Q and A with Dave Coonrod

As Greene County Presiding Commissioner, what are your top three priorities for 2004?

First, the passage of the law enforcement sales tax in February is critical to the maintenance of our public safety and criminal justice system. Second, our collective efforts to protect and preserve water quality in the Ozarks needs to ratchet up a notch or two. Third, we need to continue our collaborative efforts with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Springfield (as well as other area municipalities) in addressing economic development, transportation system enhancements and growth management issues.

What do you expect to happen with county revenue in 2004?

Like many counties throughout the state, Greene County is struggling to maintain services in the face of unfunded and underfunded mandates from both the state of Missouri and the federal government. Because of budgetary difficulties at the state and national level, Greene County's revenue projections are marginal at best. We will authorize a balanced budget and strive to meet the challenges posed by circumstances beyond our control in the 2004 cycle.

What are the most important challenges facing Greene County in 2004?

Greene County employees face a salary freeze. We have imposed a hiring freeze. These actions have been taken to hold the line in anticipation of further cutbacks by the state of Missouri. Recent reports indicate that the state will be $500 million to $1 billion in the red in their next fiscal year. The budget cuts will undoubtedly be passed along to cities and counties. Our challenge in 2004 will be to avoid laying off personnel, providing basic services without interruption and to meet requirements currently straining our law enforcement programs.

How will they be addressed?

The only way Greene County can meet the challenges listed above will be through voter-authorized revenue enhancements in law enforcement. To date, Greene County has met ever-increasing demands for inmate incarceration, juvenile detention, prosecution and policing duties by drawing from general revenues above and beyond what we receive from the original 1997 law enforcement initiative. The erosion of our reserve funds and unilateral withholdings by the state have compounded to a critical point.

How is the county managing growth and construction?

Greene County has experienced a record year with respect to subdivision development and construction. Last month we passed the all-time record set in 1993 for single-family building permits with over 1,200 permits issued and a year-to-date estimated cost of construction in excess of $221 million. This unprecedented growth has been managed with the application of well-reasoned and logical land-use standards coupled with an extremely dedicated staff of professionals. Our building inspectors, planners and environmental specialists have met the demands of a growing community in a competent and courteous fashion.

What do you expect to happen in the southwest Missouri economy in 2004?

I believe the southwest Missouri economy will continue to be the economic engine of the state in 2004 as we have been in 2003. Our diversified business and industrial assets, collaborative partnerships, downtown revitalization and tourism attractions all combine for a robust economy in the Ozarks. The key to our success has been our commitment to balance economic development with sound environmental policies. Continuing these complementary efforts should allow southwest Missouri to lead the state in both employee productivity and environmental stewardship, which contribute to a quality of life here that is second to none.