Happy New Year from the Jefferson County Council!

2011 was a hard year.  You have read about it in my blog entries as I describe what it is like to implement a new charter form of government.  It has been such an honor to have served as the first chair of the first seven-member County Council of Jefferson County.

Looking back on all we have accomplished during the past 12 months, my head spins.  We refused to raise taxes, passed our first balanced budget and met the stated needs of almost every department.  In doing so, we funded several additional Sheriff’s Deputies to make our County safer.  We implemented the merit system, passed the long range and redistricting plans, killed red light cameras, passed new Rules of Procedure, and updated the Unified Development Order and traffic ordinances.  In this first year, we passed a municipal code that allowed the county to take advantage of its charter status.  We addressed the needs of citizens who requested noise and barking dog ordinances.  Our oversight of budgetary issues stopped out-of-control spending, like a request to release $12,000 to reimburse a developer for sidewalks that had not been installed, or a $300,000 request for safety shoes.  We have corrected countless errors in legislation and other county documents.  We have made local government more transparent by audio-taping council meetings.  Soon, we will videotape the meetings as well.

Our meetings are open to the public, and the public seems hungry to participate.  Average attendance at our regular meetings is over 30 people – compare that to the average attendance in the last administration, which was less than 10.  The council loves public participation and invites every citizen to attend our regular meetings on the second and fourth Monday of every month beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 729 Maple Street in Hillsboro.

Who knows what we will accomplish in Year 2 - 2012?  I don’t know about you, but I am excited and ready to get started!