Didn't you see? The $700K "covers" the "estimated" construction cost. But as this was written in Aug 2006, you can add 20 to 25% to that.

It does make one wonder though, if the $700K covers the "cost", what is the $2,100,000 for? Two million would make for a nice 3500sq ft office/storage building.

Let's just say the reply from Bennett comes in a little something like this; "This 2.1 million is needed (for your safety) and will entail no up front cost - it will spread over a 30 yr bond."

In other words; "We are going to stick your kids with the bill."

Wonder why this wasn't publicized?

Okay, maybe 2.5 words, considering the contraction: You're kidding?

And Mello says "Somebody better ask [about it]." Who? Would that be the County Commissioner whom the TBI is supposed to be investigating for askign similar questions, or all the other County Commissioners who are telling reporters her questioning is in bad taste? Or those Commissioners who would like to ask, but who won't for fear of similar reprisal?

Lawsy, Lawsy, this county is going to hell in a handbasket.

"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Mahatma Gandhi

I am going to guess the 3,500 feet of dedicated space will be confused with priority use space and we will be told they are one in the same.

Or perhaps this was all ok'd by the prior commission in the plans for the new Operations Center.

Or that the County Commission has no say on how an elected official spends his budget.

Section 9.1 on page 34 has a line item for estimated construction cost. This looks like a document created by a Blount entity.

You will see an estimate for bullet trap for $350,000 and a target system for $175,000.

On page 36 you will find a quote from the supplier for $357,812.04 for the trap. On page 38 the supplier quotes the target system at $186,830.70.

This all goes back to Blounts lack of proper accounting. Frequent use of round numbers seems to often lead to $19,642.74 omissions. The numbers were there, just not included in the figures put together for the commission and public. And as stated, these numbers are probably even higher now.

Just an aside; Since when did local Sheriffs departments start supplying things for our military?

Isn't it just wonderful to know that we live in a county where our government wants to keep us safe?

Police shooting ranges, new patrol cars, higher security at the old courthouse, wireless communication systems,$300,000 mobile command centers, bullet proof vests, assault rifles............now wait a minute! Is it us or themselves that they are trying to keep safe? I know why I own assault rifles........

This situation involving "free" not actually being "free" makes me harken back to an earlier time when the sheriff told us all that he wanted to build a $23 million dollar justice center to "...save the taxpayer's money."

Not too many years after making that statement, the sheriff was up in front of his elders again begging for "taxpayer's money" to fund raises for his "...professional,well trained" department.

What most people and our county commission tend to forget is that anytime that you build something, you have to maintain it also. That costs money........"...taxpayer's money".

Now, even though the Lambert Camp makes money when something is built, constructed, paved, demolished, hauled off to jail or to the county landfill, educated or indoctrinated, etc., etc., etc.........the taxpayer's are left footing the bill for maintainance and up-keep of what is really just another private business connected to the Lambert Camp.

I'm just glad the we still live in a county where "WE the PEOPLE" get to check out their paperwork.........not just because our mayor is all about "openess" these days either. Trust me, their latest propaganda concerning the "missing cars" didn't answer anything, it just created more questions.

Looks like "The Jewel" Bennet and his accounting practices of the "taxpayer's money" is at the heart of a controversy again in Blount County where the Lambert Camp would be the only benefactors to the proposed spending of the "taxpayer's money".

One more case that proves the point that the Lambert Camp of local politics is very much in charge of the "taxpayer's money".......just not in a very responsible manner or at the very least, a manner in which they aren't trying to steal it to keep the family businesses profitable.

"There is no doubt who has the power now.................."
-Hunter S. Thompson

To the office of Bennett, of which the State admonished by stating this office has; "“significant deficiency in internal control over financial reporting”

Lets review the article: (link...)

Air National Guard to purchase a new targeting system, worth about $700,000 including installation, for the Blount County Sheriff’s Office firing range.

Had the reporter read the actual documents, he would know using "about" is a waste of ink. It's $357,812.04 for the trap and the target system is $186,830.70 for a total of $544,642.74 per quotes from the supplier. The fencing ($50,000) and baffle system ($125,000) referenced on page 34 however don't have formal quotes supplied in the package. I'm sure the reporter was able to obtain these tangible, current documents from the Finance Director but must have forgot to add them all up. Maybe the DT can "clear" those totals up in tomorrows edition. At any rate, we are left with a total of $719,642.74 assuming this would all happen in the next 60 days (Action Target states their quotes are valid for 60 days). Past 60 days, the suppliers may have to adjust their quotes and I couldn't blame them. Delivery from Provo, UT will cost considerably more in gas the longer this takes. Not to mention the rise in cost of all metals rising.

