Be Sure to Attend One of Our County Budget Forums

By Commissioner Jeff Koons

12-13-07

Preparing a County budget that delivers quality services at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers is always a challenge. But my fellow Commissioners and I really have our work cut out with more state-mandated revenue reductions taking effect in 2008.

To ensure that we fully understand what programs and services are most important to you, the taxpayer, we will soon be holding a series of evening community forums around Palm Beach County. Please take a look at the following schedule and plan on joining us:

At each budget forum, there will be a presentation by County staff and an open question-and-answer period with County Administrators, Budget staffers and Legislative Affairs representatives. The aim is not to try to sway you one way or the other on the upcoming homestead exemption referendum. That’s up to each voter to decide for themselves.

Our only objective is to provide accurate facts in clear and simple terms, so you can make an informed decision. We want everyone to understand how their tax dollars are collected and spent, what programs and services are likely to be cut due to the state’s actions, and others that could be affected if the property tax amendment passes.

Forum attendees will be encouraged to complete a written survey on how they think County tax dollars should be spent. Survey results will be incorporated into a report to help us determine what ultimately stays in the budget and what gets cut or reduced.

Attendees are not required to turn in their survey at the forum. You can take a copy home and mail it in later. If you cannot attend one of our forums, the survey will be available online at pbcgov.com. The Web site will also have information on current and past years’ budgets, official documents, and a video clip of the staff presentation.

We are doing everything we can to make it easier for residents to be involved in the budget process and to let us know what’s important to them. As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to contact me or my staff at 355-2202.