County gives check back to casino
By: Jeff Hunt
11/28/2006
Due to legal concerns, the Washington County Board of Supervisors bit the hand that was trying to feed it today when it returned $20,000 to the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort that was earmarked for a sheriff's department K-9 unit.
An existing financial agreement between the county and the casino nixed the deal, according to County Attorney Barbara Edmondson. During today's meeting she told board members since Washington County and the casino have an existing financial agreement (TIF agreement), the casino is considered a restricted donor. Although the donation would be used to benefit the entire county, it was being donated to one department, the Sheriff's Department. According to Edmondson, the donation can be made to the county, not a particular department.
On Nov. 14, representatives from the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort made an appearance at the Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting to present a check for $20,000 to the county. The money was to be used to help finance a K-9 unit for the county. The Supervisors balked, however. They decided to take the check but hold it to see if there were any problems with using the money. It was announced today that such a problem existed.
Edmondson also said the donation cannot be made to the county for a specific project. Money can be accepted and placed in the general fund. Only after that happens can the use of the money be decided. The use of this donation was already earmarked before the casino made the donation. Edmondson recommended the casino could give the money to the Riverboat Foundation and the foundation could give it to the Sheriff's Department as a grant for the project. A letter stating this will be sent to the casino representatives from the board. A grant for the K-9 unit was already denied by the foundation. |
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