11:55 am Financial Committee urged to reconsider actions on time management proposal
Editor:
On February 1, 2012, I attended the Carter County Financial Management meeting held in the Mayor’s Conference Room. One very important issue being discussed was a proposed Time Management System that included new accounting software with time clocks for each county department.
Financial Director Ingrid Deloach called the current system “a ticking bomb,” and that the current system could cause severe problems for the department if it is not replaced. She encouraged the committee to allow the software vendors to make a presentation for the Time Management package giving them a better understanding of how this new system would work.
Mayor Humphrey agreed with the Financial Director and explained that initial estimates for a Time Management System would cost ($200,000 to $250,000) and that annual savings with such a system in place were estimated at ($130,000 to $400,000). I feel this would create greater overall efficiency with much needed transparency and accountability for all Carter County Governmental Departments.
Financial Management members and County Commission Chairman Tom “Yogi” Bowers disagreed with allowing vendors the opportunity to explain how the complete system would operate. He is quoted saying, “We don’t need it, we don’t want it and we can’t afford it.” He further explained that allowing these vendors time to give their full presentation and proposals would be a waste of their time and the committee’s time. This is the same commissioner who voted for and justified giving away $46,000 in Christmas bonuses along with his gang of 17.
I would urge Commissioner Bowers with his traditionalistic ideas, along with other descending members of the Financial Management Committee to reconsider their actions and give our County Accounting Department the appropriate tools, making their jobs efficient as possible saving taxpayer dollars.
We need to bring Carter County into the 21st Century with sound fiscal accountability and transparency. We have the funds in our current budget and it appears we will see a substantial cost savings annually for many years to come after our initial investment.
James Dabbondanza
Butler
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