Local Governmet cutting services

[Guest]

I read that Sumter County will be cutting alot of public safety services for the up comming budget. Does anyone know how much and what will be cut. In order to lower the taxes they must lay off some Fireman and Police services? Any input here?

[Guest]

Is that a joke? With all the new homes in TV and the incredible tax base, Sumter's coffers have to be growing by leaps and bounds. This almost sounds like a political/scare question.
Think about the huge influx of dollars from the Sumter portion of TV. Our use of fire/police and other services is probably minimal in the grand scheme of things. If they are having budget cuts, I think someone should investigate how tax dollars are being expended and check for waste and/or misuse of funds.

[Guest]

No joke..... I read somewhere that there's a referendum up for votes in cutting RE taxes to the county. And if so, they say, of course will have to cut down our fire, police, and any and all services. And.... why not cut the very high salaries of the overpaid higher echelon? Seems like a rape job to me.

Oh yes, I do recall reading that the powers-that-be will forego a pay raise. Big deal, huh?

Disgusting state of affairs......b

Remember...."where's the beef?" Well now the question should be, "where's the money?"

Hope the POA gets involved in this and exposes the issues.

[Guest]

EVERY time there is discussion about cutting RE taxes, EVERY official of that town, county, or city ALWAYS says they will have to cut fire, police and schools. It is the places they know they can cause the most pain so people will say "no, don't cut taxes" and then they have more power and more money to waste.

For some reason they are never smart enough to look elsewhere. If we ran our businesses like our local governments, we would all fail. I get asked to do more with less every year at budget time. And I have to find creative ways to make that happen. Governments just raise taxes and make us pay. Time to elect new officials and get ones that know how to use a business approach to these things.

I am asked to improve productivity at a minimum of 8% every year. Take the same base you had the prior year, look at what was spent, reduce it by 8%, adjust it up or down based on growth or reduction in scope and that becomes the new budget. So the productivity improvements have to happen in order to meet objectives. And a real novel approach, I am paid on how well I do that.

Cities, towns and counties should be set up the same way.

[Guest]

:agree: :agree: :agree: Amen to your comments I2ridehd and Barb. They need to cut taxes. They need to put on their big girls and deal with it. A lot of fluff is added in most years so you have a cushion for next year.





EVERY time there is discussion about cutting RE taxes, EVERY official of that town, county, or city ALWAYS says they will have to cut fire, police and schools. It is the places they know they can cause the most pain so people will say "no, don't cut taxes" and then they have more power and more money to waste.

For some reason they are never smart enough to look elsewhere. If we ran our businesses like our local governments, we would all fail. I get asked to do more with less every year at budget time. And I have to find creative ways to make that happen. Governments just raise taxes and make us pay. Time to elect new officials and get ones that know how to use a business approach to these things.

I am asked to improve productivity at a minimum of 8% every year. Take the same base you had the prior year, look at what was spent, reduce it by 8%, adjust it up or down based on growth or reduction in scope and that becomes the new budget. So the productivity improvements have to happen in order to meet objectives. And a real novel approach, I am paid on how well I do that.

Cities, towns and counties should be set up the same way.

[Guest]

I hate to be the horse's ass yet again, but rumor, "I read somewhere" and "I recall reading" is no way to discuss potential cuts in county services. Per one comment, Sumter is cutting "a lot of public safety services." What is that? Are they closing the fire department or sheriff's office. Maybe the jail is going to a 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM operation? Maybe they're reducing one crossing guard? Maybe the cost cutting is reducing the amount of target practice the deputies get or increasing the mileage between oil changes on cruisers? Or maybe it's buying 6 helicopters instead of 8. Facts just might impact the discussion.

What does Sumter County provide now and what would they provide as a result of any new budget structure? Then the PAO can come in and sue.

[Guest]

Muncle....This isn't a court action forum. Merely a chat forum wherein we are allowed to voice whatever we read or heard without documenting every word. Please chill, huh?

The POA does not always sue to prove their point. Take it easy, guy.

barb

[Guest]

I heard the County is asking the Sheriff's Office to cut 1.8 million from their budget which would lay off 23 Deputies and 6 office workers. The situation will be in the papers soon and we get to save $25 off our property taxes this year.

