If The 31 July Deadline Must Be Strictly Complied With Then Why Wasn't The Rest Of The Budget Provisions Complied With?
5-21-110. Budget — Preparation and committee review. —
a) On or before February 1 of each year the budget committee, in conjunction with the director, shall prescribe the budgetary procedures, forms, calendar and other information as may be necessary to implement the budgetary procedures contained in this chapter.
b) On request of the budget committee each department or office of county government shall submit a proposed budget for the succeeding fiscal year and such other budgetary information requested by the director of the budget committee.
(c) (1) From information submitted the director shall prepare a consolidated budget document.
(2) Such document shall show by item the amounts estimated by the various departments and officials required for the efficient operation of the county government from the county general fund, the debt service funds, highway funds, school funds and all other funds.
(3) Such document shall show an estimate of the revenues to be received by each of the funds during the next fiscal year and an estimate of the unencumbered fund balance of each of such funds at the beginning of the fiscal year.
(d) (1) The director shall file the consolidated budget with the budget committee.
(2) The budget committee shall review and present the recommended budget to the members of the county legislative body at least ten (10) days prior to the July meeting.
(3) Such budget shall contain an itemized and classified plan of all proposed expenditures and estimated receipts for the ensuing fiscal year as submitted by each department, office or agency and recommended by the budget committee, and shall conform to the uniform classification of accounts established by the director in accordance with the prescribed state uniform accounting system.
(4) It is expressly provided that the classification of expenditures and receipts of any and all county school funds for any purpose, administered by the county board of education and county director of schools, shall conform to the classification of accounts as prescribed by the commissioner of education.
(5) The budget committee shall fully provide in the budget for all requirements for debt service, interest and bond maturities and for any cash deficit in any fund at the beginning of the fiscal year, and shall propose a tentative tax rate to fund such budget. The budget committee shall fully provide for any court-ordered expenses, including, but not limited to, deputies' and assistants' salaries authorized by court order pursuant to title 8, chapter 20. The budget, when adopted, shall appropriate funds to fully comply with such court order. The county legislative body shall adopt any budget amendment necessary to implement the provisions of such court order.
[Acts 1981, ch. 325, § 10; 1993, ch. 515, § 4.]
(b) The budget committee shall present the budget to the county legislative body at the regular July meeting each year or at a special session called for this purpose prior to the regular July meeting.
c) The proposed budget shall be accompanied by a budget message explaining the financial program and outlining the services, work and activities to be financed by the proposed budget and a brief discussion of the means proposed for financing the expenditure program set forth in the budget.
(d) With the proposed budget, the budget committee shall deliver to the county legislative body a budget appropriation resolution and a tax levy resolution.
(e) (1) The county legislative body may alter or revise the proposed budget except as to provision for debt service requirements and for other expenditures required by law.
2) The county legislative body shall finally adopt a budget in July.
5-21-111. Budget — Hearings — Supporting documents — County action. —
a) (1) (A) At least ten (10) days before the proposed budget is to be presented to the governing body, the budget committee shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation the proposed annual operating budget.
SINCE THERE WAS NO BUDGET APPROVED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE THERE WAS NEVER AN APPROPRIATE BUDGET PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE BODY THUS THE LEGISLATIVE BODY HAD NO BUDGET TO APPROVE. Allen Barrett
a) On or before February 1 of each year the budget committee, in conjunction with the director, shall prescribe the budgetary procedures, forms, calendar and other information as may be necessary to implement the budgetary procedures contained in this chapter.
b) On request of the budget committee each department or office of county government shall submit a proposed budget for the succeeding fiscal year and such other budgetary information requested by the director of the budget committee.
(c) (1) From information submitted the director shall prepare a consolidated budget document.
(2) Such document shall show by item the amounts estimated by the various departments and officials required for the efficient operation of the county government from the county general fund, the debt service funds, highway funds, school funds and all other funds.
