Today was a big day in Hillsborough County as our new interim county administrator delivered a game changing budget recommendation to the BOCC. Gone were the budget gimmicks or woeful hand wringing about declining revenue (taxpayer relief). Instead, Mike Merrill (interim CA) provided a vision of a new county government focused on limited core mission and vastly improved customer service.

The next few months will be challenging, but in the end what we will see is a government firmly fixed on becoming lean and efficient. Our scope will be reduced, as the private sector or other Agencies partner with the County to streamline services. We will reduce redundancy - share backroom support operations and make certain that the bulk of what we do spend goes towards public services and not bureaucracy. It sounds obvious - but it has taken new leadership at the County Center to make it a reality. Stay tuned.