[Guest]

Muncle....This isn't a court action forum. Merely a chat forum wherein we are allowed to voice whatever we read or heard without documenting every word. Please chill, huh?

The POA does not always sue to prove their point. Take it easy, guy.

barb

Of course it's an open forum where everyone is allowed to voice opinions --- I guess except me. So the title of the thread is "Local Governmet cutting services." I merely asked what services are being cut. Not really unreasonable, I wouldn't think.

Later, you propose the county "cut the very high salaries of the overpaid higher echelon? Seems like a rape job to me." Who are the overpaid higher echelon, elected officials, appointed officials, or both? What are their very high salaries? I think if you are yelling rape, you'd best determine who the rapee and the raper are. Makes it a bit easier in court.

And since we're all entitled to our own opinions, I will admit that over the many years of its existence, the POA has had a few successes. But then, even a blind squirrel finds some nuts. On balance, I don't think the POA is worth the gunpowder it would take to blow them to hades. I think they're more trouble than they're worth. But anyone is more than welcome to disagree and I would encourage those who do disagree to join the POA.

[Guest]

Thanks Muncle........my thoughts to a tee.

[Guest]

When the majority of Florida voters voted yes to Amendment One, it impacted all counties on the state. In order to get a bigger break on their property taxes, they put the entire state in jeopardy.

[Guest]

When the majority of Florida voters voted yes to Amendment One, it impacted all counties on the state. In order to get a bigger break on their property taxes, they put the entire state in jeopardy.

The response of the voters was due to the same seen elsewhere - taxes go up, counties have a little surplus, counties overcommit for the following year or two beyond the surplus, taxes go up again.

When the county governments fail to run the counties like the business it is, and instead spend county money to satisfy special interests, eventually the voters get tired of it. When replacing commissioners doesn't change the pattern, the voters stepped in and locked the budget.

Having the county commissioners cry "foul" because they can't just freely tap the property owners so that special interest (especially those that endorse or subsidize campaigns) groups get special treatment - what goes around, comes around.

Hey, it could be worse. I still own a house in Montgomery County, Maryland where the County Executive was elected because he promised to increase help to illegal aliens and have the county pay for "day laborer centers" so the illegals could have a place to seek work (illegally, of course). Says a lot for the voters here. Also, taxes this year are going up 13% because of the special interst subsidy game.

Florida voters got it right - place a limit on available funds and force the system to work. The alternative is what I'm also paying in MD.

[Guest]

Sumter County now has the lowest tax rate of any nearby county. This is a good thing however they lowered taxes knowing Amendment 1 was going to put the county in a bind and that was foolish.

[Guest]

Per one comment, Sumter is cutting "a lot of public safety services." What is that? Are they closing the fire department or sheriff's office. Maybe the jail is going to a 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM operation? Maybe they're reducing one crossing guard?


There was a detailed email from Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer which was his response to County Administrator Bradley Arnold's request to show how the Sheriff's Dept would be able to cut budget for coming year as a result of voter mandated cuts. Unfortunately I did not save the email. There was however, a story in recent edition of Villages Daily Sun that summarized what what contained in the Sheriff's response. It did list a reduction in number of Deputies on on road patrol, elimination of two motorcycle traffic enforcement officers, elimination of Funeral escorts and lots of other items. They were not the Sherrif's recommendations, but merely a response to list what would have to be cut to comply with a budget reduction.

Since this is early in the budget process, none of what the Sheriff listed is cast in stone.

[Guest]

I didn't see the article in yesterday's Daily Sun until long after I'd pontificated. However, it really doesn't change that much. This seems to be pretty early in the budget process with one side threatening X% cuts and the other predicting armageddon if they don't get a Y% increase.

On the other hand, I don't know Bill Farmer or really that much about him, but he seems like a definite hardball player and completely rolled over the commission on the jail debate last year. He's liable to strip the sheriff's office of some critical facilities just to prove a point.

Quasi related -- I hate sunshine laws and publishing negotiations. "Open covenants openly arrived at" was a failure at Versailles and it's blatant foolishness today. As Bismarck might have said, "I have about made up my mind that laws are like sausages — the less you know about how they are made the more respect you have for them." The same is true of budgets.

