Item M
Budget Hearing
Harvey Gov. Center
Sept. 6~ 2000
It is my understanding you are considering an ordinance that will eliminate
the Department of Marine Resources. If that ordinance is being considered
to lower the county budget I think it is an excellent idea.
However, I note you are going to place the Department of Marine Resources
Planning Department duties with the Monroe County planning department.
In actually, then a department is not being eliminated in an effort to
downsize the budget
I would like to know who and what these duties are that will be transferred.
How much will the Monroe County Planning Department's budget be
increased by this move?
The Department of Marine Resources planning department and officials
planned to place 750 Channel Markers but after placing 247 markers, of
which 80 were destroyed in Hurricane Georges, they realized that the county
was responsible for their maintenance and liability. Mr. Jones's letter of
March 26, 1999, given at the first budget reading, explained the facts of cost
and liability. .r,; 1'( ) 7 ?
Not leaving well enough alone they bought a boat and now plan to put only a
total of 400 markers in. The U.S.C.G. only has 406 markers from Key
Largo to the Dry Tortugas of which 126 are lighted. The U.S.C.G. also
refused to loan the county a replacement bouy for one of those lost in the
hurricane as they would then on be responsible for it.
How can you talk about budget when you don't give all the facts of what is
going to happen to the irresponsible people putting the county taxpayers in
jeopardy?
117. ~