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County budget is ready for a final fine-tuning
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer BROOKSVILLE -- County budget planners had just a few outstanding issues remaining Tuesday as they prepared the final touches of their spending proposal for fiscal 2002-03. The $199-million budget is balanced and the tax rates are set, director George Zoettlein said. But commissioners still must iron out a few items before final approval, he said. During a public hearing at 5 p.m. Thursday, some board members intend to discuss spending another $30,000 for an additional mosquito control technician and $43,000 for a consultant to help develop a performance-based budgeting system. They also might talk about deleting $18,000 for employee character training, and possibly $250,000 for ongoing installation of a new phone system that has caused several problems. "I want to be open to all the issues," Commissioner Betty Whitehouse said. "It's important that we have the discussions." The item most likely to win quick approval is the mosquito control job. Commissioners agreed to spend $60,000 for added pesticide spraying last month because of West Nile virus concerns, and they indicated the extra worker fit into that response effort. "Obviously, the mosquito issue is something of a public concern," commission Chairwoman Nancy Robinson said. "West Nile virus is a major concern." Whitehouse said she, too, would push the issue because of the public health implications. The performance-based budgeting proposal faces tougher scrutiny. Commissioners rejected the expense about six months ago, and no one brought it up during budget workshops in July. But the idea resurfaced when Commissioner Diane Rowden suggested that county taxes would be better spent on creating a more efficient budget than on employee character training. "It's worth the cost," Rowden said. "By doing that we're doing what we've been talking about, long-range planning." Commissioner Mary Aiken agreed. Aiken said she had no use for character training programs, and figured if money was available, a new system to get "more bang for the buck" would benefit the county. Whitehouse said she was willing to listen, although her tendency was not to spend the money when the budget is so tight. She did not want to remove the money set aside for character training or other employee education, though, before hearing a more thorough conversation by the board and staff. Robinson balked at the idea. "It's a little late in the day to start bringing things up at this point," she said. "The West Nile virus is a different thing. That's an issue of today." Questions about spending money on the phone system emerged because of several complaints that the system regularly hangs up on callers and confuses users, who often cannot transfer calls. On occasion, it has stopped working completely. Information technology director Garry Allen "has got some questions to answer here," Rowden said. Robinson suggested a technology report is in order, so the commission can make the right decision. Perhaps the county needs to work out kinks with the contractor, she said, or maybe more drastic steps are needed. Also in the mix will be whatever issues residents bring to the meeting. "The public hearings are open," Robinson said. "I certainly would be happy to hear from the public." Either during the hearing or later, Whitehouse said, the commission also should talk about whether the county should continue financially support private nonprofit organizations. The commission had cut such funding from next year's budget, but returned it amid complaints that the loss could shutter their activities. Some residents have complained about having their taxes support agencies they do not support, Whitehouse said. -- Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Hernando County government and can be reached at 754-6115. Send e-mail to solochek@sptimes.com.
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From today's Hernando Times Editorial Letters |
