I took a jaunt out to Polly's Freeze for dinner Sunday evening. My wife and I enjoyed the clear and pleasant night and the sense of community there in Edwardsville. As I do each time I wander up the hill, I again couldn't help but notice that ours is a compact county and one in which the folks uphill have more in common with those of us downhill than they do with any other demographic.
More than one resident of New Albany has reminded me that for too many years, the government of Floyd County has acted as if they don't realize that residents who live in the city are also citizens of the county.
But a politics of resentment and challenge need not be the norm. Evidence suggested last week that a solid majority of the county council were inclined to offer Floyd County EDIT collections as part of the security and funding for the Scribner Place redevelopment project.
Now, in what I believe was an ill-advised and completely unnecessary move, the city council has passed a resolution that seemingly "dares" the county not to come through with that contribution.
How about this? Just ignore the tactless way in which the city's resolution is worded. In fact, council chair Ted Heavrin should spread the word that he doesn't want to hear even one word about hurt feelings, injured pride, or the county being somehow painted into a corner.
Sovereign elected bodies have more productive ways of sending signals. Had I been consulted by city CM Larry Kochert, I would have drafted his amendment to read something like this:
The mayor and the president of the city council will present this plan to the elected officials of Floyd County and make request of them to contribute up to one-half of the annual EDIT need from county EDIT collections.At this moment, what is requested is a resolution to
pledge county EDIT funds to support the annual lease rental payment (bond payment). While all of New Albany and all of its council members certainly believe the county
should make a contribution, only CM's Kochert and Seabrook are holding out for a certain dollar contribution, or else.
At this moment, we don't know exactly how much needs to be
spent from the respective EDIT collections each year. But a
pledge now enables the bonding process to move forward. During the next four months, the city and the county can debate, negotiate, and maneuver over any aspect of the funding, including whether or not each entity will pay half.
Make the pledge now and let the process begin. And here are some good talking points for the county council to ponder.
1. By a definitive 6-2-1 vote, the city council demonstrated a previously unsuspected will to revitalize the core of the county seat. Most of that majority were prepared to make a full commitment of EDIT funds to the tune of $400,000 a year. Those four, no matter how much they may believe the county will benefit and should kick in, did not vote "yes" conditionally. Those four will welcome county participation, but believed so strongly in the Scribner Place project's necessity that they made the first, and critical move, without demanding any kind of commitment in advance from the county.
2. The city council approved a resolution that included pledging the city's full faith and credit to the bond payments. In so doing, the city council showed that it is a good steward of its tax money and saved the project from between $1.4 and $1.7 million in additional costs. The county should see that as the city having its act together.
3. Mayor James Garner, after a rough first year at the helm, calmly and skillfully worked with both the County Commission and with his own city's council to right what some had believed was a foundering ship called Scribner Place. The county should take comfort in knowing that Garner and the council have found a way to work together. They also should take note that Garner never once issued a challenge, but rather, worked carefully to weld together a majority on his city's council and made a compelling case to the county commission that Scribner Place is a project that benefits the whole county.
4. There's no reason the county should treat the city's resolution as anything more than a referral. County Council needn't treat it as a challenge, but rather as an opportunity to discuss it rationally, just as had been planned. Consider the case on its merits.
5. Even at the maximum amount requested, the commitment is little more than the cost of a day pass or two for each non-city resident. Remember that even if the county comes on board for one-half, the apportioned share for non-city residents will be about 1/4, with city residents paying 3/4. That is, the Galena resident will pay only one-third of what the resident on Klerner Lane will be paying. But a 50% contribution by the county gives the Galena resident parity in access and admission costs, whether that be for a day pass or an annual or seasonal membership. Sounds like a pretty good deal, especially in a county so compact as Floyd.
6. Assume for a moment that county council members think of themselves as representing
only the non-city residents. Even if that were so, the points made in #5 still apply. Non-city residents can achieve parity, but pay only one-third the cost that city residents will pay.
7. Be creative. If you can't bring yourself to pay $135,000 or $150,000 or $200,000 each year to retire the bonds, restructure your commitment. Pledge $100,000 from EDIT proceeds to retire the bonds each year. Then create another revenue stream, if you must. What about pledging to pre-pay $100,000 more each year for day passes for every county resident. I'd bet the management of the aquatic center would give you a pretty good price. How about 30,000 one-day passes paid for by the county each year, and distributed in any manner county council determines. I'll bet the kids in the youth shelter would find a use for them. So would any number of low-income families in and outside the city. Don't walk away from this just because you didn't try.
8. There have been a lot of signals sent, in the open and behind the scenes, but the clear consensus among
all local governments shows an enthusiasm for Scribner Place and what it can mean to New Albany and Floyd County. I believe a good 80% of residents have always assumed Scribner Place would happen. They're going to be pretty disgusted if their elected officials squander this opportunity.
9. A delay costs about $140,000 each month. Don't defer your decision. Give the executive bodies a resolution they can work with that will enable them to begin the negotiations with the financial markets. You all know this project is going forward. Don't let pettiness get in the way. Cooperation between the governments is the only way this city and county will be able to handle the challenges of the near future. Let's start expanding the tax base as soon as we can so we'll have the funds to capitalize on the intrinsic advantages of this historic area.
10. Mayor Garner and his staff, along with city council president Jeff Gahan, must see to it that the members of the county council have as much information as they need. Get them copies of the bonding options TODAY. Make sure they have some time to consider the whole package. Common courtesy dictates that the city would not ask the county to act with less information than city council had on Thursday.
