Should Gilmer County Put A Debt Ceiling In Place? Citizen Speaks. BOC Responds.

At the 3-24 budget workshop Commissioner Will Beattie introduced the idea of a proposed County debt ceiling (9:30 seconds into part 9 video).
Max to Randy: “what you’re saying Randy is that the taxpayers can’t read what they are voting on, you’re dumbing down the taxpayer, down to the point that you’re saying you got to protect the taxpayers against themselves.”At the 3-24 budget workshop Commissioner Will Beattie introduced the idea of a proposed County debt ceiling (9:30 seconds into part 9 video).

BOC Workshop 3-24 Part 9 from Fetch on Vimeo.

This was previously proposed to the former Chairman Mark Chastain. Every time the question of a debt ceiling comes up it is met with “it’s only as good as the current Commissioner board and can be changed by the next.”

This attitude does not set well with many Gilmer County citizens who voted for an 8 million dollar courthouse and ended up having to pay back millions more than the amount authorized by the voters. This additional debt and the way it was created especially upsets Randy Bell.

(In video part 10) Commissioner Beattie continues to discuss the debt ceiling and also begins the discussion on reducing the annual amount allowed to be spent with one vendor. Beattie suggests the annual amount be reduced to $15,000 from $20,000. Currently if the county spends more than $20,000 with any one vendor the contract must be put out for public bid. This turned into a discussion between JC Sanford and Will Beattie over the County’s Charter rule on public bid for any amount over $20,000 per vendor. At 4:15 into video part 10

BOC Workshop 3-24 Part 10 from Fetch on Vimeo.

Commissioner Beattie points out to Chairman Sanford that a legal opinion by County Attorney, David Clark was given last year in an open meeting that the annual limit was $20,000 per vendor. Chairman Sanford’s response was that the limit rule was open for interpretation and that was how it was legally explained to him. Sanford went on to say if it had not been written the way it was that he would have been questioning it two years ago, when he was a post Commissioner and it boiled down to what a jury or judge would say.
(FYN plans to review some of the past administration’s vendor payments to see how much interpretation occurred with the $20,000 payment limit)

(Video part 11 at 3:40)

BOC Workshop 3-24 Part 11 from Fetch on Vimeo.

The discussion on the debt ceiling continued at the workshop. J.C. Sanford asks “what do you think the debt ceiling should be?” Commissioner Danny Hall said the debt should be caped off at 54 million. (In video part 12)

BOC Workshop 3-24 Part 12 from Fetch on Vimeo.

Courthouse debt is discussed. Commissioner Beattie said “I sure wish the building authority was raising the revenue to pay for it” (FYN plans to look into the Gilmer County Building Authority) ( 2 minutes into the video) When Randy Bell attempts to explain his reasoning for a debt ceiling Max Holstein interrupts and the following is the exchange occurred: Max to Randy: “what you’re saying Randy is that the taxpayers can’t read what they are voting on, you’re dumbing down the taxpayer, down to the point that you’re saying you got to protect the taxpayers against themselves.” Randy responds, “No, I’m not.” Max to Randy: “That’s exactly what you’re saying.” Randy – “No, I’m not.” Max to Randy: “Sure you are”.

After careful consideration of the exchange that occurred with Max Holstein on 3-24, Randy realized he needed to clarify for Max Holstein and the citizens why he feels there should be a debt ceiling. Randy Bell had the opportunity to express his thoughts clearly during the BOC meeting on 4-14. Randy stood up at the podium during the Citizens speak and directly addressed Max Holstein, the Board of Commissioners, and the Citizens of Gilmer County with a clear explanation of exactly why the County needs a debt ceiling.

Debt Ceiling – BOC 4-14 from Fetch on Vimeo.

Randy Bell Explains Debt Ceiling in Full Detail from Fetch on Vimeo.

Randy pointed out that the citizens of Gilmer County did vote for the Courthouse to be built but not at the cost that escalated into millions higher than the citizens voted to approve. This massive increase has ended up leaving the citizens with a monster debt. This is especially unfair to the hardworking citizens when we only find out when it’s time to pay up. Randy believes if a debt ceiling was put in place it would create protection from this kind of debt occurring again without voters’ knowledge.