Bibb County, Georgia - Our Future

Today the "Flower Child" attended the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Hearings. This hearing, required by law was well publized and a total of five citizens signed up to present their comments and concerns. One deferred because his comments were covered by another speaker. Therefore only four citizens of Bibb County addressed the Commissioners with valid concerns. In a county of about 150,000 citizens I would suspect that more would have concerns for the County Board of Commissioners. That stated, my presentation concerning funding for retirement benefits is quoted herewith:

Chairman and Commissioners of the Bibb County, Georgia Commission,

Today I encourage you to fund the Bibb County Retirement System to the full potential, rather than now engage in ways to save money; at the expense of those who serve us, a move that may in the future prove penny wise and pound-foolish.

Now, before you feel that I am digressing in my comments, please let me remind you of the recent events we all had the opportunity to witness at Macon’s City Hall this past Tuesday, June 19th. We had a vote concerning a Convention Center Hotel; which as I understand it causes the City of Macon to have a financial obligation of One point Seven Million Dollars before the end of 2007 as a payment for something. Yet we continue to hear rumors of Tax Anticipation Notes to allow Macon to make pay roll to those who are sworn to serve and protect, among others.

Please correct me if I am incorrect, but within about 24 hours the City Council announced that they could not fully fund the Police and Firemen’s Retirement Fund at Four percent because they wanted to be fiscally prudent. This methodology, which has permeated Macon’s City Hall, is just too difficult for this citizen to understand.

Yet the actions that I have recently heard about concerning funding retirements for Bibb County Employees appears on the surface to be an attempt to emulate the methodology employed by the City of Macon. Gentlemen, we do not need to do this.

I am a retiree, myself; but please bear in mind that the bulk of my retirement funds come from a much larger unit of our Nation’s Government, so I really have no axe to grind in this matter; except that I am a concerned citizen. We simply must provide for our dedicated public servants. To do less is simply a gross injustice.

In future years I suspect that the cost of Health Care for these County retirees will increase exponentially with no known limits, which can be calculated at this time. You and I have been informed during past County Budget cycles that the care of patients who cannot afford care at our local Medical Center has increased our own health care at the rate of 33 cents on each dollar we are billed.

With your recent actions regarding the Medical Center’s request regarding additional funds for indigent care, you and I can be confident that the 33 cent figure may just be increased.

With these facts in mind I urge you to fund the Bibb County Retirement System at a level appropriate to provide meaningful benefits in the future. If You emulate City Hall I have grave concerns about the County of Bibb and the future employees that will certainly take note of the benefits they have or may obtain, when their older peers discuss their decreasing retirement benefits.

I know that 2008 is an election year, but to hamper the good will that Bibb County employees and all of us citizens currently appreciate would be “Stupid is that stupid does” to quote a headline on the Opinion page of The Telegraph over an article written by Mr. Charles E. Richardson who is a featured Columnist.

In conclusion, do what is right and proper regarding the future reputation of Bibb County and our Employees; without regard to 2008 being an Election Year. A dynamic challenge to be sure, but you have been elected to provide for the general well being of all Citizens of Bibb County, not just a few electors. You can do no less if your desire to accept the Mantra of Leadership, which you pledged to do when you took the oath of office for your current position. Please accept the mantra of “Servant Leadership.”

Gentlemen, Thank You.