County budget cuts, what would you do without?

Air conditioning on school buses. I'm pretty sure that won't make up the difference, but FTLOG I'm not that old and we didn't have air conditioning, we all just opened the windows and the breeze was fine. I understand that special needs kids need air conditioning for medical reasons, but the average kid isn't going to die on a moving school bus without air conditioning. How much does that cost the county in the initial extra of having it on the bus, maintenance, and fuel costs?

Do you have a link or copy of last year's budget?

I'm sure there are many items that we don't realize are part of the budget or just how much $ is spent on them.

Air conditioning on school buses. I'm pretty sure that won't make up the difference, but FTLOG I'm not that old and we didn't have air conditioning, we all just opened the windows and the breeze was fine. I understand that special needs kids need air conditioning for medical reasons, but the average kid isn't going to die on a moving school bus without air conditioning. How much does that cost the county in the initial extra of having it on the bus, maintenance, and fuel costs?

And they did not have air conditioning in schools when I was growing up. But things moved on. School started in September, Al Gore did not convince us we were all melting, buses get better mileage now then they did back then, and the BCC, which is what we are talking about does not pay for buses.

I could deal with the courthouse being closed on Fridays or half days or something like that.
Of course, then you get into talking about cutting jobs or salaries and the uproar will follow.

I could deal with the courthouse being closed on Fridays or half days or something like that.

I once rode a school bus in early August for a day camp. I will never, ever forget that experience because I remember feeling like I was going to suffocate every day on that ride. I walked in the door to our house on the last day and passed out on the foyer floor. With these kids going back to school in mid-August, I don't think the benefits would be worth it.

I could deal with the courthouse being closed on Fridays or half days or something like that.
Of course, then you get into talking about cutting jobs or salaries and the uproar will follow.

I could deal with the courthouse being closed on Fridays or half days or something like that.

I once rode a school bus in early August for a day camp. I will never, ever forget that experience because I remember feeling like I was going to suffocate every day on that ride. I walked in the door to our house on the last day and passed out on the foyer floor. With these kids going back to school in mid-August, I don't think the benefits would be worth it.

Courthouse would be another interesting thought. Problem is that the Clerk and Tax Collector are pretty much fee based. So making it more difficult for the public to transact business would probably affect their income.

Take a look at the county vehicles; get rid of the gaz/diesel guzzling ones and start to go to hybrid or something similar. Especially thinking of those expensive trucks driven by the code enforcement people...in their reactive mode of doing business.

Is it really cheaper to have a public works unit that paves streets? What is the difference in contracting that work out to a local company? Seems there would be a savings; some might lose jobs, but perhaps they could be retrained/reassigned.

Stop putting up Big Blue Signs and little green signs at waterways!

The county should consider going to a 4-day workweek with 10 hour days. Jefferson County, AL is doing that, but they are staggering their employees so that all offices will be open the regular M-F days, but not all employees will work every day. The State of Utah is going to a true 4-day M-Th week will offices open from 7a.m. to 6 p.m., with offices closed on Fridays. No jobs are cut, etc. Employees still work same number of hours, but have an extra day off, and the extended hours are convenient for those needing county services.

The county should consider going to a 4-day workweek with 10 hour days. Jefferson County, AL is doing that, but they are staggering their employees so that all offices will be open the regular M-F days, but not all employees will work every day. The State of Utah is going to a true 4-day M-Th week will offices open from 7a.m. to 6 p.m., with offices closed on Fridays. No jobs are cut, etc. Employees still work same number of hours, but have an extra day off, and the extended hours are convenient for those needing county services.

Some offices have.
http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/19986004.html

1) Cut the vehicle fleet. Unless your job requires a SPECIALIZED vehicle (garbage truck, road grader etc.) I don't think you need a car. Most of the jobs that don't need a specialized vehicle don't need a vehicle IMO so if you are using a car for county business, maybe mileage reimbursement would be better. If mileage reimbursement is more expensive than providing cars, I'd like to see a fleet of high mileage/low frills vehicles. I see a trail of dollar signs flying through the air every time one of the #$*@* code enforcement trucks goes by.

2) Jack up the cost to use the Sheriff's department vehicles for "private security" so that it fully covers gas, wear and tear, etc.

3) Award contracts to the LOWEST bidder, (not the one who claims to be local and is based in the next county or somewhere else in Florida) and let bidders know that if the price comes in too high, the project will not go forward. Have monetary penalties for projects not completed on time.

Take a look at the county vehicles; get rid of the gaz/diesel guzzling ones and start to go to hybrid or something similar. Especially thinking of those expensive trucks driven by the code enforcement people...in their reactive mode of doing business.

Is it really cheaper to have a public works unit that paves streets? What is the difference in contracting that work out to a local company? Seems there would be a savings; some might lose jobs, but perhaps they could be retrained/reassigned.

