Resident tells planning commission taxpayers deserve transparency on a $2.2 million shortfall

John Jenkins, a Warren County resident, used the public‑presentation period at the Feb. 12 Warren County Planning Commission meeting to raise questions about county financial oversight, saying he is concerned about transparency after what he described as a roughly $2.2 million deficit and unexplained account transfers.

Jenkins, who gave his address as 241 Gillette Ridge Road, told commissioners that the Board of Supervisors recently appointed an oversight board for the Salem Public Library while many other nonprofit organizations and county departments that receive county funding have not had similar oversight. "That library is funded with tax dollars," Jenkins said.

Jenkins said county officials had discussed a $2 million transfer that occurred in October and that it had taken about 90 days for supervisors to discuss why it happened and where the money went. "There's currently a $2,200,000 deficit with no explanation," he said. He also said the county is working on the upcoming fiscal year budget without a completed audit of the previous year and that the lack of audited information risks further tax increases.

The planning commission chair responded that the commission does not have taxing authority and cannot address county budget questions directly, and suggested Jenkins raise the matter with the Board of Supervisors. Jenkins acknowledged he understood, and the comment was recorded in the meeting minutes as public comment.

The commission did not take formal action on Jenkins' remarks; they were entered into the public record during the meeting's public‑presentation period.