Our last e-mail campaign to let the County Commissioners know what the people felt about the Mt. Olive Utility decision was very effective. The City Officials' latest decision to scrape up the funds for this payment in HOPES that the County Commissioners will accept it and change their minds about pursuing the actions to take back the Mt. Olive Utility System is NOT A DONE DEAL. Other conditions of the original deal are still not being met since no solid plans have been presented to show how the city will reduce utility fees in a timely manner to reasonable levels so the county residents are being treated the same no matter who is their utility provider. This was a major concern of the County Commissioners and needs to be addressed.
In off the record discussions after the Emergency City meeting was adjourned on September 17th, Mayor Joe LaCascia stated that the city will be very cash poor following this fund transfer and payment to the county until the Ad Valorem taxes start coming in. $114,000 from the General Fund, $100,000 from the City Impact Fee Fund, and $46,772.34 from the Water Fund will be transferred into the required fund in order to write the check for $348,772 to the County on Monday. How will the city continue day-to-day operations after this money is paid? More than likely city's plan is to have the tax payers pay their ad valorem taxes by November to qualify for the small discount. If the individuals who can afford it decide to pay their tax bill by the April 30th, 2011, deadline, 7 months later, which they have every right to do without penalty, where will the city's finances be then? The Interim City Manager states that the budget is balanced. The budget is only as good as the paper it is written on. Actual cash flow pays the bills when they are due. If the money doesn't hit their bank accounts like they hope, the budget is not balanced and the city is in REAL financial trouble.
Please contact and email the County Commissioners, County Manager, and County Attorney regarding the acceptance of this payment. At least the county officials have shown that they care about what happens to the residents in this area and listen to the people. I'm not sure the same can be said about all of the current City Officials. This is not a game to be won or lost or fought to the death. This is a serious decision that needs to be made in the best interest of the people these County and City Officials are supposed to represent. The City is planning to present this check to the County on Monday. Please let your voices be heard before that time!! Commissioner Smith and Johnson both have parts of the area in question falling in their districts, but each commissioner has a say in this decision. Please let ALL know how you feel on this issue.
Below are the email addresses for you to contact the County Officials:
Email District 1 Commissioner - Bob English (Chairman): bobenglish@polk-county.net
Bob English Phone: 863-534-6450
Email District 2 Commissioner - Randy Wilkinson: randywilkinson@polk-county.net
Randy Wilkinson Phone: 863-534-6434
Email District 3 Commissioner - Ed Smith: Ed.Smith@polk-county.net
Edwin V. Smith Phone: 863-534-6050
Email District 4 Commissioner - Jean Reed: jeanreed@polk-county.net
Jean S. Reed Phone: 863-534-6422
Email District 5 Commissioner - Sam Johnson: samjohnson@polk-county.net
Sam Johnson Phone: 863-534-6049
Email County Manager - Michael Herr: michaelherr@polk-county.net
Michael Herr Phone: (863) 534-6444
Email County Attorney - Michael Craig: michaelcraig@polk-county.net
LET THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE BE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR!!!!
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