As children, this is a phrase we might hear on the playground after someone takes our favorite toy. As adults, it's unfortunately a phrase we do not hear often in governments regarding tax dollars. That's why I'm very pleased to write about something I saw take place this week in Jefferson County.
In the normal course of a County Commissioner meeting, people will approach the podium for any number of things. I've been there myself for a driver's license law resolution presentation. On several occasions, it is someone from the government asking for money- the Commissioners control much of the spending in a county. When I saw our Property Appraiser Angela Gray approach the podium with a folder, based on my experience I was reasonably certain it was not to ask for money.
As it turns out, she was not asking for money, she was giving it back. She gave the Commissioners a check for over $16,000. Everyone in the room applauded.
Since I was unsure as to the source of the money, I inquired during the citizen comments portion and learned it was excess budget money.
This struck home with me, since in my former career with the State of Florida I've seen on several occasions how money is spent at the end of the budget year for things that are not absolutely vital. The conventional wisdom here is that if you don't spend it, you'll get less next year.
Angela Gray is an example of how our government should operate. I say this also based on personal experience with a valuation issue we had several years ago. Having lived in the southern portion of the state for most of my life, I was used to dealing with underlings when it came to local government. You never got to see the actual elected person. This is not the case with Mrs. Gray. We made an appointment and were speaking directly to her in less than 5 minutes after walking in the door. She listened to us (this alone is invaluable) and then resolved the issue within a couple of weeks.
Think what would happen if we had people of this mindset running all of our agencies. Would we have a $14+ trillion deficit? I suspect we would not. This is an example of how our government ought to operate.
About Paul Henry
Paul has a law enforcement background, having served as a Florida Deputy Sheriff and State Trooper for over 25 years until he retired. He worked many levels and positions within the FHP, from road patrol trooper to lieutenant in criminal investigations, where he investigated numerous criminal cases. After retirement, Paul wished to pursue his automotive hobby and be left alone, but saw an increasing amount of waste in government as well as the government's increasing involvement in our private lives and liberty, so he became politically active. Paul is the founder of the non-partisan citizen's group Floridians Against REAL ID, and authored two bills for the 2012 Florida legislative session: REAL ID partial repeal and Motorist Rights (red light cameras). Paul is the 2013 Legislative Action Committee Chair for The Tea Party Network, a network for constitutional and Tea Party groups to do more than just complain about issues. Paul works as the Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs with the Florida Campaign for Liberty and lives in the Tallahassee, Florida area.
Give It Back!
As children, this is a phrase we might hear on the playground after someone takes our favorite toy. As adults, it's unfortunately a phrase we do not hear often in governments regarding tax dollars. That's why I'm very pleased to write about something I saw take place this week in Jefferson County.
In the normal course of a County Commissioner meeting, people will approach the podium for any number of things. I've been there myself for a driver's license law resolution presentation. On several occasions, it is someone from the government asking for money- the Commissioners control much of the spending in a county. When I saw our Property Appraiser Angela Gray approach the podium with a folder, based on my experience I was reasonably certain it was not to ask for money.
As it turns out, she was not asking for money, she was giving it back. She gave the Commissioners a check for over $16,000. Everyone in the room applauded.
Since I was unsure as to the source of the money, I inquired during the citizen comments portion and learned it was excess budget money.
This struck home with me, since in my former career with the State of Florida I've seen on several occasions how money is spent at the end of the budget year for things that are not absolutely vital. The conventional wisdom here is that if you don't spend it, you'll get less next year.
Angela Gray is an example of how our government should operate. I say this also based on personal experience with a valuation issue we had several years ago. Having lived in the southern portion of the state for most of my life, I was used to dealing with underlings when it came to local government. You never got to see the actual elected person. This is not the case with Mrs. Gray. We made an appointment and were speaking directly to her in less than 5 minutes after walking in the door. She listened to us (this alone is invaluable) and then resolved the issue within a couple of weeks.
Think what would happen if we had people of this mindset running all of our agencies. Would we have a $14+ trillion deficit? I suspect we would not. This is an example of how our government ought to operate.
About Paul Henry
Paul has a law enforcement background, having served as a Florida Deputy Sheriff and State Trooper for over 25 years until he retired. He worked many levels and positions within the FHP, from road patrol trooper to lieutenant in criminal investigations, where he investigated numerous criminal cases. After retirement, Paul wished to pursue his automotive hobby and be left alone, but saw an increasing amount of waste in government as well as the government's increasing involvement in our private lives and liberty, so he became politically active. Paul is the founder of the non-partisan citizen's group Floridians Against REAL ID, and authored two bills for the 2012 Florida legislative session: REAL ID partial repeal and Motorist Rights (red light cameras). Paul is the 2013 Legislative Action Committee Chair for The Tea Party Network, a network for constitutional and Tea Party groups to do more than just complain about issues. Paul works as the Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs with the Florida Campaign for Liberty and lives in the Tallahassee, Florida area.