Keeping Our County Strong
To the Editor:
This budget cycle has left me with great concern for Fayette County and its people. In the current proposed budget for 2024 the expenses will exceed the revenue by $855,224. I do believe that there will be enough money to pay the bills in 2024. However, in my mind you can’t just look at the current year. You have to look ahead. You have to plan. I have always done this when reviewing our budget. If property values level off or recede, or new property values recede will the county be able to produce enough revenue to cover additional expenses without cutting services? We are going to be maxed out with next year’s budget.
When I came into office in 2013 the first thing I had to do was give money from Road and Bridge to the General Fund so Fayette County could pay the bills ... maybe this is why I am more concerned. It can happen. Unforeseen things can come up that are out of our control. But, we have the ability and responsibility to plan and do our very best to make sure we are in the best possible fiscal situation beforehand. I am also concerned that the people of Fayette County will not be able to speak their opinions concerning the budget, or anything else for that matter. That can’t happen.
We are here to listen no matter if we like what we hear or not. Part of our Job is to decipher opinions of constituents and make the best decisions based on the opinions that are given. In all my years on the court I have never been shamed for my vote by the court. We might not all agree. I don’t have a problem with that. In fact, I welcome constructive debate and different opinions. But, I don’t agree with being shamed. I don’t agree with being told that I don’t support our departments. Nothing could be further from the truth and those that know me know that.
In the past, as a court, we have always worked hard to ensure the very best for this county. I don’t only work here. My family lives here. My friends live here. I don’t take the responsibilities we have lightly. I want the best for our home. I have always asked questions or said something when I don’t agree, understand, or when I see something that I believe could be improved. This budget is no different. I have questioned many other budgets in the past from several different departments. As have other members of this court so that they can make the decisions that they see fit. We should question the budget. That means we are actually understanding what is happening in all of our departments. Do we need to keep and gain quality employees? Of course. We need to do this across the board. And, we all value our emergency services. They do a great job. I’ve continually said this over the years. This isn’t something we take for granted or want to see go away. It’s ridiculous to say that any of us want to see longer response times or our constituents suffering. But, we have to be able to afford them not only today but tomorrow. We have to figure out how we can afford the best possible services with the monies we have and will have in the future.
I don’t want to see a future without them because we didn’t plan ahead. That would be the real disgrace to this county. This is why I was in favor of the 7 percent raise and not 10 percent. This is the better decision in my opinion, which I am entitled to. The rest of the court is entitled to their own as well. This is not nickel and diming in my opinion. This is hundreds of thousands of dollars we are talking about. Salaries are perpetual. We do what we can afford and save for our future.
Over the past years we have worked too hard in this county, and this court, to not keep looking and moving forward in a positive way. We were elected to ask the hard questions, to examine the numbers, to be proactive, to keep our departments strong, and to represent our people. Again, others may have different opinions and might see things differently. That is their opinion. And, that’s fine. But, I will continue to have mine.