In My Opinion: by James Bell

They call it a “Retreat”. That’s where public officials run off to some distant location far removed from the citizens and media. Or more appropriately, Webster defines ‘retreat’ as “an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable”.

Last week the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, department heads and staff headed out to Pine Mountain, Georgia to determine the budget for 2010.

According to the Carl Vinson Institute of Georgia a retreat is “an opportunity for the governing body to come together in a relaxed setting away from daily pressures and distractions in order to regroup, refocus, and plan to better meet community needs. Unlike most regular meetings, a retreat allows for plenty of time to discuss issues and concerns.”

I have a suggestion for Douglas County officials, how about retreating to the $45 million courthouse and “Citizen’s Hall” built by taxpayers to serve the needs of our government. How about putting budget discussions on cable access TV where the public can view their actions.

It’s like deja vu all over again! On November 3, 2009, voters will once again vote on a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for $150 million and a $120 million general obligation bond to build a new jail/prison.

First of all, Sheriff Miller recently wrote about housing inmates in other counties. He claims the jail was deigned for about 400 inmates. The fact is, it was “redesigned” to house 811 according to reports he submitted to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He complains about the cost of housing a few inmates in other counties, but he fails to mention that he is being paid by the Department of Corrections to house 125-150 convicted state inmates at a profit.

July 7, 2009 Comments by James Bell to Douglas County Board of Commissioners

1. First of all, I support holding a public vote on Sunday Alcohol sales by the drink. Once and for all, we as a community can determine what we will socially tolerate. The voters will have to determine if revenue and ending county/city turf battles are worth the risk of more drunk drivers on our streets.

However, I am opposed to holding this alcohol vote in a September Special Election. The cost of a special election is over $40,000. If you table this vote today you will have an opportunity to bring the issue up later and hold the vote on the Nov. general ballot, saving over $40,000 in tax dollars. It was said yesterday in the work session that that the cost of the election can be recouped by fees. That’s only if the issue passes. If it fails, you have squandered another $40,000 of taxpayer’s money. That’s quite a gamble! Please do the right thing and table this vote and place it on the Nov. ballot.

 By James Bell

 Property values should not become a political issue. A “fair market value” is just that.

The news media is reporting that because of falling property values, government will fall short of revenue. This is simple not accurate. Regardless of the value of the property tax digest, local governments use a millage rate to calculate tax collection.