Now that I’ve captured your attention, let me begin by saying “Thank You”. Thank you for choosing to be a CSMFO member. Thank you for choosing to follow CSMFO News and support our wonderful sponsors and advertisers. Thank you for guiding us to see which topics you like the most by which articles you choose to click on.

I’ve been giving a lot of thought about this idea of “choice” recently as I actively explore and build the case why my agency should issue Pension Obligation Bonds, let alone all the new decisions that come with being your 2021 CSMFO President.

According to the top results from a quick google search: “Some internet sources estimate that an adult makes about 35,000 conscious decisions each day. We make 226.7 decisions each day on just food alone according to researchers at Cornell University.

The idea of “choice” has always been on my top shelf of sincerely heartfelt words and sentiments. Those that have worked around me might have heard me say “thank you for choosing… to being here today, to being part of our finance family, to being a part of our agency, or being a part of our community”. I’ve always tried to remember that everyone from my boss, to my team members, to my friends, wife, and even kids have a choice about what they want to do, where they want to spend their time, and with who they want to spend it with. This was affirmed years when “Mr. Dollar Man” himself Neil Kupchin reinforced it while I was attending a chapter chair meeting hosted by Brad Wilkie and the Central Coast Chapter at Rosa’s Italian Restaurant (check this place out- it remains a Pismo road-trip favorite stop).

Back to POBs. The concept of “choice” is variable and evolving and allows us to change based on new information, and now I find myself changing my tune on POBs. For nearly two decades, I’ve chosen to be very cautious and skeptical about POBs. Even earlier this year, I was heard saying (very proudly mind you), that I have yet to support the issuance of a pension obligation and always viewed them as the last part of a longer-term fiscal sustainability plan.

For those decades, I remember being so grateful to have the GFOA as a strong force to point to about why to proceed as such. Now, literally this week, I’m building a presentation and ultimately a staff report that says although GFOA has good reasons, here’s why you (elected officials and community) should choose to move forward with our POB recommendation and why GFOA’s reasons may not apply.

Based on all the data I’ve reviewed thus far, and that our agency is likely targeting less than 25% of our total CalPERS UAL and with where market conditions are and how we’ve mitigated GFOA’s and in general most of the risks of POBs, I’m choosing to continue studying and supporting our likely plan of a late 2021 POB issuance.

And hopefully I can help our team provide the best information available so our elected officials can make their choice to support this (or not). Give me a call or drop me an email on May 12th and I’ll let you know how it went (831-454-3509 or marcus.pimentel@santacruzcounty.us).

I’m so humbled and forever proud to be a part of CSMFO and, once again, that you choose to be a member. I remain so committed to navigating through today’s many challenges so that we can move Together Toward Tomorrow and an always improving CSMFO future.

Bonus content: Spicy Tater-Sausage Country Casserole

Ingredients

2 bags frozen tots (32oz each)

2 lbs. raw sausage*- hot/spicy or chorizo

4 cups warm water

2 tablespoons Tabasco

3 bags pepper gravy mix

11 large eggs

2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar is “bettar”)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F if baking now. Otherwise refrigerate or freeze when done.
2. In a skillet, partially cook the sausage on high for 3 minutes, breaking it up with the spatula as it cooks.
3. Add the frozen taters and cook, stirring for 5 minutes until the sausage is cooked through and the tater tots are golden brown. (If you use low fat sausage you may need to add a little oil or cooking spray, so the taters don’t stick).
4. In a separate container, add water, Tabasco, sprinkle gravy powder then whisk and let cool. Beat the eggs and blend into gravy mix.
5. Lay out the tater tot and sausage mixture evenly in a large casserole dish (prefer Pyrex). Pour the gravy and egg mixture over the top.
6. Put in the oven at 375 uncovered to cook for: 35-40 minutes for 2″ layer or 45-50 minutes for 4″ layer; until the filling is set in the center.
7. When fully cooked, remove from the oven, sprinkle the cheese over the top, and broil for 3 minutes until the cheese is crunchy
8. Cut into wedges and serve warm!