OUR OPINION

With the unveiling of the county's 2009 budget, it is apparent that there is a need for all of Hernando County's constitutional officers and county commissioners to work in cooperation with one another.

There is no room for balking at ways to reduce spending because it is seen as encroaching on someone's authority. The next few years will find our local government seeking ways to reduce its spending as the effects of a down economy and Amendment 1 make their impact felt.

Now is not the time to say why something can't be done. All involved need a mindset of how streamlining government to cut spending can be accomplished.

Focus must be placed on:

•Sharing of various duties that do not impact or affect the authority of organization.

•No degradation of integrity of any area that requires sensitive information to remain sensitive.

•No impingement on the ability of constitutional officers to manage their offices.

•Looking at ways to consolidate the purchasing of similar items required by them.

•Initiating meetings during the year that assess the financial position of the county and propose immediate steps for action. There is no need to wait for budget hearings.

•Reviewing of employee policies to see if uniformity of policies can save money for the taxpayers in addition to a review of benefit to see if they are in line with the private sector.

It is clear that with the decrease of available funds now and in the future, all levels of government must learn to make do with less money to run their organizations. The taxpayers of Hernando County are under the gun when it comes to their income. High energy costs, increasing food prices and the uncertainty about their jobs are just a few of the issues facing taxpayers.

The reality of the situation is that we are all in the same leaky boat. It takes cooperation to get the leak under control while still moving in a positive direction. Taxpayers will demand no less from their elected officials.