Who Makes $112.50 An Hour In Giles County?????
I'm sure that there aren't many in the County making $112.50 an hour but that's what Commissioners made this morning for their thirty-two minute Legislative Meeting. Now to be fair they certainly don't make that much on a regular schedule and some donate their salary as commissioners and others were not pleased with the fact the meeting this morning was held with another called meeting coming so close, 27 July at 9AM.
By all accounts there was nothing done this morning that could not have been easily put off until the called meeting on the 27th. At the very least the meeting this morning, instead of being adjourned, could have been recessed until the 27th, either way the expense of two full Legislative Meetings could have been avoided and nearly two thousand dollars saved or better used.
Some might be surprised that both Commissioners Holt and Campbell along with several other commissioners were in agreement with the idea of combing the two meetings and saving a sack of money. Commissioner Campbell even commented that he had "approached the powers that be with the very idea and was told a flat NO". While he didn't identify the "powers that be" it's very obvious that the person who has the power to set and change the meeting is the person who is the chairman Mrs Vanzant.
Since the shenanigans that were pulled to manipulate the tax rate seem to have worked and all the cuts to the budget are about to be restored, apparently there was no need to try and save money by combining these two meetings.
Oh, for those who will say there was no manipulation of the tax rate I would simply challenge them to do the math, these numbers are rounded off to the nearest thousand, if the new rate will bring in $52,000.00 per penny then seven pennies will bring in an extra $364,000 dollars just the amount of the previous cuts. My, my isn't that just amazing?
A public hearing will be held after the Budget Committee meeting this Thursday starting at 9AM in the Courthouse Annex.
By all accounts there was nothing done this morning that could not have been easily put off until the called meeting on the 27th. At the very least the meeting this morning, instead of being adjourned, could have been recessed until the 27th, either way the expense of two full Legislative Meetings could have been avoided and nearly two thousand dollars saved or better used.
Some might be surprised that both Commissioners Holt and Campbell along with several other commissioners were in agreement with the idea of combing the two meetings and saving a sack of money. Commissioner Campbell even commented that he had "approached the powers that be with the very idea and was told a flat NO". While he didn't identify the "powers that be" it's very obvious that the person who has the power to set and change the meeting is the person who is the chairman Mrs Vanzant.
Since the shenanigans that were pulled to manipulate the tax rate seem to have worked and all the cuts to the budget are about to be restored, apparently there was no need to try and save money by combining these two meetings.
Oh, for those who will say there was no manipulation of the tax rate I would simply challenge them to do the math, these numbers are rounded off to the nearest thousand, if the new rate will bring in $52,000.00 per penny then seven pennies will bring in an extra $364,000 dollars just the amount of the previous cuts. My, my isn't that just amazing?
A public hearing will be held after the Budget Committee meeting this Thursday starting at 9AM in the Courthouse Annex.
posted by Allen Barrett | 2:22 PM
75 Comments:
You are an idiot if you think Campbell and Holt are for saving the taxpayers of this county any money. And besides, why didn't Campbell or Holt stand up and make a motion to recess until the next meeting. Because they are just talk duh....!
According to WKSR, it looks like there was quite a bit of stuff accomplished in the meeting.
I continue to be amazed at the comments regarding commissioner pay. I won't comment on the quality of job that they do, but if this role was treated as it should, then these commissioners are way underpaid.
They should follow the lead of the City of Pulaski. They should meet as a group in work session format at least once per month, and they should have a regularly scheduled meeting at least once per month. They should be paid a flat rate (250 per month minimum) and there should be fewer of them (9 or 14).
7:16 I only reported what happened I did not say I believed one way or the other. Seeing is believing and even then I am sometimes skeptical.
Barrett, why can't you just be positive and not cave to someone that is negative toward other commissioners?
People grow up! Why do you have to go after Barrett on everything he post? How about some of you going to the meetings and telling what goes on? You could see it a different way.
If you do say the way you saw it, not belittle the way Barrett saw it.
Who knows we might agree with you, if you said something.
The video of the meeting will be available online in a day or so.
Spreading lies again. You are saying that if the meeting had lasted 2 hours they would have made $225. Nope so you lie. And people who don't know better believe you. This is so sad.
