When all nine Hamilton County commissioners were running for election or re-election last year, most advocated either getting rid of or limiting in various ways the $100,000 in discretionary funds they receive each year.
And then when Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger moved the discretionary account to a bond fund last year, which did limit how the money could be spent, most commissioners felt that was OK.
Now, though, there is dissension in the ranks.
Bond funds, according to state law, can only be spent on public property and on capital items that will last longer than 15 years. Those items might include such things as school playground equipment, band instruments, heavy machinery or construction projects.
The funds can't go to, for example, uniforms or specialty teachers.
The change has put a crimp in spending, so some commissioners want the funds to be truly discretionary again.
Good arguments exist on both sides. The bond fund restrictions assure the money will be spent on something that will benefit the general public and will be lasting. They also eliminate the possibility of election-year vote-buying with amassed funds for pet projects.
On the other hand, they forbid some legitimate public and school expenditures and force interest to be paid on discretionary purchases.
Coppinger has not committed to having the money in one place or the other in the 2016 budget. If he does move it back into the county's general fund, though, commissioners should set some rules on how and when the funds can be spent to eliminate any hint of impropriety.