Special delivery

TO THE EDITOR:

As many of you know, my sister, Marilee Stewart, was in a terrible automobile accident on August 3, 2009. She was hospitalized for a lengthy period of time and released to a nursing facility for 24-hour care.

Lincoln County is full of very special people and once citizen in particular made my sister’s Christmas her best ever. The doctors allowed her to come home for a few hours on Christmas day. I called everywhere trying to find a rental van with a lift to transport her since she is confined to a wheel chair. I had a very difficult time and could not locate a van anywhere.

Albert Bentley gave up his Christmas day to drive my sister to her family and later return her back to the facility. This amazing act of unselfishness allowed my sister to enjoy Christmas at home after being away for five months. Mr. Bentley’s sacrifice made our Christmas unbelievable.

I would like to publicly thank Albert and his family for his generosity. It was truly appreciated and reminded all of us of the true meaning of Christmas.

COOPER CLIATT

Concerned about future BOE budget

TO THE EDITOR:

This Letter is essentially the same as an open letter to the Lincoln County BOE dated 12/30/09.

It seems clear now that annual SPLOST revenues should not be expected to cover annual bond payments for the new school facility any time soon after this year, and state officials are predicting further budget reductions of approximately $1.3 billion this year with very stringent budget conditions continuing into next fiscal year. This indicates that our county budgets will be adversely affected at least for the next couple of years, certainly including the school system. Isn’t it time to bring up some questions and issues regarding the new school facility that apparently have yet to be placed “on the table” for Board discussion or for public viewing?

Many others and I are concerned that such items be taken up on a timely basis and in the context of other budget items having implications for property taxes. As a result of attending several Board meetings and reviewing handouts of financial statements, some observations and questions regarding finances and operating costs stemming from the new school facility follow.

Regarding annual payments on bonds for the new facility, if retail sales and the tax digest remain as they are now for the next two years, it appears that annual budget reductions and/or tax increases must amount to over $410,000 (1.38 mils) during that time. If a tax increase were the decision, the total school bond tax would then be 2.13 mils approximately, which represents a 14.2% additional tax over regular (i.e., ex new facility) school taxes.

It seems that the maintenance and facility operations costs for the new facility should be a matter for budget planning now. What will be the source of funds for those costs? Couldn’t the BOE make at least rough planning estimates by looking at existing facilities here or similar facilities in other systems? I have not seen estimates of these costs, but just for perspective, 1% of initial facilities cost would amount to about $320,000/year. One mil of property taxes produces about $300,000. Even just a one-mil increase added to the 2.13 mils discussed above would result in a total increase of 20.9%. Who in the county, especially seniors, has had such an increase in their income to handle that increase or more without suffering in other basic needs?

What about the old facilities now occupied by the high/middle schools? How could the system need so much space with enrollment staying the same or actually decreasing? Couldn’t disposing of some of the old space reduce M&O costs? Will renovation be required?

The remaining balance of the construction fund was reported to the Board this month to be about $12million. How much of that is contractually committed, uncommitted, contingency, planned for furnishings, etc. With the dire situation in the economy, could any of those funds be used for bond payments? Maybe some aspects of new facility operations need to be delayed under current circumstances, some new furnishings as an example? The Board should change plans as required.

What about other types of operating budget cuts beyond those discussed in the last Board meeting? Will there be program expansions upon moving to the new facility? What are their staffing and other costs?

The Superintendent’s Office indicates that the Board will probably be discussing these issues at their annual planning session usually held near the end of January or first of February. Hopefully that will be a successful session. In addition to these discussions, it would be highly appropriate for the Superintendent to brief the Board on the answers to the questions above as part of a regular Board meeting soon.

Isolated, one-by-one, last minute decision-making is not adequate in these times; a long-term strategy is needed. And the public should be kept informed on a timely basis to facilitate appropriate public input to discussions.

JB MATTHEWS