Poll Shows Residents' Budget-Cut Ideas

BARTOW | If Polk County officials have to make budget cuts, efforts to manage growth and land use, parks and recreation, and economic development should be the first on the list, residents said in a recently completed survey, the County Commission was told Wednesday.

The annual survey was conducted by Susan McManus, a University of South Florida professor.

County officials expect to have to make serious cuts in next year's budget as the result of a mixture of mandated tax cuts and a downturn in property values.

McManus added the question about cuts to the survey to measure public sentiment in relation to economic issues.

She said 29 percent listed land use and growth management, 20 percent listed recreation and 19 percent listed economic development as the first things that could be cut.

McManus said after the meeting that although growth was listed as the biggest problem in Polk County, fewer listed it as their top concern.

The percent of residents who made it their top concern dropped from 28 percent two years ago to 15 percent, which was only slightly more than crime and the economy.

"There was far less consensus,'' she said.

McManus also acknowledged that residents may have not made the connection between cutting growth management oversight and dealing with their growth concerns.

Although residents identified these areas for cuts, she said that shouldn't be interpreted as a call to eliminate the programs.

McManus said the poll also showed that people did not want to cut public safety or human services, which she said was also a reflection of the economic situation.

[ Tom Palmer can be reached at 863-802-7535 or tom.palmer@theledger.com ]