The Guard would fund the purchase in exchange for use of the range and dedicated classroom space in a planned new facility at the location.

No where in the documents does it say the Guard is "funding" the building. They are obligated to the range as spelled out by the contract. Nothing else.

Some figures in the fine print of the agreement may be subject to misinterpretation.

Why is this usually the case with Bennett's financing?

Although the agreement document lists the county’s contribution to the project as $2.1 million, which is the estimated cost of construction of the proposed new facility, it does not mean the county is obligating itself to finance the building, according to County Finance Director Dave Bennett.

Bennett, referencing the Statement of Work included with the agreement document, said the county has the option to design and construct an operations building on the project site, but the agreement does not obligate the county or the Air National Guard to do so.

So, Bennett is just going through the motions of pretending the sheriff is going to build it? This seems odd, as a couple of times in this same article, the sheriff and Bennett sound like it's inevitable. It's seems like from what the reporter had written above, the Guard is expecting in exchange for the range a building with dedicated classroom space. One might think that guard members showing up for ballistics studies would notice they're sitting on the ground instead of a "classroom".

The sheriff’s office envisions using funding from several sources, including the Guard, the County Emergency Communications District Board and drug funds, to pay for the construction of the new facility, according to a spokeswoman.

Guard - paid for by taxes. County Emergency Communications Board - paid for by taxes. Drug funds - all drug funds are investigated, seized and collected by people paid using tax dollars. Drug funds are the peoples funds, that's the reason for this;

“That will have to come back to the commission (for approval), but that’s not tax money,” Bennett said.

Why the hell would the commission need to approve something that "belongs" to the sheriff? Because it's not his damn money! They are TAX dollars, thus the need for the Commissions involvement.

“Ultimately, in my opinion, there will be a facility constructed there. As part of this agreement, the sheriff’s office has agreed to allow some space in that facility for the Air National Guard.”

“Though that building is incorporated into our long-range plans, it doesn’t commit us to anything,” Sheriff James Berrong said.

Maybe the reporter will think next time to ask for the exact schedule of "Ultimately" and "long-range". We know the Animal Shelter had a salvo fired across their bow for "moving" to slow.

Look for "long range" to break ground somewhere around this summer. That's assuming the County Commission will again blindly give our sheriff what he wants. Maybe at least the commission can ask beyond the $2.1 million, where will the money to staff this facility will come from? Or at least ask why it is the sheriff and Bennett can't be up front with their costs and plans. Is the ambiguity by design or lack of ability?

Bobble Heads go all over the the place. The heads of the 11 you mention only make a nodding motion.

SeeJaneRide

Sheriff's deputies used to use the Alcoa PD firing range for FREE! It's not like Alcoa has a huge force, so there was/is plenty of room for them to share the range with the county. But, that wasn't good enough for sheriff berrong. (It doesn't seem right using capital letters on his name or title.)

The sheriff has long planned on building his empire next to the dump. No pun intended. So far, his dream is rising from the neighborly stench of our rotting trash and a few stray plastic supermarket bags. Again, no pun intended.

He has a driving track and a firing range out there. Now, he wants an operations center. That way, when he EXPANDS his "police school" they can just hold classes right there! Yep! It will be an entire campus dedicated to training cops paid for by Blount taxpayers. Sure, they will "charge" a fee for outsiders coming here to train. But, do you think that money will be used to fund the building and pay the instructors? Naw. That would be too logical. And, logic is something you can't find in berrong's empire plan. His plan is written solely in smoke and mirrors.

"Taxpayer's Money"
Submitted by rebeldog72 on Mon, 03/17/2008 - 14:12.

I just read the above posting and I am puzzeled. if rebeldog72 is suggesting that the money being spent by the county is making the Lambert Family more wealthy then He knows nothing about what he is talking about. I can only assume he is talking about the families relationship with Vulcan Materials, Vulcan is a World wide company with over 4 billion dollars in sales the money EARNED in Blount County is nothing compaired to the over all earnings of the company. To suggest that any money spent by Blount county with Vulcan as a material effect on the Lamberts dividend income is just stupid. Blount County needs Vulcan much more than Vulcan needs Blount County. rebeldog72 sounds like a disgruntled employee or just jealous of the Lamberts good fortune