By Bobbi Mlynar
mlynar@emporiagazette.com
County commissioners sent County Controller Dan Slater back to talk to department heads for another round of budget cuts, after the commissioners’ action session Wednesday at the Lyon County Courthouse.
The commission also approved Resolution 21-09 on a 2-0 vote to provide zoning regulations for commercial wind-energy conversion systems.
Commission chairman Scott Briggs recused himself and left commission chambers when the topic came up for discussion. Briggs said he has a conflict of interest on the resolution.
Zoning and flood plain manager Sam Seeley had given commissioners extensive background information on the resolution during the commission’s study session on Wednesday.
“We feel like these are enough to suffice … not too much and not too little,” Seeley said on Thursday.
Seeley studied wind-farm regulations across Kansas and in other states to draft a resolution, which recently was approved 7-0 by the county’s zoning board.
Lyon County Attorney Marc Goodman, who also is county counsel, had studied the resolution.
“It prevents (wind-energy companies) careening around the county pell-mell with any turbine it wants so counsel recommends that it pass,” Goodman said.
County Controller Dan Slater reported that sales tax collections were approximately $214,000 for the month of June. Slater said that was the largest collection ever received for one month in Lyon County.
Certified public accountant Bob Agler presented potential budget options to commissioners during an hour-long session on resolving budget issues. He cautioned them to take a long view of the figures, rather than focus on one year’s needs and revenues.
“The important thing is to remember that we’ve got to look at three years when we’re working on the budget year,” Agler said.
Briggs said he had received several calls from people on fixed incomes who were concerned about a potential 15-mill increase in property taxes.
“We all know that’s not going to happen,” Briggs said.
The budget had been carved down to a potential 8-mill increase by Thursday morning, and commissioners wanted to take the levy down further.
Agler and Goodman said commissioners legally could transfer $750,000 from the multi-year fund to make up part of the decrease.
“It’s a real strong case of why it’s important to build up cash reserves,” Agler said.
“When you take money from one pocket and put it in another pocket, you still don’t have more money,” Slater said.
One advantage in the transfer would be that the county would repay the money to itself with no interest charged.
The money would be repaid as sales taxes came in, to avoid a larger increase in property taxes.
Agler went through a department-by-department assessment of the budget, comparing 2008, 7 months of 2009, and projected 2010 expenses and revenues.
Commissioners discussed the difficulties road and bridge and sheriff’s departments encountered in trying to predict expenses for the coming year.
Gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt, sealant, and medical expenses for jail inmates all were brought up as examples of costs those department heads were not able to control.
Most departments’ 2010 requests were up, despite admonitions from commissioners to trim their budgets.
Commissioner Teresa Walters mentioned that one item – travel – continued to increase in several department budgets. Travel had been targeted specifically as an area for savings.
The group discussed the need for some department heads to decide how they can trim their budgets, whether through personnel cuts, less overtime, fewer services, or changing work hours. Other department heads already have reduced their needs.
“Really and truly, they need to be stepping up and saying, ‘OK, we can make these changes,’” Agler said.
Goodman told Slater to go back to the department heads and have them decide how the cuts can be made.
Briggs said the county needs to look at ending funding for some types of contributions, such as fireworks, the William Allen White Historic Home, and similar expenditures.
“I still think it should come from private funding, myself,” Briggs said.
Agler said that the city had spent approximately $7,500 in overtime for police and other employees to assist at the fireworks show on July 4.
“The plan for next year is to cut that significantly,” Agler said.
Other items and information presented during the meeting were:
-- Commissioner Rollie Martin told the board that EVCO Wholesale Food Corp. had been awarded a contract for more than $650,000 by the Lyon County Council on Aging. EVCO was chosen over an outside supplier.
-- The Council on Aging’s annual spelling bee will be Oct. 22.
-- A hearing on a road closing on Road M will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.
