Public Hearing on the Budget

Well, the Public Hearing on the budget was held this morning with four people having applied to speak. Commissioner Roger Reedy and Mr Robert Roe spoke of the need to restore funding to New Canaan Ranch, the only place were transients can get a meal and a place to stay over night. Ms. Joyce Woodard spoke of the Tourism  Office and its contributions to the county. Funding since there forced move from the Courthouse hasn't even met the rental requirements.Her appeal was to use some of the Motel/Hotel tax, as other counties do, to fund the Tourism Department. This certainly makes sense, since travelers are what makes up the bulk of the motel/hotel tax revenues. I also spoke asking the following questions: 1) This budget starts off with a $664,050.00 deficit, how will that money be made up and at this rate how long before the Hospital money is completely depleted. 2) Several programs have been funded that no commissioner that i have spoken with even knows what the money is used for. Why aren't those requesting money required to appear before the committee and explain what the money is specifically for instead of just sending a paper with an amount on it? 3) Why are there increases in personnel salaries at the Highway Department when times are so lean? 4) The school system is losing almost two full years due to absenteeism of teachers which cost $316,000.00 for substitutes. What is being done to cut this high rate of absenteeism? 5) The school system has $1,136,599.00 for contracted services, is this the new OTHER line item? 6) Why is the Property Assessor giving $1000.00 in bonuses when funds are so short? 7) $143,099.00 for courtroom security. Why aren't those officers out on patrol during those days when no court is in session? 8)Public Safety/Emergency Management has $429,000 for salary supplement, $21,000 for overtime, over $32,000 for other salaries and $20,000,00 for other charges, then there is a separate line item for $100,000.00 for Other Public Safety. What is this and why ? 9) Sanitation Management $67,000.00. Why isn't this item in with Waste Management? 10) What is the line item "Other Social, Cultural and Recreational funded at $32,000? 11) Industrial Development $66,650.00 for a county with a declining population and shrinking job base why is this being funded with so much? Especially when you consider some of the things this money is paying for such as; A) $170.00 a month to feed the Economic Board and others who could afford to pay for their own meals? B) $1,095 for membership at Hillcrest Country Club. C) $4,000.00 in an extra contribution to Lincoln Financial D) $1,000.00 for a Songwriters event where the director took personal credit and recognition E) $900.00 a month for health insurance through a family agency F) $151.00 a month for a cell phone, I have four phones with unlimited services and don't pay near that much G)$130.00 a month for phone, internet and HD cable Tv H) Why is he making contributions to charities with tax money Three minutes were allotted to each person with only one person using their full time. No extensions were allowed. About five Commissioners were present that were not on the budget Committee. No questions were responded to and the meeting was adjourned eleven minutes and 38 seconds after it was called to order. I do greatly appreciate Commissioners Campbell and Flacy for staying after the meeting and allowing me to present in more detail the questions I had raised. They asked questions and made commitments to find answers and an excellent discussion was held.