IN YOUR CORNER

The MCTA has commented about the excessive size and complexity of the County budget every year.  The budget is very difficult for citizens to use and understand.  We are concerned that the budget has become so large and complicated that even our elected officials may not be informed to the extent necessary to effectively guide the ship of state into the future.

The new budget went into effect October 1.  Preliminary work on the next budget will begin soon.  In an effort to be proactive and helpful, we have requested the County consider taking some positive steps now to help all of us be more informed and effective in evaluating next year's budget. 

We suggest beginning with a summary of the past 10 years of expenditures and revenues, and projections of expenditures and revenues for the next six years.  Although this may seem a daunting task given the number of times the budget has been reformatted, we do not know of another method of looking back to where we have been, or a better method of looking forward to where we are going.

The City of Stuart took this approach in 1995, and not only laid certain fiscal myths to rest for good, but has since used revenues and expenses forecasts to excellent effect in anticipating and adapting to changing fiscal and operational conditions. 

The City's revenues increased dramatically in the 1980's due to rapid growth, then flattened during the early 90's recession.  Surplus funds accumulated during the growth period were used first for downtown renovation, then for operating expenses until exhausted in 1992.  It is doubtful that the Commissioners appreciated that surplus funds were being used to cover Operating Expenses.  Between 1992 and 1994 the City was forced to lay off personnel and increase both fees for service and Ad valorem taxes in order to balance their budget. 

The County will eventually face a similar situation.  As the Urban Services Area nears buildout, growth will slow.  As growth slows, local government revenues will grow more slowly or even decline.  Unless we prepare for this, it seems likely that pressure to expand the USA to create more growth and revenues will intensify.  

The MCTA believes identifying these trends early and responding with appropriate budget adjustments over a period of years would be far more responsible than waiting for a fiscal crisis.  Understanding our history of revenues and expenditures while looking to the future with the best projections we can make is an excellent way to anticipate these problems.

We have provided the County with examples of how the City used similar data to prepare a fiscal policy.  Although the County has a fiscal policy with broad guidelines for budget preparation each year, we believe there is room for improvement in how Commissioners provide the County Administrator direction prior to preparing the next budget. 

The County would benefit by adding more succinct and specific direction to the fiscal policy, and shortening the document.  If the County Commissioners understand the fiscal policy and provide the Administrator clear direction, budget preparation should be easier.  If future revenue and cost projections suggest problems down the road, solutions can be considered well in advance of crisis, and adjustments made to fiscal policy in time for all of us to consider the impacts on future budgets.

The MCTA believes the first and most important purpose of government is spending the taxpayers' money wisely for the public good.  A long-term "comprehensive plan" for budgeting is just as important as comprehensive planning for anything else.


Now that the Jensen Beach High School is under construction, the School Board has finally considered redistricting students between the two existing high schools and the new school in detail.  Taxpayers may well ask why redistricting was not considered in detail before a site was selected.

It turns out that balancing enrollment among the three high schools would require expanding Jensen's service boundary to include Stuart south through Rocky Point.  Travel distance from Rocky Point to the new Jensen school is three times as far as to Martin County high.  Naturally parents and students are upset with that option.

It now appears that Jensen High will open well under capacity, while Martin County High remains over capacity.  Add this outcome to severe construction cost overruns for the new school, and it is clear that neither taxpayers nor students are well represented by the School Board.