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No money allotted for government watchdog
Born out of whispers of developer influence on Loudoun officials, a much-talked-about inspector general position was supposed to keep tabs on county wheelings and dealings. The only problem: There's no money to staff it.Like other requests this budget season to increase government staffing, a proposal to create a Loudoun inspector general office was the victim of a lean-revenue year for the Board of Supervisors, which adopted a fiscal year 2009 budget April 1. The spending plan did not include money for a government watchdog.
"There is no available funds to be adding positions," said Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run).
In September, the previous board asked that County Administrator Kirby Bowers set aside money in the budget to staff a three-member inspector general's office that would scrutinize county operations and spending. Two additional workers, who would perform regular audits of county documents, also were supposed to be employed.
The price tag to create the five positions was estimated at $375,000.
The county once employed an inspector general, but the board eliminated the position a decade ago in a cost-cutting move.
The need for this latest watchdog arose from reports published in the Washington Post in early 2007 that suggested decisions made by former Republican supervisors Steve Snow and Bruce Tulloch were being guided by former board chairman Dale Polen Myers, who works in real estate.
It was later discovered that the Federal Bureau of Investigations had spoken with board members after the stories came out.
With respect to hiring an inspector general, Waters said the topic “never even came up” during the month of budget deliberations that the board just wrapped up.
She suggested that supervisors can avoid government fraud and waste by performing the monitoring themselves.
Former Leesburg District supervisor Jim Clem proposed the creation of the watchdog office.
“That's the problem -- there has been too much self-monitoring,” he said. “[An inspector general] is something they desperately need, something they need more than ever.”
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
While I do not claim to be of the same general political persuasion of Jim Clem, he is right on target. Self-monitoring is like haveing Col. Sanders gaurd the chicken house.
With a $1 billion dollar budget and 75% going to schools, all other county spending is minimal. Government needs to be responsive, affordable, and accountable. You can have all these attributes with sensible fiscal management.
I believe that we need new blood for a county administrator. A person with new ideas and a fresh look. If we don't wish to replace Kirby Bowers, then we better bring in a consultant to help us look for money in new areas.
Our local leaders generally are respectable and well-minded poeple, regardless of party affiliation. However, when the comfort level becomes too cozy due to length of stay in office or "friendships", we begin to have problems.
A watch dog IG office would be money well spent. Maybe we could cancel new bleacher seats at one of the high schools to fund this important office? Just a thought.
Posted by BTO
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I agreed with BTO and with Mr. Clem with one additonal thought. The school board needs the IG and it should come from there budget. As BTO stated "With a $1 billion dollar budget and 75% going to schools, all other county spending is minimal" that is were the watchdog needs to be. I was fasinated to learn that when Mr. Hatrick first responded to a question about where the cuts would come from he said it would take six months to evaluate, but he had a answer within 48 hours? Seems to me he knew all along because he put the excess in the budget!
Posted by DandeWithTheWolf
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