The Bridge - The Budget - The People - The Rest of the Story About a Tax Increase (or, when PACS go bad and screw you over) - Jackson County Commission, Duel Session, September 11, 2017

Bridge Repair CR 563

Take a close look at this bridge, the bridge and road repair was accomplished by professionals. Professional Highway Technicians of Jackson County Alabama that are underpaid. The citizens of Jackson County should be very proud of the staff of the County Highway Department for the people of Jackson County. But that is not all they should be proud of, all over the county we have First Responders, Peace Officers, County Civil Servants in the court house who work for the citizens of Jackson County. 

There is much more you need to know, Jackson County receives no sales tax money and the TVA-in-lieu-of-tax has been cut by approximately 34%and it will continue to be cut. Take a closer look at that bridge, it represents Jackson County. Road and Bridge Infrastructure taxes, via fuel tax, has not been increased since 1994.

Jackson County's General Fund Budget this year will be $8.1 million dollars, 12 years ago the budget for the General Fund was over 12 million dollars, a cut of 4 million dollars between now and then, half the amount of the current General Fund budget. If your home budget was cut by 1/3rd how much of a problem would you have in paying your bills with inflation? But yet the county continues, one way it continues, the Emergency Operations funds, or the rainy day fund is tapped. Folks, if you want services you have to pay for it. You do not receive services for free. County budget videos and info via this blog:  http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Commission%20Budget

TAX Increase Issue: http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/sales%20tax%20increase

A deceitful opposition to a county sales tax, lies were told, a PAC was formed by Republican Party extremists whose sole concern was power brokering for out of county industrial resources. Local citizens were suckered in to oppose the tax which would have served to boost industrial recruitment.  The entire idea was to keep industrial recruitment resources, via funding, out of Jackson County, they were successful. Unfortunately local political powers were not willing to wage WAR against this deceitful faction. It cost us jobs, now you know the rest of the story! Here is one video and story of their deceitful planning, a PAC representing out of county industrial recruitment disguised: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2015/07/opposition-to-1-sales-tax-in-jackson.html

Current Commission AGENDA

VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council, Work Session and Regular Session 9-11-17

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

(Work Session and Regular Session Agenda)

1) Public Hearing - Special Event Alcohol License, Susan Webb DBA Jackson Events LLC; this event is for the BBQ Cookoff

2) Resolution to raise subdivision and site plan cost/permit; raise from $150 to $200

3) 2017-2018 Employee Health Care and Life Insurance Contract

4) Equipment Operator 2 Job Description for Cemetery Department

All items were approved.

Meeting was continued until Thursday at 6PM for Budget Hearing at City Hall.

There were 3 delegations that met with the City Council.

1) Complaint regarding the property behind Maples Industry, brush has been allowed to get out of hand. This area is due west of Garden Drive.

2) Kelly Goodowen for the BBQ Cookoff, Tourism fund grant request for $3000; event to be held on Oct. 14, 2017. Request to block off Laurel Street on the Square related to the BBQ cookoff on Oct. 14, 2017.

3) Scottsboro Band Boosters, competition on October 21, 2017; request for Tourism Grant $5,500.

VIDEO

Jackson County Commission Meeting Work Session September 5, 2017 -- 2018 Budget Info

Jackson county Courthouse, south side. photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

There were 2 commissioners present, 3 must be present for a quorum. Mr. Hodges and Mr. Guffey were present.

There was a budget hearing on September 4, 2017. I discussed the 2018 budget with the Commission Chair Matthew Hodges; the 2018 budget has not been approved, but preliminary indications are the budget will be $8.1 million with a $25-30K budget deficit.

Jackson County Commission Meeting - Work Session and Regular Session - 8-28-17

Jackson County Courthouse, North Side photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council Regular Session - Porter Road Public Hearing - August 28, 2017 - Past Videos on Porter Road Issue

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO

Porter Road public input begins at 22:10 in the video.

Blast from the past - previous videos about Porter road. This is not the first time residents have been up in arms about Porter Road.

Jackson County Board of Education, August 24, 2017 - "We Vote for Our Buddies Around Here" - Use of Executive Sessions

Video by the Jackson County Board of Education, Scottsboro, Alabama, meeting on August 24, 2017. Fair Use for news Reporting, commentary and satire when applicable.

An Executive Session was voted on at approximately 1 minute 45 seconds into the video, the chair voted no, there were 4 yes votes to go into an executive session. However, this session was not certified by the County Board of Education Attorney. I have been informed by anonymous sources one of the reasons for the executive session was to discuss items that have been reported by the press about the Jackson County School System and the Board. Seems some on the board do not like for their shenanigans to be exposed.

"We vote for our buddies around here," full story from the Clarion    http://www.theclarion.org/index.php/news/top-stories/227-jcboe-votes-on-personnel-issues