HNS REPORTS---MARCH 3, 2010



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SHERIFF WILL TALK TO COUNTY BOARD ABOUT TAKING OVER JAIL

Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent says he has a plan to run the County Jail at a lower cost than the current private operator.  According to an announcement from the Sheriff's Office Tuesday, Nugent will make a presentation next week to the County Board about his proposal.  Nugent's office says the move comes amid the current economic condition of the County and the continually rising cost of the County’s contract with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) to operate the Hernando County Jail.  The announcement says the sheriff has conducted research into the possibility of his office assuming the responsibility of operating the jail.  The results of that review, including discussions with and the assistance of several Sheriff’s Office jail administrators throughout Florida, reportedly indicate that the Sheriff’s Office can provide a better and more efficient service while reducing the County’s cost of operating the jail.
The current County contract with CCA includes an automatic increase of 1% or the current Southern Region CPI (Consumer Price Index), whichever is greater, on October 1, 2010.  Nugent's office says the CPI currently stands at 2.8%.  The Sheriff says he will make the offer to the Board of County Commissioners for his office to operate the County jail at the County’s current budgeted amount for the operation of the jail, allowing the County to avoid the contractual increase of almost 3% that is currently in place.  Additionally, the current jail contract does not guarantee a fixed cost for the operation of the jail, as an increase in jail population (inmates) would increase the cost to the County.  With the Sheriff operating the jail, an increase in the number of inmates will not increase the cost to the County.
Nugent cites what he calls a consistent, proven track record of accountability within his organization and finding cost-efficiencies throughout his operation.  He noted that his office consistently returns any unused budgeted monies to the County at the end of each fiscal year.  He says during the first year of operating the jail, the Sheriff will employ those same management philosophies, seeking operational and cost efficiencies and returning any unused monies to the County, further reducing the County’s cost for the operation of the jail.  Should the Board of County Commissioners decide to transfer the operation of the jail to the Sheriff’s Office, Nugent says he is confident that his office can provide a better service at a lower cost.



SCHOOL BOARD LOOKS AT COST SAVING OPTIONS FOR SPORTS


Middle school sports will stay in Hernando County, but school board members at a Tuesday workshop say they want more options for cost savings at the same time.  Some members supported some form of pay-for-play, though special plans for multi-sport  or low income students were supported by most.  The board was reacting to options presented by the middle school principals for saving all or some of the $200,000 annual cost of middle school sports.  One of the options was eliminating sports, but all board members say that won't fly.  Instead they asked staff to come back with refined options for keeping sports but saving money at the same time.  Chairman Pat Fagan, who is also county parks and recreation director, urged consideration of involvement with other recreation programs, including sharing facilities.  Diane Bonfield noted the importance of team-building values in all other aspects of life and noted that sports in school could be a key to building those values.

PARENTS WILL GET INPUT ON SCHOOL START TIMES

School starting times could be changing next year as part of a school district effort to save money on transportation costs.  Board consensus at Tuesday's workshop was in favor of a proposal that features later start times for high schools.  District transportation officials said almost a half million dollars could be saved by going to the new start times because fewer bus routes would be needed.  They said each bus route costs about $56,000 a year. Only board chair Pat Fagan argued strongly for a different proposal with later start times for elementary schools.
Board members were also in agreement that now is not the time to make changes in the bus transport zones.  Officials estimated savings of $1.5 million if transportation for students who live within two miles of a school was dropped.  They also suggested that designating some schools as neighborhood schools while leaving others with transportation could save up to a million dollars a year.  But the unanimous consensus of the board was that sidewalk deficiencies throughout the county made changes in the two mile policy too dangerous for students.
The start time proposals will be refined through meetings with parents and decided within the next two months by the School Board.  Several members said their final decision would be weighed heavily in favor of what officials hear at the parent meetings.



