According to Lake County Commissioner Jimmy Conner's blog at www.ConnerReport.com, the County Interim Manager, Sandy Minkoff has laid off another 23 employees due to a projected $8-million budget shortfall expected for next fiscal year.
Just think, they are reacting, but still don't have weekly status reports at Board meetings on economic development, job growth activities or projects to fill the estimated 5,000 foreclosed homes in Lake County. You can't turn around an economy if you aren't PUBLICLY tracking progress in the factors that cause up and down economic pressures.
Maybe that is why another blog reported that incumbent County Commissioner Elaine Renick skipped a candidate forum this last weekend at Liberty Baptist Church. It is easier to hide than bring these issues out in the open on a weekly basis as priorities and discuss them.
Here is what Jimmy said, or you can visit his blog:
County Reorganizes To Increase Efficiency June 29, 2010 Due to declining revenues, County Manager Sandy Minkoff has been
forced to lay off an additional 23 county employees. Property values
continue to decline and next year's revenues are expected to drop
another $8 million dollars, therefore the County has no choice but to
reduce its budget. Minkoff has reorganized several departments to streamline operations,
be more efficient and reduce the number of administrative positions.
For instance, the Director of Environmental Utilities position will not
be filled and that department will be eliminated and consolidated into
Public Works. This means fewer administrative positions and also saves
money. In Public Safety, John Joliff, a highly respected Professional, will
assume the Director position. Chief Joliff will continue his previous
duties and also supervise additional divisions in the department. This
means one less administrative position and also creates a significant
cost savings since Joliff will be assuming the duties of two positions. Commissioner Jimmy Conner expressed concern for those being laid off
and noted some employees have worked for the county fifteen years. At
the same time Conner knows that budget cuts are necessary and that
private businesses have also been forced to make substantial cuts just
to keep their doors open. Conner expressed support for the reorganization plan. He commended
Minkoff for eliminating administrative positions and combining their
duties, something he calls a major step in the right direction. "Fewer administrative positions means Sandy is really trying to
reduce administrative costs," said Conner. "We face an extraordinary
difficult budget process in the months ahead," concluded Conner.
