Dear Editor,
It is not often that I sign up to speak on a (Putnam County Board of Commissioners) agenda item. This past Friday, I did sign up to speak on an agenda item that was announced as a “Discussion and action on Updates to the Commissioners Compensation legislation.”
I was intrigued by what “updates” to their compensation they might be talking about as changes to compensation legislation are a big deal.
But there was nothing in the meeting packet to tell the public (or me) what those “updates” were. However, I assumed that before I was invited to speak, Chairman Sharp (who asked for the agenda item) would explain what the “updates” were. But no explanation was given!
I ask you, how can you comment on “updates” when no one tells you what those “updates” are?
All I could say, when called upon to make my comments, was “I would sincerely like to comment on the ‘updates,’ but have no clue what they are.”
Dr. Steve Hersey, who also signed up to speak on the “updates,” voiced a similar sentiment and asked that action on the changes be postponed until the public could be fully informed. After no more public input was allowed, the commissioners then proceeded to finally describe the “updates” and immediately voted for the county attorney to take the necessary actions leading to an increase in their travel per diem of $15 per day.
I think it is obvious from these actions that the commissioners did not want cogent comments on this compensation increase from the public. But my greatest disappointment in all of this is not the purposeful withholding of necessary information about the “updates,” but the fact that not one commissioner voiced any opposition to this approach.
The BOC may espouse the contention they are all about transparency and want public input, but I submit to you, that how this agenda item was dealt with, not allowing any informed public input, runs opposed to that.
Billy Webster Putnam County
Mr. Webster preceded Mr. Sharp as Putnam County Commission chairman. – Ed.