WALHALLA — Three members of the Oconee County Legislative Delegation are united in their opposition to fiscal autonomy but undecided as to whether the issue should go before the public via an advisory referendum.

State Rep. Bill Whitmire of Walhalla said he favors the idea, while state Sen. Thomas Alexander of Walhalla said he isn’t opposed. But state Rep. Bill Sandifer of Seneca said he is completely against the notion.

“If the people in Oconee County support fiscal autonomy, then I will rethink my position,” Whitmire said.

Alexander is “not opposed” to an advisory referendum, especially if it would settle the debate once and for all but added that such a referendum could not be brought before voters in time for the Nov. 4 general election.

“It would require legislation while we are in session (starting in January),” Alexander said, estimating at least another two years before a referendum could come to fruition.

Sandifer said he opposes a referendum for several reasons.

“This is a very complex issue, and how do you explain these examples as to what fiscal autonomy might be and have an educated, voting public vote on it in a manner they fully understand,” Sandifer said.

In addition, Sandifer feels the state legislature is elected to make those decisions.

“That’s our responsibility, and what we indicate on an advisory referendum is that we are incapable of doing the job the people elected us to do,” he said.

An advisory referendum, Sandifer believes, should feature a “clear cut, yes or no answer.”

“This is one of those instances where there is not a clear cut response,” Sandifer said. “It becomes confusing to voters who have not studied this issue as much as we have, the school board has or county council has.”

In fact, Sandifer said many legislators he has spoken to from districts where fiscal autonomy exists, either in a full or limited form, expressed displeasure with the funding mechanism.

“They said if they could possibly reverse it, they would,” he said.

During Wednesday’s breakfast meeting with the school board, Sandifer said he hoped the issue would not come before the delegation again, a sentiment he reiterated during a follow-up telephone interview.

“I think you’re beating a dead horse,” Sandifer said, adding, “I would rather see us move on to something else.”

Alexander feels a “wait and see” approach is necessary with fiscal autonomy, especially when it comes to any changes that may or may not be approved during the five-month legislative session.

“For it (fiscal autonomy) to appear to be the dominant issue they (school board) want, I just don’t understand that it’s the most critical issue facing them,” Alexander said.