County Council Approves 2014-2015 Budget

Anderson County Council approved a $125 million FY2014-2015 budget for the county Tuesday night, after a lively discussion between a couple of council members and Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper.

The budget passed by a vote of 4-3 following a discussion on a $15,000 transfer request from Skipper for audio equipment which would allow law enforcement to hear through walls in hostage or other emergency situations.

Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson questioned Skipper's transfer of personnel funds to pay for the equipment.

Skipper, repsonding partially to Wilson's question and partially to leftover business from Tuesday's budget workship questioning management of his department, particularly Emergency Services, defended his office. 

"State law says an elected official can move money as he sees fit," Skipper said. "The reality is I control the budget once you give me that number at the top. Once you approve my budget, that I have x number of dollars in my budget for a given year, I can spend it."

"You may disagree with it, but if you do you might want to talk to your lawyer."

Skipper also came to defense of Emergency Services, who had been strongly criticized Tuesday night.

"The Emergency Services Department is not mismanaged, no matter what you have been hearing," Skipper said, adding that the department was about to become a nationally acredited 911 center. He said the recognition was an honor and not given to departments which were not properly managed.

"I am elected official and I take responsibility for what I'm over."

He also reminded council that his employees were not compensated properly in comparison to other counties in the state.