-- County equipment and crew members are on-site at the former Pallets Plus location and on Wednesday started removing debris, pallets and vehicles from inside the burned-out building.
-- Walters attended a board meeting of the Flint Hills Community Health Center, and said the center began boiler repairs using stimulus money. The board will apply for $750,000 for facilities improvements.
-- Walters also said she had been to Gibson Recycling on South Avenue, which is to be cleaned up with state funds designated for such projects.
“People are continuing to dump right out on the road,” Walters said. “… It’s just a mess out there again.”
The company’s owner, Richard Carley, apparently signed papers on Wednesday that will allow the state to come in and clean up the area.
Gibson Recycling accepts dumping of old appliances and similar items; however, residents have used the area to dump trash, instead of driving to the city landfill nearby.
-- Goodman told commissioners that a woman living in the county had called to say that she and another person had received a favorable reception when they requested pickup by LCAT to bring them to Emporia for rehabilitation treatments. Both of the county residents have suffered health problems that prevent them from driving.
-- Slater said there is a possibility that the city of Emporia will not fund buying a new ambulance next year. The city and county share some costs of the ambulance.
-- County Clerk Tammy Vopat said that her office had donated 21 cell phones to the RSVP program for senior citizens. She added that she would complete paperwork next week to renew the county’s 5-year sales tax exemption.
-- Commissioners unanimously approved purchase of a new computer, not to exceed $1,200, for the sheriff’s office. The mother board of the old computer cannot be repaired. Other parts of the computer will be salvaged for future use.
-- Commissioners questioned County Engineer Chip Woods about a $240,000 FEMA grant reportedly given to Lyon County.
“I have no idea where that number’s coming from. So far, we haven’t gotten squat,” Woods said. “FEMA hasn’t sent the paperwork with final estimates.”
-- Slater announced that another overpayment has been made on the courthouse bonds, which are being repaid with sales tax money far in advance of the original payment plan. The sales tax dedicated to the bond repayment, and will sunset when the bonds are paid off.
“By 2011, that should disappear,” Slater said.
wirewatt (Ken Bazil) says...
A sales tax was passed to relieve property taxes, however they want an eight mill increase. Enough is enough, use the sales tax as it should be. The statement they had the largest increase in sales tax, what did they expect when they had a 12 percent increase. Slater is not in tune with what is going on. Wake up people and put a stop to this farce.
July 31, 2009 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
I have an issue with Mr. Agler as a City Commissioner insisting that the levy remain flat, but as the County's paid financial advisor he has a different opinion, and has had for years. The County continues to raise their levy. The City hasn't increased their levy for - ? How manyyears. Our infrastructure, equipment and personnel morale level shows it, too.
And, let us not forget which entity gets the largest piece of the pie - the School System.... how much will they increase the mil levy?
Please don't get me wrong, I don't want my taxes to increase either. But, why is it that both the School & County continually raise their levy, while the City makes up the difference and doesn't move forward. Seriously, the City would probably love to have reserves to dip into like the County does. Funny to me too, that when people talk about excessive taxing, the finger seems to always point at the City.
July 31, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
justthinkin;
From your above:
"that when people talk about excessive taxing, the finger seems to always point at the City"
Not me, I use the whole hand. One thumb for the city, and the fingers for USD, county, state, and federal taxing agencies. It's kind of hard to point with all your digits, so I guess a clenched fist will have to do.
Power to the People!
July 31, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
from the above article, these comments;
"The group discussed the need for some department heads to decide how they can trim their budgets, whether through personnel cuts, less overtime, fewer services, or changing work hours. Other department heads already have reduced their needs."
“Really and truly, they need to be stepping up and saying, ‘OK, we can make these changes,’” Agler said.
Goodman told Slater to go back to the department heads and have them decide how the cuts can be made.
How about this?
It is the three on the commission jobs to set the budget, not the department heads.
