Maintenance of Effort!!!!!!!!!
What is a "Maintenance of Effort" as relates to the budget?
Possibly the simplest way to explain the "maintenance of effort" is to say that a portion of some department’s budget is designated as maintenance of effort and that amount can not be decreased from year to year. Some departments whose budgets fall under the Maintenance of Effort requirements are the School System, the Highway Department and the Library System.
Yesterday in the Legislative Meeting the request was made to transfer $1400.00 from the Lynnville Library to the Giles County Library system. The Lynnville library leaders have decided to unite with the Giles County Library system. This is probably a good deal as there are benefits for each group. The $1400.00 while transferred to the Giles County Library System will not alter the amount of funding to the library at Lynnville only how it is distributed.
The problem is that the $1400.00 instead of simply being transferred from one library to another was made a part of the maintenance of effort and increased that total amount to be funded each year with no flexibility. In a time of diminishing income to the county, decrease in population and tax base one must question the wisdom of this action. It’s this kind of irresponsible commitments that add unnecessarily to the already strained county budget. With the reserves already at an incredible low where will the money come from to meet these new obligations? The answer is where it always comes from the taxpayer, but we are now in a time of high unemployment, the newspaper has full pages of foreclosures, property tax rates exceed most every county in the state, people can’t pay their utility bills, very shortly you’ll have to take out a loan to buy a pack of algore light bulbs. Social Security has no increase but the amount deducted for medical care did increase. While those who are working for the government and many who are the government may not have any trouble with more or new taxes many others can not survive under their burdens now much less with added weights.
On election night you heard a commissioner state on the radio that a property tax increase or a wheel tax would have to be imposed. That unfortunately is the mind set of several commissioners but they have to spend us closer to bankruptcy before they can get the majority of the Commission to go along with them. The effort is already under way. Allen Barrett
Possibly the simplest way to explain the "maintenance of effort" is to say that a portion of some department’s budget is designated as maintenance of effort and that amount can not be decreased from year to year. Some departments whose budgets fall under the Maintenance of Effort requirements are the School System, the Highway Department and the Library System.
Yesterday in the Legislative Meeting the request was made to transfer $1400.00 from the Lynnville Library to the Giles County Library system. The Lynnville library leaders have decided to unite with the Giles County Library system. This is probably a good deal as there are benefits for each group. The $1400.00 while transferred to the Giles County Library System will not alter the amount of funding to the library at Lynnville only how it is distributed.
The problem is that the $1400.00 instead of simply being transferred from one library to another was made a part of the maintenance of effort and increased that total amount to be funded each year with no flexibility. In a time of diminishing income to the county, decrease in population and tax base one must question the wisdom of this action. It’s this kind of irresponsible commitments that add unnecessarily to the already strained county budget. With the reserves already at an incredible low where will the money come from to meet these new obligations? The answer is where it always comes from the taxpayer, but we are now in a time of high unemployment, the newspaper has full pages of foreclosures, property tax rates exceed most every county in the state, people can’t pay their utility bills, very shortly you’ll have to take out a loan to buy a pack of algore light bulbs. Social Security has no increase but the amount deducted for medical care did increase. While those who are working for the government and many who are the government may not have any trouble with more or new taxes many others can not survive under their burdens now much less with added weights.
On election night you heard a commissioner state on the radio that a property tax increase or a wheel tax would have to be imposed. That unfortunately is the mind set of several commissioners but they have to spend us closer to bankruptcy before they can get the majority of the Commission to go along with them. The effort is already under way. Allen Barrett
posted by Allen Barrett | 10:36 AM
34 Comments:
Taxes are a part of life. No one likes them, but as the economy slides off and the cost of living goes up, taxes must go up to make ends meet. As for Social Security, the system was put in place as an icome supplement in later life. It was never meant for someone to live off of their Social Security. Also, Mr Barrett if you would like to save money on your taxes, how about not wasting our tax money on a trial becaue you are unhappy that constiuents chose to not support you in our recent election. With your library complaints, the high illiteracy rates in this county are unbearable. It is sad that someone would not mind spending tax money to get his own way, but has no problem complaining about giving that money to increase education.
