Seminole clerk: I answer to citizens, not commissioners
It is only right for me to reply in writing that I decisively agree with the headline on the Orlando Sentinel’s Saturday editorial: “Stop squabbling at public expense in Seminole County.” The Sentinel correctly pointed out that “taxpayers have a right to be annoyed and frustrated” by this legal battle between the commissioners and the clerk’s office. I, as both a taxpayer and a state-ordained legal protector of taxpayer dollars, am as frustrated and annoyed as everyone else.
Not a single valid reason exists for this lawsuit filed by the county commissioners. These same county commissioners have already spent more than $27,000 in legal fees to date. Graciously, the majority of the clerk’s legal costs for defense of this lawsuit are paid for by the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers, thereby protecting the taxpayers’ money from morefrivolous expenditure.
To deepen the issue, I also agree with the Sentinel Editorial Board’s suggestion that the two opposing sides should make a formal deal, allowing the county to dismiss the lawsuit. For that to happen, however, it would require everybody to sit down at once, and discuss thoroughly the issue at hand. This is something the county has not agreed to do.
Since entering office in January, I have asked several times to have a joint work session with the commission about this important topic. Each time I asked, I was rejected.
Earlier this year, when I tried to bring in a financial adviser and to meet with each commissioner to discuss the investment policy, four out of five would not meet with me.
Each time this issue has come up at a meeting, it has been on the consent agenda, and the chairman has appeared irritated when I speak. Incredibly, the lawsuit mentions that I didn’t “follow their direction” on a specific investment plan, which had several flaws. If we had followed the commissioners’ plan, there would have been less interest generated, and the portfolio could have potentially resulted in large book-value losses. Without argument, the plan simply was bad.
If we could have a productive round-table work session, I believe a lot of positive things could happen. My clerk and comptroller’s office has made a lot of progress: We’ve created an internal committee and increased revenues by more than 200 percent, amounting to $4 million more per year for taxpayers. Yet, there are more improvements to implement. The Orange County comptroller is a good textbook example of how the county and the comptroller office works together. What I can’t agree to is to turn over the constitutional duties of my office to the county commissioners. As comptroller, we oversee all financial transactions — both investments and expenditures — prepare cash-flow analyses, complete all financial reports, prepare various federal and state reports and file all required tax forms, among other things. We do this every day. We are the independent taxpayer watchdog for the county. I ran for office to defend its independence, and I’m going to follow my promise.
I answer to the citizens of Seminole County, not commissioners pushing a bad idea.