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 Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] |
Ray spoke Thursday at the Rotary Club of Shelbyville about the state of the county and said that rising expenses and lower revenue will present some challenges during the coming year.
"We're living in a period that's very difficult ... people being laid off from jobs, the federal government is cutting back, state government is cutting back and local government is impacted with this," he said.
Expenses for the county continue to go up, with revenues either staying the same or dropping. The county is short $330,000 on estimated revenues in the general fund, and Ray said that the amount may or may not be made up.
When asked why revenues are down, Ray replied that property taxes were behind. "I've had people literally come in to tell me that they can not afford to pay their property tax," he said.
"Our fund balance was $2.9 million, now it's $1.6 million ...we're either going to have to cut back or raise revenues," Ray said. "And I'm not for raising taxes."
Ray said he was for living within the budget, but he added that it might be necessary at some point to raise revenue because expenses are continuing to go up. One example is an area that impacts everyone -- gas prices.
"We're trying to run a very efficient government," Ray said, adding that one of the most difficult things he has accomplished is getting the act passed that created a county budget office. "It makes us more accountable for every dollar spent."
Ray added that budget director Robert Daniel has been doing "an outstanding job." All county departments are challenged to come up with money saving ideas, he said.
"If we can save money, there is less stress to raise taxes."
One example of cost cutting was the redesign and rebidding of a couple of Bedford County Emergency Medical Service buildings, which saved the county hundreds of thousands of dollars, Ray explained. "We're constantly looking for ways to do it smart."
The sheriff's department got $700,000 more than the previous year and the costs of food for prisoners have risen again. Ray said it costs the county more money to feed those behind bars than it does to take care of the kids in school.
The county is required to provide medical care for inmates and the cost for some is extremely expensive. An emergency room visit for one prisoner cost the county $8,000, and Ray said the county is looking at ways to do this cheaper, both for medical care and pharmaceuticals.
Purchasing cars for the county assessor's office instead of paying mileage has saved the county money as well, Ray said, and they are looking at doing the same with the zoning office.
Recruiting industry is one way of improving the financial situation in the county. Several plants have expanded recently and Ray said that the Wal-Mart Distribution Center could "potentially" bring in dry goods that could add some 200 people to their payroll.
Ray said that county officials "really want to keep" the county-owned nursing home. But they had also wanted to keep the county-owned hospital, and ended up having to sell it because it was becoming a financial drain on the county. Bedford County Nursing Home made $15,000 last month and Ray said he hopes the county can keep the facility, but he also stated that they may have to look at alternatives due to rising costs.
"I'm not for getting rid of county buildings," he added.
There's also the possibility of the sheriff's department and county's emergency management agency getting some mobile equipment such as laptops in their vehicles to prevent incidents of personnel being sent to the wrong location in a situation where minutes count.
"When you have an emergency situation, you don't want them at your neighbor's house, you want them at yours."
The county's justice system has needs as well, Ray said, such as more space for inmates and more places to hold court, "all those things are pointing to money."
One of Ray's favorite topics lately is the concept of getting a Middle Tennessee State University satellite campus in Bedford County. "We feel it would help us educationally and economically. We want that to happen."
Ray also said he was proud of the continuing building program undertaken by the school system. With 350 more students coming into the community each year, the need for more classrooms may require future projects.
"I'm working for the taxpayer, and I want to do it right," said Ray.
SirJim,
if the E911 com center was consolidated with the sherriff's department, Director Mathis and her daughter might not have a job.... I don't see that happening -- even though chances are the move would result in a major cost savings.
