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Hernando Today

Burmann Passionate About Beliefs

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: August 10, 2008

Michael Burmann says he's been growing steadily more disillusioned with the direction Hernando County government has been heading.

But it all came to a head last summer, he said, when commissioners voted an across-the-board 3 percent raise to all government employees despite knowing the county was heading into an economic tailspin.

"(That) was the last straw," Burmann said. "That really set me off."

Burmann, 48, said the first thing he will do as county commissioner for District 1 is reestablish the bonds of trust that he believes have been broken between the people and their elected leaders. Commissioners have forgotten they are servants of the people, he said.

"The citizens of this county have a total distrust of their county government," Burmann said.

Department managers, he said, believe all they have to do now is "roll out of bed and show up" to work.

To fix the problem, he said commissioners must set a higher example and set higher priorities for all employees. He wants to see commissioners give $500 of their salary to an employee of the month that has gone above and beyond and come up with a workable cost-saving idea.

Burmann proposes getting rid of the property tax and going to a sales tax. By doing that, the county could probably eliminate half the property appraiser's staff and save money, he said.

Burmann is a home inspector for the state's "My Safe Florida Home" program, which works with local governments and offers free wind inspections to low-income homeowners to strengthen their homes against hurricanes.

The 23-year resident of Hernando County says THE Bus is not an efficient way to provide the mass transit needs of residents. He would rather set up a transport system manned by volunteers in the community.

Burmann said the legal office needs to be audited to see if there are any efficiencies to be gained.

Instead of hiring consultants to get their expert opinion on projects, Burmann said the county could save taxpayers money by using the expertise of retired executives and experts in the community.

Burmann said he is passionate in his beliefs and will not compromise his viewpoints as a county commissioner.

Getting people back to work is a top priority, he said.

The people are crying for tax reform and their elected representatives are not doing anything to provide that relief, says Burmann, who is also an ordained deacon at Northcliffe Baptist Church in Spring Hill.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

Michael Burmann

Age: 48.

Married

Education: High School graduate; one year at Northern Illinois University.

Religion: Baptist.

Hobbies: golf, fishing, softball.

Last book read: "Constitution In Exile," by Andrew Napolitano.

Most Admired: Ronald Reagan.

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