David Tunno approached the Board regarding outsourcing services to save money, pointing to other counties where this has been implemented, using Frederick County in Maryland, Georgiatown as a model. With outsourcing core positions targeted for outsourcing, Calaveras County could potentially save 4.36 million dollars per year, which is almost the 4.5 million gap that is trying to be filled, this is done without cutting services “by a method that has been proven.” Tunno suggested to look at Supervisor Wilensky’s previously published cost saving ideas and possible outsourcing. Time to look at employee benefits packages, compensation packages for public employees , gold plated, for all county employees, “a lot of us out here thought they were never appropriate” it may be time to convert those packages into “something more realistic” something more like the people out here are facing, providing for “our own retirement, IRA’s, social security,..” etc.
George Fry approached the Board and raised the issue of the City of Angels Camp being in the “red” 1 million dollars pointing out that cities have been have been contracting with counties for law enforcement services for many years and questioned the feasibility of such an alliance with Calaveras County Sheriff. He stated that he had raised this issue at a candidates night for City Council and “you would have thought I said a terrible thing” stating that the city is 1 million in the red and could possibly save one million dollars. “This is the kind of thinking we need, to have ongoing discussions about….to be fiscally conservative.” Later in the meeting George commented on an agenda item beginning the comment with a statement directed toward Tom Tryon, “Your time is limited, I don’t think you’re going to be back in 2012.”
Peter Rays, (Rancho Calaveras) Questioned the animosity between the Board as elected officials and other elected officials within the county, pointing out that the members of the Board were elected by constituents within their districts but can’t seem to get along with personnel that were elected by the “whole county.” “That looks very, very disappointing and disturbing. That is a reflection of your diplomacy and trust.” He went on to question the secrecy of funds; who exactly pays for grants, the source of the grants. Peter also mentioned that Governor Brown will be dumping on local county jails with no compensation, “Ship them to San Francisco, they want our water and everything else.” Tyron responded, “You are always entertaining Peter.”
Al Segala, Copperopolis, complimented Steve Wilensky “Steve is right in that it is time for new ideas” many of his ideas make sense, concerns about consolidation. Prioritize all functions of County government to identify core services, such as law enforcement, public works, etc, stating that the City of Sonora used this process and it seemed to function well. Again contracting services was mentioned as a plausible and effective way to meet our fiscal responsibilities while supplying services to the county.
Kelly Frigaro, Director Woman’s Crisis Center, approached the Board stating that she would like to “voice my concern, my distress, maybe terror in the fact that we may be cutting law enforcement officers.” The Women’s Crisis center serves women suffering from domestic violence. Kelly stressed that response time, particularly in the case of domestic violence is imperative in limiting the trauma on the family that is involved in this type of crime, questioning the outcome of such a crime if law enforcement cannot get there in time to help the victim of domestic violence. “We have a waiting list for shelter, we need the county to support them, law enforcement to support them, and above all they need to know someone will be there when they need them.”
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