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Kelly
1. The announcement that Disney Direct Marketing will close its Jonesville facility over the next year was disheartening news for this county which is already struggling with nearly 20 percent of its adult workforce unemployed. In addition to the potential increase in our unemployment rate, the closing of the facility will cost the county approximately $200,000 in tax revenue making its already tight budget event tighter.
This presents two challenges for the next council: First, finding a successor to take over the Jonesville facility once Disney is gone and, in general, reducing the county’s unemployment rate. Second, dealing with the impact of the loss of the Disney tax revenue on the county budget.
What, if anything, do you believe the county can do beyond what is already being done to bring in a successor to Disney? What, if anything, do you believe the county can do to reduce local unemployment?
Even if a new business eventually takes over the Disney property, it may be some time before the county sees any new tax revenue to replace the $200,000 loss. This will make it more difficult for council to balance the budget. How would you balance the county budget? What expenditures in what departments would you cut to balance it? If you would not make cuts, would you seek to raise taxes?
Kelly: We already know that this revenue loss is over the $200,000 loss that you are reporting. That is only the tip of the iceberg. The loss to the school district is going to be astronomical.
Now, what do we need to do? We need to promote this building as being a “work ready” building that is high-tech. Maybe we could get businesses like L.L. Bean and others looking for a distribution center. The main thing is that we cannot be complacent. We have to pursue these companies. They are looking for places like us to put their businesses.
We must also let our long-term businesses know that we are willing to negotiate before they make the decision to go out of our county. What can we do to help you, that will help us?
If it were to come down to cuts in departments the first cuts would be in areas that do not affect public safety, health, education, and transportation. We would call everyone (department heads) in and have them to itemize and justify all expenditures that were necessary for the smooth running of the county government.
Little: Finding a company to locate in the Disney facility has to be a priority for our county leaders. I have confidence in the executive director of the Union County Development Board. I feel she is already searching for companies that may be interested in the Disney facility.
County council’s role will be to approve tax incentive packages to accommodate potential new companies interested in the Disney facility.
If officials are successful in finding a new business to locate in the Disney facility this would solve two problems: an increase in unemployment and the loss of important tax revenue for our county.
It is also important for everyone — all citizens — to portray Union County in a positive light. This will help to attract desirable industry.
UDT: The Patriot’s Lake project would build a 5,300 acre lake at the confluence of Tyger River and Fairforest Creek in the Sumter National Forest. The primary justification for the lake by its proponents is the need for a reliable, local water source in the face of population growth-driven depletion of existing sources as well as upstream pollution. Proponents have also argued for the lake on the grounds of economic development and power generation.
Whatever the merits of these arguments, the lake cannot be financed locally and will require federal money at a time when the federal government is increasingly swamped in an ocean of red ink and facing an already massive national debt that is expected to get larger in the years ahead.
Given this fiscal reality, do you believe the lake project to be feasible? If so, why and how do you propose it be paid for without adding to the national debt? If not, what alternatives do you propose for meeting the county’s future water needs and dealing with the issue of upstream pollution? What alternatives do you favor for economic development in the lower part of the county?
Kelly: I think that the building of the lake would be extremely valuable to our county. Not only would it increase property values, but it would increase tourism in county. This would generate money in many ways. One would be the lake property taxes; another would be in the tourist taxes paid on rental of property; hotel or motel taxes paid in to the county; and taxes paid through the restaurants.
As far as the financing of it, the federal government wanted shovel ready projects to stimulate the economy, this is about as shovel ready as I know of. We have no control over the national debt, Congress does. If the federal government would step up to the plate and quit wasting money, giving it to countries that do not like us and hate our way of life, there would be enough money to balance the budget, including paying for the lake.
We have already paid for this lake in the taxes that we have paid to the federal government in Union County. It is time we got something back.
Little: The Patriot’s Lake project is not possible at this time. Our county’s citizens simply cannot support a massive tax increase to pay for the county’s part of an obligation to fund such a massive project.
In a few years the federal government may not be as swamped in debt as some are predicting. It it possible there may then be grants to help and we can support all efforts to make it a reality.
I am certainly in favor of keeping the Patriot’s Lake project in our short-term growth plans. There is no question that Union County will need a new source of water to meet the demands of the future, but what is just as important is the opportunities for economic growth such a project would bring to Union County. Water recreation is a thriving part of our state’s economy even in these bad economic times. Water recreation would bring hundreds of visitors to our county who would be spending money here supporting our local businesses.
Since upstream pollution is an issue, the federal government will have to help clean up the pollution or provide for another source of water for the people of this area of the state.
I am optimistic that one day the Patriot’s Lake will be built in Union County and I will support future efforts toward its completion.
UDT: The worst trauma this county has experienced in recent history was in 2009 with the indictment of several county officials on federal and state corruption charges. This corruption was exposed by investigations by the FBI and SLED and these cases are currently winding their way through the criminal justice system.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, however, and if Union County is to avoid another such trauma and subsequent law enforcement cures preventative measures involving transparency in government must be taken locally. How do you propose we avoid in the future a repeat of the outrages of 2009? What steps do you think should be taken to ensure the county is transparent to the maximum extent possible? Will you push for such policies to be put in place even if they prove unpopular at the courthouse?
Kelly: Yes, we have experienced the most corrupt time in county government that we have every experienced in recent times. Would I support steps and policies to prevent this from happening again? The answer is yes. I would expect an open door policy in every office of county government. I would also expect to have monthly reports at council meetings that were backed up by documentation that could be checked.
I think that if there is not a system of checks and balances in place that there should be a top priority to install them. Every business should have checks and balances. County government is no different, it is the business of our people. Yes, I would push for these changes.
Little: The recent corruption scandals have certainly scarred our county’s image and it will be some time before our citizens can be expected to trust their leaders again. I am personally saddened by all this and hope this terrible time is now behind us. I have prayed for our county and our elected leaders. I really believe we will recover but it will take some time.
I would also suggest we offer our county employees “whistle blowing” protection if they report unethical or illegal activities among their peers or supervisors.
All of the citizens should make an effort to show the good and positive things that go on in the county rather than the negative. This would also do much to help promote transparency. We need to look for the good instead of all the bad.
UDT: Intermittently over the years, the county and the City of Union of have discussed the possible consolidation of at least some government services to reduce expenses. Nothing has really ever come of these conversations which seem to have always foundered even though both sides seem to agree consolidation is a good idea. The issue is again being discussed with the councils going so far as to form a committee on the consolidation of certain areas where services are duplicated.
Do you favor consolidation? If so, which departments do you think should be combined and which government given the responsibility for providing those services? If you don’t favor consolidation, why not?
Kelly: Yes, I favor consolidation of city and county offices such as the building inspector, the animal control officer, and community activity departments. As far as the supervision of these three departments, it should be under the county. As far as funding, I think that it should be equitable between all townships, city and county.
Little: I am interested in finding ways of consolidating county and city services but it first has to be determied if it will save our taxpayers money.
I am fairly new to the council and I have not seen a lot of movement toward consolidation. I feel it will be important to get feedback from city and county employees. Elected officials can’t be expected to have all the answers to all the questions. They won’t know what can or cannot work until they have more facts.
I suggest asking our employees for their anonymous suggestions and use this information as a starting point.
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