Budget disagreements often come in the summer, and Red Bank boiled Tuesday evening.
Against the backdrop of city employee raises and a "one-time" use of $172,724 from the city's emergency fund to balance Red Bank's budget without a property tax increase, the Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to remove $8,074 to pay for an employee responsible for regular senior activities at the Red Bank Community Center.
The cut represents one-tenth of 1 percent of the proposed $5.1 million balanced budget.
"I know your dad," Red Bank resident Sharon Lowe said to all members of the commission. "And I don't think he'd appreciate you voting against the seniors. I feel you have."
Hard feelings started with Red Bank senior Norman Lowe, who thanked Mayor Joe Glasscock and Commissioner Ruth Jeno for "their hard work," notably ignoring all three commissioners who eventually voted against senior funding Tuesday night -- Vice Mayor Monty Millard, Commissioner Greg Jones and Commissioner Floy Pierce.
About 10 other residents spoke before the city's lawmakers approved the budget, and the removal was met with derisive whispering at Commissioner Pierce's proclaimed "love" for the elderly.
"Remember why you're here," said Red Bank resident Pam Stone, who was met with applause. "The citizens of this city have paid taxes their many, many, many years. It's important. Fund it."
VOTE ON FUNDING EMPLOYEENote: A "yes" vote is a vote against filling the position.Mayor Joe Glasscock -- NoVice Mayor Monty Millard -- YesCommissioner Ruth Jeno -- NoCommissioner Greg Jones -- YesCommissioner Floy Pierce -- Yes
When it appeared that removing the funds had the support of three commissioners, the meeting spiraled into political infighting. At one point, Ms. Jeno pointed toward Commissioners Jones and Pierce, called the issue a "personality conflict" and said voters should consider that both are up for re-election this August.
"I think it's telling Hamilton County, 'we've got great ballfields, wonderful parks,'" said Ms. Jeno, who said she's spent her own money to keep senior functions at the Community Center. "But you know what? We don't care anything about the seniors."
Mrs. Pierce repeated her longstanding opinion that a separate senior center, funded privately in a building across from the Dayton Boulevard Wendy's, would have been "ignored" if the $8,074 had been approved.
Right before the vote, Mr. Glasscock referenced the $58,000 in city employee raises that may have steered commissioners against spending "this little bit of money for seniors."
"That kind of spending will put us in some tax increase trouble," Mr. Glasscock said. "Not $8,074."
Ms. Jeno made it clear that the cut would not stop volunteers from continuing programs at the Community Center senior events, which have attracted as many as 51 people at a time, records show.
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