program

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Times article on Parks budget:

Hillsborough commissioners approve controversial scaling back of after-school programs

By Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Thursday, July 28, 2011

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/hillsborough-commissioners-approve-controversial-scaling-back-of/1182693

TAMPA — A divided Hillsborough County Commission voted Wednesday to dramatically scale back after-school parks programs, a budget cut that has drawn spirited condemnation from parents.

But commissioners left open the prospect of revisiting the issue, planning to talk next month about whether they can keep the programs operating at more parks than were approved Wednesday.

“I think we’re probably far away from a resolution on this,” said Commissioner Sandra Murman, saying she thinks a broader board discussion on how it serves children is needed.

The vote came as commissioners met to make some of the main unresolved budget decisions needed to set a tentative property tax rate for next fiscal year. Commissioners agreed to shave a tiny fraction from the current rate, reducing the county’s portion of the tax bill on a $200,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption by 72 cents.

The rate tentatively set for unincorporated areas is about $10.76 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Commissioners can lower the rate before September when they pass a final budget, but can’t raise it.

The parks dispute has represented one of the thornier decisions on their plate as they wrestle with a $3 billion budget.

For now, the commission vote means that after-school programs operating at 42 county parks will be consolidated at 11 regional recreation centers. The vote was 4-3, with Commissioners Ken Hagan, Les Miller and Victor Crist opposed.

Prevailing commissioners said the county can no longer afford the $7.5 million service that has seen its enrollment dwindle since fees were introduced in an attempt to recoup costs.

Hagan said he agreed. He nevertheless is floating a proposal to keep the programs operating at 30 parks. He also wants to see an analysis of whether fees could be lowered to draw more kids and bring in more paying customers.

“It would be fiscally irresponsible to ignore the reality,” Hagan said. “I think we can do better.”

Under the plan approved Wednesday, children who don’t live near one of the regional parks would be encouraged to use the HOST program, an after-school program offered at more than 130 elementary and middle schools. It costs the same as the county service, $48 per week for each child with discounts available to low-income families.

The county used to offer its after-school programs for free. When property tax revenue began declining in recent years, county officials targeted the programs for elimination as a luxury they could no longer justify.

Parents rallied on their behalf, agreeing to fees that were implemented and then increased. Enrollment declined from a high of 6,200 in 2007 to 1,800 currently, with average weekly fees collected per child at $23 after low-income discounts.

At a public hearing last week, the after-school program was the prevailing topic. Among other things, speakers argued that the county service, with multiple structured offerings from athletics to crafts and tutoring, is far superior to the school district’s HOST program.

Gwen Luney, an assistant superintendent for Hillsborough County schools who oversees the program, noted it has 8,000 children enrolled. She said supervised outdoor activities are offered as well as homework assistance and access to school media centers.

“We try to make sure we work with every parent … to give (them) a safe, wholesome opportunity for their children,” Luney said.

Bill Varian can be reached at (813) 226-3387 or varian@sptimes.com.

Commissioner Murman lauded in this Tribune editorial on her small business job-creation program:

Editorial: Public money for private sector jobs

Editorial

By TBO.COM
Published: June 20, 2011

It’s a dicey proposition anytime government tries to get involved in creating private sector jobs.

It’s one thing to hire private companies to build roads, buildings and other necessary public projects; it’s another to use tax dollars to actually subsidize private jobs.

Under such scenarios, businesses that receive government aid may benefit, but competitors can suffer, even end up eliminating jobs and making the net effect on the economy negligible.

That is why government usually should avoid tinkering with the marketplace.

But with the county suffering an unemployment rate near 12 percent, it’s understandable that commissioners don’t want to simply sit on their hands.

And the county’s Small Business Job Creation Program provides a cautious but meaningful way to encourage local firms to hire more workers.

It won’t solve the jobless crisis, and county officials should monitor its long-term impact, particularly whether the jobs it creates last and whether it gives some firms an unfair advantage over others.

But the signs are encouraging that it is indeed giving private businesses an incentive to hire more workers.

Hillsborough Commissioner Sandy Murman, who championed the plan, says it has resulted in plans for at least 63 jobs. “That is like bringing a corporation to town,” she says.

The commission approved the program in March, providing $500,000 that will be used to reimburse small businesses for a portion of the salaries they pay new workers over three months. Businesses are limited to subsidies for three workers, and there is a maximum payout of $3,900 per employee. Only firms with 10 employees or fewer are eligible.

Participating companies must be pre-approved. They must be Hillsborough-based and have been in business two years. Workers must be Hillsborough residents. The firms do not have to agree to keep the workers beyond the three months, and they need only pay minimum wage. But they are not reimbursed by the county until the end of the three months, which ensures the jobs actually are filled and that no abuse occurs.

Murman reports an enthusiastic response. Close to 30 businesses have applied, and just a little more than half the funds remain. City Council member Lisa Montelione understandably would like the city to launch a similar effort.

With the city’s budget shortfall, it may be best to see exactly how the county’s experience plays out.

This little program is not going to suddenly ignite the economy, but it does give businesses that are gaining traction reason to invest in growth. Murman, her fellow commissioners and retiring Economic Development Director Gene Gray deserve credit for fashioning a simple, accountable way to give business a hand, without getting government’s fingerprints all over the place.

Sandy Murman

63 New Jobs and Counting