(3) Such document shall show an estimate of the revenues to be received by each of the funds during the next fiscal year and an estimate of the unencumbered fund balance of each of such funds at the beginning of the fiscal year.
(d) (1) The director shall file the consolidated budget with the budget committee.
(2) The budget committee shall review and present the recommended budget to the members of the county legislative body at least ten (10) days prior to the July meeting.
(3) Such budget shall contain an itemized and classified plan of all proposed expenditures and estimated receipts for the ensuing fiscal year as submitted by each department, office or agency and recommended by the budget committee, and shall conform to the uniform classification of accounts established by the director in accordance with the prescribed state uniform accounting system.
(4) It is expressly provided that the classification of expenditures and receipts of any and all county school funds for any purpose, administered by the county board of education and county director of schools, shall conform to the classification of accounts as prescribed by the commissioner of education.
(5) The budget committee shall fully provide in the budget for all requirements for debt service, interest and bond maturities and for any cash deficit in any fund at the beginning of the fiscal year, and shall propose a tentative tax rate to fund such budget. The budget committee shall fully provide for any court-ordered expenses, including, but not limited to, deputies' and assistants' salaries authorized by court order pursuant to title 8, chapter 20. The budget, when adopted, shall appropriate funds to fully comply with such court order. The county legislative body shall adopt any budget amendment necessary to implement the provisions of such court order.
[Acts 1981, ch. 325, § 10; 1993, ch. 515, § 4.]
(b) The budget committee shall present the budget to the county legislative body at the regular July meeting each year or at a special session called for this purpose prior to the regular July meeting.
c) The proposed budget shall be accompanied by a budget message explaining the financial program and outlining the services, work and activities to be financed by the proposed budget and a brief discussion of the means proposed for financing the expenditure program set forth in the budget.
(d) With the proposed budget, the budget committee shall deliver to the county legislative body a budget appropriation resolution and a tax levy resolution.
(e) (1) The county legislative body may alter or revise the proposed budget except as to provision for debt service requirements and for other expenditures required by law.
2) The county legislative body shall finally adopt a budget in July.
5-21-111. Budget — Hearings — Supporting documents — County action. —
a) (1) (A) At least ten (10) days before the proposed budget is to be presented to the governing body, the budget committee shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation the proposed annual operating budget.
SINCE THERE WAS NO BUDGET APPROVED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE THERE WAS NEVER AN APPROPRIATE BUDGET PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE BODY THUS THE LEGISLATIVE BODY HAD NO BUDGET TO APPROVE. Allen Barrett
posted by Allen Barrett | 4:29 PM
53 Comments:
How can we prove/answer the question of whether or not it is fact or fiction that the budget could have been delayed on the vote to pass? I know why delay if nothing was going to be changed, but IF any commissioners together wanted to change the budget, and pass it without the fear (that was conveyed if they did not pass it) could they have not banned together and said _NO!
my justification for fear was it was told that the ambulance wouldn't run without passing bug/insurance reasons and that we'd be in non-compliance & no one knew what else to do
The truth of the matter is that the Commission was directly lied to. If you remember or watch the tape on PES you will recall that the statement was made that the insurance had to be paid on Sunday 1 August or else the Rescue Squad would have to park their vehicles, then later it was added by another voice that the Ambulance Service would also have to stop operation then the county employees would not be paid. Were the speakers misled, lied to or just caught up in the hysteria of the moment, you be the judge of that.
The insurance for the Rescue Squad through the local agent Alsup & Associates totals $67,747,.00. This amount is split up as $46,496.00 for Automobile Insurance; $12,399.00 for Accident & Sickness and $8,852.00 for Portable Equipment Insurance.
The Invoice from Alsup & Associates Insurance, Inc states for each of these policies the Effective Date is 8/15/2010, 15 August 2010. At that time even a ten day grace period would have put the due date at the end of August not the very first day.
The budget did not have to be passed on 30 July 2010.
Allen Barrett
wab
So are you accusing Barry Whitt of lying to the commission? If not, who are you saying did?
wab
Yes, the budget DID actually have to be passed by July 30. Will you apologize for saying that?
