Politics

Commissioner: Let's tighten our belts first

Al Higginbotham suggests that he and other board members reduce their own expenses.

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published June 23, 2007

TAMPA - As local governments brace for budget cuts, Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham wants board members to cut their own expenses.

He sent a letter Friday to fellow commissioners and County Administrator Pat Bean, asking that they explore freezing automatic salary increases for commissioners, review general office operating costs and look at reducing the commissioners' monthly travel budgets and monthly auto allocations.

"If we are going to go through different departments and agencies in the county and ask them to cut, then we need to look at ourselves first, " Higginbotham said.

Just six months ago, Bean doubled the car allowance for commissioners to $600 a month. Instead of mileage reimbursements, commissioners get the annual allotment worth $7, 200.

Some commissioners have said that driving around during a normal week still leaves them in the hole. Bean said she opted for the increase because commissioners' car allowances hadn't risen in more than a decade, while gas prices went up.

Higginbotham said it may be time to reconsider that adjustment. Whether the car allowance increase should be taken back or cut further or whether more money should be given to countywide commissioners is up for discussion, he said.

Commissioner Rose Ferlita agreed that there should be a discussion. But she said the board shouldn't be too quick to take away money from office operating expenses that improve efficiency for constituents.

Higginbotham said he has already started looking for ways to cut back. Instead of using county money to rent a car for a Fourth of July parade, Higginbotham said he will pay for it.

"I had to ask, 'Do I do what I'm asking people to do, or do I take a perk?' " he said. "I passed on the perk."

Kevin Graham can be reached at 813 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com.

[Last modified June 23, 2007, 00:44:03]