The Fleecing of Florence County Lynches River County Park March 10, 2005 At the Florence County Council meeting of March 20, 2003 a motion was made by Tom Smith to award a bid to G & M Builders of Lake City for the construction of a second ranger's residence at Lynches River County Park. Rusty Smith made the second to this motion and the motion passed with Tom Smith, Rusty Smith, Mitchell Kirby, Johnnie Rodgers, Russell Culberson and John Floyd voting in favor of this motion. Three Council members, Waymon Mumford, Jennie O'Bryan and Terry Alexander voted against this motion. The Purpose for building the second ranger's residence was not to provide a residence for a ranger but to provide a residence for county employee, Joe Eason, the Florence County Recreation Director. The amount allocated to build this house was $71, 800.00. We are here today to ask an obvious but important question. Why was this house build with the hard earned money of the taxpayers of Florence County? While the second ranger's house was being built, Mr. Eason lived in a mobile home at Lynches River County Park. The mobile home has been moved, but pictures of it, taken November 1, 2004 (while it was in the process of being moved) are included with the press release. According to a memo from Finance Director, Kevin Yokim (dated March 11, 2004) to Mr. Eason, the cost to construct this residence was $81,000.00. It appears that the cost was more than first estimated. The memo states that Mr. Eason moved into the house about November 1, 2003. We do not know if Mr. Eason pays the utilities on this house, but we do know that he pays no rent. The memo also states that since Mr. Eason pays no rent, his W-2 will be amended to reflect an annual benefit of $4,050.00. This is $337.50 per month and is far below the rent that would be charged for a comparable house which including the cost of a lot would exceed $1,000.00. Why was this house built with the hard earned money of the taxpayers of Florence County? But an equally important question is why was this house built for a county employee? Why was this precedent set? Will Florence County build more houses for department heads? This house was built in 2003 when the county was facing a $3,000,000 budget short fall. In order to balance the budget, County Council voted to raise the $15 Road Maintenance Fee to $30.00. This is the tax that is imposed on every vehicle in Florence County. Fifteen percent of this tax is used to fund the discretionary funds. The timing could not have been worse. Why was this house built with the hard earned money of the taxpayers of Florence County? At the time Joe Eason's house was built, there was an existing ranger's residence. Head Ranger Joe Ross lives in this house. In a letter dated October 15, 2004 and written by Thelma Carney-Kennedy, Executive Assistant to the County Administrator, Ms Carney-Kennedy states, "Mr. Joe Ross does not pay a rental for the dwelling he occupies at Lynches River County Park, as this is a condition of employment." When Joe Eason was hired, it was not a condition of employment that a house be built for him. Will Florence County build $100,000 plus houses for other employees? Why was this house built with the hard earned money of the taxpayers of Florence County? It was also not a condition of employment that he live in the mobile home while the house was being built. Did Mr. Eason pay rent or pay utilities for the mobile home at Lynches River County Park? Was his W-2 amended to reflect this fringe benefit? Why was the mobile home moved and to where was it moved? We understand that Mr. Eason moved out of the ranger's house for about a month when he remarried, but then moved back in with his new family. The news media and the public deserve answers from the members of Florence County Council. This body voted to build the house. Florence County Council is responsible for saddling the taxpayers for the continuing yearly maintenance, utilities, and liability of this property, which benefits one person. Why was this house built with the hard-earned money of the taxpayers of Florence County? The State of South Carolina was very willing to turn Lynches River State Park over to Florence County because it was a big money loser. Lynches River County Park is still hemorrhaging money. The cabins have a 90% vacancy rate. The total revenues for the Community Building, because of the various rates, is hard to calculate, but in 2004 only produced $27,303 in rental fees, which would be well over a 60% vacancy rate. The swimming pool and many other underutilized aspects of this park do not pay for themselves and are costly to maintain. Why was this house built with the hard-earned money of the taxpayers of Florence County? Public funds have been spent to benefit one person. Public funds have been spent that serve no public purpose. Because of what appears to be a misuse of public funds, we are asking for a full investigation by Florence County Council as to why the additional ranger's house was built and a disclosure of all expenses. We are asking that this take place immediately and that results of this investigation be made public. If this investigation warrents an investigation of the County Recreation Department, we are asking that this investigation also take place. To protect the public in the future, we are asking that council make annual reports specific to the cost of maintaining Lynches River County Park and that council makes these audits public.
