Paul Sylvain

“We’re just staying afloat, and I mean just barely.”

 Those words, spoken by Washington County Commissioner Billy Howard at an Aug. 21 public hearing, sum up the current state of the county’s government finances. And the situation could get worse — a lot worse — if a $11 million bond referendum being sought by the county fails in the Nov. 4 election. Among other things, the county will be unable to repay its $7.6 million tax anticipation note that comes due in full on Dec. 31.