Planning department has let citizens down

Recent guest editorials have attempted to shape the discussion on the Lakeside Neighborhood Plan and the Somers Plan effort as anti-planning verses planning. That argument is out-dated, trite and misses the whole point of the discussion. It couldn't be farther from the truth and those individuals fostering this viewpoint should be ashamed of themselves.

I realize that the Lakeside group is very sensitive to their work effort because it involves their work product. Rightly so-but however well intentioned if they broke the open meeting laws of Montana then they stand a good chance of delaying the culmination of that work product adoption. The simple fact of the matter is that by the emails recently obtained and scrutinized they asked the Planning Dept. at every turn if what they were doing was legal and they were assured it was - up to and including the secret Web site. It is not legal so the Planning Dept. put Lakeside Communities work product in jeopardy. It is my opinion, and I believe so to it The Montana Supreme Court by rulings, that the updated plan will be thrown out if pursued in Court. With that real possibility in play it becomes necessary for the proponents to ask themselves a simple question. "Do we proceed with this plan now, facing an injunction and months of litigation?" or "Do we place this on a moratorium for six months, renew the process and expedite the adoption at that time"? It seems to me that the latter would be far more preferable and still meets the objectives of the proponents. In this manner, "all" public involvement can take place in an open, transparent, and informed basis. The work product can then stand the critical scrutiny it will receive and everyone can get on with their lives.

The next hurdle then becomes the Planning Dept. itself, and how do we correct the problems within it - many of which are probably not considered such by its members. The first thing must be an instructional session as to the requirements on that department for meeting the objectives of the County Policies in regards to but not limited to; Credit Card Policy, Per-Diem Policy, approval requirements for travel, Department Head responsibility, dissemination of smut on county computers, lack of completed warrants and tightening up audit procedures. Even though every employee signs off on understanding County policy a refresher course is certainly needed.

For instance, County residents should not have to pay for luxury rooms above and beyond the normal room rate or government rate when planners travel. They must ask for the government rate and not accept lodging where other availabilities exist. County taxpayers should not be paying for private citizens' dinners because they happen to be with a member of the planning staff. All travel must be approved by the supervisor/department head on a travel summary sheet, which breaks down the expenses for the travel - which is not done. Two and three hundred dollar lunches for unknown persons should not be the rule, and does the taxpayer really need to pay seventy dollar tips. We have dozens of departments within the County - should all of them be given their own logo at $4,300 each as was spent in this department? What is wrong with using the seal of Flathead County- they are after all a county department.

I also understand that they bought a boat - reason being because of their lakeshore permitting process. I know from having spent six years looking at lakeshore permit applications that none required the use of a boat. The majority of permits are issued on Flathead Lake, in March, April, and May, the months when the work can be done before high water becomes an issue. You would need a telephoto lens to view many if not most of the applicant properties at this time of year. And the list goes on.

The age old and most dependable who, what, where, and why on warrants offered for payment must be made. If not present then it becomes the job of the auditor's office to turn them down until all facts are obtained. It only makes good sense that if a member of the public wants to review a warrant/claim then the facts of that purchase includes that information.

I personally have a problem with the County having a credit card system for purchases. Granted at times it is not the most convenient to do business without one - but it is also most likely to be abused. Having multiple people in the Departments with anywhere from a $2000 to $10,000 limit in card spending is an accident waiting to happen. If the County must maintain a credit card system then place it in the hands of the Department Head only. Allow NO FOOD OR DRINK to be placed on them - restrict to office purchases only. I know from experience that travel can be handled without the use of credit cards.

For these reasons and more I suggested the Commissioners ask for the resignation of the Planning Department Head. I also asked that certain employees be suspended without pay as consequences for their actions in these matters. E-mails from that Department certainly suggest culpability in breaking the Laws of the State. County policies regarding per-diem, credit cards, handling of warrants, travel summaries and questionable purchases certainly lend credence to the fact we have the wrong man in place on the job. After all the business community would not allow this in their world, why as County taxpayers should we allow it in ours?

Dale Williams is a former Flathead County Commissioner and resides in Whitefish.