Below is an article that I submitted as a paper in my journalism class at USF St. Pete. I wanted to say thanks to David Hamilton, county administrator and to Commissioners Russell and Rocco for all their assistance in this article.
Local government officials are taking a pro-active approach to provide more transparency with the public by establishing standing committees.
“The standing committee structures will be similar to those in the Florida Legislature,” County Commission Chairman David Russell said. As a former state representative, Russell suggested that the county-level committees will carry considerable weight even though their decisions will require full board of county commission concurrence.
“Staff and I are still working out the details,” said Russell when asked what his first priority would be for the budget and finance standing committee. “The committees will focus on line-item budget issues, purchases, acquisitions, audit recommendations and budget compliance.”
Commissioner Rose Rocco was appointed by the chairman to lead the budget and finance standing committee. Rocco pointed out that priorities will be needed to establish guidelines for community needs, without losing sight of budget constraints by unnecessary spending practices.
“I believe that I was chosen to lead this committee because our chairman has confidence in my abilities, and understands that I have a good feel for the needs of the community,” Rocco said. “My first priority is to come back with a balanced budget that is affordable, and accountable, to the citizens of Hernando County.”
“Including members of the public, with a background in each area related to the proposed committees brings the benefit of inclusion to consider public business,” Hernando County Administrator David Hamilton said. With the inclusion of county residents on these standing committees, Hamilton sees this method as a way to connect with the community.
“The objective of these standing committees will establish a transparent structure for commissioners to work with the public,” Hamilton said. It is his opinion that this structure will allow commissioners to work at a deeper policy level. “These standing committees should provide selected members of the public, and the general public, yet another opportunity to become engaged in their government,” said Hamilton.
A public workshop was conducted by the Hernando County Board of Commissioners in December where goals were established to form these standing committees. The standing committees will be made up of two county commissioners and three members of the public, according to public records.
Discussion at this workshop indicated the standing committees will review and make recommendations, to the commissioners at-large, on major issues facing the county. County government has specified that these committees will operate under the Florida Sunshine Law to provide recommendations but the final decision-making authority will remain with the sole discretion of the entire Hernando County Board of Commissioners.
This workshop provided the opportunity for county commissioners to direct county staff to develop concepts for two standing committees, a budget and finance standing committee, and an economic development standing committee, for their January agenda.
The Hernando County Board of Commissioners will review a packet of duties, and appointment options for these standing committees, at their January 27 meeting. According to public records, specific criteria will be used to screen members of the public for these committees. These records indicate that applicants for the budget and finance standing committee will be given consideration based on their background in banking or finance, and their senior management experience.
Each committee will consist of two county commissioners, and three members of the public, based on prior county commission discussions. The county staff is recommending a two-year appointment but stressed that members would need to have computer access because the county government is a paper-less system, with all their agendas digitally prepared and distributed by county staff.
While the final details are still under consideration for the county commissioners at their Jan. 27 meeting, all signs are favorable for the formation of these standing committees to include members of the public, government officials said.
“I believe that by bringing the expertise from the public, the process will be enhanced to a great degree,” Hernando County Commission Chairman David Russell said. “Doing so will provide more transparency, and objectivity, with private sector ideas and efficiencies.”