TELL THE DEPT. HEADS that unless they can cut their budgets by at least 10-15% , THE COMMISSION WILL CUT THEM ALL 30%.
Watch how fast the revised figures come in.
August 2, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And if we could get the school board to do the same, guess whos taxes wouldn't go up?
August 2, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
The last I heard and read the school board said it needs, no, wants a 1.7 mil levy tax increase and then theres NRH saying they need a bigger mil levy increase also ! It looks like everybody wants to put their hand in the taxpayers pocket and grab and grab and grab.
I believe that both the City and County may benefit from having a Budget Study Committee to oversee the policing of the budget expenditures, as to what is prudent and necessary and what is extravagance, as far as expenditures .
August 2, 2009 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Here is a little something for all of those in the City of Emporia and Lyon County, who are so enamored with the large metropolitan areas such as Lawrence, Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City. Lawrence, Ks., population 90,520, Topeka, Ks., population 226,268, Wichita, Ks., population 351,420 and Kansas City metropolitan area population, approx. 2,100,000. The total population for the State of Kansas is 2,775,997.
Now mathmatically speaking, Lawrence will have 3.4 times the amount of revenues to spend than Emporia and Lyon County combined. Topeka will have 10 times the amount of revenues to spend as Emporia and Lyon County combined, Wichita will have 13 times the amount of revenues to spend and Kansas City will have approx. 79 times the amount of revenue to spend, based on population size.
And as you can see the Kansas City metropolitan by itself, is almost as large as the whole State of Kansas as far as population and possibly tax revenues are concerned.
As I see it Emporia and Lyon County can ill afford to try and be like these larger metropolitan as far as spending goes, especially spending foolishly !
The City of Emporia and Lyon County does not have the tax revenue base nor jobs base that these larger metropolitan areas have and the City of Emporia, Lyon County and certain citizens of the area need to stop trying to be like or keep up with the " JONES'S " so to speak.
We need to concentrate on growing Emporias and Lyon Countys jobs base first . When that is accomplished, Emporia and Lyon County will then grow and prosper as desired !
If you believe that Emporia can grow and prosper without a larger and more substantial jobs base, you are " CALIFORNIA DREAMIN " !
August 2, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
5% pay cut for those making over $35,000 ... city, county, school.
August 2, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
justthinkin'
"Seriously, the City would probably love to have ............................................... Funny to me"
I hear ya.
Seriously R. Folks
August 2, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
If you compare Emporia to cities with similar populations such as Garden City you will see that they are providing services with fewer employees and smaller salaries than Emporia.
August 2, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
One_Voice (anonymous) says...
There are areas that could be cut without services being cut. I have been told that county employees are given cell phones, why? empolyees will have thier own cell phones anyway, why furnish them to employees? they do not need them, they have radios in the equipment to communicate. this would save thousands per year.
uniforms? theres an expence that could be cut (except maybe law enforcement) Let employees but thier own clothes, we all do for our jobs, another several thousand a year.
office cleaning services? let the employees empty thier own trash cans and pick up after themselves! they are not children for goodness sake. Another couple thousand a year in savings.
I have also been told the county uses a contractor for entryway rugs? Buy some rugs instead and clean them at the Sheriff Dept when they get dirty. Thousands per year wasted.
These are just a few ideas of where cuts could be made and NO Services to the public would change.
Steve Corbin, I read, for the most part these fourms. You have a good idea now and again and I agree with you in most cases. I do have to say that the comments above that were made by you only make me think that you have lost focus and are starting to stomp your feet like a child. "TELL THE DEPT. HEADS that unless they can cut their budgets by at least 10-15% , THE COMMISSION WILL CUT THEM ALL 30%."
I Challenge you to get copies of the budgets and find enough cuts to make a 30% dcrease without cutting YOUR services. Your are being unrealistic. If you can do this , Please list those cuts on here for all to see,
August 2, 2009 at 9:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Heres some good news for everyone, White House: No guarantee taxes won't go up. Go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32260411/... and read and watch video all about it !
