Some Questions About For Economic Development Director
Going over some of the expenses for the Economic Development Director I find, what I consider, some very interesting and questionable expenses.
1. Why have taxpayers paid more than $900.00 a month for health insurance to an insurance agency owned by the Economic Development Director's wife. Isn't that a conflict of interest? Was this insurance bid out or just assigned? Why were check numbers 4413 and 4414 issued to the same person, the same day, for the same thing in the same amount $874.31?
2. Just how many phones does the Economic Director have or need? There are checks for $17.87 for a phone, $17.87 for a dedicated fax line, $44.45 for a different phone and varying monthly charges, between $149.10 to $151.77, for a cell phone?
3. Why are taxpayers paying for a phone, internet and cable TV, the Bronze tier and HD, for the director at a monthly cost of over $130.00? I can understand the internet and maybe the phone but HD cable TV.
4. Why are taxpayers paying for $35.00 for a car wash? Since the vehicle is being used fore personal activities using taxpayer gas is it unreasonable to think the Director might at least wash off the dirt from personal use.
5. Why is taxpayer money being given to this department then being given to charitable organizations as donations?
6. Why are taxpayers being charged over $170.00 a month to feed Economic Development Board members a meal? I know they meet at meal time but couldn't these, mostly well heeled folks meet a little earlier or later and buy their own food or bring a sack lunch?
These are but a few expenses being paid by taxpayers without any real scrutiny by Commissioners or the County Executive. There has been much complaining in private but the only official complaint I recall was met by the County Executive with, "what can we do, we don't control the money given to the Development Board that's their responsibility". To this I replied and repeat, "you are being totally irresponsible, giving money to anyone without any oversight, accountability or even a monthly report of how the money is being spent, and besides you don't have to give as much unless they respond more appreciatively to request for accountability".
1. Why have taxpayers paid more than $900.00 a month for health insurance to an insurance agency owned by the Economic Development Director's wife. Isn't that a conflict of interest? Was this insurance bid out or just assigned? Why were check numbers 4413 and 4414 issued to the same person, the same day, for the same thing in the same amount $874.31?
2. Just how many phones does the Economic Director have or need? There are checks for $17.87 for a phone, $17.87 for a dedicated fax line, $44.45 for a different phone and varying monthly charges, between $149.10 to $151.77, for a cell phone?
3. Why are taxpayers paying for a phone, internet and cable TV, the Bronze tier and HD, for the director at a monthly cost of over $130.00? I can understand the internet and maybe the phone but HD cable TV.
4. Why are taxpayers paying for $35.00 for a car wash? Since the vehicle is being used fore personal activities using taxpayer gas is it unreasonable to think the Director might at least wash off the dirt from personal use.
5. Why is taxpayer money being given to this department then being given to charitable organizations as donations?
6. Why are taxpayers being charged over $170.00 a month to feed Economic Development Board members a meal? I know they meet at meal time but couldn't these, mostly well heeled folks meet a little earlier or later and buy their own food or bring a sack lunch?
These are but a few expenses being paid by taxpayers without any real scrutiny by Commissioners or the County Executive. There has been much complaining in private but the only official complaint I recall was met by the County Executive with, "what can we do, we don't control the money given to the Development Board that's their responsibility". To this I replied and repeat, "you are being totally irresponsible, giving money to anyone without any oversight, accountability or even a monthly report of how the money is being spent, and besides you don't have to give as much unless they respond more appreciatively to request for accountability".
posted by Allen Barrett | 11:50 AM
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