Reduce Govt Overhead, Not Essential Services: BOC, Constitutional Officers and particularly the Sheriff
June 14, 2011
Editor’s note: This post was sent as an email to the County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers by Dale Gregory on June 13, 2011.
PALM BEACH TAB PROPOSALS:
I support in concept the proposals of the Palm Beach TAB advocated at the June 13, 2011 Budget Workshop.
REDUCE GOVERNMENT OVERHEAD, NOT ESSENTIAL SERVICES
I am appalled at the County Administrator’s appeal to emotion by proposing to increase Palm Tran rates, reduce life guards, and the like. I pray that you will vote “NO” on any increase in taxes or reduction in essential services! This applies to the Sheriff’s response that he is going to reduce essential staff if the BOC doesn’t approve his budget demands.
In 2010 Martin County implemented a one day per month furlough (unpaid day off) as a means to balance their budget. The County has also reduced staff levels. Has Palm Beach County used this as a tool to balance the budget?
I have volunteered on a number of initiatives in Palm Beach County and learned early on: If the County Administrator doesn’t take a personal interest, forget the initiative no matter how much it may benefit the community.
If the County Administrator could effectively collaborate with the Constitutional Officers we could dramatically improve the efficiency of government operations. Examples include sharing information technology, telecommunication services, purchasing, human resource administration, real estate planning, logistics, and other back office functions.
There are similar collaboration and shared services opportunities between the County, Palm Beach School District, South Florida Water Management District, Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County Health Care District, Library District, Port of Palm Beach District, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations. Trust me, it works. Take a trip to Martin County to learn more.
Collaboration is happening elsewhere in the United States, and taxpayers are benefiting immensely. Unfortunately Palm Beach County’s reputation of corruption and insider deals impedes such collaboration. County Administrative leadership is not a “poster child” for advocating trust, shared values, and change.
Elected officials need to leave their ego’s at home and start thinking about being better stewards of the combined “spend” of taxpayers – state, county, schools, municipal, and other taxing authorities. This includes Constitutional Officers.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP
Most private sector and nonprofit organizations would not tolerate strategies that have been proposed by the County Administrator. The most successful organizations would make changes at the top to transform their culture and develop a winning strategy to achieve organizational objectives. Early 20th century thinking simply doesn’t work in today’s world.
If the Administrator cannot develop a strategy to balance the budget without increasing taxes while maintaining all essential services, the BOC should find someone who will.
SHERIFF:
I recently talked to a Commissioner from another Florida county. I explained how the Palm Beach Sheriff appears to ignore the Palm Beach BOC, operating without sufficient checks and balances. I was told that this would never happen in their county….. that the BOC would force the issue.
You were elected to serve the residents of Palm Beach County. This includes a fiduciary responsibility to manage the use of all of our tax dollars. It is time to put the Sheriff on notice: Cut expenditures and maintain service levels. This includes freezing compensation of all who are not part of collective bargaining agreements. If the Sheriff has the option to appeal his issue on funding to Tallahassee, go for it. It is time to break the mold.