1-2: Financial and Investment report for the first quarter
- Item 23: Texas General Obligation Refunding Bonds up to $75 million
- Item 24: $73.6 million for twelve different infrastructure categories
Most likely this means that the details are being hashed out in work sessions, or these are things which don’t change from year to year. Certainly these things are important! I just don’t have much context to evaluate them.
If something has always been done a certain way, but it’s problematic, I don’t yet have any way to detect that. I think time and experience will be the only way to pick up on these things.
For the work sessions, again for now, I’m trying to determine how much time I can commit to this. So for now, those controverseys will also stay off my radar.
The San Marxist 