There are two elected leaders in Oconee County government who are standing up for local taxpayers – Councilman Wayne McCall and Treasurer Greg Nowell. As far as the rest of County Council goes, we can’t give the same passing grade.

McCall has picked up the battle flag Nowell began waving more than a year ago, urging his fellow councilmen to give taxpayers some relief from over-taxation. His pleas have fallen on ears that may not be deaf, but are seemingly incapable of comprehending and moving the rest of the body to action.

It has been demonstrated and acknowledged that Oconee County is sitting on a mountain of money accumulated from a Duke Power windfall tax payment and property reassessment collection increases. Council refuses to give taxpayers any significant relief, however, even though in July Oconee was showing a cash-on-hand balance of $43 million, an amount equal to its entire budget pending for 2009-10.

Council’s reasons for not providing taxpayer relief are insufficient excuses that don’t cut it. The group wouldn’t even give a second Tuesday night to McCall’s motion for a $6 million tax break. Council, in fact, discussed the motion out of order, carrying on debate about the proposal without the necessary second that allows discussion in parliamentary proceedings.

Why will Oconee County Council not provide tax relief to the citizens who elected them? If they are still uncertain about the numbers, why will they not at least bring in a respected outside audit firm to comb through the county’s accounts, assess its obligations, tally its assets and produce a definitive report?

Council has shown the gumption to hire a new, more expensive attorney. They’ve also wisely decided to spend the bucks on an executive search firm to help find a new administrator. Is it so tough to do this one, too?

The current county council may not be responsible for creating this situation, but by refusing to act they take it upon their shoulders now. It is time for the people to speak up and let members of Oconee County Council know that the taxpayers want their money back.