County Bosses Debate Budget Cuts

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners got their first chance to publicly debate proposed budget cuts during their Tuesday meeting.

But before they talked, County Administrator David Hamilton kicked things off by unveiling to the board the preliminary certification of the tax roll released by the property appraiser's office that shows how much less money the county will be working with as he prepares to submit a balanced budget by July 15.

Those new statistics, first published in Hernando Today a day earlier, were made part of a slide presentation.

Hamilton again reiterated his intent to keep intact the current millage rate of 5.43. That means that the millage rate, based upon the county's 2008 assessed valuation, would bring in $54.5 million, or about $7.5 million less than what it brought in last year - which was $62 million.

By state law, commissioners can increase the millage rate to the maximum allowable rate of 5.89. If that happens, the county would bring in about $59 million, or $4.5 million more. But commissioners have not indicated they plan to tamper with the rate.

Indeed, Hamilton stressed Tuesday that taxpayers, by voting for the passage of Amendment 1, sent a clear message they want less taxes, not more.

Because of that, the county has an obligation to be more creative in its spending and do more with less money, he said.

County commissioners listened for an hour to the presentation before letting loose with their own opinions, many of which haven't changed.

County Commissioner Diane Rowden reiterated her vow Tuesday to stand firm against cutting funding on THE Bus.

To even think about doing so would be wrong, she said.

Commissioner Rose Rocco said she wants the Constitutional officers to cooperate in the streamlining process.

County Commissioner Chris Kingsley again used the phrase that even he admitted he hates using: "thinking outside the box."

Kingsley told Hamilton to have a backup plan ready, especially if certain proposed budget cuts - such as THE Bus - don't pass.

County Commissioner David Russell called Hamilton's budgetary outline an "ambitious business plan" with clear goals and objectives.

Getting rid of redundant jobs encourages department efficiencies, he said.

But, he hastened to add, it is very much a "work in progress" and more tweaking will likely be done during budget crunch time.

"I believe this is a good start and that we're on the right track," Russell said.

There were a few new statistical nuggets to be mined out of Tuesday's budget presentation.

Hamilton said the county is looking for a total tax reduction of $18.5 million over the next two years.

General fund revenue is expected to decrease from $98.2 million in 2008 to $81.7 million in 2009, a 16.8 percent drop.

But for the most part, Tuesday's presentation was a rehash of options already reported last week when Hamilton presented a budgetary preview.

He proposed a general salary adjustment of 2 percent for the entire organization, including Constitutional Officer's staffers. Higher paid managers would get less.

Hamilton is recommending commissioners reconstruct the current pay grid system into one that is more manageable and provides uniformity across departments.

The current system is "confusing to everyone," he said.

He also suggests trimming $196,000 from the county's overtime budget; $96,000 from the travel budget; $85,000 from the training cost budget.

As a method of debt reduction, the county has identified 225 positions -- that account for an annual salary and benefit cost of $13.3 million - that could be eliminated over a two-year period.

Other proposals include slashing THE Bus subsidy by one-third -- or $200,000, cutting another 20 county employees and offering manager buyouts.

Hamilton on Tuesday outlined a litany of services that would have to be cut in order to reduce the gap between revenues and expenditures - Everything from decreased park hours to the elimination of the county's spay and neuter program.

Commissioners stressed they did not want to compromise public safety, especially in the event of a major hurricane.

Hamilton assured the board that public safety is one area that will be protected.

For months, the county has warned residents of a reduction in services because of the loss of revenue due to passage of Amendment 1 and the bad economy.

Environmental activist and Green Party member Jennifer Sullivan, the only audience member to speak at Tuesday's budget debate, said she is not in favor of library cuts, which was one of the areas proposed in Hamilton's plan.

"Education is the key to improve our competitive edge," Sullivan said.

Sullivan also lobbied for THE Bus, saying it will prove even more valuable as gas prices rise. Commissioners, she said, cannot let current riders "flounder around" without mass transit.

"Just because we don't fill the buses doesn't mean people aren't riding them," she said.