6:29 How much do they get paid per meeting or do they get paid so much a month?
To 6:29 who seems to be mathematically challenged.
Here's the formula you can get a nine year old to explain to you. Commissioners get $60.00 for each full Legislative Meeting they attend.
A Legislative Meeting that last sixty minutes results in pay of one dollar per minute, (60 dollars divided by 60 minutes); a meeting that last thirty minutes results in a $60.00 payday or $2.00 per minute (60 dollars divided 30 minutes equals 2 dollars a minute times 60 equals 120) thus sixty minutes results in a computation of $120.00.
If the meeting were to last two hours or 120 minutes then the sixty dollars would result in the pay being only $.50 per minute. So please don't call me a liar because your gross ignorance of a matter has obscured the facts.
Go Allen Go!!!! Stand up to the jerks. Remember though you just can't fix stupid!!!
More troublemaking I see.
It doesn't matter what it computes to per hour. The fact is they get paid $60/meeting. Whether it lasts 10 minutes or 2 hours. You are the one playing with numbers to make it worse than it is. They get paid for committee meetings that only last a few minutes. Just another way to throw a fit.
Enjoy your fit 12:00. 11:30 said you couldn't be fixed so guess you earned your fit.
I care if a meeting that only lasts 30 minutes could have been combined with another meeting to save the tax payers money.
And what was up with Tommy Campbell telling Connie Howell that she could attend the Economic Development Board's meeting if she would like updates? Are you serious, the taxpayers pay Dan Speer close to $100,000 dollars a year and he can not provide the County Commissioners a biweekly or monthly update of the actions he is taking to drive industry and business into the area as well as updates on the activity of businesses and development already taking place in the county.
As taxpayers funding his paycheck we need to know that he is earning our money and I hope all the commissioners and not only Connie Howell are concerned as it is told that none of the County Commissioners attend the EDB meetings on their own.
Why do we have an Economic Development Board in addition to an Industrial Development Board? To give Dan a job? Oops, I meant paycheck. Look around because that is what it seems.
1:37 PM Right on! This needs looking into by the commissioners. I hear they were given a copy of Speer's expense account.
Lots of counties only have Industrial Development board and no EDC. We should go that route.
I hear that they get tired of trying to explain some things to certain commissioners because they don't seem to understand anything. Maybe that is why they were told to attend the meeting.
Mr. Barrett, I am not mathmatically challenged. You are the person the problems. The commission is not paid by the hour. I do agree that combining meetins woulbe be a good idea. People are not as stupid as you accuse them of being. $60 per meeting is what they are paid. You are the one that is telling a lie. You are saying they get paid $60 per hour by calculating their pay so you, sir, do not tell the truth.
You're making a joke, right 5:58. No one could possibly be as dense as you are presenting yourself.
Barrett didn't say they were paid $60. a hour but $60. a meeting and that equates to $112. an hour when they only meet for 30 minutes. He also said that they make the equivalent of fifty cents an hour when a meeting last two hours. Your quest to show up Barrett has left you with an intense lack of good judgement and common sense. Boy, what a dumb head.
This crap is so petty! No matter how long the meetings last, the Commissioners are underpaid!!!!!
Hey David, not meaning to point out a dumb head but 60 plus 60 equals 120, not 112. Be careful when you try to make someone look dumb, it may backfire.
Wow.
Note to self: Never include simple math calculations in a blog post/comment here.
Barrett got it right and I understood it right away. This county needs a leader who can be frugal in every way. There is a lot of money spent in the wrong places.
WAB,
If you were a commissioner, would you donate your earnings to charity or would you just not take it?
DAW
DAW,
That is a good question for you as well.
10:22, I would take the money. I never claimed to be Robin Hood.
DAW
Trust me DAW, no one would mistake you for him either.
If you get $60 for a meeting then the per hour formula does not apply in any form or fashion. Dumb subject line.
Anyone who is really interested in improving our county should not want anything above their expense for attending the meetings. If they can afford it financially they should not want that. Just help make our county a county to be proud of.
