It's Your Money

Latest Issue

May
1- State determines school funding.
15 - Officials must take charge of pension programs.

April
1- 'The most efficient government we can afford' should be the goal.
15 - Diversify tax base in Martin County.

March
4 - More Study needed before decision on location
20 - Celebrating sixty years as your government watchdog

February
4 - Salary cuts for all county jobs not full solution.
11 - FDLE report highlights lack of supervision and management oversight at school district.
18 - Questions remain about consolidation plan.

January
7 - Resolve to practice fiscal contraint.
14 - County Officials spend the first weeks of the new year looking to the future.
21 - New Pool could make big splash for county.
28 - Recommendations for County to reduce costs.

Past Issues - 2009

January
1 - Advise to local officials.
8 - A wish list for 2009.
15 - County government staff salaries and benefits unsustainable.
22 - Comparison of public and private compensation revealing.
29 - State run Citizen's Insurance increase taxpayer liability.

February
5 - Don't waste our money!
12 - Budget workshop disappointing.
19 - County must rein in EMS personnel costs without jeopardizing essential services.
26 - Impact fee increases questionable.

March
5 - Grant to hire additional EMS staff to reduce overtime will cost taxpayers in the long run.
12 - Emergy Services budget has tripled in the last ten years.
19 - After hard work, WAAM's actions are disappointing.
26 - Open, well publicized county commission workshops could provide better direction for administrators and staff.

April
2 - Better controls and oversight measures in school district operations department are necessary.
9 - Where did all our tax money go?
16 - Open letter to the Board of County Commission
23 - Small conference room Board of County Commission meeting yields results.
30 - Raising taxes a last resort.

May
7 - School board must focus on financial crisis for the benefit of the community.
14 - Rising costs at all government levels outstrip taxpayers' ability to foot bills.
21 - County Government must Face reality and Downsize as necessary.
28 - The 2010 budget shortfall estimated at $28 million.

June
4 - Elected officials must honestly evaluate a possible savings
11 - County's Union Employee Compensation must balanced with other employees.
18 - County doing little to fix out of control personnel costs.
25 - school board and superintendent must resolve differences or risk ruining an excellent school district.

July
2 - More should be done to steamline Martin county's 911 system.
9 - County Commission meeting with EMS in non-televised meeting questioned.
16 - Sheriff's budget a good example for other departments to follow.
23 - Assessment proposal could spread discontent.
30 - As one of the largest employers in the county, school board budget should be closely scrutinized.

August
6 - Budget decisions by Stuart, martin county commissioners marked by high and low points.
13 - Public Employee benefit packages dwarf anything available in the private sector.
20 - Local governments must strive to reduce personnel costs.
27 - School board policy to silence superintendent, disruptive, destructive and inhibits good management.

September
3 - Proposed storm water assessment fee just another revenue scheme, er, stream.
10 - Bad timing for $8 million tax increase veiled in assessment.

October
1 - Martin County must reduce its personnel costs.
8 - Personnel costs for Martin County Fire rescue are unsustainably expensive
15 - Taxpayers call for fiscal restraint of county commission.
22 - Cost to build and Maintain new "Aquatics Center" must be scrutinized.
29 - Children's Services Council of Martin County should re-evaluate plans to build new facility.

November
5 - Residents may continue lawsuits against county airport
12 - School District's hiring process too rigid, but professional.
19 - Martin County must implement new personnel policies and procedures to reduce costs.
26 - Childrens' Services Council of Martin County will be Wasting Taxpayer's Money if it Moves Forward with Plans to Construct New Building.

December
3 - School board and superintendent must maintain high student achievements
10 - Urge rejection of fees and assessment proposals
17 - Optimistically, Commissioners will reject new fees and school board will approve vital staff appointments.
24 - County Commission should consider outsouring fire rescue services.

Archived issues

2008