Exit 126 Sewer System - "the secrets surrounding this project"
Camden, TN - I would like to give you some facts about the sewer system at the interstate.
I have no objection to this project. My objection is the secrets surrounding this project.
Members were appointed before the agreement was signed. This is in violation to the law. The agreement between the two counties was signed on June 28, 2001.
On July 16, 2001, Benton County Commission voted for and gave this board $50,000. Each county gave this board $50,000. Total of $100,000.
I object to lies being told to the citizens of Benton County. Meetings being held without the citizens of Benton County being informed. Money being spent and we are not allowed to see where the money is going. This is against the law according to the "Public Information Act".
I have a copy of the agreement between the two counties. (I did manage to get that before they started refusing us information). Their board is made up of three members from Decatur County and three from Benton County. The three from Benton County are: Sam Long, Randy Patton and Roger Pafford.
Meetings: "all meetings will be open to the public as required by the open meetings laws. The minutes of each meeting will be written and open for public inspection during normal business hours. A copy of said minutes shall also be forwarded to the County Executive of each governmental entity within ten (10) days." Have you seen a notice in the paper about the meetings. I have not. Neither have we been allowed to see the minutes of these meetings.
Budget: "The management Board must submit an annual operating budget to each party on or before April 1 or each year." There has never been a budget submitted to Benton County Budge Committee. The agreement is dated June 28, 2001.
Accounting and Reporting: "The Management Board must conduct is financial affairs and maintain its records according to sound accounting practices. The Management Board must file a quarterly financial report with the parties."
Our Benton County Commissioners have never seen a report in over 3 years.
Are these reports being prepared? How are the funds being spent? How much is left in the bank?
Audits: "An annual audit will be made for the purpose of ascertaining errors, irregularities of defaults. The audit will be made by the State Comptroller or a private certified public account acceptable to the parties. A private CPA chosen by the Board shall be acceptable if a party does not object within ten days after the County Executive if mailed a copy of the minutes of the Board as provided in paragraph 4."
According to what we have been able to find out "The State Comptroller" has never been asked to audit this board. I really don't think they even knew this board existed. We can't get copies of the audits (if they exist).
According to the laws of The Freedom of Information Act and the laws of the State of Tennessee, we as citizens have a right to copies of these reports. We have been refused. We did manage to get a copy of one audit, dated May 31, 2002. This audit states that of the $100,000 ($50,000 from each of the two counties), $500.00 was spent on assorted accounts and $4,500 was spent on travel. Bank balance at the date of that report was $95,130.68.
These are my objections, plus more. Secrets always scare me.
By Vivian Mahan, Benton County.
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