by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
It was nearly 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 28. Martha Creamer was drinking her morning coffee, watching the local morning news. She had been in the job hunt for several months, and had no luck. On the television screen came a mention of an event called Employ Flagler, which was sponsored by the county and the One Stop Career Center, beginning at 8:30 a.m. It was now or never.
She jumped up, got read and headed out of her home to arrive at the job fair around 8:35 a.m. Creamer figured it would be an opportune time to network with professionals, meet with potential employers and to get her face out there.
"I've learned the importance of networking, especially when you are in search of a new job," she said. "It is important to make contact with potential employers and get yourself out there."
As a result of contacts she made at Employ Flagler, she was hired at the Flagler County Agricultural Extension. She'll begin June 7.
For Creamer, it was a rare stroke of luck, combined with her hard work. It was even more rare of an opportunity when you consider the county has been forced to scale back its operations, just like most businesses in the area.
Unemployment:
Flagler County - 15.4%
Volusia County - 11.9%
State Average - 11.2%
National Average - 9.5%
In March 2010, 53 Florida counties had double-digit unemployment rates. In April 2010, it was 45.
Source: Agency for Workforce Innovation
Craig Coffey is Flagler County's administrator, or in other words, the county's chief executive officer, and he's been the man behind many of the tough decisions.
The first budged he approved in 2008 resulted in more than 40 layoffs. The next budget resulted in 17 more. Other positions have remained unfilled after employees have moved on. In total, the Board of County Commissioners now employs 288 people, down from a high of 350 two years ago.
He consolidated departments and reduced services. He put out new bids on contracts to save money and make county operations more efficient. By privatizing landscaping, the county saved $100,000. He saved $250,000 by renegotiating health insurance for the employees. He cut $1 million from the Sheriff's budget and $250,000 from the clerk of court.
His staff also made cuts on smaller levels, such as reducing the number of Blackberry phones from 22 last year to 10 this year. Last year and this year, county employees have gone without raises. When employees have moved on or retired, Coffey has filled their positions by paying lower salaries -- sometimes reducing the salaries by as much as 50%.
"We've done everything and more than a business would do, and we've done it all under public scrutiny," Coffey said.
County Commissioner Milissa Holland said, "How I saw it was not only a challenge, but an opportunity to become more efficient. But, also, to identify what the county's role was within the community."
Joe Mayer, the county's director of community services, said, "We are leaner and meaner now, there's no doubt about it."
This summer, the county will likely have even more tough decisions to make. In 2008, the commission approved Coffey's $2.2 million cut in the general fund. In 2009, he cut another $2.8 from the budget, which last year was $68 million for operations. This year, he predicts they'll have to cut another $1.5 million to $2 million if they want to raise the millage rate as little as possible.
"You're going through the same struggles year after year that business and homeowners are going through. The decisions are different, but they're just as tough. We value every dollar we receive," Coffey said.
She jumped up, got read and headed out of her home to arrive at the job fair around 8:35 a.m. Creamer figured it would be an opportune time to network with professionals, meet with potential employers and to get her face out there.
"I've learned the importance of networking, especially when you are in search of a new job," she said. "It is important to make contact with potential employers and get yourself out there."
As a result of contacts she made at Employ Flagler, she was hired at the Flagler County Agricultural Extension. She'll begin June 7.
For Creamer, it was a rare stroke of luck, combined with her hard work. It was even more rare of an opportunity when you consider the county has been forced to scale back its operations, just like most businesses in the area.
Unemployment:
Flagler County - 15.4%
Volusia County - 11.9%
State Average - 11.2%
National Average - 9.5%
In March 2010, 53 Florida counties had double-digit unemployment rates. In April 2010, it was 45.
Source: Agency for Workforce Innovation
Craig Coffey is Flagler County's administrator, or in other words, the county's chief executive officer, and he's been the man behind many of the tough decisions.
The first budged he approved in 2008 resulted in more than 40 layoffs. The next budget resulted in 17 more. Other positions have remained unfilled after employees have moved on. In total, the Board of County Commissioners now employs 288 people, down from a high of 350 two years ago.
He consolidated departments and reduced services. He put out new bids on contracts to save money and make county operations more efficient. By privatizing landscaping, the county saved $100,000. He saved $250,000 by renegotiating health insurance for the employees. He cut $1 million from the Sheriff's budget and $250,000 from the clerk of court.
His staff also made cuts on smaller levels, such as reducing the number of Blackberry phones from 22 last year to 10 this year. Last year and this year, county employees have gone without raises. When employees have moved on or retired, Coffey has filled their positions by paying lower salaries -- sometimes reducing the salaries by as much as 50%.
"We've done everything and more than a business would do, and we've done it all under public scrutiny," Coffey said.
County Commissioner Milissa Holland said, "How I saw it was not only a challenge, but an opportunity to become more efficient. But, also, to identify what the county's role was within the community."
Joe Mayer, the county's director of community services, said, "We are leaner and meaner now, there's no doubt about it."
This summer, the county will likely have even more tough decisions to make. In 2008, the commission approved Coffey's $2.2 million cut in the general fund. In 2009, he cut another $2.8 from the budget, which last year was $68 million for operations. This year, he predicts they'll have to cut another $1.5 million to $2 million if they want to raise the millage rate as little as possible.
"You're going through the same struggles year after year that business and homeowners are going through. The decisions are different, but they're just as tough. We value every dollar we receive," Coffey said.
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