Property values are continuing to drop across the Country and Martin County is no exception to this fearful trend. Knowledgeable estimates indicate that the property values that yield the taxes to fund most local programs will be down significantly by January 2009. Since that figure sets the base value, that will translate into a further, and potentially greater, funding shortfall that will add to what has been already experienced in the 2008 and 2009 budgets. Young families and retirees are feeling the pressures of a receding economy. Business and institutions synonymous with America’s and Martin County’s economic strength are failing - and yet some continue to plan public budgets as if nothing is happening - a fool’s error. We simply cannot continue to spend beyond our means either privately or publicly.

So what do we do now? We must change current government practices at all levels. This has to start with local government; the administration with the most impact on its citizens. We have to honestly look at our service delivery systems and answer hard questions with honest answers. We have to go back to basics. What do we expect our governments to do for us? How can we best get our governments out of the way of economic recovery and return to prosperity? Our first suggestion is to cut taxes and reduce government spending. This could be extremely painful to those that have special needs, but it is required for preservation of our society. Private foundations must replace government bureaucracies to better serve those in true need. Levels of service expectations that drive expenditures must be reduced .

The old trick used by our local governments is to threaten to reduce public safety institutions, close parks, cut the number of lifeguards on the beach, and darken libraries. Its time to call those threats into question. Can we reduce these type services and still provide the public with what it needs? Why can’t we return to part-time lifeguards? Why can’t the libraries be closed one or two days a week, maybe keeping the main branch open longer? Why can’t the public parks be rescheduled to provide service but reduce costs?

We think that local government, our County, Cities and School Board, could share facilities like maintenance, vehicle repair and decrease the number of County vehicles and equipment. We think that emergency response protocols should be reviewed and revised to reduce costs. We think governments have to look into public leases and the usage of public property and develop a more aggressive review of County and School construction contracts.

The cost of government is largely driven by personnel costs that account for as much as 94% of operating budgets. Unbiased professions must be brought in to provide help and guidance when negotiating labor contracts and identifying the real long-term effect of the financial obligations assumed when funding employee retirements. We have to look seriously and honestly at privatization of public services such as the operation of the jail, parks maintenance, school transportation and food programs, and project reviews. Administrators must be creative and have a clear vision for the future. The Martin County Taxpayers Association stands ready to contribute to those solutions.

Our closing comment has to do with televising the Martin County School Board meetings. We were really disappointed to read in our local papers of the non-agenda discussions about reversing the decision to televise their Board meetings. Your Taxpayers Association has previously pledged $1,000 toward the setup and first year’s operation. We are committed to seeing this important project to completion and will continue to investigate and keep this issue in the spotlight. An organization spending this much of the public’s money must do so in full view of those taxpayers. We have asked for copies of the tapes of their meeting discussions on this issue and will be reporting back to you.