County responds to economy

Flagler County has had to act more like a business in today's economic climate, and under County Administrator Craig Coffey's reign, the county has eliminated nearly 60 jobs in the past two years.

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. 

Hammond: Caseload unhealthy

Despite the caseload increasing by 261% in four years, Judge Kim Hammond sees no reprieve.

by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer 

The judicial system is much different today compared to 1980, when Judge Kim Hammond became the resident administrative judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. In 30 years, Hammond has witnessed the caseload for the circuit judges grow exponentially, and now, he says, it's near the breaking point.

Between 2005 and 2006, the two circuit judges heard 1,327 civil cases. Between 2009 and 2010, there have been 3,458 -- an increase of 261%.

Flagler County Clerk of the Court Gail Wadsworth said Hammond has the largest criminal docket in the circuit, which includes Volusia, St. Johns, Putnam and Flagler counties.

"The problem," Hammond says, "is you can't get to the cases as quickly as the opponent would like. You live in more of a fear that you do it in a hurry."

Hammond suggested the work has been overwhelming for quite some time now, and he's starting to become anxious.

"I'm not sure how long this can go on, frankly," Hammond added. "You find yourself moving more quickly than you should trying to cover the cases and not spending enough time considering the matters. That not only affects your product, but the quality of your product, and that's troublesome."

Wadsworth added, "I think they have a tremendous overload. When you have two judges doing all the work of five judges -- if you use 2004 statistics -- then our judges and their related staff are overburdened."

She compared the work load of the judges to a kindergarten teacher having an excessive amount of students in a class.

"You can't effectively teach 52 five-year-olds," she said.

According to Molly Justice, court communications officer for the 7th Judicial Circuit, for another judge to be appointed to a circuit, the state Supreme Court issues a certification of need to the state Legislature. AT this year's legislative session, the certification of need called for three additional circuit judges and two county court judges in Volusia County. Although the circuit judges can serve in any of the four counties in the circuit, county judges can only serve in their home counties.

However, according to the Office of the State Courts administrator, the request for judges was not funded in the budget this year. In fact, 2006 to 2007 was the last time the Legislature funded new judges, when 55 were approved. Of those 55, the 7th Judicial Circuit received one, now serving in St. Johns County.

Wadsworth said something needs to change, so she'll continue to speak out.

"I think the more drums we bang, the more likely we are to (be noticed)," she said.

Flagler County has two circuit court judges, Hammond and Judge Raul Zambrano, who has served here since November 2005. Prior to Zambrano's arrival, Hammond was the only circuit judge in Flagler County. Hammond presides over the felony criminal, probate, guardianship, Marchman Acts, Baker Acts, juvenile cases and some civil cases, while Zambrano presides over the civil docket, which includes family law and foreclosures.

Hammond is retiring this year, and the books close July 26 for the Aug. 24 primary election. Whoever is elected will have a big job ahead.

Hammond pointed out that it's hard to measure how many people are affected by the judicial system, but that "you can affect a great deal of people and cause a lot of harm if you don't fun the judicial branch."