I have another idea for the County Departments that could possibly save them a lot of money. This is no new idea, actually it is one I've picked up on from all our local industries. Why not get rid of all your regular employees, therefore you do not have to furnish benefits, time-off, etc. You just take the axe and make the cut. If you haven't heard there are thesetemporary staffing agencies all over town who will furnish workers to come in and do the same job the regulars do for a fraction of the pay. Of course the county will be billed at the full rate of pay and these agencies will pocket the difference. The county will come out ahead by not having to furnish benefits. The temp agency comes out ahead because they are sitting behind a desk collecting half the wages billed to the county while some poor employee is working themselves to death for the other half of the pay with no benefits. The only draw-back is that these "temp" employees no longer can affod Health Ins., (or property taxes)or to provide properly for their families and their retirement. Eventually the companies go down the hill because these "temp" employees are not as dependable or dedicated as full-time employees who once felt like they were a part of the company. After all, what does a temp have to lose? There's no seniority to worry about, no benefits to lose, no pay discrepancies. These temps can move from factory to factory, job to job, and drudge out the same pay for nothing in return. If we are going to keep penalizing the taxpayer by adding more and more taxes, cutting the benefits of the county and city employees who may have been faithful employees for years, forcing early retirements, etc. then why not go the entire route and just make these staffing agencies richer and save the county a lot of money in return? If we want to know why so many of our citizens and taxpayers are struggling so hard, and spending less money,just think about the above illustration and see how many of Bedford County's workers have been forced into this situation. Maybe the county should consider imposing some type of tax on the all the net collections of the staffing agencies to help defray the loss of spendable revenue from workers. The bottom line is that we need more industry, more job opportunities that
are offered directly by the company and not through staffing agencies or that
are not being fed to illegal aliens and refugees. Mr. Ray and the finance committee need to use their time and efforts to recruit more businesses and industries to help provide job opportunities which will generate more spending and more taxes. Stop giving all the businesses and industries we do recruit a free ride on property taxes. They can afford them better than their low paid workers.
Heres an idea. The county law enforcement has little choice but to enforce the law and the Sheriff has no choice but to keep those arrested "locked up". However charged with that duty the county is responsible for the care and well being of thse incarcerated, by law. There is no such thing as a debtors prison so these folks can't be made to stay if they owe anything. Inmates are charged alot of money for their crimes, that's not the problem, it's just that they don't pay. How do you enforce that, by locking them back up and costing us more money?
Another idea. Why not consolidate the E911 center in with the Sheriff's Department, after al the S.O. is responsible for covering the entire county. Only problem is we expect them to do that with 3 or 4 duputies per shift and it is a pretty big area to cover.
So what's the answer? Release everyone in jail back on the streets for the public to deal with? You would not have to pay for their care then or how about just closing down the whole department and have no law enforcement at all. Crime would run rampant but at least it would save you a few dollars. Or another rant, how about every time an officer has to respond to a false home alarm call they charge a fee for their wasted time and fuel. Most people would not even consider this type of scenario. Our officers make little as it is and they also are burdened to pay taxes just like everyone else and I guess most manage doing that plus having to pay very high insurance rates and so forth. These guys try to do the best with what they have to work with. As technology grows and equipment is purchased all that has to be added to and maintained all the time.
Are there ways to save money here and there? Of course there is. But everyone should really take a look at who gets the biggest percentage of the tax dollar. Doesn't the school system get like 90 something. If that is true who could have the biggest impact on the cost savings. But that won't happen, hey will xpect the smaller deaprtments just trying to get by as it is to make all the cuts.
Just a rant.
Government is getting out of hand and waste of money is out hand by people in office, every year they want more money from the everyday citizen to help fund their waste and fill thier pockets,Then they slap us with more rules and regulations on how we can live and do things in a so called free country,it's getting out of hand and breaking down the average person trying to survive and have a decent place to live and raise family. Financial institutions banks,loan companies and quick cash,Insurance Companies and Government are what is tearing this country apart.
Why raise taxes when he said people are coming to his office and telling him they can not pay the taxes they owe now ??? Have I missed something some were ?? If so many can not pay now ..How are they going to pay more taxes ??? I believe I read earlier in the week that they were going to buy another car. How can they afford that ?? When people are in jail I thought that they are billed for being in jail each day. If they are want that help to feed them while they are in there ?? That is alot of money to feed them !!!!
I have already voiced this same opionion on an article written last week stating that the county finance committee reommends a spending freeze, but also was considering raising property taxes next year to offset this year's delinquent taxes. I questioned then as I do now the logic behind raising property taxes when people can't afford to pay them at the rate they are now. There has to be a way to tap into the resources of the thousands of residents who work and earn wages and benefit from all the city and county services provided soley by the propery owners. I don't have any children in school, yet I pay taxes to support the schoold system. I appreciate knowing that if my home catches fire, I'm withing 3 or 4 miles of a fire truck. I like having garbage pick-up and paved roads. I also appreciate the convenience of the county transfer stations to take excess garbage we accumulate. I pay my fair share (both city and county) of property taxes, but look how many people live and work and earn money and enjoy these same benefits without having to pay for those services, especially the use and upkeep of the school system.
