Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jul 2004
Source: Courier, The (TX)
Copyright: 2004 The Courier
Contact:  http://www.thecourier-online.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3366
Author: Erika E. Durham

NEW FUNDING QUESTIONS IN CONROE'S WAR ON DRUGS

The source that promised Conroe taxpayers they wouldn't be funding the
war on drugs may not be so surefire after all.

The city's contract with Omnibase, the private company that collects
traffic fines, will not guarantee the city will receive enough money
to fund the $300,000-per-year program, Municipal Court Judge James
Cates told the Conroe City Council last week.

Cates, along with Municipal Court Clerk Rhonda Scarborough, presented
the details of the program Thursday to the council and Mayor Tommy
Metcalf, who announced the drug eradication initiative in June.

Metcalf told the council in June that the contract promised to net the
city $65,000 a month for the next four years.

But Cates said Thursday he could not be sure that would happen.

"I wish I could tell you it's going to be that much money, but I can't,"
Cates said.

"People who come to settle tickets can be granted community service or
serve time. That's the reason I can't say it's going to be X amount of
dollars."

Cates' revelation only heightens the concerns of Conroe City
Councilman Pat George, who questioned the funding of the program from
the beginning.

"It's hard to be against a program that eradicates drugs," George
said. "It's like being against mamas, babies and apple pie.

"But I'd just want to see the money before we spend it."

The council approved the funding of the drug program, set to launch
Aug. 1, in early June when George was not present.

Metcalf said Cates' comments don't make him uncomfortable at
all.

"We are going to have more than enough money to fund the drug
program," he said.

But if it is does not come through, which Metcalf believes it will, he
said he would still be dedicated enough to the program that he would
consider funding it out of the operating budget.

Conroe City Councilman Webb Melder said he is sure the money for the
program will be present. "We are not talking about a company that just
started. Omnibase has a track record of success. We have to have faith
in an established program."

Melder also said it speaks volumes that the program is being used in
43 of the 50 states.

"I think the council is concerned that we are planning on an income
stream that is nonexistent right now," said Mayor Pro-Tem Jay Ross
Martin, who also admitted he had some concerns.

"Because of this I think we should find a way to include it in the
budget as a backup."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin