Posted 8:29 am Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Commissioners Weigh Advice From East Texas Grassroots Group
By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer
The Smith County Commissioners Court discussed several recommendations Monday made by a conservative political action group seeking fiscal responsibility and transparency at the local level.
Staff Writer
The Smith County Commissioners Court discussed several recommendations Monday made by a conservative political action group seeking fiscal responsibility and transparency at the local level.
During the previous public meeting Grassroots America - We The People President George Stephenson asked that the court discuss several items, including implementation of a hiring freeze, adding fiscal notes to agenda items, limiting "pay-go" projects and real estate purchases and seeking a long-range infrastructure planning study by an independent entity.
The court discussed the items though there were varying opinions of how implementing policy or even guidelines might restrict department heads or the court from filling vacated positions already budgeted or purchasing property.
"One area that concerns me (regarding property purchases) is you never know when something good is going to come along," Commissioner Jeff Warr said. "Some things we want to have flexibility."
Commissioner JoAnn Hampton said department heads "manage well and yes, we want them to justify the position," but that managers understand, as does the court, that justification is part of the process.
The court approved a hiring freeze for Fiscal Year 2010, beginning Oct. 1.
County Judge Joel Baker said the county will continue to discuss other recommendations by the group.
"We want to assure you that we are working on those things and will report on them in the future," he said.
The court also discussed and took action on the following:
