Column

Time to take the reins, lead county's leaders

By JEFF WEBB
Published July 1, 2007

At a meeting last week, county Administrator Gary Kuhl presented an overview of what he knows, and still does not know, about how the Florida Legislature's property tax reform law will affect the revenue picture here. He laid out a timetable for when he and his staff would present information to the board, and he cautioned commissioners that difficult debate awaits them as they begin crunching numbers this Tuesday and continue through the end of July.

Toward the end of his cautionary homily, Commissioner Chris Kingsley spoke up and said, "We're the policy makers and you are the administrator, " adding that he did not want to be put in the position of micromanaging Kuhl's staff or his budget.

Kuhl assured Kingsley he understood the distinction between their legislative and managerial roles.

For the sake of every Hernando County resident, let's hope Kuhl and the commissioners fully comprehend that difference, and that they are disciplined enough keep their eyes on the long-term effects of the decisions they must make in a short amount of time.

Commissioners have been meeting individually with Kuhl and budget director George Zoettlien, gathering information and offering opinions about where cuts can be made to make up for the anticipated $9- to $12-million loss in general fund revenue. From what I hear, those suggestions are as diverse as they are substantial. Employee layoffs, social programs, public transportation, parks and libraries are all on the chopping block, as well as extending the freeze on hiring, repaving residential roads and renovating government offices. Not even the Sheriff's Office appears to be immune from the budget ax some commissioners are waving around.

The only sacred cow appears to be the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District, which can do whatever it wants because a majority of this county's commissioners don't have the brass or brains to stand up to them.

With so many ideas floating around about how to save money, it is more important than ever - make that critical - that Kuhl take the lead. He has a well-earned reputation as an even-keeled taskmaster who uses tact and flexibility to build consensus for his ideas. He is very good at finding ways to keep most people happy and still accomplish his goals.

That management approach has its merits, but right now this county needs more: We need Kuhl to survey the situation, reach justifiable conclusions and aggressively advocate his position to the board. Defend what needs to stay and jettison what can go, whether it is people, programs or property.

This is Kuhl's best opportunity yet to leave a lasting imprint on how this county will operate for years to come. He should seize it without hesitation; it is his time to show courage and independence in the face of adversity. His recommendations should be based on what is best for the long-term economic health of the county government, not on what he thinks three of the five commissioners will support.

Offer your most reasoned and sincere advice, Mr. Kuhl, and even when some commissioners disagree, don't back down. Stick to your guns and force them to respect your resolve as they make their policy decisions.

Let's see which commissioners have enough confidence in their administrator to heed his counsel. Let's see which ones have compelling reasons for overriding his advice. Let's see which ones are more worried about securing votes than they are about the county's financial future. Let's see which ones will gore someone else's ox to save their own.

Now is as good a time as any for Kuhl to find out if the commission has the collective will, and he the mettle and commitment to Hernando County, to speak their minds and make decisions that are prudent, not parochial.

Keep an eye on Tuesday's budget discussion cable TV Channel 19 on Bright House Networks to see if it is candid or contrived. If nothing else, when the ax inevitably falls and residents begin to appreciate the reality of this circumstance, you will know if it was preceded by honest debate, or just timid drivel from a bunch of buttocks-guarding bureaucrats and politicians.

Jeff Webb can be reached at webb@sptimes.com or (352) 754-6123.

[Last modified June 30, 2007, 20:58:20]