If the insurance invioces say that the due date is Aug. 15 and not Aug 1 then how can it be explained without saying that someone somewhere told a fib. Does Mr Barrett actually have the invoices are was that made up?
It should be why WEREN'T the rest of the budget provisions........
5:55 Where do you get your information that says the budget MUST be passed by July 31? Thanks
I agree 6:07. Where is the documentation showing where a budget must be passed by July 31? The person that says this needs to show proof. We will all be waiting.
11:20
Yes, and you guys are already showing "proof" that you are going to cause all the trouble you posssibly can for the next four years. Am I right?
Look, I hate to keep saying this, but if you don't like it here, why don't you move?
So 7:10 in your mind a person is causing trouble if they ask for proof before they believe the budget had to be passed before July 31, 2010? If there is no proof then the person asking for that proof should just move away? That sure seems like a real good way to operate a government.
Monday, August 16, 2010 7:10:00 AM
Yes dear your every move will be watched. If you don't like it you move on.
8:39
Look, there is proof, and Mr. Whitt even told the commission what was going to happen had the insurance premium not been paid. If that were not the case, I am sure that barrett and company would tell it. Ok?
I never said that anyone asking questions should move away. Those are your words. But there is a difference between asking questions and sour grapes. Get over it and stop whining.
9:21
Why the gender confusiion? Or do you traditionally call men names such as dear? I think perhaps people need to be watching you!
Since when cant men be referred to as 'dear'?
3:30
Aren't you being a bit argumentative? I meant that it bothers me if another man should call me dear. Ok? You knew what I meant.
I wonder has your wife ever called you dear? I know lots of women that call a man dear.
Some men even call a woman dear.
Looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
1203
Ok, have it your way. You win. You missed the point entirely.
As a vendor who has the rescue squad among my customers let me say this. Because three separate entities (and I use this word because I mean entities not three people) approve all invoices submitted to the rescue squad, the fact that the insurance is due in august is all that is important. I will attempt to explain why. There are checks and balances within the organization that require all bills to be approved to be paid . The first is a committee of the rescue squad itself, then their board of directors (citizens of this county ), then someone within the financial management office who verifies the amounts match an invoice submitted before a check is issued for the exact amount . Because the committees meet only once a month, (the rescue squad committee and their board are all volunteer) a bill not submitted by the first cannot be paid until the following month. The rescue squad gets an appropriation yearly however they only get a check for bills approved during that month only not a penny more. Therefore, August 1 all bills must be ready to go through the process, which cannot be completed if the rescue squad has no money. In years past, I have chosen to hold an invoice for them while the county commission hashed out the county budget. This was my choice some companies may not afford them this privilege . WAB you may use the grace period to pay bills at your house but I am proud that Mr. Whitt chooses not to wait out the grace period before paying his insurance premiums. This shows good judgment .THEY HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY THE BILLS THEY CLOSE THE DOORS. It’s quite simple, is it a harsh reality yes but this protects his men and women who risk it all for us each day .
To 9:58
You offer some excellent information but I fear you miss the point. The problem is not with nor has it been with the Rescue Squad or even the Office of Emergency Management. I believe they were merely pawns in a game of deceit and untruths.
At the County Commission Meeting it was clearly stated that if the budget did not pass THAT DAY the Rescue Squad would have to park their vehicles and would not be allowed to go on any missions, it was then added that the Ambulance Service would be shut down also and that county employees would not receive their next due pay check. It was a FEAR TACTIC plain and simple to force the Commission to pass a budget the county could not afford but any discussion would have caused embarrassment to the County Executive before the election.
The Truth is that Giles County Fire and Rescue did not have any Commercial Auto; Accident and Health; or Commercial Package insurance policy due prior to 15 August 2010.
As you state the Rescue Squad meets only once per month is that on the first day of the month which would have been on Sunday for August 2010?
