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The $973 credenza that County Manager Jim Varner recently ordered from a local furniture store was not only bad timing, it is just one of a series of unacceptable missteps.
He should resign.
The commissioners voted 5-2 Monday night to make him return the credenza.
Just when county residents were reeling from the announcement of a possible 12-cent tax hike, Varner ordered the credenza for his office. It’s incredible that Varner would order this expensive piece of furniture when he has been telling everyone what a troublesome budget year this would be. “We’re maxed out,” he said at a recent commissioners meeting. “This budget has been the most difficult budget financially I’ve ever had to present.”
Apparently it’s not difficult enough to forego new furniture for his office.
This purchase smacks of the authorization last year by Varner of the $4,600 upfitting of a district court judge’s office. The local chief district court judge was so outraged he ordered the furniture removed.
There have been other problems.
County administration, under his direction, made it difficult to get public information. For example, when it was learned that Varner apparently gave large non-budgeted raises to a handful of county employees, the county refused to release details about these raises, using loopholes in the Public Records Law.
Varner also appointed the county attorney to be a gatekeeper of county information, which is a violation of the Public Records Law.
Another point of contention is that Varner lives in Brunswick County. We believe county residents want a county manager who lives in Columbus County and personally understands the challenges we face. In Brunswick County, the credenza like the one he ordered could be paid for without batting an eye, but that isn’t the case in Columbus County.
On finances, Varner shockingly told the county commissioners last year that he didn’t know the financial condition of the county and was having trouble putting the budget together.
To top it off, his pet dog has been a regular day-long visitor in his office. How many other county employees have that privilege, and is that professional?
What Columbus County needs in a manager is someone who is open and forthright with information and public records, who is fiscally responsible, who treats county residents and employees with respect, and someone who conducts and presents himself in a professional manner.
The latest incident only underscores the question that has been begging for some time – don’t we deserve better?
County commissioners, do you believe we can do better?