For the record, I looked up the law pertaining to the EDC and their requirments. Director Speer,per law, is to communicate with all the agencies whom are providing the funds to EDC. Now, that is plain to me that Mr. Speer should be coming to them and reporting, not them going to him. That also includes Mr. Speer reporting to the rest of the agencies and/or municipalities that are in the funding formula.
JAT says to 8:12 PM July 19
I will make this as simple as possible for you. Take the $60.00 paid and divide by 32 minutes (the commission meeting was 32 minutes long). That equals $1.875 per minute. Now multiply that by 60 minutes and that equals $112.50 (the cost per hour if you were paid by the minute.
Now I realize that the cost was $60,00 regardless of the length of the meeting; but, rarely do the Commissioners meet for an hour or ever longer.
You are absolutely correct in stating that one should be careful in what they say for it may backfire against them and make them look stupid.
To DAW who asked "WAB, If you were a commissioner, would you donate your earnings to charity or would you just not take it?"
As I stated several times in speeches during the campaign I would simply have the Financial Director sign payments due me as a commissioner over to several charities I would list for her.
I attended more meetings than most commissioners last year and paid my own expenses there would be no reason to change that.
To Daw:
I remember you in school. I also remember that you were a member of the FHA and now I understand your Grandfather, Jack Woodard, has stated that the county shouldn't be in the dead animal pick-up business. If this is true, can't you explain to him that this is a cattleman's nightmare and to have this kind of attitude toward us cattlemen and farmers is not good. Does he not own any more cattle or horses? I will not give you my name for I know you'll have something smart to say. I remember you well.
To 4:37,
I was a member of the FFA not the FHA. We still have cattle and have been disposing of them ourselves for the last several years, long before the program was cut out. We feel that it is the personal responsibilty of the farmer to pay for the disposal of the dead animals, not the taxpayer. Most farmers have enough property that they can dig a disposal site and cover up the animals or pay to have them taken off of the property. I know that this was a big issue, but there has to be a line drawn somewhere to save money that can be used to benefit everyone. I feel that the cattleman in the county could pay money into a pool annually to share in the cost of disposal. I would assume that enough people in the county have cattle that a few hundred dollars each would raise the $70k or so that was being spent by the county. Your question was a good one, no need to feel that I would have something smart to say.
Thanks,
DAW
DAW
Its obvious you and grandpa dont give a toss for the environment. The raise commissioners gave themselves a couple of years back should be cut out and use that money for the animal pick-up. Get real on a fund contributed to by farmers. It would be the odd few who could contribute whereas farmers contribute much to this county. What do you do about dead animals on your farm job in the county you work in, or dont you ever lose cattle?
7:06,
It is not the responsibility of everyone in this county to pay for the disposal of dead animals. You are ignorant if you think the raise the commissioners got would cover the cost. I am also tired of hearing that sob story everytime someone thinks the county should start paying for something.
I am serious about a fund to have farmers pay for it. That is a real solution to a problem that the county can't afford.
You can dispose of cattle in an environmentally friendly way on your own property. Do you know how many wild animals die everyday and either rot back into the ground or are eaten by scavenger animals? I guess we should start paying to have someone walk through the woods picking up dead groundhogs,squirrels and deer.
We don't have cattle on the farm where I work.
By the way, do you have cattle or horses? Is this affecting you personally?
DAW
It is not the responsibility of everyone in this county to pay for your son's education either, but we have to. We have to look at what is best for the county as a whole, not for individuals.
It could effect me personally since I have two cats and a dog.
Don't expect your cat or dog to be picked up by the county if they should die that is your responsibility. The expense of removing dead animals should be paid by the owner as part of their responsibility just as with a dead cat or dog. Does the county pay for your garbage removal? Piled up garbage can be as unhealthy as a dead cow. When a cow is sold will that seller share their profit with the rest of us?
A man who has an auto service garage doesn't have free pick up of used oil and tires that expense is part of doing business, why is it different from a farmer doing business. How many people in the county don't raise large animals versus the number that do. Why should the majority pay for the minority to increase their profits especially when we have to pay again with the very high prices at the meat market? The government should not be in the business on dead animal removal with out some cost to the owner of the animal.
