CHAMBER MEMBER SURVEY

CHAMBER MEMBER SURVEY

October 2005

In the last several years, the idea of creating an independent countywide fire district that could ultimately absorb county fire services and 12 city fire departments. This would be an independent not county-run fire district that would be governed by a board made of representatives from cities and unincorporated areas in the county.

Proponents have said such a district would save lives by eliminating service boundaries that have sometimes led to fatal emergency response delays. The change, proponents said, also could save money.

However, cities might be reluctant to relinquish their fire departments. They want assurances that such a plan will provide the same level of service they currently provide for their citizens.

1. Would you support the creation of an independent countywide fire district that would be governed by a board made of representatives from cities and unincorporated areas in the county? Yes 78 percent No 22 percent

Comments

It is time to coordinate (consolidate) emergency services to be cost effective and responsive.
The variety of services that the Departments provide differ so much I cannot see it working. Fire Inspections now provided by local fire officials would have to be incorporated or split off into the Building departments bringing up other problems.
I don't have enough information as to whether this would save money.

Should be based on population. Since funding will probably be based on population. Each City and the County should have a representative but those with more people should have a weightier vote.

2. If yes, how many representatives should be on this board? Ranges from 5-15

How many city representatives? Ranges from 3-8

How many county representatives? Ranges from 2-4

Others? 3

Comments

Should be based on the size of the city and the unincorporated areas 7
There ought to be one for all incorporated cities and one for the unincorporated areas and a fireman with no more than 3 years experience on the job along with 2 veteran firemen.

What advantages do you see with a countywide fire district?

I anticipate the response time would be improved and better coordination would be possible from a central command post.
Could be very positive and cost effective.
Cost saving; can have uniform professional standards Better communication, quicker responses to out of the way areas, lower costs.
Cost savings, uniform service, less duplication.
Wider coverage of service
Save dollars!!! One union won't play one against another; spread existing resources out for best coverage with minimal/no duplication
Possible advantage, tax savings
I anticipate the response time would be improved and better coordination would be possible from a central command post.
Accountable to entire population, more efficient and economies of scale, centralized operations, able to attract quality leadership through higher pay i.e. fewer "chiefs" to pay.

What disadvantages?

Only disadvantages are political and that isn't a real disadvantage
Potential for leadership and board members to be appointed because of contacts instead of merit/knowledge.
May hurt service in the higher staffed cities
Lack of control by cities for services
Infighting amongst larger cities vs. smaller cities
Tax increases
Lose of autonomy of independent departments but that is not a bad thing.
The County is TOO BIG for a single fire department. Why does every problem require a County government solution?
The REAL solution is a Metro-Daytona police and fire department that includes everything from Ormond Beach south to Ponce Inlet. The County would have to give up all the pockets of County territory in between in order to make one seamless district.
Lumping our east side problems with west side problems will not make anything better.

General Comments - The first step is to adopt a revenue neutral fire fee in all governmental jurisdictions of County i.e. take it out of General Fund and put into separate fee structure without raising a dime of extra tax dollars. After that is done, we will be able to measure how much it costs and rural areas will need to pay more for less as they have chosen to live away from urban level of services.

The Volusia County Council has contracted with a consultant to search for a new County Manager.

The Council aims to hire a new manager in the next several months.

What 3 characteristics should the Council look for in a new County Manager?

Recognition that this is a County of municipalities i.e.75% of population in municipalities so County government should yield to municipalities wherever there is duplication.
Understanding that managing is not leading (Council is the leader and manager is the implementer) so don't try to build legacy but rather to help Council accomplish their goals; it is unfair but the reality is that the best manager will go unrecognized for all but the fact that the Council worked well together and accomplished their goals
Willingness to recommend priority for cuts every year even if they are not well received and let Council decide what if any services or projects or employees to cut

Someone who is amenable to downsizing government 13
Someone who will bring back to reality impact fees and gas taxes, as they relate to other parts of the country, where they are eating our lunch in regards to economic development
Experience managing a quality community, regardless of size 7
Personality profile that would indicate drive, leadership and cooperation.
Ability to manage per the voters wishes, regardless of what individual industries or people want.
One who can sell a vision of our community for future economic development
Coordinator - One who serves the cities by helping them work together to achieve their goals
Administrator - One who does what they are instructed to do by the Chairman and Council
Courage to operate independently of council
Decisiveness with less attention to the politics.
Environmentally friendly/Anti-sprawl 11
Knowledge of County Government Management
Foresight and innovative problem solving
Fresh ideas and the ability to think out of the box/ Creativeness 4
Honesty & judgment 9
Strong Financial Background/Good business sense/Fiscal Responsibility 8
Good Personnel Skills 14
Ability to work with people of varying philosophies
An individual who will put people first, not turtles
Someone that can pull east and west Volusia together
Someone who can take the heat and will not cave-in
Able to make unpopular decisions to better the county
Communication skills with staff, council and taxpayers 17
Competence/ Credibility
At least 7-8 years experience as a Manager
A minimum of 10 years as City or County Manager
5 years experience in a county with 300,000 to 400,000 population
Strong management background in Fortune 500 business
Experience/track record of attracting new business and
assisting existing business growth.
Knowledgeable of low impact businesses
Not a bureaucrat
Position specific experience with good results/ Proven leadership
Years of experience ranging from 5-10 years
Problem solving skills
Record of accomplishing tasks, not just proposing
Strong administrative background
Strong background in County Government
Strong professional and personal integrity
Vision
Willingness to create city/county cooperation
Willingness to reduce middle management costs
Enthusiastic Motivational Realistic Dedication
Good communication skills; strong financial back ground and experience with city/county relations
Accounting ability to find wasteful spending with integrity and fortitude to cut the wasteful spending.
MUST have a kick butt attitude with how nasty the premiere attraction of the county is. Get Daytona Beach to straighten out its act. Stop the wasteful tourist area spending and beg property owners/investors to help make this a nice place. I drove down A1A the other day and dang this is an UGLY town. UGLY. I was born and raised here, heck my grandfather was born and raised here but I am dang ready to move.
Find 2 corporate niches, that won't send jobs to India, Mexico or China and give them the KEYS to the county. The KEYS should be so dadgum golden that citizens will cry foul 30 years from now at how crazy it was to have given these corporations such golden keys. And no, neither I nor any of my family have ever worked for DIS.
I am not sure what those two niches are but one may be Nano Technology, if it isn't too late.
Experience with similar sized and situated counties
Consensus builder
Understanding of new construction trends and the overall impact that new construction has upon the local economy, infrastructure and environment. Mainly someone that has the vision to see the possible future of existing areas that need redevelopment and rural areas that need to be developed correctly to prevent urban sprawl.
Focus upon recruitment and development of new industries in the greater Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas, providing a greater tax base and employment opportunities that reflect the new development and construction in the area.
Dedication to the residents and business that have remained local-focused over the last ten years
Someone who runs government like a business providing service to the community and businesses and not a bureaucracy that is designed to hinder and frustrate the community and businesses
Experience in and willingness to facilitate/expedite decisions for new businesses moving to area & creating jobs
Experience in downsizing government while still maintaining quality services. Volusia is 3rd highest taxed county in state. See state website

http://www.myflorida.com/dor/property/downloads/04mbc.pdf

Open-minded to solving problems creatively—willing to look at examples of good government practices elsewhere & replicate here if prudent.
Previous experience with larger or like-size counties
Passion for growth and expansion
Integrity Competence Pragmatic
Heart for tourism and wisdom of its benefits
Thick skin, tough job
Remain above politics, consensus builder
Previous success at a similar job

Comments - Too much politics to succeed-Must be given the power to succeed.