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Highlands Today

Government By Committee

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Tina Ellsworth

Published: February 8, 2008

Many residents of Highlands County may not be aware that each of the five county commissioners receives a salary, in addition to the wages they earn from their own employment. Not only did Highlands County residents elect the fine folks that hold seats on the Board of County Commissioners, but we also pay them to make wise decisions.

Recently, however, I have noticed that our commissioners are interested in appointing committees rather than making decisions themselves. As much as I am supportive of community involvement in local government, I disagree with the abundance of committees that have been created. Before long, the commissioners will be forming a committee to form a committee for something else.

Governing by way of committee only sends the message to your constituents that you're afraid or unable to make decisions. Their actions, or inactions, also clearly send the message that they don't trust their own employees to do the work they were hired to do. This is a very disconcerting message for everyone.

There are reasons why the BCC has employees with specific experience. It should be a priority to task their capable staff members with formulating plans to solve issues and problems. Citizen input is always necessary, but the appropriate time is in a public hearing and not on a committee, where everyone has a hidden agenda.

Instead of forming more committees, the more productive approach to tough decision-making may be in the form of working groups and task forces, where specialized staff members can discuss possible solutions and incorporate the suggestions of other professional sources. This would be a wise use of staff time and a more efficient use of tax-payers money.

Tina Ellsworth
Sebring

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