In his proposed budget for FY 2015 Rick Pollitt wants to increase funding for the loosely described purpose of "economic development" by 161% over the current budget – from $155,220 to $405,220. The data posted on the County's website in the summary of his proposed budget describes the actual use of the additional funds ($250,000) by a single word, "grants," but provides not the slightest suggestion about how the money actually would be spent. A "Budget Narrative" issued by Mr. Pollitt contains this vague discussion of who would decide about that:
New for FY15, the Executive proposes a transfer of $250,000 to an existing economic development fund 67 (Local Match). These funds will be administered by the County in conjunction with business advisors and SWED to support economic development activity.
We could find no proposed use or even a more particular purpose for spending the additional funds. And there seems to be no identification of the so-called "business advisors," by whom "these funds will be administered." Could Mr. Pollitt select the advisors and dictate how to spend a quarter million dollars of the taxpayers’ money?
This is a scary situation – blank check appropriation of money is foolish. Look at how funding for the County's Board of Education has been squandered, including at watering holes like the Green Turtle and Back Street Grill.
Let's hope the County Council blows this “economic development” promotion charade by Mr. Pollitt out of the water.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
13 comments:
NOT ACCEPTABLE to the taxpayers!!!
That's just what needs to be laid in Ricks lap to spend. Lol
Maybe, Matt and Stevie will be out of town and they won't have a quorum...or maybe they'll actually vote to represent their constituents!
If Pollitt wants to have economic development, cut spending and taxes.
What he wants is more money to use, so this year he's again proposing more taxes and spending, and also taking more money from the County's reserves to balance the budget.
Can't find any budget info on the County website -- is it posted there -- where???
Joe:
From someone inside the GOB I'm hearing that Pollitt and the "business advisors" already have plans for much of that money, and its an incredible think. If and when I can get confirmed details will let you know.
If those business advisors are the same gang that is raping Salisbury, look out taxpayers.
Wanna bet that the Chamber of Commerce and Memo Diriker are behand this nonsense too?
Mr./Ms. 2:25 ---
Yes, the proposed budget is posted, but it's hard to find:
http://www.wicomicocounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/2211
There's also a "budget narrative" that's also hard to find at
http://www.wicomicocounty.org/documentcenter/view/2223
Unfortunately, with one democrat and 3 RINO's on the Council, the two real Republicans - Joe Holloway and Bob Culver won't be able to stop this.
Slush fund is right! Just like this "Rain Tax"! Did anyone notice that OMalley stole the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Funds, where this rain tax money goes to, to fund his high speed rail system for Montgomery and other counties??????
And the "rain tax" is supposed to fund the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
So, please tell me how the "Rain Tax" is helping to "Save the Bay"?????????????
Are you saying this money is to come from grants, or the money is to go to grants? Sorry, but it's not clear.
Go to grants - if anything. It's not from grants. It's simply taxpayer money. Oh, and meanwhile, County is still screwing its taxpayers in the municipalities. Bunch of shmucks.
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