Government charging government, and so on and so forth

At the Sept. 16 Walton County School Board meeting, School Superintendent Carlene Anderson proposed paying $250 for membership to the Walton County Economic Development Alliance.

The school district has a permanent seat on the EDA board.

Anderson’s proposal was met with a unanimous “No,” for various reasons.

Anderson’s request brings up the question, “Why should one government entity charge another government agency to be part of its group?”

Isn’t it all taxpayer money?

We understand the basic accounting principal where one company charges another company held by the same parent company or owner for goods or services provided. That makes good business sense.

What if the benefits are intangible and not readily definable or measureable? What if it is only a matter of appearance, goodwill or a marketing strategy?

Should the school district be a part of the economic planning in the community?

Of course.

But it shouldn’t have to buy its way in.

To fully do its job, every government agency should confer and cooperate with all other agencies on which its actions could have a direct impact. That agency should not expect other agencies that are to be affected to buy a spot in the planning process.

They all work for us, the taxpayers.

It was not proper for the Walton County Economic Development Alliance to ask for payment from the School District. We hope Superintendent Anderson has more influence in the community so as to demonstrate the importance of the school district’s input in such areas without resorting to paying for it.