[Guest]

http://www.ocala.com/article/20070626/REPORTER/206280313/1131/REPORTER

[Guest]

I got this email today. You nor I want police cuts, but it seems that is one way to get us screaming and saying "Oh no, don't cut our taxes!!" You know there are others ways to cut the budget. With all the new homes and taxes coming out of Sumter County we're still having to make bug cuts??? Am I missing something? Hancle, is this the article you were referring to?

To All Members of the Police and Fire Retirees Club,

Below is a letter sent by Sheriff Farmer of Sumter County to the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners. President Varga has spoken with personnel from the Sheriff's Department and it was decided that we would forward this information to our club members so they may contact the Board of Commissioners asking that they not make this drastic cut in the budget of the Sumter County Sheriff's Department. If this budget cut was made it would affect services in The Villages. I have included the email addresses of the 5 commissioners along with the office phone number and mailing address. It is not necessary that you live in Sumter County to send an email supporting the Sheriff's Department.

Lyn Lobdell
Secretary/Treasurer
www.policeandfireretireesclub.us

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Richard Hoffman, Chairman
Dick.Hoffman@sumtercountyfl.gov

Doug Gilpin, 2nd Vice Chairman
Doug.Gilpin@sumtercountyfl.gov

Michael E. Francis
Michael.Francis@sumtercountyfl.gov

Garry Breeden, Vice Chairman
Garry.Breeden@sumtercountyfl.gov

Randy Mask
Randy.Mask@sumtercountyfl.gov

910 North Main Street
Bushnell, FL 33513

Office: (352) 793-0200
-------------

June 26, 2008

Mr. Bradley Arnold
910 North Main Street
Bushnell, FL 33513

RE: Budget Reduction

Dear Mr. Arnold:

Per your email dated June 17, 2008. You requested I prepare to reduce the 2007-2008 Law Enforcement funding by 9.93%. This would be the percentage I would be expected to deduct should the Board of County Commissioners adopt the current millage rate of 5.43% for the 2008-2009 budget year. By reducing the current law enforcement budget by 9.93%, I would have to cut $1,819,594. Below, I will explain how that amount could be reached. By no means do I endorse, support or agree to the following cuts and/or eliminations. To do so would place the public, deputies, police officers and firemen at risk of injury or death. It would also be reckless. I am only providing the data to you because you requested I do so.

I would not take any salary increase set by the State and I hope all of the elected officials in Sumter would do the same.

I would start by performing only the functions I am required to do by Florida Constitution and/or statute. I currently dispatch for not only the Sheriff's Office, but County Fire and the cities of Bushnell, Center Hill, Coleman and Webster. The Board of County Commissioners receives no financial support from any of the city's to dispatch their agencies. I could reduce my dispatch staffing by six (6) positions, if I no longer dispatch the fire department or the police departments. I would still answer 911 calls but would transfer the call for city police to whatever location the city had set up to dispatch the call. I would do the same for 911 fire calls. The 911 medical calls would not be affected. The fire departments and city police would have to establish dispatch capabilities very soon.

I would not open the new 911 Dispatch Center. I would remain at the current location. I would no longer need the additional space if I am only dispatching the sheriff and answering 911 calls. The State of Florida, based on the plan to move to a new 911 facility, gave a grant to the Board of County Commissioners to purchase new state of the art software. The approximate $422,000 would be returned to the State as we would not qualify for the grant. The lack of new 911 software and switching equipment will create a future problem as the Federal Government mandates additional capabilities that the current software will not support.

I will eliminate five (5) civilian support personnel (secretaries, receptionist and an IT Tech) and use voicemail to answer administrative calls. That leaves me with 1.5 people to maintain over 180 computers.

I would eliminate a mechanic from the auto shop and be left with one (1) mechanic to maintain over 150 vehicles.

I would eliminate one (1) bailiff from court security.

I would eliminate two motorcycles assigned to traffic enforcement.

I would remove two truancy deputies.

I would remove the school resource officers assigned to the middle schools in Webster and Wildwood and the elementary schools. I would not remove the three (3) school resource officers from the high schools.

I would eliminate the Tac Squad, (4 deputies) that handle special assignments such as warrant arrests, special events in the county, Villages and drug enforcement.

I would eliminate the funeral escorts and the security inspections deputy.

I would eliminate the deputy assigned to the Village Neighborhood and CDD meetings.

