“The public reserves the right to call out the public officials…
Public Comment for Jefferson County Commission Special Meeting for
November 12, 2024
I, David Tabb, a lifelong resident/taxpayer make the following comments:
PUBLIC COMMENT –
After reviewing the agenda packet for the proposed new County Complex, the agenda failed to include: Who is the seller? Needs to include all contacts and contracts. Who performed the commercial appraisal and documents? Who are the realtors? Will any County or State elected official receive any compensation or payout? Who performed the property inspection and condition of HVAC, electrical service, structure, deed, liens, surveys and property lines? Is any of this property in Ranson? With the change of ownership, from a college, are there any exemption that are now expired such as SWPPP Plan, to include parking? What is the cost to retro fit the changes to accommodate the County’s needs?
What is the cost and needs to move in, make turnkey and operational? Is the County going to utilize the current furniture and fixtures or will everything be new? Has the building been inspected for hazardous materials? Is the parking adequate for the needs to operate the facility? Are there any facility leases that the County is using and how long are they still in effect? What will happen to the taxpayer’s property that the County is moving out of? Is there security, in the facility in place, or will there be additional cost, if so, how much? The building is sitting on a brown field. Were all the hazardous materials removed and approve by the DEP to include the EPA? Is there a radon air system? And has the building tested for radon?
Where is the budget to fund this acquisition? If levies and or bonds are required, doesn’t this require a vote from the public? Or will the County Commissioners shove additional taxes down the throat of the resident taxpayer? If the County Commission can approve $13 million from the Capital Outlay, where did this money come from, how long have you been hiding it and how much do you have?
These are only a few of concerns that should have already been publicly addressed and or posted. With the deficiently of information, within this proposed purchase to include the newly elected County Commissioners being excluded, this meeting is premature to make any decisions.
“The public reserves the right to call out the public officials to follow the required laws to ensure the constitutional rights of the public. The Governor has ordered the Government to be “open for business” and not deprived the public of notice and comments that would violate ethic provisions.
It is hard to be safe, with the current County Commission.
Have a nice day!