Buddy Johnson withdraws controversial $2.3 million request
December 19, 2008 at 5:17 pm by Wayne GarciaThis just in:
From: Buddy Johnson
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 3:41 PM
To: (HaganK@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); (NormanJ@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); (SharpeM@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); (FerlitaR@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); (WhiteK@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); (HigginbothamA@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); BecknerK@hillsboroughCounty.ORG
Cc: (BeanP@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); (LeeR@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); (JohnsonE@HillsboroughCounty.ORG); Daniel Klein; Kathy Harris; David Parks; Stacie Poppell; Mia McCormick
Subject: Withdrawal of SOE Budget AmendmentThe purpose of this letter is to formally withdraw the request for a budget amendment to the Supervisor of Elections FY 09 Budget.
As you know when we submitted the 2008 and 2009 budgets we could not predict the full impact of transitioning to a new voting system during a presidential election year. We trusted the County Budget director and staff when throughout the budget process we were assured they understood we were submitting our best estimate. We were told by your staff we could not add a contingency to our budget but would need to request a countywide fund budget amendment when we could define the actual expenses. As your staff is aware throughout the Election Cycle we used the required county process to adjust our 2008 and 2009 budgets several times to cover unforeseen election expenses. We were extremely transparent in all of our dealings with the budget office and with the Office of the Clerk regarding these budget adjustments during these difficult economic times.
Our goal in submitting the budget request was to finalize the election cycle before leaving office so that the incoming Supervisor could focus on the future. I feel it is best to withdraw the request so that Mrs. Busansky can review the budget and make her own decision about the amendment. Any delay in making the request is attributed to carrying out the 2008 yearend audit and finalizing all expenditures related to the election cycle. There is a very short period of time between Election Day and the end of the year.
Also, unbeknownst to me, without the knowledge of my general counsel or Sr. Chief Deputy Supervisor of Elections, I found out today that Mrs. Busansky and the County Attorney have initiated an investigation into the current voting system provider. This matter needs to be completely transparent and reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners. I have not been made privy to these discussions but have complete confidence in the current provider’s willingness and the current CIO and general counsel’s ability to respond to any technical or legal questions raised during this surreptitious investigation.
Finally, I want to express my appreciation to the Board for the elections partnership we shared these past years. It was my pleasure to serve this community.
Respectfully submitted Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Buddy Johnson