I would eliminate an additional nine (9) deputies assigned patrol duties.

I would eliminate the four (4) district Command Lieutenant's and send them to patrol. Lt. Wolfe would be assigned patrol and no longer able to handle CDD issues. The Villages annex would be staffed only by volunteers.

The elimination of the twelve (12) civilian and twenty-three (23) deputy sheriffs would allow me to reach the reduction of $1,819,594.

Again, let me state that I am adamantly opposed to any of the reductions and DO NOT agree to implement any of them. I fully expect the public to be shocked at such a reduction in service. I know I would be.

Respectfully,

SUMTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE


William O. "Bill" Farmer, Jr.
Sheriff

WOF/dlw

[Guest]

zcaveman, you hit the nail on the head. I work for a City in South Florida....as soon as Amendment 1 was up for a vote we all said it was going to be a problem and we would be cutting services to the residents. Well it passed and we are cutting services, we are in the process of working on the budget now, I just hope no one loses their jobs. I know we won't cut Fire or Police, but may have to cut others. These budget problems caused by Amendment 1 will effect State, County and City governments.

[Guest]

I seem to recall that Mike Francis was complaining in the Sun that they were experiencing a shortfall because of the cap on taxes. In effect because they used all the excess money to lower taxes when the referendum passed they were "punished" because the only tax base is real estate ( translate village retirees). Seems like Francis used a tactic that backfired- Instead of being a darling that lowered taxes he may become the demon that affected the taxes. just a thought

[Guest]

I haven't reviewed the entire Sumter budget, but will for the fun of it. I have no idea if it is laden with special interest pork of any kind, or is a needed-services-only budget.

Are there "fluff" services which the many pay for the exclusive benefit of a select few? That's the question, as "fluff" is usually a campaign service reward. Those always seem to remain despite their obvious purpose.

[Guest]

Just for fun--Name all the cities and communities in Sumter County. How many have actually driven through Sumter County from North to South, East to West?

Not a small County. It takes money to run the whole county. Sumter County is one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. Growth means more $ for services.

Remember, all above is just for fun, but hopefully everyone will understand how much money it actually takes to run a county the size of Sumter.

[Guest]

Listen, when I open my tax bill from Tom Swain and it's lower than last year I am happy. The people who will be affected the most are not you and I with 200 or 300k worth of taxable property but rather the big dogs with 20 and 30 million worth of property on the books. Saving 200 bucks to us means several hundred thousand to them. I am thankful our elected officials lowered taxes but they did it a year to early. We must now be faced with what we are willing to cut. I say Mike Francis should donate his 40k salary back to the county as a token.

[Guest]

Just for fun--Name all the cities and communities in Sumter County. How many have actually driven through Sumter County from North to South, East to West?

Not a small County. It takes money to run the whole county. Sumter County is one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. Growth means more $ for services.

Remember, all above is just for fun, but hopefully everyone will understand how much money it actually takes to run a county the size of Sumter.


The Villages, Cherry Lake, Oxford, Tillman Hammock, Wildwood, Morland Park, Orange Home, Rutland, Adamsville, Lake Panasofkee, Coleman, Sumterville, Bushnell, Centerhill, Webster, Linden, Tarrytown, and Croom

[Guest]

Listen, when I open my tax bill from Tom Swain and it's lower than last year I am happy. The people who will be affected the most are not you and I with 200 or 300k worth of taxable property but rather the big dogs with 20 and 30 million worth of property on the books. Saving 200 bucks to us means several hundred thousand to them. I am thankful our elected officials lowered taxes but they did it a year to early. We must now be faced with what we are willing to cut. I say Mike Francis should donate his 40k salary back to the county as a token.


Has a familiar ring; my sentiments exactly as mentioned in my earlier thread which friend Muncle disected (or as he put it "pontificated").

You just got my vote, ChicoCal...... :agree:

[Guest]

Now the Sheriff is all kissy faced because on of the commissioners talked with him- What's going on?

Can that be Mike F. who is running this November? He probably doesn't want the bad ink but, if he wants to run with the bigs dogs he has to be prepared for the Bigger Dog

[Guest]

Sarge, I read the article and wondered as well. Seems we go from dire straights to we're just fine. Which is it??? :dontknow:

[Guest]

Mike F. is running unopposed so bad ink won't hurt him.