Citizens air budget concerns

Will county commissioners reduce their salaries 5 percent? Will property values go down each year with the decline in the economy? Why is the county paying $50,000 a year for the Little Rock Cannery?

These are some of the questions posed by residents during the four community budget workshops held so far.

Last year, County Administrator David Hamilton launched these workshops - held in various locations in the county - to hear what was on people's minds regarding the budget.

Attendance so far has been about the same as last year, Community Relations Coordinator Brenda Frazier said.

The lowest-attended workshop was at Istachatta on June 10 when only 10 people showed.

In Ridge Manor, about 30 people attended. Kennedy Park in Brooksville attracted about 30, and the VFW in Spring Hill had 45.

County Commissioner Rose Rocco said the low attendance is disappointing and believes the crowds would be larger if all the workshops were held in the evening and perhaps at better locations.

"I would have expected larger crowds just for the information and the questions," Rocco said.

Residents at the Spring Hill workshop let Hamilton know that Health and Human Services Director Jean Rags' 5 percent salary increase was badly timed.

Rags, whose base salary is now $77,357, submitted a revised job description of her additional duties as part of Hamilton's leadership team.

The continued operation of the money-losing bus was also a big concern by people in several of the workshops. Participants either want it scrapped or expanded.

Residents of Masaryktown complained they pay high taxes but don't get the same level of services as other areas of the county. They also wanted to know why the bus doesn't stop in their area.

Residents complained about the perceived wasteful spending by county commissioners.

"When money was coming into the county, the government spent it too freely and didn't put it back for a rainy day," one person said. "Taxpayers can't keep giving you more money to spend."

People in Brooksville said the county should cut the number of attorneys to save money. With the recent resignation of Kent Weissinger, the number of county attorneys is now down to four.

South Brooksville residents said they have not seen any of their tax dollars at work in their community.

Hamilton said he would schedule a meeting in August to address areas of concern specific to that area.

Others pressed for salary reductions for county employees and county commissioners.

"County services and facilities are extravagant," one person told Hamilton and staff members. "Greed is what got us in this situation. Live within your means. Just do the basics."

Here is the schedule of the final three community workshops:

•Monday, June 29

6:30 p.m.

Knights of Columbus Hall

13485 Spring Hill Drive

Spring Hill

•Tuesday, June 30

2 p.m.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Building

Shoal Line Blvd.

Hernando Beach

•Wednesday, July 1*

6:30 p.m.

John Law Ayers Room - Room 160

Hernando County Government Center

20 N. Main St.

Brooksville

*This meeting will be Web-streamed and broadcast live on Channel 622. Citizens may call in or e-mail questions that will be answered during the program.