Russell: County More Focused On Budget

BROOKSVILLE - County Administrator David Hamilton is expected this week to release his list of budget priorities.

Hamilton refers to them as his "Ten Drivers," and he expects each department to adhere to them as the county moves toward a leaner and meaner budget.

County Commissioner David Russell said he cannot wait to see them. And knowing Hamilton's skill in budget crafting, Russell said he is confident his administrator will act on them.

There really is no other choice, he said.

The county is looking at a $15.9 million gap between revenues and anticipated expenses in 2009. The loss of ad valorem revenue is projected to be $6.1 million.

"Government will contract and expand to fit the dollars allotted," Russell said. "And this one certainly is going to have to go through some contractions."

Last year was one of the most tumultuous budget years in recent memory. Residents packed two public hearings to voice their concerns over what they perceived as bloated spending.

Russell admits that the county could have done better last year. He is expecting a "much more regimented process and structure" to the budget process.

"We're much more focused this year (and) more on target, I believe, than we were last year in terms of priorities and I just think we have a better handle overall."

Hamilton, county commissioners and the budget staffers already have one key "driver" on their economic dashboard.

The property appraiser's office last week unveiled its good faith estimates showing that the county's assessed valuation dropped 13 percent in 2008, to $9.94 billion.

The decline from one year ago, when values were at $11.4 billion, is attributed to the drastic decline in the real estate market and the aftereffects of Amendment 1, according to Nick Nikkinen, director of special projects with the property appraiser's office.

Russell said the 13-percent drop is in line with projections. Actually he expected closer to 15-18 percent.

Budget Director George Zoettlein said last year's budget process was more chaotic than usual because the county was in the first year of putting together its first-ever biennial budget.

"It was something new to all of us," Zoettlein said.

This year, the departments have already submitted their budgets and it's only a matter of balancing them with new revenue projections, including the impact of Amendment 1 and the Senior Citizens' Homestead Exemption program.

Meanwhile, Zoettlein is gearing up for the next two key dates in the budget process.

July 1 is when he receives the certified property values, which will include final statistics on new construction.

Zoettlein will then present his proposed budget to county commissioners on July 15.