During recent annual budget hearings, commissioners Main and Parry learned the Coos County Road Department had a huge surplus of unused funds to carry forward. (When I receive the video I will update with specifics). In January, Andy Jackson advised the board the county roads were in horrible shape and the roadmaster, John Rowe claimed he could not keep up with the maintenance requirements with the minimal staff he remaining after twenty two road workers were laid off, December 31, 2008.
Main was reportedly stunned and angrily asked why, with the county roads disintegrating, have they not used the surplus to hire necessary staff? Management told the board they intended to hire three more people in July, (coincident with the expiration of the Teamsters Union contract). Main said the department would hire back five from the union list, effective this Monday. The county invested many years training these people and their experience is a valuable asset that should not be wasted.
Most county department heads would be delighted to be able to hire more staff but according to witnesses, Rowe did not appear to be happy. Rowe has repeatedly told the board these last two years, the department was keeping up with all maintenance duties and complaints were minimal. The department has effectively received funds for work it has not performed for the public.
The budget discrepancies between figures presented by former commissioner, Kevin Stufflebean, to justify the New Year’s Eve layoffs and the actual budget was pointed out by many during that period. This blog sent information on the discrepancies to The World newspaper and a government agency. The World chose not to report on it, even during the recall effort to oust Stufflebean.
The World has been very clear on their position about public safety – it is NOT priority number one
Funny, I didn’t see anything about this in The World. Maybe reporting some real news isn’t in their venue. The World DOES still fit the bottom of the bird cage though. I just have to remind the bird not to believe everything he reads.
Hey Randy, I watched your presentation that day on a video. You did an excellent job and just today I was talking with someone how we would love to have you go over the Port budget with us – someday if you have the time
This is a very encouraging start, it is sad that Kevin was able to decimate the road department and deprive the counties tax paying citizens the services they pay for and deserve. We mustn’t forget that Nikki was in FULL support of moves that Kevin made with regard to roads and other service cutting decisions. Acknowledgement and disclosure of these surplus funds was the right thing to do, and those individuals involved in covering up the surplus, especially for the reasons they have given, should be immediately given the opportunity to pursue new employment options. As I stated, this is an encouraging start, and should serve as an example of what can and should be accomplished as the budget review moves forward. On January 3, Chairman Main stated that our general fund would soon lose some 4 million dollars, and that painful decisions would have to be made. I was convinced that a thorough review of the budget would uncover sufficient surpluses to absorb the loss of O & C funds without further devastating our county services. At the January 18th Commissioners meeting I addressed the board on some of my findings with regard to just one account. In this account I found a new line item for 1.5 million dollars that Nikki suggested would be necessary if they had to lay people off, and another that had been increased by over $350,000 from the previous year, to which Nikki responded that there may have been a mistake and $500,000 for a phone system Mr. Main stated he didn’t understand the need for. I believe this one account alone possesses in excess of 2 million dollars that could, and should be re-directed to departments that would otherwise be forced to make cuts. I sincerely hope that this honest disclosure will continue, and I am convinced from my own review of the 2010-2011 adopted budget that the funds needed to support our current level of services can be found.
Agreed, Toland, they did the right thing and deserve a big cheer. Considering how behind they are on road maintenance I would think five more people would not be enough.
Also agree that Rowe needs to go. Do you remember that Kevin had to hire a consultant to teach him how to pave? And telling the BOC these last two years that everything is wonderful. Who can trust him?
Kudos for Commissioners Main and Parry. One wonders why Kevin Stufflebean didn’t hire folks back before this date. It was our impression that he was trying to spend all the budget on new doodad machines for the Department when what they needed was qualified, experienced personnel to keep up our roads. What was Stufflebean’s problem anyway with keep the roads safe? I’m certainly glad that era is passed into infamy. OK, that’s 5 of 22. With all the slides etc. I’m wondering if 5 are enough. I’m also wondering about the willingness of a Roadmaster to sacrifce possible lives, machinery and peace of mind just to “beat a union timeline”. Hum. Perhaps his employment needs to be looked into and his subordinates. Too many “honchos” and not enough workers anyway in my opinion.