Editor’s Note: This letter ran in The Daily Dispatch recently. Because the Dispatch has a 400 word limit on letters to the editor, the author, Henderson City Council member Lynn Harper, asked us to publish it in its pre-abridged state. We have granted her request.
To the Editor:
In 30+ years of subscribing to The Daily Dispatch, this is the first time I have felt the need to write a letter to the Editor.
This purpose of this letter is to correct statements made in a letter from Mike Inscoe printed on Friday, August 31.
Contrary to Mr. Inscoe’s statement, there are many programs that are the direct responsibility of the City of Henderson–including Weed and Seed, Volunteers in Police, as well as the Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission which is actually a 501c3 non-profit. The HVDDC’s budget was not cut in half as Mr. Inscoe stated, but was reduced by one-third. The city funded $56,000 and $52,000 for each of the past two years. Every member of the current City Council voted for the budget that included this reduction in 2006–the vote was unanimous. These reductions were unfortunately necessary because of the very small amount of savings that the city had when the current Council took office in 2005. The NC Local Government Commission (that governs cities) mandated that the Fund Balance (savings account) be increased.
This same mandate from the state regarding the very low savings account, which was left to the current Council by the previous administration, required that we look carefully at all expenses of the city–including the lobbying firm for the city, The Ferguson Group. Again, I must correct Mr. Inscoe’s figures. He said that from 2002-2005, the city received $4,500,000 in grants as a result of a contract with The Ferguson Group.
From 2002-2005, the City only received $172,168 to benefit the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library and $960,000 for widening of a section of Beckford Drive, a state road, which would have required a $192,000 match from the city. We could not use Powell Bill money for this project, according to our city engineer, so the city’s matching obligation computed to about a 2.7 cent tax increase. With the priority to rebuild the very low fund balance left by the previous administration and still maximize benefits for the citizens, the City has not funded this match, and therefore, has not been able to use this $960,000 grant. The Ferguson Group’s expenses from 2002-2005 were $228,068. The decision to release the Ferguson Group from their contract with the city was approved by a majority of the City Council–as every decision must be.
Mr. Inscoe further states that he doesn’t believe grant-writing software can replace human expertise, skill and know how. The City Council voted unanimously to purchase “ecivis” software–wisely knowing that the experience and first-hand knowledge of our talented Department Heads and employees would be able to find, apply for, and get grants through the use of this software. One grant has already been received that has paid for the software this year. Another benefit of this grant-seeking and grant-writing software is that our many partners including Weed and Seed, the Henderson-Vance Economic Partnership, and Downtown Development can access and use this software. Mr. LaKernick, Director of Downtown Development, recently worked with Ms. Dunston, Planning Department Director for the City, to apply for a $1,000,000 grant to develop upstairs apartments downtown. This will benefit the entire City.
The council has had to make many difficult financial decisions. It is important to have complete facts when making decisions. It is likewise important for the tax payer to have complete facts as they judge their council’s decisions. Mr. Inscoe must have received misinformation, and I hope this letter stands to make those corrections. Thank you.
Lynn Harper