City spending priority
Fuzzy math or a miracle? The city went from a $881,000 deficit in March 2019 to $5,982,824.41 combined total in general and reserve funds: $3,519,643.31 in general funds, $2,463,184.10 in special funds and $926,439.77 in general funds operating cash in November. That makes my head spin just reading this, much less make any sense out of it. As of the writing of this letter, the last financial report to the State of Mississippi Auditor was 2017.
Some city officials are reporting “frugal” spending is ongoing. From what I have seen, the only thing not approved at the council meeting in regard to spending was the request for $10,000 to fund a Southside historic survey.
The same cannot be said when it comes to the $3.4 million for LED street lights. It is reported the work has begun, but I see the CL&W out daily replacing and working on the street lights. I have a real problem with hiring the work out in the first place. Seems to me the lights could be replaced by the city over a period of time.
I know LED lights are going to save the city a lot of money in electricity cost, but the urgency of the deal bothers me. Another fact that you might not be aware of unless you attend the council meetings: The city paid CL&W $838,835.22 for the lights and brackets before PATH started the replacements. Frugal spending? Another point is “See Click Fix”, the city has spent $11,468.00 to date for that jewel. I have not seen any improvement to the response time of the public works department.
I see in November Mr. Bush, the public works director, was sent on a paid trip for “Mississippi 811 Damage Prevention Summit.” What about some personnel management training, so the needs of the city maintenance up keep can be addressed properly? We can plant thousands of dollars of flowers and shrubs and spend many man hours for that which is good, but our priority should be for street repairs, gutter and drain up keep. Making the city pretty is one thing but who can look when you are watching for pot holes?
What is the completion date for the new fire department? Will we ever have the necessary funds to complete the Amphitheater? The positive news is roundabouts are coming and they are free. Free? No! We all pay taxes! And last of all, the city is getting a $800,000 grant for a mini roundabout at Harvey’s. This will help for all the traffic created by the crowds going to the amphitheater that’s not finished. But the $400,000 fence is coming for it. Is it me or do we have spending priority problems in Possum Town?
God bless Columbus and America.
Lee Roy Lollar
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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