Stop putting up Big Blue Signs and little green signs at waterways!

Privatization. You ought to try to have a conversation about that with the people in Public Works. They will do their darnest to tell you, with a straight face, that they can do the work for 50% less than a private company.

Well, yeah, I am sure they will; but isn't that a policy question/decision, not an operational one? Shouldn't the Commissioners be asking for a staff analysis on whether or not that is actually the case, not relying on the opinion of the people who have the jobs?

Seems the Republicans everywhere are privatizing everything...why is this exempt? And the quality of their paving is certainly questionable IMO.

2) Jack up the cost to use the Sheriff's department vehicles for "private security" so that it fully covers gas, wear and tear, etc.

They could also start charging an additional fee on speeding tickets. Isn't Dallas/Houston doing that?

Additionally I believe it was Holmes/Washington county announced that if you break the law they're going to seize anything associated with it to sell.

Speaking of extra fees on speeding tickets, I am surprised nobody has broached the subject of Senate Bill 1790, which takes effect tomorrow (July 1). Fees on virtually everything associated with the court system are going up, and not just by a little bit.

We've had fee increases before, but not to the point where we made sure in advance that the bailiff would be around. :shock:

They could also start charging an additional fee on speeding tickets. Isn't Dallas/Houston doing that?

Additionally I believe it was Holmes/Washington county announced that if you break the law they're going to seize anything associated with it to sell.

Problem is people seem to be slowing down. Ticket volume from the county is down 1300 or so tickets so far this year causing an approximate $40K reduction in revenue.

How about using prisoners for more projects? I've never had a problem with the idea of one on a mower. I don't think that's a real viable escape vehicle.

Stop using police to "evict" peaceful individuals from "private" beaches.

Problem is people seem to be slowing down. Ticket volume from the county is down 1300 or so tickets so far this year causing an approximate $40K reduction in revenue.

What Sowal roads you driving?

I've got a lead foot and people tailgate and pass me like I'm going backwards instead of 10 over.

If fewer tickets for revenue are an issue, have them write more instead of chewing the fat in area parking lots.

abolish SOH so that everyone is equal before the law, and vote in a state income tax.

abolish SOH so that everyone is equal before the law, and vote in a state income tax.

NO!!!!!!!!!! More taxes???? Are you serious?????

What about the boardwalks, park plans, bike paths, and other assorted tourist related projects? Oh and buying "endangered land" i.e. Gulf front lots? I agree concerning the Code enforcement vehicles, they need to trade them in on a less expensive model. How exactly they could get the money back for the expensive lettering, I don't know. The big, blue sign debacle, I still haven't gotten a straight answer about the funds that were spent for the signs, and what happened to it now that the signs have been removed. And, how much will the new signs be, and who will pay for them?
Concerning the employees, they don't need to touch those wages, if nothing else, the county needs to reimburse money spent on fuel. In fact, considering the current economic situation, many of those employees may not be able to continue to afford to work at the pay they are getting. More like paying the county for the privilege!

Boardwalks, the signs, etc come from the Tourist Development Tax, and even if there were no more beach facilites built, by Florida Statute (125.0104, to be specific) the TDT cannot be redirected to purposes not related to tourism. Try again.

Besides, the boardwalks at the beach accesses are the best thing (for those of us who do not have a four-wheel drive with a beach permit) since sliced bread. You can even rinse your little piggies off before you track sand into your car.

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NO!!!!!!!!!! More taxes???? Are you serious?????

I second that emotion!!

abolish SOH so that everyone is equal before the law, and vote in a state income tax.

Bob, if you are serious about enacting a state income tax, you may need a session or two with Bob Newhart or Sigmund Freud.
I think we could do without a cop on every corner, this weekend alone I saw cop cars sitting doing nothing in two or three parking lots in Sowal, Freeport and city cops in the median of 331 in DeFuniak. :shock::shock::shock: I also think we can get out of the business of supporting all of these non-profits and charities, if I choose to support Grit & Grace, Little League, ARC, the Fair, Chautauqua, etc then I will give to them but I should not be forced to contribute through taxes.I definitely DO NOT think we should slow down on improving infrastructure such as paving roads, building sewage systems and water projects nor should we slow down on improving our # 1 asset- our beaches. Purchasing the rare parcel that is undeveloped and conserving it for future generations is a definite keeper as is preserving our disappearing historical structures.

What Sowal roads you driving?

I've got a lead foot and people tailgate and pass me like I'm going backwards instead of 10 over.

If fewer tickets for revenue are an issue, have them write more instead of chewing the fat in area parking lots.

I just post the numbers. Ticket writing is down. I could not think of any other reason why deputies would be writing fewer tickets.

maybe too many are spending too much tine parked side by side chatting. Lately, I have seen more and more of that...what do they find to talk about?