Florence County Citizens In Action is a group of residents concerned with how local government operates.
Throughout the years, it has tried to be a voice for its views in making sure government is accountable and operates in the open.
And we certainly agree with those goals.
For years, one of the group’s main concerns has centered on Florence County’s road maintenance fee. Its past efforts and other steps by county government have made the process much more open and transparent.
But the group has continued to seek the elimination or reduction of the fee.
Several months ago, CIA members presented county council with a petition signed by 11,000 Florence County residents asking that a referendum be held to vote on reducing the fee.
We think county council has taken the right step by asking a judge to rule not only on the validity of the petitions, but also whether a referendum can be held on budget ordinances.
The council could have ignored the petitions, forcing the group take on the expense of going to court.
Instead, despite concerns by some to the contrary, the council is paying to take the matter to court.
The group can either answer the county’s complaint or just let the judge decide based on the county’s argument.
The issue isn’t just about the fee, but is about whether people can go out and petition for a vote on just about any budgetary steps taken by the council or other governmental bodies.
The place to do that is when people vote for their representatives to county council or any other governing body.
So the council members have done what they thought was best — putting it in the hands of the court to decide.
We hope the decision isn’t made just on the validity of the petitions, but also on the central question: Is it an appropriate matter for a referendum at all?
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