There has never been a cloud over our finances. Budgets were submitted timely to the RA during my two terms as Chancellor. They were public and offered to the RA for scrutiny. Indeed, my last budget remains on a prim in the the Praetorium for those who have a V2 or higher compatible viewer.
Stipends are a mere token for the work done by the executive team. I can attest to the hours spend by members of executive to maintain and serve the citizens of CDS. It is no small task to plan and hold events, look for performers, restart the sims, landscape, address residents needs, promote events and sims, remove errant prims and enforce the laws of CDS. Need I mention the tremendous work by Sudane in managing our finances? I should hope not. Also in this regard I must note that Trebor had assisted Sudane during the last term with reports. I folded his duties as Asst. Treas. under Commerce Coordinator in order to SAVE money.
Stipends have been a long tradition in CDS. I can find forum postings going back to 2008 regarding stipends. These reference an already old practice. I also remember a conversation with a prominent member of our community, who stated that stipends were in part a way for people with few resources to work and earn the money that might allow them to be citizens. For the most part the stipends are so little that one cannot afford very much land in CDS.
I might add there are few paid positions filled by the executive. Naturally, the PIO is the chief executive position after the Treasurer. The Content Archivist and the Commerce Coordinator positions are established by law. The nature of the Content Archivist and Treasurer positions more or less ensure that the incumbent remains in office from term to term. Indeed, the Content Archivist is appointed by RA. I found that Asst. Treasurer was close enough to Commerce that I could combine those offices and thus save money.
The Commerce Coordinator was the only position new to the executive team when I took office last December. I set the stipend for that office equal to the PIO. This was included in the budget submitted to the RA within the 14 day requirement per CDSL 13-11. The budget was approved by the RA.
The RA Archivist is not an appointment of the Chancellor nor part of the executive team. However, it was always a budgeted expense. The RA never named an Archivist last term.
Traditionally, the executive team included a caretaker. For quite a number of terms, this position was filled by Lilith Ivory. She did not take a stipend while she served as LRA. Nor did she hold the position. I left it unfilled during my first term. I have to thank Lilith continuing to perform caretaker duties while not getting paid a stipend. It seems she may have to again.
We did have an Asst. PIO. This was a very inexpensive position and was established by my predecessor. The chief responsibility of the Asst. PIO was to host Metanomics at the Amphitheater. Unfortunately, Metnanomics fizzled despite the intentions of its producers. Early in the second term we hoped Metanomics would return. Although the Asst. PIO did help greet people in CDS the position was eventually ended as Metanomics became defunct.
It seems to me that with just a little careful looking one can see that our stipends are minimal, a well deserved token and a good value for CDS. I hope the cloud has been lifted, at least in some measure.
The current proposed budget is similar in regard to stipends. As far as I can tell he position of Caretaker is now the Covenant Officer. See noting untoward or unusual in the creation of this position especially when another position discontinued.
Well I don't believe in spending money because we have it, especially on ads which have the potential to be spent in the way which Radio Riel money went (lets dont go there now). So my advice is the Marketing advertising budget doesnt need to be more than $1000 L a month, why is the marketing advertising budget line item $5000 L?