LEGISLATIVE REPORT

SCHENCK SAYS HIS BILL IS NOT THE TIGER WOODS PROTECTION ACT

From the Fort Myers News-Press:
 A bill that would block the release of 911 tapes and exempt them as public records will be heard next week in a House council. Its sponsor said today it aims to protect victims from further trauma and vehemently denied the proposal is the Tiger Woods Protection Act.
"I just feel like victims need protection," said Rep. Robert Schenck, a Republican from Spring Hill.
Tapes of 911 calls made following Woods' November car crash outside of his Florida home fueled the ongoing story of the top professional golfer's affairs and marital problems. Those tapes were released under provisions of the state's open-government laws.
Schenck said the bill proposed by the House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee he chairs is not a response to the Woods situation.
"With all due respect, that is completely ridiculous," Schenck said. The bill was scheduled for a hearing Wednesday, but discussion of other legislation delayed its consideration for week.
"The need for emergency services bespeaks a very personal and often traumatizing event," the bill states. "To have the recordings made publicly available is an invasion of privacy that could result in trauma, sorrow, humiliation, or emotional injury to the person reporting the emergency or requiring emergency services, or to the immediate family of those persons."
Names, addresses and other identifying information is already exempted from release.
Recordings of 911 calls that are now open to the public would be closed by the bill if it became law. Instead, transcripts of the calls would be made available within 60 days of a request.
Released 911 recordings have revealed negligence by emergency responders. Schenck said his proposal protects victim privacy while maintaining watchdog purposes.
"We're still keeping that intact with release of the transcript," Schenck said.
Open-government advocates differ.

FASANO PSC ETHICS REFORM BILL ADVANCES

The Florida Senate Wednesday passed a bill sponsored by New Port Richey Republican Mike Fasano which is aimed at comprehensive reform of the Public Service Commission.
In a statement, Fasano said, “It is vital that Floridians have faith in their government and this legislation goes a long way in restoring that faith.” Fasano said the broad approach to PSC ethics reform "ensures transparency and accountability so Floridians can trust the commission works in their best interest.”
The bill prohibits PSC commissioners and staffers from engaging in private discussions with interested parties of issues pending before the commission, and also makes any communication between a commissioner or commission staff and a representative of a utility a public record.
Fasano also said the measure would bar former PSC commissioners and top staffers from lobbying for four years after leaving the commission.
The bill goes now to the House of Representatives for approval.



TEEN CHARGED WITH ESCAPE AFTER FLEEING YOUTH CAMP

A 14-year old who ran away from the Eckerd Youth Camp on Tuesday was arrested just outside the camp entrance on Culbreath Road and charged with escape.  An arrest affidavit says the St. Petersburg teenager fled a camp dorm after being told to put his shoes on.  Juvenile authorities said the boy was sent to a secure detention center in Ocala.

POLICE CHARGE SUSPECT WITH GRAND THEFT AUTO AND HIT AND RUN

Brooksville Police said Tuesday they arrested 29-year old Heriberto Rodriguez and charged him with grand theft auto and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.  Police say Rodriguez stole a vehicle from a bar on South Broad Street and was involved in an accident at Cortez Boulevard and Broad a few minutes later.  The vehicle reportedly fled the scene and was located later near Broad Street and VFW Road.  Police say they questioned three suspects and then arrested Rodriguez when he reportedly admitted stealing the vehicle.  Police said the incident occurred in the early morning hours on Sunday.



CAT IN THE HAT VISITS SCHOOL BOARD

The Hernando County School Board hosted a special guest at their workshop Tuesday.  Teachers' Association President Joe Vitalo handled the introductions, as the Cat in the Hat took his place at the table next to board chairman Pat Fagan.  The Cat toured three elementary schools Tuesday to promote reading.  Vitalo said the Cat and teachers used fun and games to encourage youngsters to read.  Why Tuesday?  March 2 is the birthday of the late Ted Geisel, better known to the world as creator of the Cat in the Hat under the pen name Dr. Seuss.

SHERIFF LOOKING FOR THEFT SUSPECTS

The subjects pictured above are suspects in the theft of a purse from the Pickled Parrot, 5526 Commercial Wy. that occurred on Saturday, 01-30-10, at approximately 2:00 a.m.  The suspects then attempted to use the stolen credit card at Wal-Mart, 7305 Broad St. on the same date at approximately 3:00 a.m.  The suspects fled the area in an unknown type red vehicle.  If you recognize these subjects, notify District 2 Deputy Szatkowski.  If you wish to remain anonymous or to be eligible for a reward, call the Hernando County Crime Stoppers toll free number 1-866-990-8477 or you may email your tip by clicking below.
 http://www.hernandosheriff.org/Tips/  You may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.


Posted by Hernando News Source at March 2, 2010
Categories: uncategorized
 

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