Lunch on the Taxpayer’s Dime

A few weeks ago a part-time resident of Charlotte County suddenly discovered the Charlotte Board of Supervisors has lunch before board meetings. He is upset; so upset, in fact, that he sent letters to every newspaper but this one to complain.

Those of us who have been attending board meetings for years already knew about this. Some of us consider buying our employees lunch once a month to be reasonable; however, that is an opinion. I can make a case either way and justify it.

This man was also concerned that this was an illegal meeting. He would be correct if the Board was actually meeting in private, eating lunch and making decisions. Obviously the luncheon was not private; this man was allowed to attend. According to him he was even offered lunch. So much for an illegal, private meeting.

I and several other members of the press have wandered into these alleged meetings. We were also offered lunch. No one has ever asked us to leave. One would think that a secret meeting would be kept secret.

He is also upset that he can’t find out who authorized these luncheons. As I said, they have been going on for at least ten years to my knowledge. Is it possible a previous board approved this? Additionally, every month the Board will approve paying the bills. January’s lunch will be approved in the February meeting along with a host of other expenditures.

Many of us knew about the lunches and considered them to be a non-issue, but then again we aren’t trying to find things to upset us.

Last year the same man suddenly discovered the Charlotte Board was being forced to build a new courthouse. For almost three years the Messenger had been encouraging citizens to join with the supervisors to oppose Judge Cunningham’s mandates.  For three years the Charlotte Board had been in negotiation with Judge Cunningham in an attempt to minimize the financial and aesthetic impact on Charlotte County.

After lengthy negotiations, and as soon as a compromise was reached, suddenly this man and others decided to get involved, giving Judge Cunningham ammunition to change his mind, double the cost and change the location of the new courthouse building, all to the financial detriment of the citizens.

Then Judge Dougherty ordered a local committee to be formed to represent the community. As soon as the panel was formed, this part-time resident and others objected to the choice of members. The panel was dissolved and the citizens of Charlotte lost a voice in the process.

Some of those who are worried about  monthly lunches which costs the taxpayers about $1000 per year (which is 10 cents per resident or about a quarter per tax payer) are responsible for raising the cost of the new courthouse by six million dollars.

When a vocal few oppose every potential move by the board-even ones that could have minimized increased taxes—these citizens themselves are the ones responsible for increasing taxes by 15%. To then complain about a .000025 percent expenditure for lunches is absurd.

Citizens should certainly be involved in the process of local government. However they should be informed and educated regarding the situation before damaging the process. They should also remember that our elected officials have the responsibility to serve the entire county not just the vocal members of it.