TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Pasco County To Look For More Savings

ADVERTISEMENT

By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: February 3, 2009

Updated:

NEW PORT RICHEY - In an era of falling revenue, the County Commission has taken a LEAP of faith and authorized spending nearly $160,000 on strategic planning for greater efficiency.

The county already has its own system, Lean Efficient Accountable Pasco, to stretch every tax dollar.

But commissioners believe a firm, ICMA Consulting Services, can help them deliver services better while conserving every penny of revenue. More than 220 cities and counties already get assistance through ICMA's Comparative Performance Measurement Program.

The ICMA is a professional group for city and county administrative personnel.

The county needs to "address the fiscal realities created by Amendment 1 and the continuing economic downturn," Chief Assistant County Administrator Michele L. Baker wrote in a memo to commissioners. A year ago, Florida voters approved Amendment No. 1, which expanded property tax exemptions and several other changes.

"We need to identify where we want the county to be in the next five years," Baker said.

A National Citizens Survey will collect opinions from residents.

"In order to maintain the level and quality of services demanded during a time of financial distress," Baker continued, "it's vitally important that we have a leadership and management system that is aligned from top to bottom ... and using efficient, effective processes."

The county will pay ICMA $139,400, plus $14,500 for the survey and $5,500 in a membership fee for the ICMA Center for Performance Management, for a grand total of $159,450. Another $15,000 is budgeted for travel expenses or other administrative costs.

Commissioners hope to have results in time to help shape the fiscal 2010 budget, which starts Oct. 1, 2009.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT