GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A coalition of citizen watchdogs are demanding that the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce explain how it is spending taxpayer money.
During a Thursday news conference, the watchdogs questioned if public money is being used to push the TSPOST, calling it an issue of transparency and a possible conflict of interest.
They raised concerns about the County and the Gwinnett County school district giving big bucks to the Chamber of Commerce.
Unfortunately, none of those entities would talk to us face to face Thursday.
"One dollar is the same as another," said Sabrina Smith, a member of the coalition.
She said she wants to know when all the money ends up in the same pot, is public money being used to advocate for tax initiatives.
Gwinnett County gives a half a million dollars annually through the Chamber's Partnership Gwinnett program.
"What are they doing with the tax dollars and how do they represent the best interest of the taxpayers and the best interest of their members at the same time if there is a conflict," Smith said.
Members of this coalition openly oppose the upcoming transportation tax referendum.
The Chamber openly supports it.
Spokesperson Traci Storm emailed us the following statement saying, "Some member companies have contributed funding specifically for the Chamber's public policy/advocacy efforts."
Storm did not elaborate on the efforts to keep the public funding separate.
"Tax dollars are being given to non-profits and quasi-governmental agencies and they're using our tax dollars to lobby against us," said coalition member James Bell.
Those who want to see the tax referendum pass could easily argue the opposite.
Either way, the coalition wants more transparency. They set up a website with an online petition asking elected officials demand the same.
Late Thursday afternoon, Kavanaugh received an emailed statement from Gwinnett County Board chairman Charlotte Nash.
Nash said in part: "County staff and I have been working with staff at the Chamber of Commerce to develop a new structure for the county's participation in partnership with Gwinnett through a separate non-profit organization."
The coalition also questioned the Gwinnett County school district spending $150,000 a year to fund two positions at the Chamber of Commerce.
The school district emailed us saying the investment pays off and in return, they have received $6 million which goes directly into classrooms.