12 pm Your statement only covers your feelings towards farming and money. Think about what will happen to our environment and drinking water and the infestation of buzzards and coyotes. We are already covered up with stray dogs (some of them proven rabid), what do you say to stopping those problems? YOU ARE FORGETTING HOW MUCH BUSINESS AND REVENUE FARMERS BRING INTO GILES COUNTY.
Are you saying that farmers would not be responsible enough to dispose of the dead animals themselves? If the law stated they were creating a public nuisance, a health hazard etc they get on board quick. Disposal is part of the cost of doing business.
Are you forgetting how much revenue and business those who live here but work elsewhere are bringing into the county? So what's your point. I get paid for what I produce they get paid for what they produce plus a whole lot of extra tax money for what they don't produce. Should the taxpayer have to pay for the farmers vet bill most of the big farmers could pay this with no problem but they are to used to getting it free, it's just like welfare when it starts it never ends like a drug addiction only more is satisfying.
Debate is over.
The Budget Committee reinstated payment for dead animal pickup
I would like to know who voted to start it up again. I will not vote for them in the next election. Can WAB get the names?
If all the tax money farmers pay in was taken out of the county what would we have left?
One other question, should people who do not have children in school help fund education? I think they should . People who do not own animals should help fund the dead animal pick up. The quality of our environment affects everyone.
If all the tax money nonfarmers pay in was taken out of the county what would we have left?
If any of the commissioners in my district vote to not reinstate it ,not only will I not vote for them I will do everything I can to get other people not to vote for them.
If the farmers bring in so much revenue and business to this county then it goes to good reason they should be able to afford a part of the normal operations of that business.
Every industry produces waste but no other industry is asking the tax payers to fund the disposal of it. If you do it for one industry you must do it for every. But it should be done for none.
10:29,
Why don't you vote for Obama again in the next election. That way you can get more stuff from the government for free. Maybe he will send a check to the tree you are hugging. We don't need the type of commissioners that you would vote into office. Actually those types don't win in Giles County. Keep up the backwards way of thinking.
Maybe we can find build a $100,000 dog kennel now that the citizens think we are in the animal business. I know that one commissioner was requesting that we build one. That sounds great for the taxpayers.
DAW why do you want to know what Mr. Barrett would do with the pay he would be entitled to if he were a commissioner? What commissioners are pd is the tax payer's business, what they do with their salary is not. Please let us in on what granddaddy does with his salary, and be very specific, i.e. check #'s to charities, amts, times of donations, etc. That is of course if it's any of our business. What a petty silly childish question that was. And of course in one of the posts above was "Rabid the Enabler" saying that Barrette was stirring up trouble. Of course he was, and I am grateful. How dare JV decide she can ignore constituents and conduct meetings as she pleases. Anyone who is not outraged at her behavior is equally guilty of robbing the tax payer. I do not know if TN law allows for impeachment of elected officials such as Janet, but I do plan to look in to it. I know of a case in Athens, or Decatur where a State legislator is currently serving time in prison for just such shenanigans. Can't remember details but it is a fairly recent news story. I will also research that. And Rabid you wonder how you got named the enabler? Because you want this behavior covered up, not exposed, thereby ENABLING the behavior to continue. No Barrett's not the trouble maker, he is the trouble reporter, if you can't see that now after that last meeting, then the quote of one poster was absolutely correct, "You just can't fix stupid." Janet should take a cue from the Anthony Weiener play book: deny, admit guilt, resign and disappear.
Deanna
Deanna (aka scared teacher, aka teacher, aka anonymous)
Since Barrett complains about the commissioners pay I figured it would be nice to know what he would do with his. Didn't want anyone to be a hypocrite. I am sure my grandfather puts his money in the bank and the offering plate at church. You are proving more and more to be a bit of a troublemaker yourself. I hope you are more professional in the classroom.
DAW
10;29 Got good chuckle out of your post, others would too if they knew who I am. The free handouts I have received would not keep a cat alive.What I pay in taxes is more than I receive in benefits. I would like something to show for what I pay in. Dead animals in our environment is not what I deserve.
