Madison County commissioners give out $2 million as they please

Staff Report

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The seven members of the Madison County Commission last year passed out about $2 million in taxpayer money to schools, libraries, museums, attractions and other organizations as they saw fit.

It’s a system based on personal preference, as each commissioner chooses how to spend their own district budget. And that doesn’t sit well with at least one commissioner.

“This is a good way to hide graft and corruption,” said District 2 Commissioner Faye Dyer. “This is a good way to hide from the public what you’re doing. It’s not a good way to conduct business.”

A review by The Times of discretionary spending for the 2010-11 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 found the six commissioners and the chairman handed out a combined $1.95 million.

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