what is next for us

[citeright]

How would you prioritize Walton County spending? With the limited budget and the real prospect of very lean times for government, what services would you cut or reduce?
The county has a de facto hiring freeze, offered some employees a type of early retirement incentives, and cut department budgets. While many citizens feel the board of county commissioners should not spend another dim, everyone wants fire protection, clean water, and good roads.

Walton County has in the past not provided many basic services or chose to allow private entities provide the service. Are you satisfied with this situation? Would you like to see more standardized services or publicly provided services?

Even the privatized or semi-privatized service providers are struggling in the current business environment. How are we going to ensure that the roads are safe, our futures are secured from rampant misspending and our quality of life remains at this current level or improves?

These questions are to become more pressing as funds for services are shrinking. Assistance for the county from the Federal and State governments will affect our shaky economy. Government funding will become even competitive as Walton County will have to compete with other more populated counties for funds.

Some potential courses of action will require that we as citizens inform the elected officials of our desires; a comprehensive program is need that begins to outline policies and programs that the citizens wish to use the position and effectiveness in seeking and expending funds. The citizens of Walton County can no longer afford to be idle while the rest of Florida builds and prepares for the future. There is a real danger that Walton County will be left behind without a serious plan to attract funds and businesses. We need to analyze the effectiveness of our government services and the ability to attract economic development opportunities.

 

[idlewind]

What would you suggest?

 

[Alicia Leonard]

There is a new group that has been formed to attract business to our county. The Walton County Economic Development Alliance. I attended a metting yesterday morning. Sara Comander is the chairperson and they have board members from many different business and all of the mayors in Walton are on board as well. I am sure all comisonners need to hear from the citizens as far as wants and needs. This new group that is still being formed looks like they are trying very hard to take that step to attract business to our County.

http://defuniakherald.com/?p=510

 

[SHELLY]

For starters, eliminate any and all attempts to produce "wayfinder" signs.

.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Take a long hard look at the vehicles used by county employees. trade some of those big trucks in for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle;

look into making the Annex Office of the Sheriff a bit more self sufficient, so there is not so much vehicle traffic between the Annex and DeFuniak.

Ditto on Shelly's suggestion: Take the idea of Wayfinding Signs out of the mix...recycle the signs that are up already, especially the one on Highway 81, south of Ponce De Leon...the one inthe woods.

 

[Bob Wells]

How would you suggest making the sub-station more self sufficient.

 

[citeright]

What would you suggest?

Begin a discussion to address local issues. Such as what is beginning now.

We have to take charge of our county and make strides together to avoid the waste of energy and effort that the national downturn is going to have on us.

If we are going to avoid serious loss of wealth and quality of life, we at the local level must address our issues and not depend on other levels of government.

we need to be more active and listen to each other then fom a action plan to address any issue we can agree to tackle. rather than sling mud or become mired in distrust.

I'l stop now the discussions are very helpful and have many valid points.

 

[WhoDat1]

How would you suggest making the sub-station more self sufficient.

That is simple. If an arrest or ticket is initiated in the South end, any legal procedings that come out of it should be held at the Soutside Court House. Deputies who live close to the South end, should work in the South end and same goes up north.

There should be one to two trips depending on need, by van, a day between the jail and the Substation to cut down on costs. Everytime an arrest is made, that takes the officer off the streets for two to three hours.

All equipment that may be needed should also be available down south.