August 2, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
One_Voice;
Sorry, didn't mean to come across like a "child stomping my feet".
My point was every dept. head, (City or County), gets used to a certain standard of funding dollars. In good times they usually get more, in bad times they should get less. Just like your personal budget. Your ideas above for cutting the budget are a good start.
Admireed's idea has some merit, but I would put the salary cut @$55,000.00 + instead.
Wasn't the jail expansion supposed to make it self-sufficient?
Have you driven by the jail, courthouse parking lots and seen the # of patrol cars, trucks, and SUV's parked there?
Has Lyon County annexed land from somwhere that we need all this government service?
Has there been a huge increase in our population?
Remember when you actually saw the Sheriff out in a patrol car enforcing the law?
The overall point I was trying to make was, It's not the department heads job to make their budgets, and it's not your or my job to make it.
The three who ran for the office, that's their job to do with "input" from others.
Our input was to pass a sales tax increase to keep the mil-levy flat. Now it is time for the commission to do just that.
If the department heads can't submitt their budget with cuts, then the commission needs to do it.
Government can't and shouldn't do it all, and some people will howl, but that's just the way it is in these hard times.
August 3, 2009 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
and before someone jumps on me about the sales tax not taking effect when the county thought it would, and so we now have a "shortfall". Who's fault was that, and why were we budgeting and spending those dollars before they started coming in?
August 3, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A personal aside to commissioner Walters:
I did my budget for the year counting on the influx of all those non-smokers coming in and improving my profits.
It included a pay raise for myself and my employees. The increase didn't happen so I guess we won't be getting that raise. Can't spend it if you don't have it!
This post could be classified under the "Sour Grapes" catagory.
August 3, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I don't think your post is sour grapes at all, Steve. In fact, during the giant debate on SHS, many posters brought out information from other areas where bars lost business as a result of the ban. On top of that, many posts introduced links to stories about those areas that recalled shs bans for bars because of all the lost revenue.
No, no sour grapes at all. You have every right to bitch for losing income, lots of it. But did Teresa Walters and her marauders even think that this would happen? Hell no! Instead, what they did was promise that they would all be more willing to patronize the bars in town once the ban was enacted. Well crappitydoodahday.
WHERE ARE YOU, TERESA WALTERS???
August 3, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lyon (anonymous) says...
Why doesn't the county cut the Road and Bridge departments overtime? They only really need overtime, maybe in the winter snow months.
Maybe do a voluntary cut in hours.
August 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
One_Voice (anonymous) says...
Steve, the comment "The overall point I was trying to make was, It's not the department heads job to make their budgets, and it's not your or my job to make it." could not be further from the truth. it is the dept heads jobs to make the budgets, they know far better than the commission as to the needs of those dept's. If I used that logic then it would be like saying, here Steve I elect you to tell me how to run my business, oh I know you dont have a clue what we do here but I want you to tell me how to budget so to make me more profitable.
It doesnt work that way, sorry.
Now what is the job of the commission is to find ways to cut out waste in each dept and to make a few hard calls as to where to cut. But as far as making the budgets, I disagree with that statement.
The wage cuts, I suppose I could agree with you on that, over 55k per year, gets a small cut but only after everything thing else has been looked at.
I am still waiting on some ideas from you as to what Exactly should be cut? Are you saying to sell the patrol cars, trucks, and SUV's or are you saying we need to hire more officers to patrol because you never see any? I'm confused!
you also said "Government can't and shouldn't do it all, and some people will howl, but that's just the way it is in these hard times."
Ok, Fine, what do you think should be cut?
"The three who ran for the office, that's their job to do with "input" from others."
where is Steve's input?
Should we cut jobs? whos?
should we cut services? what services?
August 3, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I wonder why so many of the new vehicle purchased by the city...and the county......seem to be delux models. Does a street...or road....forman's pickup really need a top dollar stereo.....power seats and windows.....etc. etc.
The school district seems to get by on vehicles that for the most part appear to come from Joe's Cut Rate Clunker Barn....do the other governmental entities need top shelf?
August 3, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
One_Voice;
your question on this;"The three who ran for the office, that's their job to do with "input" from others."
Input includes Department heads and all the rest of us.
1 example would be contractual services under the special alcohol fund. Drop it completely, and transfer those dollars to the mental health center .it's not much but the mental health center could use it.
2 example would be All overtime in all departments, except county clerks on election day.
3 example would be historical society -cut15%
4 example would be extension office - cut 15%
5 example would be county attorney;- cut a bunch
legal services $65,000.00? in 2008 it was $500.00.
service contract $20,000.00? in 2008 it was $952.00
travel expense& training? $5,000.00
other professional? $7,500.00
Your ideas have merit also.
You see we can voice our opinion on here, but I didn't run for office. If I had and had been elected I would attempt to do the job even if it offended some of the people, or department heads. As I am not being paid to do the job and p_ss off the taxpayers I think I'll refrain from anymore suggestions, as I probably have done enough of that already.
It is standard practice for government of all types to submit bloated budget requests and then be-moan the serious and terrible events that will be the result of cuts.
A cut on your arm hurts,
But it's better than amputating the whole arm.
August 3, 2009 at 1:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
Just playing devil's advocate here, but some of those SUVs and such were drug forfeitures. I believe the sheriff, undersheriff, and county EM's vehicles are all drug forfeitures but I could be mistaken. If we get them for free who cares what options they have.
August 3, 2009 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
biscuitboy:
Next time your'e out west drive by the schools bus barn on 12th by the legion and look at all the suburbans parked.
August 3, 2009 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
emporia;
I think you are correct in the drug forfiture of the sheriffs vehicle, don't know about the rest of them. But they could have been sold @ public auction and the sheriff could drive a little more economic vehicle don't you think? Something about gas milage and such?
August 3, 2009 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
crackinsack;
don't know what you other questions have to do with this subject,(other than to goad me into a conversation that isn't germain to this post). Maybe we will discuss them some other time on some other thread.
August 3, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
I agree completely with this statement Steve.
TELL THE DEPT. HEADS that unless they can cut their budgets by at least 10-15% , THE COMMISSION WILL CUT THEM ALL 30%.
Why the heck would dept heads come back with higher budgets in a down year?
There job is to run their department the most efficient way possible. I agree that if they can't figure out a way to cut expenses or are too scared to come up with a way to do it the commissioners should do it for them. They shouldn't necessarily tell them what to cut, but rather tell them that they are getting 30% less money this year so you better figure it out.
August 3, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
crackinsack
I'm a "Jesus freak." I voted against the ban and did not vote on the ballot measure about Sunday sales. While I tend to take it easy on the Sabbath, I don't have any intention of being a morality monitor and insist that others follow suit. That's one of the reasons I voted against the smoking ban.
I don't know how every Jesus freak voted on either measure. I work under the assumption we still have a secret ballot. I do suspect, however, that there were quite a few outside the community of freaks who voted for the smoking ban.
August 3, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
crackinsack,
Use your head and buy more booze on Saturday so you don't have to go dry on Sunday. Aren't you the one driving drunk to Olpe after hours and on Sunday to buy more booze? You're putting other drivers at risk, or are you just too selfish to care?
August 3, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Steve....maybe its just vehicles for the maint. depart. that come from Joe's Cut Rate Clunker Barn......my mistake.
August 3, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
emporian
I believe you are wrong about the SUVS being drug arrest confications. I say this because there is a new 4 wheel drive SUV, slated for purchase on the Citys budget for the Fire Chief !
August 3, 2009 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Crack,
From the looks of the drop in sales tax receipts attributed to liquor sales in bars in Emporia. I would say your idea of greed on the part of the pro-SHSers just doesn't hold water !
