Comments on: Pierce County government would shrink next year under Executive McCarthy’s budget

By: pcinsider1

pcinsider1 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:04:36 +0000

With many ” rank and file” Pierce Co. employees taking unpaid furlough days in 2010, I suggest that all elected officials, including the exec and her gaggle of “helpers”, do the same. I have heard that Jan Shabro, who is currently the appointed non-partisan Auditor, will be taking 52 voluntary furlough days next year if she is elected in November. Word is that her Deputy, has already taken furlough days this year and will take 52 next year if Ms Shabro is elected. She also did not replace a highly paid exempt assistant position when she took office, which prevented the lay off of at least one, if not two, full time employees. If one elected official can do this to preserve positions and maintain service to the public then maybe all other elected officials and their staffs should do the same. Time for McCarthy to set a good example and start in her own office and stop threatening the career service employees that are the face of the county to the public every day. Just a suggestion, Pat….

By: derekyoung

derekyoung — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:06:32 +0000

Sounds ugly so far.

By: ldozy1234

ldozy1234 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:31:46 +0000

Totally unacceptable to cut any positions ( esp. safety) UNLESS at least half of the “dream team” is first to go. Pushing through these positions ( and the budget INCREASE they caused) during such an economic crisis months ago was a poor decision on the Exec.’s part and needs to be immediately rectified.
Hopefully the Council will address this as its first priority. If the Exec. can’t function without the assistance of these additional members then she and they need to take a pay cut to cover the costs.

By: Exidor

Exidor — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:19:17 +0000

Start with fixing the overtime issues at the Pierce County Jail. The $2-4 million per year spent on mandatory and volunteer O/T could help offset the loss of some of the core safety services either on the street or at the jail. Proper management and staffing levels at PCJ would have a significant budget impact. However, Pierce County would need to reorganize its Police and Corrections entry testing. It is currently the most difficult in the state because of its structure. I am aware of 4 police officers that could not pass the background and polygraph at PC, but were able to pass and be hired by WSP, SPD and TPD. PC holds an entirely different standard compared to the average.