Budget

By Jane Parker

The people of Monterey County risk being hurt by an unprecedented budget crisis.

On my watch, it will not take 3 years for the Board of Supervisors to figure out that our County's well being is affected by problems at the state level.

On my watch, the BOS will examine the budget in a two-year cycle every year to force their attention to milestones and reality checks throughout the year.

On my watch, the BOS will give policy direction to the CAO about budget priorities instead of mouthing support for specific programs.

There are tough decisions to be made. We are all going to have to sacrifice and do much more with much less. In difficult times such as these, the BOS must lead by example by making cuts to its own budget BEFORE asking the other departments to make severe cuts.

The impact of budget crises on services and jobs can be reduced IF we plan ahead. It is too late for that now, unfortunately. Now we must be very strategic to maximize cost savings, increase revenue opportunities, and improve efficiencies. Some practical steps might include:

· Trimming from the top, · Preserving and growing revenue producing programs, · Protecting services that leverage revenue, · Carefully assessing the cost benefit ratio of prevention initiatives in law enforcement and public health for example, · Eliminating costly consulting contracts of peripheral importance, · Re-examining longtime assumptions about vehicle replacement, the efficiency of General Services, etc.

I further recommend that the legislative committee establish a subcommittee to track and report on budget issues on a regular basis.

The Board of Supervisors and the County would benefit from a member with a pragmatic, entrepreneurial perspective to help the County think ahead, seize opportunities, and run efficiently with a focus on customer service. The County urgently needs my experience and energy to act on those principles.