Restoring Checks & Balances

So What’s The Problem?

• The County Council consists of 6 Democrats and 1 Republican creating not only a majority but a “One Party Rule.”
• There have been no checks and balances to prevent over-spending, corruption, and much-needed reforms.
• Until recently, our County’s pension plan allowed for Councilmen to retain up to 100% of their highest salaries, 20% for each term served.  To throw us a bone, the Council enacted a plan to cap these benefits at 60%.  This is still higher than any other county employee and it doesn’t apply to current Councilmen or the Executive and there is no age minimum to receive benefits.
• The County awards a substantial amount of tax dollars to sole-source, uncompeted contracts.

How Does It Affect Me?

• Without balance, there is no accountability, and it leads to uncontrolled spending, irresponsible government, and lavish benefits for part-time elected officials.
• We lose our voice as citizens.  The Council can literally do anything they want with very little consequence.
• There is no voice to speak against tax increases, rezoning, or overdevelopment.  Remember that this is our money and these councilmen work for us.

How Will Steve Fix It?

• Demand tougher anti-corruption and accountability laws.
• Introduce legislation to reform our county’s contracting process.
• Ensure our county’s budget process includes tough questions on departmental spending and encourage department heads to be more innovative and efficient, saving us, as taxpayers, money.
• Ensure that the vast majority of our education budget actually reaches the classroom.
• Introduce legislation that will significantly reform the pay, benefits, and pension program for County Council members.