Spoken like a true liberal democrat 11:45. It's clear that your idea is that the people are to serve the government not the government serve the people. Cutting the wasteful spending would insure there is plenty for the government to operate, getting the government to do what it was meant to do would leave everyone with an excess amount.
The idea of social security and the reality of social security are totally different things. Try telling some person who worked in a factory all their life and now are depending on that social security check to feed themselves and their grandchildren that they should have an additional retirement income.
Social Security has become exactly what it was implemented to do supply the government with huge amounts of money and make people more dependent on the government, problem is people started acting ugly and refusing to die young enough so the government has been caught with their financial drawers down.
It is not my decision to have the county spend anything on lawsuits and they wouldn't have so many if they would just follow the law. I suppose if you fell in the courthouse and busted your head you wouldn't ask the county to pay your hospital bill or compensate you for the pain and suffering?
You say, "the high illiteracy rates in this county are unbearable, if that's true then why do we even need a library? Seems like the money would be better used to teach the "illiterate" how to read. But wait, we're spending about ten thousand dollars a year per student on education so if the illiteracy rate is so high shouldn't you be at the School Directors office complaining to him? Why would you suggest giving more money to education at the same time you complain about "the high illiteracy rates in this county are unbearable"? Seems you want to reward a bad bureaucracy instead of rewarding the heroes in the classroom. Allen Barrett
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To 7:45 it doesn't take a very intelligent person to post a porn site and hope people will go to it only takes a small minded person fixated on filth.
The public library is filled with more than books. There are the only group of computers open to the county residents for free, movies, tapes, cds, children's story hours, geneology room, and a museum. There is more than just reading to a library. It is the only place for many people to have access to intellectual pieces. I would also like it if you would, from now on, post links to where you get your information. Many people have stopeed using this site because they see it as a place where you simply state what you think, and then bash everyone who does not agree with you. Please help us keep integrity in Giles County. People who google Giles County only seem to find a site where people bicker about what a horrible place we live in. Lets try to keep our discussions adult and talk about ways to improve things rather than destroying our community from the inside.
To the anonymous 10:16 poster.
I have no problem with the public library, I have a library card as do each of my family members and we used them. (I did strongly object to the library staff blocking the "Gilesfreespeechzone" site. I haven't checked it lately because the Chief Librarian told me it had been blocked by accident and she had fixed the problem.)
My response, that you disappointed you, was to the poster who stated that because there was so much illiteracy there was a greater need for more money to be given to the library. To this I stated "Seems like the money would be better used to teach the "illiterate" how to read".
I did not object to the library being given the $1400.00 only that it had been made a part of their maintenance of effort. I tried to explain what that meant.
You state, "I would also like it if you would, from now on, post links to where you get your information".
I thought I clearly posted that this had taken place in the County Legislative Meeting on Monday, there is no link to them via the internet. While they do have the meetings on TV not very many have access to the PES channel and the radio has refused to broadcast the meetings.
Please show me an example where I "bashed" anyone because they disagreed with me.
The whole purpose of this blog is to inform with the goal of making things better. I'm sorry if the realities I report here are upsetting to you but perhaps when enough people get upset enough they will do something other than passively continue to allow the abuse of authority consistently being demonstrated by some elected and public officials.
To September 21st 11:45
"Taxes are a part of life. No one likes them, but as the economy slides off and the cost of living goes up, taxes must go up to make ends meet."
I have to agree with Mr. Barrett's comments about this statement. It's incredible that you believe because the cost of living goes up taxes must also go up but since you feel that way maybe you would consider making a donation to the local government. I'm sure if you would write them a check for a few thousand dollars they could put it to good use. Please don't tell me that my taxes should go up because those in power can't manage what they have. I have to cut back so why shouldn't they?
If you don't like the way we do things here. MOVE! You seem to have a problem with the way things are done, but you were not elected because Giles Countians do not trust you!
We cannot go on your word alone. I agree with the poster who wants proof. Tell us where we can get notes, or record the meetings yourself.
Also, cutting spending makes sense, but as people spend less and in turn the amount of taxes collected drops, you cannot simply cut county employees incomes, stop road repairs, and stop supporting community programs. It is unfortunate that this is the way an economy works, but our county is in enough trouble with cutting programs to make the situation even worse. If you see a problem with this, where do you think our budget could stand to be cut?
