Friday, March 03, 2006

Hon. Richard T. Crotty

Mayor of Orange County

201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL  32801

Dear Mayor Crotty,

I am writing to offer a suggestion about process for budgets which has occurred to County Watch in our observation of the budget process in years past. 

As we understand the process, the budget process is really a nine-month exercise of discretion and management which results in projections each year in the early fall with public hearings.  The final hearings follow extensive months of staff preparation, Commission review, public interchanges through informal channels, some lobbying, (by the elected officials whose budgets you oversee as well as others who seek access to public funds) and other informal processes.  Throughout these months there is really no public meeting with opportunity for input.

We have a clear sense that there is little public understanding of this and that the public hearings, coming late in the process are poorly designed to do much to really affect the decisions which, by early fall, have become more concrete, even though we know that these September public hearings are required by law.

We are hoping that there can be developed a new process, perhaps in the form of a public hearing early in the process, in April perhaps, which would allow citizens to come forward with their observations for the budget with a hearing involving all commissioners.  Whether these citizens sought innovative programs, tax changes or minor changes which would require new budget considerations, we feel that this would allow for early public access to the process. This, we feel would further public participation and awareness and allow for greater support for any new initiatives or changes which the Commission would want to undertake. 

Please let us know how this idea can be developed or if it is something that can be pursued.

Sincerely,

Doug Head

Chair

CC. County Commissioners