Russell: No Raises For Managers

County Commissioner David Russell said he will recommend Tuesday that top level administrators and department managers forego salary increases this year to help government deal with a leaner budget.

Further, Russell said he will advocate 2-percent raises for government employees at a certain pay threshold, perhaps $35,000 annually. Other raises could be negotiated depending on pay level.

On his part, Russell said he plans to give his state-imposed salary raise this year back to the county.

By law, county commissioners must accept their raises, the amount of which should be known next month. Russell said he would write a check to the beleaguered animal services department.

County commissioners have cleared the entire afternoon of their business meeting Tuesday to discuss the proposed 2009 budget.

Earlier this week, Budget Director George Zoettlein presented the 500-plus page document to commissioners, who will come to Tuesday's meeting with "talking points."

One of those points is expected to be THE Bus funding.

Russell said he would like to do away with THE Bus entirely but doesn't believe he has the votes. Instead, he will go with county administration's recommendation to lop off $200,000 from THE Bus subsidy.

"It's a start," he said.

To save money, commissioners last week voted to close the doors of Animal Services on Saturdays.

But there is another recommendation on the table to drastically cut back the county's spay and neuter program.

Commissioner Jeff Stabins said he believes that would lead to more costly taxpayer-funded euthanizations.

"We could be kind of biting ourselves in the foot by reducing that program and having to spend more money down the road by euthanizing animals," Stabins said.

Stabins said he believes money could be transferred out of the code enforcement budget to support animal services.

And speaking of code enforcement, he wants to see those department workers act "a little more lean and a little less mean."

Stabins said he is hearing too many stories from his constituents about how code enforcement agents are busting people for minor violations, such as watering their lawns a little past the restricted hours of operation.

"They should go after the most egregious violators," Stabins said.

The county commission meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

The budget discussion is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Public comment will be accepted.