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. ...more

July 17, 2008

Pasco County leaders will spend less, and homeowners will save an estimated $115 each in the 2008-09 fiscal year, thanks to statewide property tax reform and a struggling economy. For the first time in three years, Pasco County's proposed budget has dipped below $1 billion, although it remains close at $980 million. That represents a 19 percent decrease from the current fiscal year total of $1.2 billion, County Administrator John Gallagher said today. Pasco County commissioners got their first look at the fiscal 2008-09 budget at a special meeting in New Port Richey. The budget includes higher fees for parks, planning, zoning and development services and about $3.8 million more to compensate for higher fuel costs. The plan also has 44 fewer full-time positions than this fiscal year, although some new jobs are being added. ...more

July 15, 2008

Convincing county constitutional officers to relinquish some independence could be a tough sell for County Administrator David Hamilton. ...more

July 3, 2008

SHERIFF MOST VOCAL OPPONENT TO CUTS ...more

July 2, 2008

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

July 2, 2008

Pinellas County Clerk of Court Ken Burke, Tax Collector Diane Nelson and County Commissioner Ken Welch faced no challengers as Friday's deadline passed at noon in the weeklong candidate qualifying period. ...more

June 21, 2008

CLEARWATER -- Pinellas County Clerk of Court Ken Burke, Tax Collector Diane Nelson and County Commissioner Ken Welch faced no challengers as today's deadline passed at noon in the weeklong candidate qualifying period. ...more

June 20, 2008

The fallout from Amendment 1 and a faltering economy could force the county to cut the number of government departments from about 25 to 12, County Administrator Hamilton said Thursday. ...more

June 6, 2008

MANAGERS WOULD TAKE ON MORE JOB DUTIES ...more

June 5, 2008

If Hernando County commissioners are sincerely interested in saving taxpayers money and right-sizing county government in these lean economic times, they should start by reducing the size and budget of the county attorney's office. ...more

June 5, 2008