For years, the county has contributed
millions of tax dollars to the County Community College but
performing due diligence via proper oversight has never been
a concern. The time for accountability has long passed. The
County Commissioners should have implemented serious
oversight of the taxpayer’s dollars years ago and as a
member of the County Council, I will insist on tax dollar
accountability.
These past few years have found the county entering into
leases that boggle the mind. The most well known being the
Juvenile Detention Center. Lesser known leases are
financially just as outrageous. Just recently, the county
has entered into leases for two of the District Magistrate
offices. The annual rent for each is approximately $70,000.
Why in the name of common sense would the county pay
$140,000 per year to rent two offices without considering
the savings of purchasing? In just 10 years without any
increase in rent, the taxpayers will foot a rental bill of
$1,400.000 and not own the buildings. This is pure insanity!
I have to wonder if the County Commissioners have any idea
as to how many vehicles are owned by the county. How many
are beyond their years of usefulness and cost more to
maintain and insure than a new vehicle? I wonder how many
vehicles are parked in need of repair but the insurance
costs continue to be paid? Is every county vehicle necessary
and are any of the county vehicles being utilized for
personal use and if so, is the county reimbursed? Has the
office of Property and Supply ever reviewed the active
status of all county owned vehicles to determine value,
general condition and insurability?
The Members of the County Council should have the
responsibility to be sure that these types of issues receive
proper oversight.
There has also been much said with regard to various service
contracts and these also must be covered by the oversight
responsibilities of the Controller’s office.
With all of the problems with contracts, leases and missing
funds, the 2009 budget prepared and enacted by the County
Commissioners called for a reduction in the Controller’s
staff. I find that action to be outrageous! Cutting the
Controller’s staff is nothing less than eliminating the
checks and balances of county government. As a Member of the
County Council, I will insist on proper staffing so as to
control the issues mentioned as well as those that space
does not permit listing.
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