Editor:

There has been a barrage of “opinion” lately by The Journal concerning Oconee County being overtaxed. While it is true that just about everyone would like to pay less in taxes, taxes are collected for the public good. Let’s keep our eye on the real facts. If the county were in critical shape financially, this newspaper would be at the forefront of attacks on the Council. As it is, we are in relatively good fiscal shape, thanks to sound financial planning.

The Journal rants that there is over $43,000,000 in the bank as of June 2009. Let’s look at what they don’t tell us. They don’t mention that we were short by $18 million in tax collections for budget years 2002 to 2004.

They fail to mention that there are funds in the total that are earmarked for specific projects. These funds cannot be co-mingled with the general fund. One of the reasons for the amount in the county coffers is not from over taxation but from under-spending on projects already funded.

Look at the earmarks and the projects that are in need to be funded in the county:

Jail expansion: $17 million; health care unfunded liability: $10 million; court house finalization: ??; sewer to I-85, phase 1: $6.6 million: Westminster Fire Station: $2.5 million; road and bridge infrastructure: $3 million.

Have I missed some projects? Yes, but the list has not been published and The Journal has not addressed any of these in its full page “opinion,” nor have they done an in-depth study and reported, truthfully, on the real facts on this issue. Also, keep in mind that, as Councilman Paul Corbeil has pointed out, the county needs to have six months of budget funds on hand as of that June 2009 date, or between $9 million and $12 million for operating budgets. Tax monies are needed for the rest of the year until the next collections in January 2010. How much do we need in reserve for unexpected emergencies? Another $3 million?

The Journal keeps touting the treasurer as “sounding the alarm,” but I recollect that his charges were investigated and found without merit by SLED or the Department of Revenue. Am I wrong again?

To the members of the County Council (with the exception of Wayne McCall) I am impressed with the progress of the Council considering that four of the five members are brand new and put on the hot seat with on-the-job training and multiple fires to put out at once. Their learning curve and speed of comprehension are to be applauded. They have gone beyond private considerations, agendas and venues to concentrate on the public good. Congratulations.

The problem of under-spending will take care of itself as soon as the Council has all of the facts.

Let’s be fair and let them do the county’s business, that’s what we elected them to do.

Chuck Kormelink

Fair Play