9:38 then pick them up yourself if your business or farm produces them but don't make me pay for what you think you are entitled to of my taxes. Do you want the government to come by and make sure your children brush their teeth before they go to bed or baby sit when you want to go out? Where do your entitlements stop?
people are on this blog about how they do not want to pay for inmate medical bills because they do not receive a benefit from the use of their taxes. I View the D.A.D. the same way. I do not want $1 of my money funding some one's business operations. the farmers who produce the dead animals are the only ones that receive the benefit from dead animal disposal.
The only harm that will come to a normal citizen of the county by no longer funding the dead animal disposal will be created by the farmers who do not feel obligated to pay for or dispose of a waste product produced by their business properly.
DAW What exactly was unprofessional about my post? The fact that I dared question the "good ole boys(and girls)" behavior whose salary I pay; or the fact that I ask the same non-sensical question of you regarding your grandfather that you ask of Mr. Barrett; or the fact that I am now labeled a trouble-maker if I question the actions of some of the county commission; or the fact that although I have posted my full name in the past and you are too indifferent or lazy to go back and find it that you decide I must be anonymous; or the fact that I resent teachers being held accountable for things far beyond their control; or the fact that I think all ethical employers would desire to give their employees due process rights and it not take 5 years to become a permanent employee which only means the respect of being given a legitimate reason if employment is terminated; or the fact that I may be a "foreigner" not actually born within the Giles Co borders? Let me give a hint to my age since you lack the iniative to do further investigating: You bet your sweet bippy I am a superbly professional educator and I teach ethics which means our U.S. Govt is designed FOR the people's best interest and that those elected work FOR us and we not only have a right to question everything they do, but a responsibility to question them. And it matters not one iota whether one has lived in this area 6 hours or 60 years, nobody deserves to be treated with the disdain of Janet. I think I responded professionally and civilly and if you and grandaddy don't like it, perhaps withdrawing from the public eye is something to be considered.
Deanna
4:17 PM You know what - I don't want my tax dollars put to paying county employee health insurance 100%. They should be contributing towards the cost. Funny how Ms Garner remembered to "put back" everything that she had originally suggested be taken out of the budget except for the dead animal pick-up which she "forgot". Commissioners are responsible for the county as a whole and the environment plays a large part in that responsibility.
GTC says to Deanna:
Of course you are a "trouble maker" if you dare question anyone who has been elected to serve the citizens of Giles County. How dare you even think to question whether or not a citizen has the Constitutional right to speak. How dare you raise issues that the County Executive and Commissioners do not want raised. How dare you question the validity of overspending anticipated revenues when there are sufficient funds in the "emergency reserve fund" to cover costs.
It is about time that all of our Commissioners and the County Executive read the proposed County Home Rule Charter. It is poated available for all the public to read at the Pulaski Citizen web site home page. The time is coming that the public will have an opportunity to vote for or against implementation of this Charter. If implemented the County Executive will, for once, have a real job, will be accountable to all citizens, will have to account for thier actions, report to the citizens future plans for Giles County; and, propose to the Commission a zero based balanced budget. Any tax increase or any new taxes must have approval of the county citizens.
By the way, keep up the good work.
1:47 And people who do business in this county have a responsibility to pick up the cost of doing business in this county. It is not the tax payers responsibility to pay part of their operating costs. It is ridiculous how people expect hand outs from the government.
GTC and Deanna need some pom poms. It's pep rally time.
The County Commissioners are doing a really good job promoting passage of the Charter
Why should a person living in the city pay for the disposal of dead animals?
Let's say a cow is the animal in question, it was raised by guy who was planning to sell that animal for a profit. The animal died and the poor guy lost his profit then had to pay to have the animal removed from his property. Some say that is unfair.
A guy builds a house with the vision of making a profit he has a lot of scrap building materials left over and the county requires he take it to the dump where he is charge $200.00 to dump it. Why shouldn't the rest of the county pay his dumping fee?
A guy open up an oil change shop with the idea of making a profit he end up with fifty gallons of used oil, if he dumps in into the sewer he can save the cost of removing the oil and increase his profit. Why shouldn't the rest of the citizens pay for the oil disposal?
But the farmer isn't making all that much money some say, but ask the man with the oil or the builder if they are making enough money. You might ask that mechanic and builder how much money did they receive from taxpayers already in the form of payments for leaving their shop closed; for not building anything then ask the farmer including the county mayor how much money the government gave to them
for putting land in the "greenbelt"; for not raising any crops and other supplements for having a few acres of land and calling themselves farmers.
