Sometimes we allow our personal feelings to overwhelm our better judgment. This is happening now between the Martin County and the City of Stuart Commissions over TIF money belonging to Stuart which was wrongly paid to the county. It was a clerical error made by the County Appraiser, and when discovered, it was immediately brought to the attention of both entities. For brevity, I have simplified the matter but the net result is that the county owes the city money.

If the IRS gave you a refund to which you weren’t entitled, they would expect you to return the money when the error was discovered. It’s no different here. There are minor points of law as to interest amounts and whether the statute of limitation is three or four years, but this issue can surely be settled without litigation.

However, it appears that the commissioners’ egos may be getting in the way of a just settlement. From my understanding, the county is taking a hard line. This will cause the city to do the same and could end up costing the taxpayers, whose money it actually is, unneeded and unnecessary legal bills. If this isn’t the height of stupidity, I don’t know what is.

It seems Commissioner Fielding, whose district comprises most of the city, should be taking a leadership role in settling this “TIF” amicably and fairly. Commissioners are only important because the people bestow that importance at the voting booth. While I generally support the views and actions of the majority of both commissions, I think changes may be necessary if this escalates further. Spending taxpayer money to keep taxpayer money in one pocket or the other is idiotic … not frugal or wise.  Both governmental entities should work together in the interest of the people they serve.