Budget

By Marshall Ochylski

County government must be proactive in adapting its budget to the new economic reality.

For immediate cost savings, we should consider innovative measures such as early retirement incentives, job-sharing arrangements, and flexible work schedules. I support the proposed reductions in County staff that will primarily result from not filling current staff vacancies, although we must be sure that none of these positions provide critical services to our residents. We must negotiate with the unions to implement a two tired system for new hires, and keep our employee costs in line with competing employment opportunities. Cutting expenses is not pleasant but it is necessary if the County is going to move into the future on a stable financial footing.

In the long-term we need to address both revenues and expenses. We must look at ways to enhance the County's revenues by improving the business climate, rather than increasing fees or taxes. Supporting efforts to promote and expand tourism will result in increased TOT and sales tax revenues. We need to develop incentives to encourage new, especially "green", businesses to locate here. Reducing excessive rules, regulations, and fees will help to increase sales tax revenues from the agricultural and business community.

Public safety is my highest priority and budget cuts must not affect our ability to protect our children, families, neighborhoods, and businesses. We need to make sure that our families feel safe and secure in their homes. This must be accomplished by consultation with the elected Sheriff and District Attorney as full partners in the decision-making process on public safety issues to ensure that they have the resources necessary to fulfill their responsibilities.

Additional cost reductions will require careful assessment of which services and personnel are essential to public safety and county operations, and which, though desirable, may need to be eliminated until the current economic crisis passes.