Jim Vaughn vs. the Budget

So, the underfunded school system budget passed last night at the Budget Committee.  It will be voted on by the full Commission on Monday, September 17th.

One Commissioner, Jim Vaughn, sent out a facebook post and contact NewsChannel5 about what he called the "truth" about the budget.

He claims the Board "found" money after schools were closed on August 2nd.  Then says this "finding" was hidden from the public.  He asserts that this is but one example of the Board's lack of transparency. 

There's only one problem.  The Board DID disclose the money.  At the initial budget presentation, the Board offered an estimate.  By the August 21st Board meeting (school was already BACK in session by then), the Board was including the very likely to occur revenue in its budget projections as a means of bridging the gap between the Board proposal and the County Commission's funding offer.  So, these dollars were known about and publicly available on August 21st.  Jim Vaughn said nothing then.  Not until last night did he complain about this.  And his complaint further suggests that these funds represent "new" money, when he knows (or should know) this is not true. 

It's worth noting that this is the same Jim Vaughn who argues that shifting money from one pot to another is the same as a budget increase -- yes, he was behind the accounting gimmick that "gave" the School Board money that was already earmarked for School Board projects -- thus, defunding those projects -- and then turned around and called that a funding increase. 

Jim Vaughn is taking on the facts of the budget.  But, the budget is winning.