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Hernando Today

Tough Decisions Ahead For BOCC

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2009

While we congratulate the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for taking what appears to be a positive step forward by establishing two standing committees to be headed by Commissioner Rocco (Budget) and Commissioner Druzbick (Economic Development), we hope these efforts produce better decisions.

In the past the BOCC has formed some committees, the committees did their work and the BOCC disregarded everything they recommended. Committees have come and gone and so have their recommendations.

We are optimistic this board will at least review and comprehend any recommendations before making any decisions.

There is no doubt the most important issue facing the county is declining revenues and how to deal with the issue. There are certainly areas of government that could and should be trimmed, and if the Budget Committee is to be believed, it should start there. Cut spending! Cut spending!

We were told we do not have any money, but recently tens of thousands of dollars were "found" in the budget to pave some lime-rock roads. This is the kind of slight of hand that must stop.

On the economic development issue, we have an Economic Improvement Plan that the BOCC approved less than three years ago. The plan was the result of more than two years of input from all segments of our community.

The Office of Business Development was given the responsibility to carry out the plan. As far as we can tell, that is beginning to be done. However, it needs to be followed through before we invent any new plans. Don't fix something that is not broken; give it the support it needs to be successful. We will be watching to see how the appointment of the private sector people will be addressed, as that will tell us how serious this BOCC is in its efforts.

There are no magic bullets that can solve these problems. New ideas and innovation can help, but the BOCC needs to proceed with caution and restraint and be able to make some tough decisions.

That's what the commissioners on the BOCC have been elected to do. We wish them well and have confidence they have the capacity and the incentive to do it.

Hernando County's future depends on it!

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