I agree with Lower Taxes Please, that it does seem like we are paying two people to do one person's job. Mr. Ray is a very fine man, and I have a lot of respect for him, however, it does seem like he has a lot of time to make a lot of PR appearances. Before we allow people to run for public office we should make sure they are qualified to perform the duties associated with the position. Adding on a complete staff to do the work previously done by one person does seem like excess spending. I understand that the County Mayor's pay package is quite substancial. For that kind of money, we should expect quite a bit in return. I also noticed the other day how many cars are parked behind the Board if Education offices. It seems like when teachers get tired of teaching or administrating they just claim a job at the Board of Education and ride out their time until retirement. More "pork" in the barrel.
I'm sure every department has areas that would seem excessive to taxpayers who have to live within their means. I do not think the answer is penalizing the taxpayer further. I do believe there should be more accountability withing the county departments. Those who do not comply with cutting costs, or managing their budgets might ought to look at how many family members they have on staff who are bleeding the county and make sure these people are really necessary. I do know of differing departments where there are probably two people being paid to do a job that realistically should be handled by one person, but one of them is a family member. Industries and businesses often have to downsize to trim the fat from their budgets so county governments should be required to do the same. If it means someone has to actually pick up a pencil or answer their own phone, then get over it. That's why you earn the big bucks. Somewhere along the line you convinced taxpayers and voters how qualified and how efficient you are, so they voted you into office. So now prove yourself and do what you were elected to do. I assure you I'm watching to see who needs more money and who recommends tax hikes for next year, and when election time rolls around again, those names will not be on my list!
Government must live within its means, just as a family must do as well. You must budget for expenses based on what you have coming in, and not spend more than you have. I cant go down to my work and demand a raise every time I blow more money than I make. How come the government thinks it should be able to do this???
Looks like to me that the County Mayor (which is the Financial Manager of the county)could have saved the county a lot of money by doing his job and not having to hire a whole new department just to do the job that he is suppose to be able to do. I guess if he did his job and saved the tax payer some money, he wouldn't have all the time to get his picture in the paper so much. Seems like he is in a race with Jim Tracy, to see who can get in the paper the most.
No wonder the county is going to pot. The county goverment needs to learn how to live within their budget like the tax payer has to.
The com center has been a joke for a while now, but looks like none of the commissioners care nor does the County Mayor. I guess Director Mathis is looking for another one of her big raises again this year.
It doesn't take a very smart person to see waste every day in the county goverment.
Ok, hold on a second here. How can the Mayor stand there and say that the county is going to have to try and operate within the budget, and then I read this ->
There's also the possibility of the sheriff's department and county's emergency management agency getting some mobile equipment such as laptops in their vehicles to prevent incidents of personnel being sent to the wrong location in a situation where minutes count.
"When you have an emergency situation, you don't want them at your neighbor's house, you want them at yours."
What in the world is he thinking?? Do we not fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars to the county's 911 center to do that very same job?? Sounds like to me he is in agreement that the 911 center's quality of service as went down the tubes and it is going to take MORE taxpayer money to get people the service they require. I mean the 911 center has been in the T-G and on the news media showing the inability to do their job. That same quality of dispatching continues today. Even Director Mathis can't even get it right!! She has even dispatched departments that do not even exist. Now what the excuse for that???
Just recently, a department head said that he is having to send more emergency vehicles that may not be necessary, just for the fact he cannot even depend on the info that dispatchers give. That translates to more fuel expense.
Then you have Jimmy Patterson, who is a county commissioner and sits on the 911 board, he wants to hire more dispatchers. Sounds like instead of fixing the problem, he wants to compound the problem
So there you have it county taxpayers, I see no cut backs coming anytime soon. We can't get efficient service, so they {county commission} are going to raise taxes. GET READY!!
Maybe it should be a thought to get "rid" of the personnel that is sending emergency personnel to the wrong location. Cost reduction in more ways than one. How often does that happen and by the same dispatcher?
Makes sense to me -- to make a less costly move than to get laptops -- but who am I ? I just help pay the bills.