The earliest Frederick County government could implement private outsourcing plans would be nine to 12 months from now, Frederick County Commissioners President Blaine Young told employees in a letter on Thursday.
Young wrote to county employees to encourage them to attend public hearings scheduled this month that will focus on an evaluation from Georgia consultant Oliver Porter, who recommended the county outsource core government services to a private company.
Those services are now provided by 528 government employees; privatization could save the county $84 million to $109 million by reducing costs and eliminating pension and other fixed retirement obligations, according to Porter.
"This board was elected with a mandate to address the fiscal challenges facing all Frederick County residents," Young said.
That company is in it for a profit. Private Contractors will cut corners wherever they can to make an extra dollar. This will end up with problems. Who built the majority of the infrastructure in subdivisions in this county that is falling apart, look at the stormwater inlets. Lots needing repairs after only a few years. I have one in front of my house that started with a sinkhole and the county had to come and fix it. Private industry has one goal, to make money. Not to provide service.
ReplyDeleteI'd be very care when considering the idea of privatizing a majority of public services. Just like 8:28 said, private industry is in it for a profit. Say what you want about local government employees but local government only needs to provide services at cost, or break even. Private corporations will bid low for the intial contract term and when the local government rids itself of employees, the follow up bids are astonomically high.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage Frederick County to bid all their service possible. Let Frederick County be the ginnypig for this idea, then wait 5 years for the outcome.