The cost of dead animal disposal is not the responsibility of anyone but the owner.
Alf
You answered your questions yourself -
The guy with the oil dumping in the sewer - think Environment which is the same situation with the farmers. The Environment of Giles county is the responsibility of the commissioners and everyone of us that lives in this county.
As to the government subsidizing farmers - its only the big farming operations that receive monies, not the little guy. Anyway, you can ask Ms Vanzant since she and her family receive a hefy, and I do mean hefty, hunk from the government. go on line and see for yourself how much.
Who picks up dead animals on the road or does anyone ever pick them up?
It is not just the big farming operations that can get money from the government. There are several programs available for those in the beef cattle industry. There is no stipulation as to the size of the farm. I know of several thousand dollars in assistance money for various things.
According to the "2011 Farm Subsidy Database", from 1995 thru 2010 Mrs Vanzant was among the top third of subsidy recipients in the state.
Noticed her brother Joe was also on there.
What an interesting site:
http://farm.ewg.org/addrsearch.php?s=yup&stab=US&zip=38478&z=See+Recipients&last=&first=&stab=AL&fullname=&stab2=AL
What does it matter how much money they received? That is about like the post about WAB being booted from the Baptist Assoc. It has nothing to do with county politics. Don't be hypocrites.
DAW
DAW, Didn't someone post about animal pick up and people taking government hands out. I thought they were saying Janet took a handout from the government so what was wrong with the tax payer paying for animal pick up
Maybe I'm wrong, I don't have any animals to be picked up dead or alive.
There is a difference between money that goes for the production of food for the citizens of the U.S. and what should be the responsibilty of the farmer. If the government wants to give money to farmers to help them along with planting crops and working with cleaner beef programs, I think that is o.k. Especially if the government is setting standards on that farmer. Picking up dead animals is not productive.
DAW
Will someone please explain why the government gives money to farmers?
At one time they paid them not to plant a certain crop, do they still do that?
I heard a man in Alabama say one time, the government paid the farmer if the cotton made or not. So they didn't worry about picking it. I thought that was strange, but not a farmer so know nothing about it.
There is what is called an Enhancement Program for farmers. How that works is if you want to build a large hay barn, the gov. will pay at least half of the cost, if not more. Then for a few years the barn must be used solely for hay, meaning you can't park your RV under it. But after a few years go by thats ok to do. So, if you see a well equipped farm operation, know that a bunch of your tax dollars are tied up in it. The above is only one senario. Its usually the well-heeled farmer that gets involved in the Enhancement Program as the little man can't afford the required match.
DAW. guess you still don't understand about the environment and don't give a rat's butt about it.
Digging a hole and throwing a dead cow into it is not going to hurt the environment. Throwing one into a ditch and letting the coyotes eat it in one night isn't either. Just in case you haven't noticed, coyotes and buzzards are abundant already. I would say that a low percentage of farmers deal with dragging a dead cow to the side of the road to be picked up anyway. There are far worse things to be worried about pertaining to the environment than a dead animal.
DAW
DAW, I've liked what you said mostly, but you don't really think the coyotes and buzzards will eat a big cow in one night do you?
sorry I'm laughing about that.
I know a man that went on vacation and when he came home he found a dead cow, because it was stinking so. the wild animals had been eating on it, but a whole lot was left. He did dig a hole and bury it. Not much else he could do by then. I don't think animal pick up could of gotten it.
You shouldn't laugh, I have seen it happen.
2:35 All in one day? You need to move too many coyotes around you.
A dead cow sure would smell in todays heat.
The commissioners did pass the dead animal pickup didn't they? So we can quit beating this old dead cow one way or the other until it comes up again.
DAW
You must be a bit off balance. You talk about 'throwing' a dead cow - you must be hellish strong to throw a cow. Then you say we have an abundance of coyote and buzzards already - do you want more? And as to a dead animal not effecting the environment, how would you feel if your neighbor dumped a dead critter at the edge of a stream and that stream fed downstream to your drinking water supply? Oh, forgot - you don't care about anyone other yourself and family.
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