9/15/1992 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Bowman pointed out that two Commissioners made a Motion at this morning's BCC meeting to put a cap or a freeze on County employees making over $50,000, but the Motion failed. Art Yankevito, 1978 6th Avenue SE, a new resident of the county, wished to say that his taxes are twice as much as they were in Broward County and that he is not getting as much service. He didn't feel a tax increase is warranted. Charles Green wished to make one more statement in response to what Commissioner Scurlock said about decreasing the Sheriff's budget by $1 -million. He felt we should take him at his word and decrease the Sheriff's budget by $1 -million here and now in this final budget hearing. He also felt that Commissioner Scurlock's idea to put a freeze on County employees making over $50,000 was a good idea. Mr. Green emphasized that everything is down economically and believed that reality has to strike the Commission sometime. Commissioner Scurlock pointed out that there is still a run- off election for Sheriff. However, the other candidate for Sheriff agreed that $1 -million could be cut out of the budget. Neither candidate is here tonight, nor are any of the constitutional officers here tonight with the exception of Supervisor of Elections Ann Robinson. Commissioner Scurlock again suggested that we cut the Sheriff's budget by $1 -million, and Mr. Green said he would second that. Commissioner Bird admitted that it sounds simple and would be the perfect answer, but the fact is that the existing Sheriff came to the budget workshops in July with no increase in his budget and the Board accepted his budget as we accepted all the other constitutional officers' budgets. We do have a Republican candidate for Sheriff who said he could cut the budget by $1 - million, but he also said that he needed time to get into the job before making those budget decisions. Commissioner Bird felt it would be unfair to do that to the new Sheriff. Mr. Green felt the intent should be fairness to the general public not the elected Sheriff. Commissioner Bird pointed out that there are 30 various taxing districts other than the tax on the value of one's home that make up a property owner's tax bill. Commissioner Bowman felt people must understand that the constitutional officers are not beholden to the Commission for approval of their budgets; they can appeal their budgets to the State. Mr. Green wished to make another general comment about the rJ SEP 15" 1992 a`7 4,nM4