Time certainly flies and here we are again at budget season. Just like last year, and probably every year before that, the county has several urgent needs. First, there are emergency services. I believe the top priority for Fairfield County Council is the safety and health of its citizens, and many citizens and employees have voiced concerns regarding the lack of adequate, responsive EMS, fire and law enforcement services. So I believe funding must be allocated to the human and other resources needed to improve and sustain these services.
The conditions at our animal shelter are far from adequate, and do not meet all the standards in The Association of Shelter Veterinarians Guidelines for Standards of Care. Funding for much needed improvements at our shelter should be a relatively high priority.
The ongoing operations of our county government must obviously be funded, and one area needing attention is employee pay. A recent wage and salary survey revealed that the majority of county employees are paid below the minimum salary for similar positions in other counties. For our operations to run effectively and efficiently, we need committed, competent employees, and salary is a key factor in retaining good people. This should also be a high priority this fiscal year.
We have heard all this before, many times. So what is going to be done about it? I would like to remind Council that, as I understand it, Fairfield County has the highest per capita tax revenue of all 46 South Carolina counties. So where is all this money going…besides the IRS?
I suggest that this current budget planning season gives us an opportunity to identify funding for much needed service and employee pay improvements. The first thing that would need to change in the current budget review process that I witnessed last year and so far this year, is that department directors should be asked by Council to quantify this current year’s spending. Each director should be prepared to discuss whether current year-to-date spending is on budget, over budget or under budget, with clear and quantified explanations as to any variances. Each director should be prepared to identify areas for cost reductions, and give them a 10% reduction target.
This would just be the start of Council providing more financial oversight on how our taxpayer dollars are spent. Once into the budget year, Council, or at least the Administration and Finance Committee, should review the budget every month and identify all areas of concern, and areas for further cost reductions.
Don Goldbach, District 2 Lake Wateree
