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County Councilman Jim Burns, just back from a trip to Ireland with the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, “raised the hackles” of colleagues by proposing to eliminate council district discretionary accounts created for special in-district projects, after using $3,400 of his districts funds to pay his overseas travel expenses.
Councilman Joe Dill proposed that the Council prohibit the use of county funds for international travel. Burns defended his actions by saying the trip was very worthwhile and could benefit the county.
Dill said he did not want anyone to take his amendment to the budget personally, however, Burns accused Dill of targeting him with the amendment.
With the assistance of Councilman Tony Trout, Joe Dill held up a chart itemizing the expenses claimed by Burns on his trip to Ireland that included hotel, transportation and food, some of which Dill claimed he could not pronounce.
With tongue in cheek, Dill said, “When I go out to eat, I see if they serve gravy or sauce. If the menu says sauce, I can’t eat there.”
Cort Flynt accused Dill of singling out Burns with his motion, and referred to a Council rule prohibiting personal attacks. Trout countered by alleging that Flynt had personally attacked him on a previous occasion. “Flynt is talking out of both sides of his mouth,” Trout concluded.
Burns’ third proposed budget amendment was to stop paying dues for membership in both the State and National Association of Counties.
Burns was opposed on leaving the state organization by 11 council members; however, Councilman Bob Taylor joined him in voting to withdraw from the national organization. It failed to pass also.
Dill’s motion was referred to a committee by the chairman.
Earlier in the meeting, Burns had proposed 3 amendments to the budget. All but part of one was rejected by a vote of 11 to 1.
The proposals were so out of character for Burns that his behavior generated speculation that he was considering a run against Rep. Bob Inglis in the 2008 Republican primary contest.
The first Burns proposal was to eliminate the $20,000 per district discretionary accounts that allow Council members to fund certain specified projects in their districts without having to get a vote from the full Council.
Most of these funds go to pay for constructing speed bumps in neighborhoods, and funding other essential projects without having to get a vote from Council after all funds are committed.
Dill suggested that if an employer wants an employee who is a member of Greenville County Council to go on an international trip, the employer, not the Greenville County taxpayers should pay for the trip.
Burns also proposed that the cost of living adjustment for county employees be withheld from Council members. That proposal was also rejected by a vote of 11 to 1.
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