Two "Closing" Takes on the Ag Center

Undoubtedly, in the months to come there will be news concerning the future agriculture center set for Eastern Lauderdale County, but for the time being we feel most of the known facts concerning this endeavor have been presented to the public. We have two short blogs from Uncle Zack and the Lauderdale Luminary to wrap things up. We hope to hear from both in the near future on similar issues of local concern and know that the Luminary will have much more to say concerning the dire financial straits of the county school system.

On TVA in Lieu of Taxes:

ALDEPA is an organ of the Alabama Legislature charged with performing routine financial and legal compliance audits of state and local boards, commissions, and agencies.  One might imagine that the Ag-Center Board would be subject to annual audits by ALDEPA, but the cabal that comprises this particular board may be able to avoid this scrutiny.  How?  Well, as an organ of the Alabama Legislature, ALDEPA is subject to the oversight and direction of the Legislature's "Committee on Public Accounts". 

I do not know whether Senator Melson or Representative Greer are members of this committee, or whether they wield any influence over it.  In either case, the ability of Ag-Center Board members to shield their own board from an ALDEPA audit gives the appearance of a gross and blatant conflict of interests.  A complaint to the Alabama Ethics Commission might be in order here...

Humbly submitted for your consideration by,

Speculation:

Some of the information that I recently wrote concerning the Ag Center was somewhat speculative. That is because the Ag Authority has not been very transparent in their plan. In my final thoughts about the proposed Agricultural and Developmental Center I will relay what is 100% fact.

At a recent work session meeting of the Lauderdale County Commission it was discussed that a millage tax, which translates to a total of nearly $10 million, is set to expire on October 1, 2021.

That money is divided annually between Lauderdale County and Florence City schools.

Before that time arrives Commissioners must approve a request for a referendum to be held. A date will be set and the citizens of Lauderdale County will vote on the tax renewal.

At that time we will know if our schools will continue receiving $10 million a year or not.

This coming on the heels of the Lauderdale County Ag Authority withholding TVA in lieu of tax money from our schools.

How can the Ag Authority Board move forward with the construction of the Ag Center with such a dark cloud hanging over our heads?

How can our Lauderdale County Commissioners follow through with their commitment to give $10 million to the Ag Authority in light of circumstance?

How can the Lauderdale County Board of Education, in good conscience, begin construction of the Workforce Developmental Center (aka the new Allen Thornton Trade School) when they do not yet know if they will be cut $5.8 million every year beginning in 2021? 

Uncle Zack