Fiscal court meetings had become like watching a new movie with a tired, old theme, like a horror flick when the young adults repeatedly advance toward the screams rather than run toward safety.
In the case of the fiscal court, it’s the worn-out scenario where Judge Executive Larry Russell Bryant gives the same speech month after month arguing for a 1 percent occupational tax, but the votes are never quite there.
This time, perhaps the director thought the repetitious drama would have new life because there was a new actor in the scene. In this real-life scenario, Bryant had hopes because former magistrate Daryl Flatt – a staunch opponent of Bryant’s tax proposal – is gone. In his place sits Todd Davenport, a magistrate appointed by Gov. Beshear and apparently someone Bryant is eager to see in the role.
All eyes were on Davenport as Bryant again blathered on about the need to double a tax the court has had in place for just over a year. Would he get Bryant closer to his goal?
Davenport quickly established himself as a man who could hold his own, think on his own, and a man who would not be rushed into an uninformed decision.
“I got sworn in 12 days ago. I understand the importance and I was given the responsibility to be the voice of the 2,200-2,300 in my district plus the whole county – let’s be honest, we are all here to be in support of the whole county,” Davenport said. “I don’t feel like I can make an educated decision on this subject, what their wishes and concerns are tonight. I don’t feel like I can do it.”
Davenport went on to say that he realizes the county needs revenue, but his first days in office have been spent addressing needs following storms that downed trees and damaged roads.
“I want to be a good voice for them,” he said. “For me to make a choice that I feel is not just my opinion, but all of our opinions and what’s best for everybody, I don’t think I can do that correctly tonight.”
While his words did not stop Bryant from explaining yet again why he wants more tax revenue, they did lead magistrate Terry Hadley, who usually makes the motion to support the tax, to say he would wait a month before making a motion to that effect again.
Davenport will get his chance to become a highly informed member of the court, replacing Flatt on the budget committee. He will have an opportunity to learn the inner workings of the county’s finances, how each department is operated, and he will see where the new revenue of more than $800,000 has gone this fiscal year. He joins magistrate Chris Reeder on the budget committee, which meets today.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com