I understand your problem with the library budget, but they have begun to participate in the Read Across America program that boosts literacy throughout the community. Though the grant that sponsors it may pay fror posters, books, and publicity, employees must be paid for the extra hours put in to travel and sponsor community discussions. $1,400 for our community's progress is not too much to ask. Citizens voted for the .025% tax increase for Sam Davis Park, but failed to make sure the tax would go away when the park is paid for. Citizens seem to not care that they pay for a sport, but have a problem alotting a very minimal amount for public education of all ages.
Why must always tell people to move?
You think every post against what is going on in Giles County is Barrett, well I think every anon post is Janet Vanzant.
There is nothing wrong about wanting change. We are stuck with Obama just like we are stuck with Janet. More people wanted them than not that went to vote. A lot of people don't want to get involved and stayed at home. I think those people have not right to fuss about what happened.
There are a lot things that have to be paid for and a lot that don't that the commissioners like to bring in.
What about Harry Reid bringing in the illegals go to college and be made an American citizen, are you for that?
12;41
If you don't like it when people complain about the way things are done in Giles county why don't you move. Bye
Can we burn the Koran in front of the public library?
Sure, because you cannot go to college as an illegal. You muct have a student visa from our government. Remember, unless you are full blooded Native American, your family started as an illegal immigrant.
Well technically even native americans are illegal immigrants. Humans began in what is now Africa and spread from there.
You're both wrong you're only illegal when you have broken a law. There were no laws to break when the first Europeans are the Native Americans arrived.
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Ignore the links being posted in blue by anonymous. They appear to be some sort of pedophile. These type websites are disgusting and possibly illegal if their content is proven to be as advertised (underage girls). Your IP address can be traced and I doubt anyone wants to be caught looking at this stuff. This person is a SICKO!!
I researched this stuff and its actually not illegal (in bad taste yes). You would think Barret would be deleting comments quicker on here.
What do you think 6:03...Mr. Barrett sits in front of this blog every minute of every hour of every day like some illustrious posters on here?? Try on some patience for a change...he has been notified.
I apologize for the very offensive post that have been placed on here in such a misleading manner that some have innocently followed them. It only shows that because you can operate a computer and do some unique things when your brain is eaten up with filth your whole life becomes an infected blight on society.
So are property taxes gonna increase?
Property taxes will NEVER increase according to those who are pushing this county charter mess. I wonder how they think the government will operate when roads start falling apart and services are discontinued in the spirit of "trimming budgets"?
The $1,400 Mr Barrett speaks of the county giving to the library is already alotted to the Lynville library for the use of the system it uses for books now, I believe it is called the Tennessee Regional Library or something similar. The only thing that has changed is that it is now given to the Giles County Public Library which will be running the Lynnville branch. Why is this a problem?
If you had read the main part you would see that Mr. Barrett didn't say there was a problem with the $1400 only that making it part of the maintinance of effort was wrong.
It is already a part of the budget. It has been since the inception of the library. The only thing that has changed at all is who is in charge of the money. Read the newspaper.
If Barrett hadn't wasted county money with his frivolous lawsuit, the library could have added a wing.
8:18
And how has that helped for the betterment of Giles County? Good post.
8:18 Judge Jones ruled it was not a frivolous lawsuit. If it had been Barrett would have been required to pay attorney fees for Coleman.
The $1400.00 has been a part of the library budget but it has not been a part of the "maintenance of effort" that is what this thread was about.
wab
I honestly believe you are mentally ill. You need to at least be evaluated. I say this sincerely. Nobody could act like you do and not be a little off the mark. Ok?
6:11 makes two that need evaluated doesn't it. When are you going?
To 6:11 I read the comment from Barrett and can't understnd what action he displayed that made you think he was mentally ill. His comment was much less hostile and critical than yours was.
11:08
There are so many of his posts that prompt me to wonder about his mental condition. I'm not saying he is mentally ill, but I do believe he needs to be evaluated.
I saw on another post where the perfect one, foamed at the mouth when Barrett's name was mentioned. I believe it.
5:17
Perhaps what you saw was vomit at the thought of barrett?
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