The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Earle Bower

Joseph Coletti's guest column ("ACC project typifies budget flab," Aug. 21) [not posted] was precisely on target. He uses the Atlantic Coast Conference Hall of Champions to make a point about the waste in our state budget.

I would go even further. I would bet that if municipal budgets were run with real responsibility, we could increase services while we cut taxes.

As an example, let's take the ACC project. Did you notice that the cost is exactly $23 million. Not $22,638,396.47.

Instead of a $23 million facility, why can't Greensboro approach this project with the intent to generate the most building for the least cost, then wring every bit of waste, fat and pork out of the project?

Case in point: The $2 million approved is going to be used for planning. Sounds like a lot of planning to me.

Let's assume we go to a top-notch architectural firm and they assign architects who earn more than $200,000 per year, or $100 per hour. The firm marks up its time by 150 percent to cover overhead, benefits, profit, etc. We are billed for $250 per hour.

At that rate, the $2 million will pay for 8,000 hours of design time. That's 3.8 man-years of design. If four designers worked full time on this project starting Jan. 1, they wouldn't finish until mid-October.

Does this project really require that much design? Could some of the $2 million be used for something else?

Come on, Greensboro, the ACC Hall is a good idea; let's bring it in for $6,487,279.23 and use the otherwise wasted monies for something even more productive.

The writer lives in Greensboro.