Fiscal responsibility is a big deal to the people of Polk County yet this Commissioners' Board majority consistently demonstrates irresponsible monetary decisions. Over $178,000 was spent from the County's Fund Balance ( reserves ) to pay off Ryan Whitson not to return from military service to his County Manager job which he did with excellence. A "consultant" was hired without any input from the Economic Development community or the community to write an economic development strategy, paid for out of the Fund Balance.
Recently his contract has been extended for 90 days with a raise and appointment as interim Economic Development Director after the very competent paid director resigned in frustration. This is costing county taxpayers another close to $50,000 of unbudgeted money. And, the strategic plan the consultant has prepared is not funded in the 2014-2015 budget.How will this be paid for?
The Commissioners had been reserving $200,000/year for the expected maintenance on the Turner Shoals Dam and silt removal in Lake Adger. The majority has dropped this to $50,000 in the current budget. This multi-million work will need to be done in the future...ignoring it now will put more pressure on the budget down the road. Ask this majority (Owens, Pack, Holbert and Gage) what the real cost will be for moving the Virtual College program and renovating the building for the new tax/tag offices? It's significantly more than has been reported.
Think hard at election time if you want to continue to support this type of fiscal irresponsibility.
Recently his contract has been extended for 90 days with a raise and appointment as interim Economic Development Director after the very competent paid director resigned in frustration. This is costing county taxpayers another close to $50,000 of unbudgeted money. And, the strategic plan the consultant has prepared is not funded in the 2014-2015 budget.How will this be paid for?
The Commissioners had been reserving $200,000/year for the expected maintenance on the Turner Shoals Dam and silt removal in Lake Adger. The majority has dropped this to $50,000 in the current budget. This multi-million work will need to be done in the future...ignoring it now will put more pressure on the budget down the road. Ask this majority (Owens, Pack, Holbert and Gage) what the real cost will be for moving the Virtual College program and renovating the building for the new tax/tag offices? It's significantly more than has been reported.
Think hard at election time if you want to continue to support this type of fiscal irresponsibility.