Now the puzzle to me is that on 2 August 2010 at 1:51 a fax was received from Steve Frost Agency to Jimmy Alsup & Associates with the renewal premiums list as Package $8,852.00; Automobile $46,496.00; and Accident& sickness $12,399.00.
This was then sent to Loretta Garner on the same day.
A receipt from Alsup & Associates for check number 6055 in the amount of $67,767.00 was issued on 2 August 2010. When did the Rescue Board meet and approve this expenditure in August?
Another question that comes to mind is the policy period for each policy is from 15 August 2009 to 15 August 2010. Last year the invoice is dated 26 August 2009 which seems to shoot a hole in the idea that there is no grace period and that the policies had to be paid on Sunday 1 August 2010.
Understand I do not believe Mr. Whitt played any part in this deceit other than to have been manipulated through his desire to protect the Rescue Squad. The real culprit in this situation is the one who did the manipulating. Clearly the pattern of deceitful and shameful behavior can be traced straight to the County Executive's Office where the desire to rush through a budget, regardless of now irresponsible it was, had become paramount to every other consideration. Responsible spending must become the pattern for the county if there is to be any hope of averting a property tax increase and wheel tax. If you were listening to the victory speeches on election night you heard some of the first words that came from some commissioners was the necessity to pass a wheel tax.
Allen Barrett
I'm sure those we ELECTED will handle it.
nobody said they meet on the first of the month you assume that . Since you are determined to find fault, I will let you believe whatever you want . This is shifting form formal dialoge to they are lying no matter what. Goodluck to you sir ...
To 1:24 I asked the question, "As you state the Rescue Squad meets only once per month is that on the first day of the month which would have been on Sunday for August 2010?"
The only assumption made was based on the fact that you stated they only meet once a month, since it was stated that the invoice was required to be paid on the 1st of August when else could they have met and approved payment unless they had done it in July which would have made the expediency unnecessary.
You may think I am determined to find fault but I am only looking for the truth and so far not much of it has been told by those in authority. Allen Barrett
Amen.
wab
Yes, why don't you just butt out and allow those elected officials to deal with the issue? Realy your concerns to your commissioners and let them present them to the commission. But of course you can't do that, can you?
If Barrett takes things to the proper authorities he's a whiner and a wimp. If he takes matters into his own hands then he's a trouble maker that should just but out.
I for one appreciate Mr. Barrett's efforts and am thankful he's looking out for the rest of us.
5:32
He IS a troublemaker, and he's constantly busy trying to keep something stirred up. I can't understand why you can't see that. By the way, I still think the "Farewell to wab" fundraiser would be a great idea.
Just join the Rescue Squad and then you will know everything that you want to know. I will istruct you in a emergency driving class, and you can see and hear first hand why our insurance has to be paid.....and be paid at the beginning of the budget year.....
Thank you
Robert Morgan
309-7606
6:11 So how much have you contributed so far? Zero? Thats what I thought. All mouth and no do.
I agree with the sentiments of 5:32. Regardless of what Mr. Barrett says, it is wrong in the eyes of those who do not want open records of how my money is being spent. And frankly, even though I am not a native of the area, I am more than a little sick and tired of folks who say that if you don't like the way things are done, you can leave. That is the very definition of suppression of free speech and has an odor conducive to a repressive form of gov't. Responsible, mature citizens have a duty to question officials; giving authorities a "blank check" is wrong, cowardly and irresponsible. The excuse that you believe it's okay to question elected officials, but you disagree with Mr. Barrett's method is just a smoke screen for the inconvenience you experience when questionable acts and transactions are exposed. And really, how can any honest, ethical elected official object to the type of investigation and research that Mr. Barrett does. One with a logical, reasonable amt of intelligence would welcome the assistance in keeping the office a the official above reproach. Mr. Barrett, as far as I can tell, hasn't changed his goals since the blog began, and I as a newcomer, however with just as many rights and privileges as the natives, am grateful for his research. Yes, he has ruffled some feathers. I have searched, however on many of the threads, and I cannot find when he posted anything that he did not substantiate. Not one single time. Nor can I find a single post that he did not admit to writing. Libel and slander are very serious charges and the only absolute defense against libel and/or slander is the truth. Has Mr Barrett ever been charged with either libel or slander of anyone? With the numerous name calling and accusations some of you claim he is guilty of, why has not one single person accused him of engaging in this behavior? It would a slam-dunk case if he was found guilty.
