Thursday, January 7, 2010

Here's Your Chance

An open letter to all county employees from Commissioner Larry Johnson. Don't miss this opportunity to give your input.

To All DeKalb County Employees,

In this current economy, housing prices and property values are down and as a result revenue projections for DeKalb County are also down. The Board of Commissioners has been presented with a 2010 Budget recommendation from the CEO that includes a recommendation for a tax increase as well as manpower reductions. The Board has some serious decisions to make prior to adopting a budget by March 1, 2010 as it relates to this year’s budget.

The reality of the situation is that we must adopt a balanced budget by March 1, 2010 and to do this we, as a Board, have to look for ways in which to decrease the operating expenses for DeKalb County.

I am appealing to the employees of DeKalb and asking for your input on ways in which the Board can balance this budget and continue to provide service to the citizens of DeKalb. I am seeking your input on suggestions on how we may accomplish salary savings and any revenue generating ideas you may have.

Additionally, the CEO and I will be working together to hold employee focus group meetings as an additional means of gathering your valuable input on the Budget for 2010. As the dates, times and locations are finalized we will get this information out to you. In the meantime, please send your ideas and suggestions to larryjohnson@co.dekalb.ga.us as the budget must be voted on by the end of February and the Board is in the process of reviewing the document, your ideas and suggestions should be provided as soon as possible.



Larry L. Johnson, Presiding Officer
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well what about the price of having a Public Safety Director. That's probably a half million dollar office with staff and cars.

Do we really need the office? Many feel its just a political office for the CEO.

Anonymous said...

Is this the same Larry Johnson who called South Precinct demanding that a ticket issued to his daughter be "fixed"?

Anonymous said...

good grief charlie brown! I'm totally against it but hell even I am tired of hearing the whining about the public safety director. his position could be vulnerable cause the BOC never did like the way the CEO went around them to put him in place. the chance to say something is being offered. Use it. at the very least we may find out what he does

Anonymous said...

Here's a few suggestions for revenue: Charge these idiots who repeatedly call 911 in which units respond. For example: demented people, minor civil matters like: " my neighbor borrowed my vacuum and now wont give it back", etc.. unless a citizen is in immediate danger, injured, beaten by a spouse, in a vehicle accident or any situation that is 'in-progress' they should be billed. Units are not a pre-paid legal service..furthermore, the dememted calls (sig 22's) are on a steady rise, police units are transporting these crazy people to every hospital u can think of. CHARGE THE FAMILIES or the 22 directly for this service. CHARGE for any and every citizen who calls 911 about animal control. like " there's a loose dog"..."there's a cat stuck in a tree", at least $100 a pop for each of the above suggestions would generate a good amount of revenue for Dekalb County.

Anonymous said...

Increase the traffic ticket fines. Re-evaluate the Hazardous Duty pay. Are you telling me a pilot's duty is more hazardous than a beat officer's? Dont recall a pilot crashing or being assaulted in my 20 years here.

Anonymous said...

I agree that the Public Safety Director's position needs to be abolished. Im sure his position provides a great service.. The question is, is it a service we can do without during this tough economic state of the county? If you keep the position then at least scale back on some of his perks, i.e a Lt as his driver. Put the Lt back on the road and let an MPO, nearing the end of his/her career, be his driver as a reward for 25 plus years of service. Hell, I see Sheriff Tom Brown driving himself around all the time!

Anonymous said...

Nothing against Wiz Miller but we do NOT need a Public Safety Directors position or the expense that comes with it. I agree with the poster on transporting demented people all over Dekalb County. What a waste of manpower and money, as are barking dog, loud party, false alarms, parking lot accidents and all of the other MORONIC things that we have to respond to on a dailey basis. Cut that crap out and we may actually be able to do some real pilice work.Leadership ?

Anonymous said...

The county cant even collect on business license fees or keep track of recorders court fines. I wish we could do it, but who is going to be in charge of collecting those fees from the callers? If a $140 tax increase on a 200K home is going to break some people, they arent going to get behind paying fees for calls for service. You forget the public things we are babysitters,counselors, private security, quality of life enforcers and what ever else they need.

Anonymous said...

The CEO needs to thank Director for his service and re-assign him or show him to the door. That position may have provided something last year, but how many cars could we get with the cost of his salary and perks. Somebody mentioned DEMA, that Director Miller works on that, but I hear he's just like Frank, and tells everyone else to do the work and report back.It may have been a good idea last year with a brand new CEO and Bolton still in place, but I think the department can move forward with out him. We'd be better off if he'd go back to the DA's office and take Gwens place!

Anonymous said...

If Anon #2 info is correct: shame on you LJ - how well do you think your little princess is going to turn out when you continue to teach her that there aren't any consequences to your actions? (That's a rhetorical question - I already have the answer.)
Dis-GUS-ting. Just make sure you stick around to bail her out when her bratty behavior lands her sorry ass in jail. Putz.
PS - if this info is NOT true, then I apologize.

Anonymous said...

This is true about Dekalb not being able to keep up with fees from other departments within the County; I know how Dekalb can collect on the moronic calls that come thru the E911 system that units have to respond to day in and day out. "Dekalb 911 do you have an emergency?" CITIZEN: " No, but I need an officer, Metro PCS wont give me a refund on this 80'S model pre-paid phone I bought 9 months ago that is now broken" .. "Okay ma'am that'll be $150 for a unit to respond to your location, to give you advice on your ***CIVIL MATTER*** CREDIT OR DEBIT??" LOL

Anonymous said...

Seriously!? Larry Johnson's daughter is in pre-k or kindergarten.