3/16/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- M M it has checks and balances. She felt that one secretary could not handle all the tasks mentioned by Chairman Bird and still take care of the public and pointed out that this is not the first time the Board has tried -to find ways to be more cost-effective. They have already reduced their staff from five employees to four employees, which is a 20% reduction. She felt that Senario B was a workable compromise, although she preferred to hire the additional person. Commissioner Tippin stressed that the office operates quite efficiently the way it is. Even though two supervisors might seem to be redundant, he understood that the BCC minutes are required to be handled by employees of the Clerk to the Board. Attorney Vitunac confirmed that one of the responsibilities of the Clerk to the Board is taking minutes at BCC meetings. J. K. Barton, Clerk, emphasized that he had no interest in empire building but was asked if there is a way to save money and deliver the same or a better level of service. He explained that the Florida Constitution defines his office as keeper of the records, which some counties interpret to mean that committee meetings should be the responsibility of the Clerk to the Board. He was willing to accept that responsibility. Attorney Vitunac advised that it is legal for BCC meetings to be handled by employees of the Clerk to the Board and committee meetings to be handled by Commissioners' secretaries. However, the Clerk to the Board is the official record keeper. Commissioner Adams asked Mr. Barton if he wanted to assume additional responsibility or was just being accommodating. Mr. Barton emphasized that he was willing to assume additional responsibility if it would save money and get the job done. He envisioned two pools of people. The Administrative Assistants would continue to take minutes of special committee meetings and also serve as personal secretaries to the Commissioners. The three Recording Secretaries would continue to take minutes of regular Board meetings. Commissioner Adams was comfortable with the present arrangement and did not want to see it changed. She spends about 30 hours a week here and feels that the Administrative Assistants are doing a good job. She preferred that the Administrative Assistants report directly to the Board. She would be willing to forego filling the Secretary II position at this time and pointed out that an additional person could be hired later if necessary. Commissioner Macht felt that organizational integrity will be compromised if the Board no longer has direct control over the Administrative Assistants, and stressed that it is rare to have an executive body with no direct control over its operatives. He was 37 �anK BAR 1 1993 �:,;� 1