Is this good or bad?
I tend to think that this is a bad precedent or is it just the Good Ole Boy network in place.
Bad
The County Surveyor there has no official duties, so technically, he doesn't have the conflict of interest that would come with reviewing and either approving or rejecting the work of one's competitors.
But he gives free advice to the Planning Commission when they ask for it, so he does have the conflict of interest of having indirect influence over whether that body approves or rejects someone else's plat.
have a say so with just enough deniability to say "But I wasn't the one making the decisions". Sounds like a perfect good 'ol boy position to promote your business or that of your buddies while making life difficult for outsiders.
That's about how it is in Texas. Dad has only the duties appointed by the commissioners and is allowed certain things under state law. He receives no salary but is the plat reviewer for county subdivision maps. We routinely provided assistance to the County on questions that may come up. I sit on a city council and receive $300/year and they get all of the help they want on subdivisions and planning etc.
We also do work for both the city and county. I sign the county work and dad signs the city work. I also have to abstain on that agenda item every time.
So far, no problems.
"Pro Bono" is the way it is here.
We have had the same county surveyor here for 20 years, he lives in the county, but has a business in a neighboring county.
I have been asked a 1000 times why I don't run for the office and to tell the truth, why would I want to have an elected title with absolutely no compensation? I probably would not make enough to pay for a newspaper ad promoting myself.
I am at the stage of my career, I do not need a trophy wall hanger. Its not that important.
In my county, there is no compensation at all, nothing nata, zero, the only thing is that you get first crack at any county work and most of the times that is crap work and you will lose money on that! I know, I do most of the county work, since our elected one does not return any phone calls. He just gets the job because no one runs against him.
I have talked to the County Judge and asked that if I could just get free copies of records, I might consider running, but that even fell on deaf ears.
PS,
I heard that I have won the last 3 elections from people writing my name in, but it did not count since I was not in the running.
Whatever floats your boat, though.
Randy
"Pro Bono"? Some people think it's fine, but you see what it got Cher. 😛
I am running unopposed as county surveyor in Fayette County (Lexington, Ky.) Although there is no pay or distinct title, it does bring in more work from the public and private sectors as well, and we all know any work now a days is gooooood.....besides that, Daniel Boone was County Surveyor in my county back in the 1700's, it's good to be on that list.....
> besides that, Daniel Boone was County Surveyor in my county back in the 1700's, it's good to be on that list.....
Well, I hope you wore a coonskin cap in your campaign photo.
🙂
but ..
wouldn't the county surveyor be assigned any court ordered surveys?
Robert
Not in Texas. Being on that list is a bit like being a public defender, damn difficult to get off of. Not that the jobs suck (even though most do) but payment is never put up through escrow (or at least all of it) and it's tough to get paid.
Dad does all county work for the county, and we bill them accordingly. They could use whoever they want though after going through the professional procurement act, but they haven't decided to do that for many years, meaning we don't bid any of the jobs.
