Walton County Raises Milage Rate

[30A Skunkape]

tax and spend Republicans:roll:

 

[TechPyle]

WCTA

Thanks for the numbers on the reduction of the BCC budget. With next budget year expected to produce even less revenue where do you beleive the BCC will cut to make up the budget shortfall. From your figures the BCC has cut over 35% of its budget in the past 3 years the basic operating budget must be getting very lean. Most of the BCC cost is in employees so where will the new layoffs happen? The WCTA had a seat at the budget scrubs where do you see the most likely places to save money?

 

[wrobert]

WCTA

Thanks for the numbers on the reduction of the BCC budget. With next budget year expected to produce even less revenue where do you beleive the BCC will cut to make up the budget shortfall. From your figures the BCC has cut over 35% of its budget in the past 3 years the basic operating budget must be getting very lean. Most of the BCC cost is in employees so where will the new layoffs happen? The WCTA had a seat at the budget scrubs where do you see the most likely places to save money?

While I certainly commend the BCC on pointing government in a better direction, keep in mind that what has been fueling a lot of those cuts has been the completion of capital projects (courthouse and jail). This year is the first time I can think of where employee costs have started to become a factor. I think the next year you are going to see some serious looks toward consolidation of services, but in what manner, who knows. I also doubt you have seen the last of the staff reductions.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Given the continued decrease in prices of property sales, come Jan 1, 2010, we can expect assessed values to be lower than on Jan 1, 2009, thereby causing one of two things to happen to maintain present services-- increase in millage rates, or tightening the belt even more.

Personally, I think we should see many substantial decreases in assessed values because back in Jan 2009, we didn't have many sales for the Property Appraiser to use as comps, and almost no lot sales in many sub-divisions. This year, we should have ample to prove that prices have declined, as should assessed values.

 

[Andy A]

If it's in the paper it has to be correct ?

Your County Commission did not vote to raise the millage rate at the last moment. State law allows for an administrative adjustment to be made when the final valuations from the Property Appraiser are lower than the estimates used during the public budget hearing process. Mr. Imfeld was simply notifying the Commissioners of what state statutes provide in the way of remedy.

Just to set the record straight the Walton County Commission has lowered its annual budget for three straight years. For the 2009-2010 budget year they cut $10,452,000 - the previous year they reduced their budget by $16,759,000 and in 2008 they cut $9,316,000.

The total amount sliced from the budget in 3 Years is $36,527,000 dollars.

Folks that is not chicken feed. Can more be done - YES but at what cost in the services we all enjoy.

The taxpayers association closely monitors the BCC budgets and expenditures. We were they only members of the public to attend and speak on the proposed budget.

The County has made substantial cuts in three years.

We will continue to look for different more cost effective ways to deliver the services we deem necessary and offer those suggestions to the Commission.

I am sure that our Commissioners will do the same.

PS - Walton County still has the 2nd lowest millage rate in Florida.

BH

Wonderful post, BH. Maybe some of those continually crying about the lack of response by our BCC to our problems and finances will finally take heed and realize overall they do a pretty good job.

 

[Matt J]

Wonderful post, BH. Maybe some of those continually crying about the lack of response by our BCC to our problems and finances will finally take heed and realize overall they do a pretty good job.

Oh Andy A, you forget that the budget amount is BBBBBIIIIIIIIGGGGGG, more money than you or I will have in this lifetime so therefore it's BBBBBBAAAADDDDD.

/sarcasm off/

 

[Andy A]

Oh Andy A, you forget that the budget amount is BBBBBIIIIIIIIGGGGGG, more money than you or I will have in this lifetime so therefore it's BBBBBBAAAADDDDD.

/sarcasm off/

And you, forgot how much it really costs to supply the services required to run the county or any government and obviously didn't take into consideration the fact that any effort at smaller government in any manner, shape or form, is a good thing, not a BBBBBBAAAADDDDD thing.

 

[dynamitedaddy]

The question is what do you want to cut out? It is not just the BCC budget but all the offices including Clerk, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections and Sheriff. Do you want less deputies? Less roads paved? Less parks and recreation? We always blame it on the BCC but it is all offices of the county government.

 

[Matt J]

And you, forgot how much it really costs to supply the services required to run the county or any government and obviously didn't take into consideration the fact that any effort at smaller government in any manner, shape or form, is a good thing, not a BBBBBBAAAADDDDD thing.

It is a good thing for smaller more efficient government. However, without actually reading a budget and simply making blanket statements that the budget is too big is a waste of time and energy. I probably shouldn't have quoted you as I was poking more fun at the people who simply post the total budget amount and say it's too big.

Here's some numbers for you.

Estimated 2008 population 53,837.

Assuming that tourists never used any type of county service while here that would equal $1,862.91 cost per person. Out of $100,293,000.

IMO that's not a bad cost for the services we receive. Ask anyone in Pt. Washington if they would have written a check for that amount after the fugitive was caught, I'm betting the answer would have been a scribble and ripping sound. Ask anyone who's been rescued by a Paramedic, EMT, or Firefighter that same question, I'm betting, same response.

 

[Matt J]

The question is what do you want to cut out? It is not just the BCC budget but all the offices including Clerk, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections and Sheriff. Do you want less deputies? Less roads paved? Less parks and recreation? We always blame it on the BCC but it is all offices of the county government.

As the ultimate authority over those budgets I think the blame is being placed in the correct place.