Council Adds 4.5 Million To County Debt For “Life Enhancing” Projects
At the April 17, 2008 meeting of Florence County Council, an ordinance (Ordinance 26-2007-207/8) to reduce the county’s interest rate on existing Certificates of Participation was introduced. But, this wasn’t the whole story. What was left out of the written ordinance was the fact that 4.5 million dollars was added on to the debt to fund optional projects favored by some of the councilmen.
The good news about this ordinance is that the interest rate on the Certificates of Participation is being lowered from 6% to 3.5%. This money was borrowed in 1990 to finance the construction of the civic center and the new jail. All of this came with an additional cost of $250,000 to the bond attorneys. Lowering the interest rate on this long term debt is a good thing, so why add 4.5 million to the debt the tax payers have been struggling to pay off for over eighteen years? Also why was the public not made aware of this additional debt for unnamed projects?
Appearing before council were two Florence County citizens, Murray Jordan and Walt Ranson who wanted answers to these very questions. Jordan was able to ferret out six of the 4.5 million dollar projects and named them. He also asked why council had not been more forthright with the citizens and why tax money was being spent for undisclosed expenses. His complete statement is included with this article. (Attachment #1)
The second appearance was made by Walt Ranson who questioned the timing of spending additional tax money. He reminded the council members that the economy is in a recession and many people have difficult financial problems. He cited the financial problems state government is facing. (Attachment #2)
After the remarks of Mr. Jordan and Mr. Ranson, there were rebuttals from several councilmen. James Schofield indicated that the 4.5 million in projects were hypothetical possibilities and each would be discussed and voted on at a later date. Dr. Morris Anderson commended the council for its selection of future projects that would benefit the county. Chairman Rusty Smith stated that the projects could only enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Florence County.
If it is indeed necessary and the right thing to spend 4.5 million dollars on these projects, why were the projects and the cost not included in the ordinance? Why were these projects not discussed until after they were questioned by citizens? Isn’t 4.5 million dollars a little steep for hypothetical projects?
What are these projects? These projects had never been discussed at previous meetings, yet over 4.5 is allocated for them. When and behind what closed doors were the decisions made? Because of the disclosures of Mr. Jordan and Mr. Ranson, the Morning News secured a list of the life enhancing projects.
A new building for the voter registration and elections commissions. (1.3m)
Recreation park in southern Florence county ($500,000)
A new Johnsonville branch library ($500,000)
A recreational park in the Brookgreen area ($290,000)
A turning lane on Ebenezer Road for a county convenience site ($390,000)
Expanding the exercise room at the Leatherman Senior Center ($150,000)
Development of historical sites in northeastern Florence County ($150,000)
Southern Florence County Museum ($400,000)
A sidewalk along Wilson Road ($150,000)
Various historical, cultural, recreational, and tourism related projects (1.2m)
No additional details of these projects are available. The total for the projects comes to a little over five million dollars. Perhaps the councilmen view these additional expenses of a half a million dollars as more life enhancing quality of life.
(SEE LETTERS TO EDITOR FOR RELATED PUBLIC INPUT)