And I can't seem to stop myself from commenting once again on the hypocrisy of those who vilify Mr. Barrett on his own blog anonymously. If you truly have the best interests of the county and citizens at heart then please, come out of hiding and show those who value honesty and openness how to obtain it. That is the only way to prove that your only goal is not to criticize and attempt to silence free speech of a man you are obsessed with. My imagination is running away with me as to "why" your obsession grows hourly, but there is no other word that describes your behavior. (The "your" I am referring to are the persons who never comment on anything but Mr. Barrett, which proves that they care nothing for the county and only for each and every thought that Mr. Barrett has.) I've witnessed many famous people who had obsessive fans and never have they come close to the obsessiveness of those who feel incomplete unless they have spoken to Mr. Barrett via this blog many times each day.
William James
Mr. James, really? really? You saw where Mr. Barrett substantiated his statement that Mr. McAlister is on videotape vandalizing his signs. Pray tell, Sir, where that posting is in order that I may read it as well.
Can you prove it don't show Mr. McAlsiter wasn't removing the sign?
I've been waiting to hear the proof one way or another.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I don't know James or Barrett, but you sound like an attack dog also.
You say you are male, but sound like a female.
Why do you always suggest someone move from Giles County? If Giles county wasn't such a nice place to live people wouldn't always be moving here from somewhere else.
Do we need to put up a sign "No new comers to Giles County?"
Don't go telling me I'm mad because I lost my vote because I didn't. Just don't like any kind of attack dog on either side.
Be proud you won your votes and calm down.
The 6:33 post was removed because the poster made an unsupported accusation that two different posters were one and the same, made vicious unsubstantiated accusations against another poster and knowingly lied about more than one person and situation.
wab
I see you really have the spirit of free speech and citizens having a voice. You delete anything you don't like, and have the nerve to call that free speech? What a joke.
To 3:51 If you are the poster that was deleted you can prevent being deleted by adding your name and phone number to your lies and groundless accusations. If you choose not to include your name then your posts will be limited to accusations with reasonable evidence to support those charges. Allen Barrett
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
The 4:56 post was deleted because the poster refuses to abide by the rules of posting his name with unsubstantiated accusations or by posting evidence to support his accusations. Allen Barrett
wab
I see that someone else posted something not to YOUR liking, so they were censored. You aree a complete joke!
5:55 so far you are the only one who had chosen to ignore the rules and forced removal of your posts. Allen Barrett
As of today there are 21 different counties that are under the Financial Management Act of 1981. Sixteen of those counties have been spoken with about their budgets. Eight are currently without a regular budget having adopted a continuing budget and one adopted a regular budget Monday 16 August 2010.
The question is are all these counties operating outside the law by having a continuing budget until a regular is adopted or was Giles County simply rushed into adopting a budget we could not afford because the County Executive did not want to deal with a sensitive situation just before the election?
Allen Barrett
wab
I don't know of anyone who needs a job worse than you do.
He has a job making you mad.
He makes tons of people mad. Would you agree with others who believe he is the most disliked person in Giles County? If not, who could top him on the list?
You.
I agree 8:41.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
When is the sign caper going to court?
2:40
From what I've been able to find out, it's going to court as soon as the TBI releases the results of its investigation. I hear barrett may be in big trouble on this one. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Does anyone know when Mr. McAlister is taking barrett to court? I need to make plans with my boss to be there.
Sure is taking a long time with those finger prints.
I heard there were no fingerprints to be found on barrett's signs...other than his own. Not good for Mr. Barrett.
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