Jackson County lawmakers clashed in a heated public meeting as they debated how to allocate tens of millions in remaining COVID-19 relief funds. For months, county legislators have been divided over the best use of the federal funds, with tensions boiling over during Wednesday’s meeting. At the center of the dispute is a looming deadline to spend the money or return it to the federal government. Jackson County Executive Frank White and a few allies on the council, including legislators Jalen Anderson, Megan Marshall, and Joanie Lauer, favor a particular allocation plan. However, a bipartisan group of legislators has argued for broader spending proposals. Anderson highlighted the high stakes, expressing frustration over delays. “We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars that’s use it or lose it back to the federal government,” he said. The meeting turned contentious as discussions touched on not only the COVID relief funds but also an additional $40 million in the county’s undesignated fund balance. Tempers flared as members interrupted each other, with Legislator Manuel Abarca challenging Chairwoman Lauer’s attempts to restore order.”The shady deals are the ones that are being made in the elevators up and down in the coverts of the county executive’s office,” Abarca said after the meeting. The division among lawmakers was further underscored by the absence of White from the meeting. A county attorney stated that White gets to decide how the money is spent.However, five legislators disagreed, saying it’s their responsibility to control the spending, similar to Congress.”You’ve got a county executive and his staff who are trying to prevent the legislature from doing our job, which is to appropriate funds,” said Legislator Sean Smith. The five legislators were successful to get the vote on next Monday’s agenda. White called the decision disappointing.“It is disheartening to see members of the Legislature ignore the clear warnings of their own legal counsel,” White said in a statement. “By moving forward with these ordinances, they have shown a lack of respect for their colleagues, the institution and the Jackson County residents we serve.”
Jackson County lawmakers clashed in a heated public meeting as they debated how to allocate tens of millions in remaining COVID-19 relief funds.
For months, county legislators have been divided over the best use of the federal funds, with tensions boiling over during Wednesday’s meeting.
At the center of the dispute is a looming deadline to spend the money or return it to the federal government.
Jackson County Executive Frank White and a few allies on the council, including legislators Jalen Anderson, Megan Marshall, and Joanie Lauer, favor a particular allocation plan.
However, a bipartisan group of legislators has argued for broader spending proposals.
Anderson highlighted the high stakes, expressing frustration over delays.
“We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars that’s use it or lose it back to the federal government,” he said.
The meeting turned contentious as discussions touched on not only the COVID relief funds but also an additional $40 million in the county’s undesignated fund balance.
Tempers flared as members interrupted each other, with Legislator Manuel Abarca challenging Chairwoman Lauer’s attempts to restore order.
“The shady deals are the ones that are being made in the elevators up and down in the coverts of the county executive’s office,” Abarca said after the meeting.
The division among lawmakers was further underscored by the absence of White from the meeting.
A county attorney stated that White gets to decide how the money is spent.
However, five legislators disagreed, saying it’s their responsibility to control the spending, similar to Congress.
“You’ve got a county executive and his staff who are trying to prevent the legislature from doing our job, which is to appropriate funds,” said Legislator Sean Smith.
The five legislators were successful to get the vote on next Monday’s agenda.
White called the decision disappointing.
“It is disheartening to see members of the Legislature ignore the clear warnings of their own legal counsel,” White said in a statement. “By moving forward with these ordinances, they have shown a lack of respect for their colleagues, the institution and the Jackson County residents we serve.”
