Riley Says $6 Million Project ‘Irresponsible’.

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved a $6 million amphitheater project during their April 2 meeting, a move Commissioner Lynne Riley voted against.

“This is fiscally irresponsible to be taking on a non-essential project, while facing a major budget crisis,” said Riley.

The county board approved a construction contract on the Wolf Creek Amphitheater, violating its own policy. In 1999, the board adopted a resolution that calls for staff advice detailing the total fiscal impact of all capital projects before any projects can be approved. These fiscal details include everything from planning, engineering and land costs to furnishings, annual maintenance, staff salaries and reoccurring expenses.

According to Riley, the board has spent $40 million of the 2008 budget to meet current yearly service delivery requirements. She said that last month the Finance Department notified the board that the projected 2009 county budget would have a shortfall of nearly $75 million. In order to fund existing service delivery requirements, the county would have to spend its reserve account, placing the government body nearly $20 million in debt.

“A government can not go into debt, which means the county would have to raise taxes,” said Riley. “Any project not critical needs to be scrutinized. To spend $6 million on a news structure is irresponsible.”

Riley said that the south Fulton Wolf Creek project came at the expense of taxpayers.

“Truly it was something to offer citizens of one part of the county,” said Riley. “The board is serving few at the expense of many.”