Pay to play, or pay to... pay?

Our deck needs to be replaced. Although it's still usable, some of the wood is rotting, several boards stick out and it has become an eyesore. But we don't have the money to fix it right now. We could get a loan, but the responsible thing to do is wait and save for this needed, but not urgently necessary, repair.

If you've driven around Alachua County, you know that we have some roads to be fixed around here. In a few years we'll actually have the money to pay for some of the work, because in 2007 the county levied a five-cent gas tax. (By the way, most people traveling through Gainesville marvel at how much gas is here, and this is one reason why.)

But apparently that is not enough. Because despite these responsible plans to fund our roads - waiting until we actually have money before spending it - our county commission is thinking about borrowing the money instead. (Money that, I remind you, will probably be banked in a few years anyway.) And not just enough money for the first project slated - they're talking about loans to cover a handful of other road projects as well.

The plan, they say, is to pay back this large loan fairly quickly - with the money from the tax. Yes, the same tax created to raise money in the first place. The money for the work that will be done with the loan instead. Even more absurdly, Commissioner Mike Byerly expressed possible support for an additional half-cent sales tax in case the existing tax isn't enough to pay off the loan.

To quote Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler... REALLY?

I hate potholes as much as the next person, but the commissioners should take a cue from what the rest of us have to deal with in this economy - if it's not in the budget, we can't have it.