North
Florida Broadband Authority: Taylor County Says Goodbye,
"I don't think our county should be involved."
County Commissioner Pam Feagle tells the Commission: "I
don't think our county should be involved."
Posted April 18, 2012 10:25 am | Part XIX
TAYLOR COUNTY, FL – For the past 2 1/2 years the North Florida Broadband Authority has been in one stage of disarray or another. Charges of waste, fraud, and abuse, ignored procurement policies, noncompetitive hiring practices and outrageous legal fees have been some of the hallmarks of a federal stimulus project with good intentions turned bad. NFBA member, Taylor County, has been considering parting ways with the organization. Last night Taylor County decided it had seen enough and became the third North Florida Broadband Authority member to say goodbye.
Taylor County Gave This Some Thought
During the April 2, 2012, County Commission meeting, Taylor County Commissioner Pam Feagle, Taylor County's representative on the NFBA, brought her concerns to her colleagues on the County Commission.
Commissioner Feagle told the Commission, "I am concerned with the problems that are occurring at the NFBA. There have been numerous things. This thing's grossly mismanaged. They have a clerk that they pay $80,000."
Taylor County Administrator Jack Brown runs a tight
ship. He didn't like what he saw at the NFBA.
Com Feagle continued, "Jack [County Administrator, Jack Brown] and I have talked. I recommend to the Board that our County Attorney look at the interlocal agreement."
County Administrator Brown told the Board: What they are paying personnel, comparatively, just because it's grant money, is out of line... We are in a time of crunch. I don't think we have to pay the exorbitant amounts that they are paying and I've got other concerns that I don't really want to say publicly.
County Administrator Jack Brown is Taylor County's alternate member to the NFBA.
Whenever practical, both of Taylor County's NFBA representatives would attend NFBA Board meetings, even though only one could vote. At a recent NFBA meeting, Administrator Brown was called out by the Clerk for making a suggestion.
County Commissioner Feagle continued: They hire people without applications and no background checks. They just hired a new attorney and you go to the next meeting, she's gone. I just don't think that I want to be involved with this and I don't think our County should be involved in this.
County Administrator Brown said it would be on the agenda for the next Commission meeting.
Chairwoman Patterson listens as the County Attorney
reads the resolution into the record.
April 17, 2012: Taylor County Acts
Board Chairwoman Patricia Patterson announced item 17A on the agenda: The Board to consider approval of a resolution repealing resolutions passed on August 3, 2009 and October 4, 2010; withdrawing the County's membership and commitment to the North Florida Broadband Authority, as agendaed by Commissioner Pam Feagle.
The County Attorney read the resolution into the record.
Commissioner Feagle told the Commission: Jack and I have discussed this in depth. We both agree that at this point we would like to part ways with the NFBA. We wish them much success and the very best.
Com Mark Wiggins seconded the motion.
Commissioner Wiggins: Is that a motion?
Commissioner Feagle: That's my motion.
Commissioner Wiggins: Second.
The vote was unanimous.
Chairwoman Patterson: Thank you Commissioner Feagle.
Epilogue
Taylor County runs a tight financial ship, engages its citizens, encourages public comment and participation, cares about good government and is a nice place to visit.
County Manager Jack Brown was always working for transparency and effective and responsive government at the NFBA during his tenure as Taylor County's NFBA alternate member.
Commissioner Feagle was not afraid to ask the tough questions at NFBA meetings and would ask the questions no one else would ask and at times, no one would answer.
There are now three former members of the NFBA: Bradford County, the City of Perry and Taylor County. For these three municipal governments, free is not good enough, as they stood up for values that are fading from America.
