Change at Emergency Management?

[Tom Cooper]

Who filled the other one then and what happened to them? From my understanding of the news articles Barker was head of the division and the EM coordinator. Now Preston is chief and Beatty is coordinator. So if I have it right it took two people to replace Barker. So now the question is how they are paying for another high paying job? Did they add a position or cut somewhere else?

The County EM SHOULD get State and Federal grant monies to enhance emergency management programs such as excercises and planning. Some money may be used as salary provided that person is doing emergency management functions equal to the amount of salary the grant is covering ie 50% offset in salary equals 50% commitment to the em function. This is outlined on the Florida Disaster website, www.disaster.org and the em requirements of the County pursuant to State Statute can be found in Chapter 252.

Maybe with some creative financial planning, the additional person is not costing anyone anything. That said, with the recent events that have taken place, I would challenge the WCTPA to take a hard look at the Emergency Management Division budget vs expense pre and post 2009.

 

[wrobert]

The County EM SHOULD get State and Federal grant monies to enhance emergency management programs such as excercises and planning. Some money may be used as salary provided that person is doing emergency management functions equal to the amount of salary the grant is covering ie 50% offset in salary equals 50% commitment to the em function. This is outlined on the Florida Disaster website, www.disaster.org and the em requirements of the County pursuant to State Statute can be found in Chapter 252.

Maybe with some creative financial planning, the additional person is not costing anyone anything. That said, with the recent events that have taken place, I would challenge the WCTPA to take a hard look at the Emergency Management Division budget vs expense pre and post 2009.

How much grant money are you attaching to your challenge?

 

[idlewind]

The County EM SHOULD get State and Federal grant monies to enhance emergency management programs such as excercises and planning. Some money may be used as salary provided that person is doing emergency management functions equal to the amount of salary the grant is covering ie 50% offset in salary equals 50% commitment to the em function. This is outlined on the Florida Disaster website, www.disaster.org and the em requirements of the County pursuant to State Statute can be found in Chapter 252.

Maybe with some creative financial planning, the additional person is not costing anyone anything. That said, with the recent events that have taken place, I would challenge the WCTPA to take a hard look at the Emergency Management Division budget vs expense pre and post 2009.

It drives me crazy when people talk about grant money like it falls from the heavens or something. That money is tax money and somebody paid taxes to provide it. It should be as carefully spent as any other tax dollars.

I do think a comparison of pre 2009 and post 2009 budget and expenditures is a great idea. I doubt WCTA will do it though due to who most of them support politically.

 

[Bob Wells]

It drives me crazy when people talk about grant money like it falls from the heavens or something. That money is tax money and somebody paid taxes to provide it. It should be as carefully spent as any other tax dollars.

I do think a comparison of pre 2009 and post 2009 budget and expenditures is a great idea. I doubt WCTA will do it though due to who most of them support politically.

Although I agree with you about grant money, I would also say that if we don't apply for and recieve it some other organization will and may or may not be less deserving. As for who the majority of the WCTA supported, I would not be so presumptive to think they would not provide the above comparison.

 

[Andy A]

Although I agree with you about grant money, I would also say that if we don't apply for and recieve it some other organization will and may or may not be less deserving. As for who the majority of the WCTA supported, I would not be so presumptive to think they would not provide the above comparison.

FF2, you are exactly correct. IW has been told this previously but evidently is so hung up on grant funding he fails to understand, as you said, if we don't get it, someone else will. Additionally, grant funds are not normally handed out helter scelter. You have to say what you are going to do with the funds and exactly how you plan to use them. I agree the grant system is a laborious and sometimes useless process but until we get the state and federal government to come up with a more equitable method it is what we've got. For what its worth, I agree with you about the WCTA. Its one of the better and more efficient organizations in Walton County and it isn't government connected.

 

[idlewind]

FF2, you are exactly correct. IW has been told this previously but evidently is so hung up on grant funding he fails to understand, as you said, if we don't get it, someone else will. Additionally, grant funds are not normally handed out helter scelter. You have to say what you are going to do with the funds and exactly how you plan to use them. I agree the grant system is a laborious and sometimes useless process but until we get the state and federal government to come up with a more equitable method it is what we've got. For what its worth, I agree with you about the WCTA. Its one of the better and more efficient organizations in Walton County and it isn't government connected.

Let me make it clear: under the current system you would be a fool not to apply for grant funds if you can use them or you need them. But make no mistake, people who believe these funds are "free money" are dilusional, there is no free lunch. These funds have strings attached and everyone should be aware of exactly what those strings are. Also, I oppose any notion that these funds deserve any less scrutiny than any other taxpayer money. We the people provide these funds through taxes and so they should be spent wisely and for the overall good.
I for one think the whole system is grossly abused and should be abolished. The Federal government should use its funds to pay down the deficit. If local governments truly need the money for a project let them include it in their regular budget. But as longs as the current rules are in effect you must play the cards dealt you.
What is real funny to me is that "conservatives" who rail against Crist for taking Obama's stimulus money have no problem bellying up to the federal trough themselves.

 

[wrobert]

It drives me crazy when people talk about grant money like it falls from the heavens or something. That money is tax money and somebody paid taxes to provide it. It should be as carefully spent as any other tax dollars.

I do think a comparison of pre 2009 and post 2009 budget and expenditures is a great idea. I doubt WCTA will do it though due to who most of them support politically.

But nothing is stopping you from doing it. Most of us in the WCTA have our own projects that we work on. But we are always looking for new members that wish to get involved and they can certainly work on what they see are issues.

 

[idlewind]

But nothing is stopping you from doing it. Most of us in the WCTA have our own projects that we work on. But we are always looking for new members that wish to get involved and they can certainly work on what they see are issues.

Touche' I may look at it later although most of my efforts these days are directed towards reforming the national government. How does one join the WCTA? Is there a secret handshake or initiation?

 

[happydays32]

Budget Restraint Please, Sheriff!

Okay, Barker is now replaced by two peole. An existing Sheriff's Office employee and a new high salaried employee. A period when Walton Co. has laid off numerous folks, the sheriff keeps adding. The worst economy since The Great Depression, and a time of plunging property beach values. Just doesn't make fiscal sense. Remember the Berlin Wall came down twenty years ago because Socialism fell on the waste heap of history. Sheriff you can't expect us taxpayers to continue to subsidize your aspirations to put new personnel on the public dole. And please don't change the sheriff's department color from green to stalin red.

 

[wrobert]

Touche' I may look at it later although most of my efforts these days are directed towards reforming the national government. How does one join the WCTA? Is there a secret handshake or initiation?

WCTA Home Page, I think dues are 10 dollars or so a year. If you want to work get on the board of directors to help decide the direction and focus let me, Bob Hudson, Bonnie McQuiston, or any other board member know and we will make sure you know when the board meetings are. They are usually called as needed. We do a lot via email.