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| Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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County to disclose financial details
Published September 10, 2008
Jackson County Commission Chairman James Tidmore announced Monday that he will provide the public with a balance of all of the county's funds, as well as the amounts owed on debts, during the next commission meeting.
Tidmore made the announcement at the close of Monday's meeting, stating he planned to "make known to the public" the amount of money the county still owes on the industrial park, animal shelter, courthouse window project, public works building and new garbage cans. Tidmore said he would provide the balances on all accounts, including the general, road, bridge, gas tax and capital improvement funds.
"This is something I had always planned to do later in my term," Tidmore said.
Tidmore said he also plans to ask commissioners if they would like to develop a plan to pay off the county's debts.
"After looking at paying off the debts, I may make a recommendation to transfer additional funds to the public works department," Tidmore said.
The commission has already authorized transferring a total of $700,000 to the public works department for additional road work this fiscal year.
The commission will next meet in regular session on Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the courthouse.
The county's practice of providing public records to the public has been questioned. Last Thursday, Garry Morgan and Kym Chapman requested to see the account balances for Jackson County at the commission office. Chapman is an independent candidate for the office of District 2 Commissioner, which is currently held by Jack Allen, who is the Democratic candidate for the position.
Morgan said they were told they would need to fill out a written request form which would need to be reviewed by County Attorney John Porter.
On Friday, Morgan and Chapman held a press conference on the courthouse lawn about the commission office not handing over the requested documents. Morgan reiterated his points during Monday's commission meeting.
Commissioner Darren Blizard asked Monday why the county's records could not be made public.
"I came in here Friday asking to see the very same records and was denied access," Blizard said.
Tidmore accused Blizard of "coming in here issuing orders" and said "you don't have the authority to issue orders around here."
Morgan also stated according to his understanding of state law it was illegal to withhold public records. Porter later said he thought Morgan had misinterpreted the statute and that it only applied to someone who did not have authority to have records.
Tidmore asked if the other commissioners had any comments to make, but no one said anything.
Tidmore then asked Porter to address Morgan's concerns.
Porter explained that the county's policy, which was adopted over four years ago by a previous administration, is for anyone asking to view or copy public records to first fill out a written request form and give a reasonable amount of time for a response while the county attorney reviews the request.
Porter said it was his understanding that Morgan had been told about the policy which Morgan confirmed.
Porter said the balance information is kept on a computer, so it is not easily accessible for the public like the minutes book would be.
Porter said the commission's authority to regulate the distribution of public records is supported by attorney general's opinions and the Open Records Act.
"I don't understand," Blizard said. "What is the big deal with letting people know what is in the general ledger?"
Tidmore again gave the commissioners the chance to speak before moving on to the next topic, but no one chose to do so.
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