FORT SCOTT — After Bourbon County barred personal use of its property, Commissioner David Beerbower read a statement arguing that informal perks lead to perceived favoritism and resentment, and that paying taxes doesn’t make anyone an owner of county equipment.

Beerbower said on Nov. 2 that using county property as a perk can boost morale when applied fairly, but that such benefits “lack legal protection and lead to perceived favoritism and resentment.” He said, “When I was first seated, I was told about the golden six that got all the advantages because of their connection to supervision.” He did not say who they were.

He said taxpayers are stakeholders whose opinions matter, but that paying taxes does not give anyone an ownership share of a county vehicle or road grader, or authority over personnel decisions and salaries. Those duties are delegated to elected commissioners, he said, and voters hold them accountable at the ballot box.

“No single taxpayer pays anyone’s salary. Rather, all taxpayers collectively fund the services they expect government to provide,” he said.

Read the full story on the Nov. 2 meeting.