Blogs/Reader Opinions Bills and Vouchers Should Have Been Paid
Written by Ed Brimner, Commissioner Tuesday, 24 July 2007 02:32
Editor:
{sidebar id=1}While spending a week in West Virginia as the guest of the USDA Forest Service, I was taken aback to hear our Board of County Commissioners was high jacked by two commissioners, Howard Kessler and George Green, who refused to perform even the most routine business of the county. I fully understand differences of opinion. I understand Howard’s desire to kill projects he personally does not agree with. That is to be expected in the current polarized environment of Wakulla County. However to refuse to even pay our smallest businesses for services already performed is shortsighted and mean spirited. Some of our small businesses perform services for Wakulla County and depend on timely payments to make payroll and to pay their routine bills. I’m shocked and dismayed anyone is willing to sacrifice the good name of our county for political purposes.
With this in mind, I am calling for Chairman Langston to call for an emergency meeting to pass the bills and vouchers of our county as soon as possible. This is an emergency for the following reasons:
- Businesses performed work with the expectation of getting paid in a
timely manner. To not do so exacts an unnecessary burden on our most
vulnerable businesses. Some businesses need to be paid so they can
make payroll.
- Wakulla County depends on small businesses performing work as it is
needed. Some things, such as repairing air conditioning, must be
performed prior to a county commissioner meeting. If we continue to
delay payment, our local businesses, with good justification, will stop
performing needed services without payment in advance.
- Wakulla County’s credit rating could suffer is we continue this polarizing business of not paying our bills in a timely manner.
I am also calling for the BOCC to work with staff to find a way we can discuss what we are paying for prior to the work being done. I’m also puzzled why Mr. Thurmond, The Clerk of Courts, cannot pay a service provider for duly performed services. Our Administrator is charged with approving services up to $3000. Our Chair is authorized to spend up to $10,000. If the work was authorized, why does the check have to be approved by the board? I would much rather see the contract or work order come before the board BEFORE the work was done. Then the BOCC could stop unnecessary work. Once the work is completed, denying payment would result in an immediate lawsuit—and our attorney would receive additional pay defending the lawsuit, we would lose the lawsuit, AND we would have to pay the vendors costs including their attorneys—a real lose, lose for Wakulla County.
I understand the firestorm of responses this email will elicit—I don’t care. I have seen NO compromise from Howard or George concerning any issues coming before the commission. Wakulla County does not have an executive form of government—only by compromise can improvements be accomplished. My only desire is to protect the interest of ALL our citizens and businesses as well as the good name of Wakulla County.
Sincerely,
Ed Brimner
Wakulla County Commissioner, District III
(850) 251-8709 (Cell)
(850) 926-0919 (Office)
(850) 926-0940 (FAX)
This letter originally published on July 24, 2007.
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