You are one egotistical, bigoted, self rightous, hyprocritical individual !
August 3, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
crackinsack
Of course you meant offense with the term "Jesus freak." It certainly wasn't used as a term of endearment.
August 3, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
crack....I bet if somebody outed you there might be alot of people show up at your house. huh
August 3, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
"(no offense by "Jesus freak", but the way)"
none taken
"Forgive them they know not what they do."
August 3, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
enough cracked in the sack;
Call and ask the main liquor stores in Emporia, and ask them if they want Sunday Sales.
I think not, at least the last time it was brought up.
Do you think the city should pass a law allowing Sunday sales just because you want it?
Do you own a liquor store?
If not , try to use some common sense and buy your FIX on Sat.
August 3, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And quit changing the subject matter of these threads. Are there only 2 things on your minds? All 16 of them?
August 3, 2009 at 8:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
methusla-
I am pretty sure that is how the county does it, and I thought that was what we were talking about. Forgive me if I was mistaken.
August 3, 2009 at 11:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
When I worked briefly in the liquor store business a few years ago......none of the stores in town wanted sunday sales. But I guess for some telling business owners how they have to run their stores just comes naturally.
August 4, 2009 at 12:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well it sounds like the county is going to have anywhere from a 3-6 mill levy increase. so much for keeping property tax levels down.
August 4, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
If they can buy vehicles with all the options at the same price of the bare basics cars, I say they should do so. Most of the vehicles are bought at fleet car prices, not retail like what you and I have to pay at the dealerships. You get what you pay for, stripped down models are not as durable and have zero resale value. Law enforcement vehicles need to have better brakes, better cooling systems, larger charging and electric systems to run all the lights and sirens. They are not drive to the store and back vehicles. When I worked for the Government, I was issued a new car in 1994. The car we ordered included every heavy duty option available, as well as several of the comfort options available. The City and County cars only had the basic package that was offered. All three agencies worked together to submit a single bid proposal to get fleet pricing. The car we ended up with cost $12k. A stripped down, bare bones car with vinyl flooring and seats with no power steering, would have cost $12k. Retail it would have stickered at over $25k the way it was ordered. Before you assume they are ordering top of the line for comfort, you might want to educate yourself on how the manufacturers compete for the business.
August 4, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Well of course neighbor...if you can by delux for basic price you would be a fool not to do so. Nobody was arguing that if that is indeed what they are doing.
August 4, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
bb, everything the government does with tax money is public record. One only has to take the time ask to see the records to know what they are doing with it or have done instead of assuming. Some of the SUVs are drug forfeiture cars, some are ordered out of necessity and for their function. Trucks and SUVs make sense out in the county for the SO, cars are not made for gravel roads and off road use needs. Budget work vehicles and construction equipment at the Highway and Street depts wear out faster, have to be replaced sooner, I feel they should buy quality instead of quantity to get the most out of our tax dollars.
August 4, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
neighbor
No power steering in 1994? Are you sure about that?
August 4, 2009 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I don't think I assumed anything neighbor....I asked a question.....you answered it....ok. But the way you answered it makes me wonder if a I might have been stepping on your ride. Now that is an assumption.
August 4, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well someone reads these blogs. All those suv's and such are now parked 1 block south at 4th and mechanic in the fenced lot. It is good that they are secure.
August 4, 2009 at 7:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
I didn't name you nor anyone else in my response, and yes you know what they say about assuming.
August 4, 2009 at 9 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I wonder if a pro-smoking ban "freak" would ever have enough of the slightest glimmer of intelligent self-awareness during all their labeling of hicks, Jesus freaks, etc..... to recognize themselves in a mirror, and realize what they are looking at.
Probably not......... as seriously said, "they know not what they do". So true.
(No offense meant by the way, of course...... :)
August 5, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )