Anyone who attended the most recent Dothan City Commission meeting should have noticed a $600,000 “spending speed bump.” I cannot believe I was the only person to notice it.

City Manager Mike West let us know that our anticipated overage for the cost of fuel for city vehicles this year is $600,000. I believe that to have been based on today’s cost of fuel. I can say without reservation that the increased cost of fuel has affected my discretionary spending.

I do not, however, have the luxury of reaching into your pocket to make my budget. In light of this anticipated budget overage, our current city leaders should have seized the opportunity to show true fiscal responsibility by at least postponing a $400,000 expenditure to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and tabling discussion of spending $488,000 on a press box.

If our leaders cannot exercise better judgement at the sight of a $600,000 “spending speed bump,” you can bet that the most recent sales tax increase will not be our last.

David R. Cornelius
Dothan