BCC budget 7.5 million dollar shortfall next year. How are we going to make it up?

[wrobert]

Robert
How is government growing and what could or should get cut that would equate to a lower tax. The BCC has gotten rid of many of the cell phone/ direct connect. They have not replaced some employees, they are in the process of saving money by giving WCSO all of dispatch for the North end. If that is not efficiency or at least giving it the old college try then I don't know what is. Crist really hasn't done that much. At least with a one cent sales tax increase, not just residence would be paying for these services and it would cut the deficit. For that matter increase by 1/2 cent and see what happens. By the way how is that done?

Without sitting down and going through all the information I can only give you the examples that come to my mind. 9000 sq ft offices, benefits for "certain" employees, expenditures on consultants, these are those that I can think of. The WCTA is just now starting to review proposed budgets along with historical information. We will be releasing this data as it is compiled. From there you would have to reach your own conclusions.

I think the only local options sales tax available to the BCC is currently being used. Not sure if that EMS tax passed or not, figured you would know more about that.

 

[Busta Hustle]

QUOTE:

I think the only local options sales tax available to the BCC is currently being used. Not sure if that EMS tax passed or not, figured you would know more about that.

TDC BED TAX PASSED
EMS TAX PASSED???
CIGARETTE TAX PASSED

*****SLAP TAX: Proposed on this date to allow residents of Walton County to line up and ***** Slap the next county taxing authority that mentions another tax increase of any kind. I and many others I know would gladly voluntarily pay a "BS" TAX .

 

[wrobert]

QUOTE:

I think the only local options sales tax available to the BCC is currently being used. Not sure if that EMS tax passed or not, figured you would know more about that.

TDC BED TAX PASSED
EMS TAX PASSED???
CIGARETTE TAX PASSED

*****SLAP TAX: Proposed on this date to allow residents of Walton County to line up and ***** Slap the next county taxing authority that mentions another tax increase of any kind. I and many others I know would gladly voluntarily pay a "BS" TAX .

The EMS tax was proposed to allow counties to add another penny to the sales tax to fund emergency services. They have to reduce property taxes by the amount this would bring in the first year. I imagine after that, a growing economy, would grow the spending. I do not remember seeing this come out of committee.

 

[Matt J]

Has the county considered bankruptcy? Didn't a California town do that?

 

[wrobert]

Has the county considered bankruptcy? Didn't a California town do that?

The county is far, far from bankruptcy. They have millions in assets and in the bank. They just want to keep it and build more parks. And they can always raise the millage five mills and fix it all.

 

[doxiegirl]

They could always start charging $4 for a cup of coffee. :funn:

 

[wrobert]

They could always start charging $4 for a cup of coffee. :funn:

I think they could make it up by having everyone coming into compliance with all the rules out there. But no one really wants to say anything, because when you identify yourself then retribution is likely to occur. And I certainly feel for people in that situation, and since the BCC says that they will take anonymous complaints, I put together an anonymous complaint form on a website, Online Walton County Florida that people can use. Maybe that will straighten this place out.

 

[fisher]

Most businesses would be thrilled with the idea of ONLY having to cut 7.5% (I believe the total budget is around $100 million so $7.5 million is about 7.5%) of their outlays in the current economic environment. The county needs to tighten its belt the way most businesses and individuals are doing.

You either take the 7.5 million out of the pockets of the individuals and vendors working for the county or you take it out of the pockets of the citizens of the county (or visitors to the county). Either way, someone is losing disposable income.

We cannot tax our way out of the hole we have dug in the federal, state or city governments. Cutting spending is the only long term solution. It will hurt and hurt badly for a while, but no pain, no gain.

 

[wrobert]

Most businesses would be thrilled with the idea of ONLY having to cut 7.5% (I believe the total budget is around $100 million so $7.5 million is about 7.5%) of their outlays in the current economic environment. The county needs to tighten its belt the way most businesses and individuals are doing.

You either take the 7.5 million out of the pockets of the individuals and vendors working for the county or you take it out of the pockets of the citizens of the county (or visitors to the county). Either way, someone is losing disposable income.

We cannot tax our way out of the hole we have dug in the federal, state or city governments. Cutting spending is the only long term solution. It will hurt and hurt badly for a while, but no pain, no gain.

It will only hurt a few badly. Some will feel some minor pain, but I think it can be done. Have to wait until we get the first round of budget proposals then will start seeing what might be done as far as suggestions are concerned.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Regarding County Commissioner offices, why the heck can't they use a cubicle or office in that fancy new CourtHouse, and one in our South Walton CourtHouse Annex? That is what is really needed. Is there some law that states the Commissioners' offices must be in their own district?

Regarding high end salaries, remember that the Constitutional Officers' salaries are set by the State.