COLUMN: Discretionary funds can cover shortfall

Our nation, state and county are in the grips of the worst recession since the Great Depression. The Pee Dee area is struggling with high unemployment. Property values have plummeted with foreclosures at an all time high.

Rental property stands vacant and the sale of commercial and residential property is in a slump from which it might not emerge for years. Not the best timing for an increase in property taxes, but that is just what happened in Florence County this year. Not only did property taxes go up but there was a 63 percent increase in the solid waste fee. For residents living in School District 1, the total increase (property taxes and solid waste fee) on a personal residence is around 36 percent. This includes an eight mill increase in the School District 1 operating tax and a 15.3 mill increase in the School District 1 bond tax. Many citizens are concerned and letters have appeared in the local papers, but the people have not been given an explanation for these higher taxes and fees.

In the Florence County 2009-10 annual budget, on page (i) is a report written by the county administrator to Florence County Council, stating that among other budget challenges, the county was faced with a shortfall of $2 million, requiring the increase in the solid waste fee and a transfer of $740,000 from the general fund balance. We are bringing this to the public’s attention because, as far as we know, this is the only explanation that has been given. This increase was imposed despite the fact that council members had accumulated $5,774,604 of what is referred to as “discretionary” funds. Each councilman maintains a separate “discretionary” account which is spent primarily in the councilman’s district at the councilman’s discretion. Of course, these funds are beneficial for the incumbent councilman to have handy to spend at election time, which may be why they may have been reluctant to use them to cover the budget shortfall.

By researching the county Web site, we were able to find the amount of the unspent funds rolled by each councilman into the fiscal year 2009. Rusty Smith rolled over $637,315; Ken Ard rolled over $320,921; Al Bradley rolled over $867,796; Mitchell Kirby rolled over $562,855; Johnnie Rodgers rolled over $389,738; Russell Culberson rolled over $744,875; Waymon Mumford rolled over $788,399; James Schofield rolled over $922,363; and Morris Anderson rolled over $540,342. The total, as stated above, is $5,774,604. Citizens can find this information on the county Web site (Florenceco.org) under the long agenda as a quarterly report identified as “Florence County Council Allocation Balances by District.” The last quarter was August 2009. It appears that as much as $1,742,100, from these rolled over funds, has been spent by the councilmen this year.

In this letter, we are protesting the 63 percent increase in the solid waste fee, which we think could have been avoided by returning monies from the discretionary funds to the general fund. This move on the part of the councilmen would have been met with great approval by the public. It should also be remembered that the discretionary funds do not actually belong to the councilmen. This money belongs to the people. It should also be remembered that once fees are raised they are seldom decreased.

We urge you to make your voice heard. Ask your councilman why the solid waste fee was increased when over $5 million in funds were available. Ask why taxes and fees were increased but expenses were not cut. In a recent letter to the editor, Wade Dickens suggests that we vote for change in the next election. We agree, but change will not happen if concerned people do not run for office. We need to take our government back at every level! It is up to you!

— Licia Stone is secretary for Florence County Citizens in Action.