Palm Beach County Commission considers consolidating sheriff
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  1. #1
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    Palm Beach County Commission considers consolidating sheriff

    Palm Beach County Commission considers consolidating sheriff, other county posts

    From Sun-Sentinel.com

    Palm Beach County commissioners on Tuesday kept alive a proposal that would revamp local government by giving more power to … county commissioners.

    Commissioners are considering asking voters in November 2012 to change the county charter — the constitution for local government.

    Commissioners ruled out shifting to nonpartisan commission elections. The commission also opted not to ask voters to switch to countywide elections instead of the current practice of having seven commissioners elected by voters in different geographic districts.

    However, the commission kept alive a proposal to consolidate county government by changing the sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser and supervisor of elections from independently elected officials to appointees of the County Commission.

    Some commissioners have billed consolidation as a way to combine overlapping duties and cut costs at a time when local governments face budget shortfalls amid the struggling economy.

    Commissioners called for staffers to identify whether consolidation would lead to savings for taxpayers and if so, how much.

    "Look at how we can work efficiently and [find] cost savings," said Commissioner Priscilla Taylor, who proposed exploring consolidation. "Make sure that this government runs better and more efficiently."

    Opponents to consolidation counter that voters shouldn't lose their say in picking the sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser and supervisor of elections. They also question the scandal-plagued County Commission's ability to cut costs and provide the same level of service.

    Scandals that started in 2006 prompted four county commissioners to resign and plead guilty to criminal charges related to misuse of office.

    Tax Collector Anne Gannon says she welcomes a cost comparison, but said it needs to be based on "credible data" and conducted by an independent outside party.

    Gannon said having an elected tax collector, sheriff, property appraiser and supervisor of elections are part of the "checks and balances" of local government. She doubts that voters will support handing that power over to the County Commission.

    "The people have a right to vote on who represents them," Gannon said. "They just do not trust the County Commission."

    Ultimately voters would get the final say on any charter changes. The County Commission has until August to decide on whether to put any proposed charter changes on the November 2012 ballot.

    Commissioner Jess Santamaria failed to get a majority of commissioners to support switching to countywide commission elections and to make commission elections nonpartisan.

    Santamaria, a Democrat, contends that the local government issues the County Commission faces aren't partisan so commissioners shouldn't run as Republicans, Democrats or other party affiliations that trigger primaries.

    Also, Santamaria advocated a switch to countywide elections because he said commissioners are too focused on issues in their separate districts, to the detriment of countywide needs.

    "Our constituents are being shortchanged by the way it's set up now," Santamaria said.

  2. #2
    Guest

    Re: Palm Beach County Commission considers consolidating she

    Why would voters vote for this proposal. They would have the control and the continued power to be corrupt. Heck look how many served time for their greed. I am fine with electing my tax collector, Sheriff etc. I will choose who I think is the right person. By the way, the voters of this county are just as educated as they are when making choices.

    Vote NO!!!

  3. #3
    Guest

    Re: Palm Beach County Commission considers consolidating she

    Sheriff is a constitutional officer. The idiot commissioners can not appoint one, they don't have the authority. That is why we they don't give us our budget, the sheriff can appeal to the gov. and get the money. Each county in FL has to have a sheriff, and the greedy corrupt commissioners have no say in the matter, period.

  4. #4
    Guest

    Re: Palm Beach County Commission considers consolidating she

    they may not be able to do away with the current system but we as citizens need to pay close attention to the BS that happens at the S.O. !! The public is blind to the internal workings of our corrupt Sheriff's office! They cover up so much stuff it would blow your mind!! Like the facts of those two deputies that lost their life in Belle Glade due to reckless driving by the deputy that hit them. as well as the supervisors that didn't do equiptment inspections on the stop sticks!!!

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