January 10, 1999
Last week I shared with you my State of the County
address. I was pleased to share this
with you because the Board’s Goals and Objectives was a document, that in and
of itself, was one of my personal goals in 1999, especially as Board
chair. But there were many other goals
I had last year. There were many other
accomplishments we as a Board had last year.
Today, I would like to share with you some of those
other accomplishments.
Sometimes it’s the small things that count,
too! As I, and my fellow commissioners
and others recounted 1999, some of what appeared “small” at the time, really
has turned out to be BIG in effect!
*We
instituted two regular Board sessions each week. There is
a lot
of public business to be done. Previously
the Board only met
once
a week. We are more efficient and
timely in getting the public’s
work
done.
*At
my insistance, we’ve established time for public comment at the
beginning
of each regular Board session. This is
new for Marion
County. It is fabulous that the public can address
the Commissioners
on
any topic citizens deem appropriate.
Please keep that in mind!
Come
and comment on any topic you feel is important to speak out
on!
*We
have directed the County Administrator to begin the budget
process
for next budget year. In fact, the
process has been under
way
now for several weeks! Earlier than has
ever happened before
in
Marion County history!
*Additionally,
the process that is being created for the budget work,
will
be more detailed and more complete than has ever happened
before.
*Courthouse
Square is well under way. Construction
is proceeding
in a
timely manner and the construction budget is within the projected
budget. The building is taking shape and will be a nice addition to
downtown.
Yes, I still have many concerns as to how CH2 will
affect
our budget concerns for 2000 and beyond.
But, that too is
under
discussion and a full analysis of our assets will take place early
this
year.
*Reorganization
of the county is underway, and the new job descript-
ion
for the County Administrator brings new and needed accountability
to
the administration of the county business.
There
is more involvement and better communication with the other
county elected officials than in the
past. They have more input in
discussions
on the many critical issues affecting their departments
departments and county business in general.
*Code enforcement was
enhanced and is more effective in keeping
neighborhood nuisances more
controlled.
*Hardship Dwellings -
significant changes to make process easier
for land owners. Monitor in 2000 to see if changes helpful.
*SDC’s - review and change
to some formulas for more fair
charges to small
schools. Hope to continue to monitor in
2000.
ISSUES STILL IN PROGRESS:
**Policy Review
**Employee Job Evaluation process
**An
employee survey was completed in 1999.
The analysis
will
be complete in the next several weeks.
It will be helpful in
our
communication plan as well as review of internal procedures, etc.
**The County’s Communication
Plan is coming together and should be
complete the first half of
the year.
MAJOR PROJECTS CONTINUED
INTO 2000
*juvenile - policy decision before
end of January as to direction
to better serve juveniles.
*Health Dept. - children’s mental health, teen pregnancy
There are many more issues
before the Board of Commissioners.
The choices we make will
determine the direction we take over the course of the year.
Speaking for myself, I will
continue to follow the campaign promises I made to you two years ago as these
choices and decisions are before us.
I will continue to work to
regain control of the budget, to return government to its core functions, to
restore employee morale, and the rebuild faith and credibility in county
government.
These are promises for every
day. They are goals for good
government, regardless of the year.