I have to disagree with comments made by Mike Busse, but that’s what political opponents do, right?...
I have to disagree with comments made by Mike Busse, but that’s what political opponents do, right?
His startling conclusion that the county and city will be “just fine” with a revenue loss of 1% is shortsighted. The monthly 1% loss is actually $2.5 million (February actual receipts), and that to me is a substantial amount. In dollars, with a range from $2.5 million to $3 million per month, this is a worst-case scenario total of $30+ million lost and not recoverable through next April. In terms of what we citizens will not get are our libraries, fire station and road extension that enables a proposed upscale mall project, not to mention dozens of intersection improvements and other transportation improvements that we need right now.
Without the SPLOST revenue, we can’t issue the general obligation debt to get the cash to move forward. And circumstantially, due to the economy, letting projects for bid right now is advantageous to the county.
Secondly, in attempting to negotiate, the parties are not disrespecting the “will of the people,” quite the opposite. While the voters did indeed vote for a specific referendum that called for a particular split, the larger perspective here is that folks approved an extension of a 1% sales tax to fund many things, mainly transportation. It is regrettable that Plaintiff felt that the form of the referendum was so flawed that 70% of the voters’ will must be denied.
Lastly, my opponent’s legal analysis concluding that the county should “appeal(s) this measure in the courts” presumes that the county is dissatisfied with the ruling on all aspects. I would call readers’ attention to the fact that there are some elements of the ruling that affirm future SPLOST positions that significantly benefit the county. That being said, as a lay person, I am reluctant to offer too much comment on the merits of accepting the ruling or attempting to appeal it.
I think a more measured approach is required here instead of writing off $30 million, basing everything upon the outcome of an appeal which will take many months, and refusing to change any terms, just to make a point, all bad ideas proposed above by Mike Busse. And just maybe, if the Chairman and other county folks are as creative and smart as I bet they are at working through this, we just may end up with some good side deals.
Charlie Smith
Republican Candidate, Forsyth County Commission
