Budget

Creating the budget has been one of my favorite responsibilities as a commissioner. I have enjoyed our budget work meetings because I love digging deep to see where we can be more fiscally efficient.

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Most recently, the Commissioners promised to implement recommendations from a third-party compensation study. The price tag on that promise included $3.5 million for sworn law enforcement staff. We were able to do this without a tax increase by allocating a portion of the funds that historically have been moved to the capital projects account each year, and adjusting project timelines to accommodate the change.

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As the Commission Chair, I requested that all departments and offices take a closer look at their training and travel budgets. Throughout the County, our staff made meaningful reductions in this line item, which resulted in significant savings.

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I also implemented a change from contracted public relations services to an in-house department, saving nearly a quarter of a million dollars annually.

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I worked to eliminate an entire department and consolidate the front-line employees into another department to alleviate duplicated management costs. And in the Commission office, we set the example of reducing unnecessary costs by eliminating a full-time position.

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I commit to continue to be a trusted steward of your money.