I am often surprised at the public comments made by our county commissioners and members of the Forsyth City Council during their public meetings. I do not identify commentators labeling them as “unattributed comments” or now labeling them as “out of the mouths of babes”. Here’s how “mouth of babes” is defined: Out of the mouth of babes refers to surprising wisdom coming from unexpected sources like children or experienced individuals.
So, with that definition, here are some unattributed comments by members of the Forsyth City Council from their last public meeting: “I hope you appreciate our position”; “Oh, you need money”; “That would take it back to ‘em”; “My question to you”; “It just depends”; “Your help and influence”; “Libary”; “My thing is”; and “A child can read anything on the phone”.
Over at the county commission, during a three-and-a-half hour packed meeting room, here are a few unattributed comments: “I’m the one who created this”; “The general opinion…”; “We want to solve the problem”; “I’m going to use the Bible”; “We are not Nazi Germany”; “I’ve got to be honest with you”; “This is not an easy job”; “Don’t fall into bull crap”; “I do love you”; “You’ve got to be careful of free speech”; “That’s where I am going”; “This is a touchy subject”; “Let’s go with that”; “They are in an upside down situation”; “That’s where I am going”; “Let’s go with that”; “I’m not arguing”; “I’m getting hungry”; “That’s what I learned”; “Let me just back-up” ; “I hear you 100%”; and finally, “we have an epidemic of cats” .
I have to give credit to Commissioner George Emami for that last comment which lead to an almost hour discussion how to resolve the county’s “epidemic” of feral cats. No resolution was adopted as to how to “combat” the epidemic.
Becky Gifford, Monroe County’s Animal Shelter Manager, explained that her “hands are tied” when it comes to controlling or getting rid/controlling the feral cat “epidemic”.
IF YOU attend or watch the county commission meeting, you have often heard a commissioner say “I’ll pay for it”. That means that they’ll take the money “out of my contingency funds”. Well sit back and let me attempt to explain “contingency funds.”
Contingency (commissioners’ slush fund) , in general, is an emergency fund that is included in the Monroe County Board of Commissioners’ portion of the budget that can be used to pay---pay attention---for unbudgeted expenses or for the legitimate whim of a county commissioner.
In the 2024 county budget, there is $500,000 in contingency to whet the commissioners’ spending appetite that each could use. There’s still almost $150,000 left so you better get your request for some free county tax money. Just make the request legit. You might ought to stroke the commissioners’ egos if you want some taxpayer money.
According to information I have received, the Commission Chairman has $59,486.20 he can still spend before exiting the building. No wonder he holds grudges for losing his throne. Here’s the list and amount the other commissioners have in their contingency pickle jars: Eddie Rowland, $26,456.76; John Ambrose, $32,781.20. George Emami gave his contingency funds to the 20 or so various county department heads for departmental needs.
Although a commissioner might want to give some of his contingency tax money, it would still have to a legitimate unbudgeted expense and approved by an open vote by the other commissioners.
HERE’s some more financial news we need to know. Back in November of 2018 we approved a SPLOST (Special Purposed Local Option Sales Tax) with an anticipated collection of $25,000,000 with the county getting $21,215,386, the City of Forsyth taxpayers getting $3,827, 091 and the City of Culloden reaping $457,725.
The largest spending by the county, $6,827,765, is for water which I assume will be for expanding the county water delivery system.
Here’s one I don’t understand. Monroe County contributed $970,000 from funds received from the American Rescue Plan for internet expansion in Monroe County. My question is very simple: how is the county expanding internet in Monroe County?
SURPRISE! Board of Education members, you know the ones we elect, are paid $75 per meeting for attending BOE meetings. Another surprise: they voted down a proposed raise for themselves.
It’s nice to see some public officials still believe in public service.
Somebody, like a member of the BOE, needs to explain what Dr. Kadekine Cunningham’s job is as Monroe County Middle Football Community Coach and how much are we paying for his coaching.
HERE’S The Question for this week: Which former Mary Persons Bulldog made the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks? First correct answer after 12 noon on Friday gets a certificate for a Dairy Queen Blizzard, Whistle Stop fried green tomato appetizer, Big Peach carwash, slice of Shoney’s strawberry pie, slice of Jonah’s pizza and a single dip at Scoops on the square.
WANT to make a printable idea or comment? Contact Donald Jackson Daniel at [email protected].
