Please note:  Florida has a very broad public records law.  Most written communications to or from County Employees and officials regarding County business are public records available to the public and media upon request.  Your email communication may be subject to public disclosure.
 
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records.  If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.  Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
 

Lee County Manager's Blog
Lehigh Acres Community Groups Praise County Employees
Dear Citizens,

I am happy to share with you praise recently bestowed upon employees of the Lee County Department of Transportation by Lehigh Acres’ Community Watch Coordinators and the Lehigh Acres Community Initiative.

In a letter to Commissioner Frank Mann’s office, Lehigh Acres resident and Lee County Library employee David Wagley spoke on behalf of the groups when he said county employees have provided “outstanding customer service to the people of Lehigh Acres.”

“The folks at D.O.T. have been awesome in working with us on street paving. They have given us their best and we are ever so grateful,” Wagley wrote, spotlighting Deputy Director Randy Cerchie, PW Program Manager Dirk Danley and Senior Engineering Technician Cindy Pledger for their help.

Wagley also wrote about his personal experience with Parks & Recreation employees. “The folks at Parks and Rec helped my family with Community Yard Sale, Breakfast with the Kringles, Dance Classes, and many other activities.” He thanked Veterans Park Supervisor Coleen Via; Senior Program Specialists Kimberly Davis, Eugene Fernandnez, Zoran Viskovic and Nancy Zukaitis; Administrative Assistants Dawn Sanford and Renee Chupashko; and volunteer Jonee Fernandez.

“All of them are exemplary and deserve recognition for exemplary service,” Wagley wrote.

Every day, Lee County’s employees are showing that their commitment to the community they serve—which includes you and each other— has not wavered as they continue to do more with less in this tight economy.

If a Lee County employee has gone above and beyond for you, please nominate them for our “Together We Mean Community” program.

Karen B. Hawes
County Manager

Posted 1/30/12
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Goal of Administrative Code Changes: Increase Transparency
Dear Citizens,

It was apparent when I was interviewed for a story that appeared in today’s The News-Press about proposed changes to Lee County’s administrative code that the angle had been predetermined and only those facts supporting a particular opinion and conclusion would be included.

Withholding information is a violation of professional ethics, the Lee County Charter and this county’s goal of being a TRANSPARENT government. It is the Commissioners’ right and duty to make requests as stated in this administrative code. We are asking that if a Commissioner requests a significant amount of information that consumes a substantial amount of staff time and county resources, then all members of the Commission should be advised in an open meeting. That way, the Board fully understands what employees will have to balance in order to get their other work done. We are doing more with less and promote efficiencies in government.
 
If there is concern about any County project, employee or suspicious activity, the Clerk of Courts internal auditors, independent of the County Manager, should be requested to review and/or investigate. This independent Constitution Office provides the check and balance in their audit.

The changes suggested are to maintain productivity while increasing Transparency. This reporter neglected to even mention the County Charter requirements. Additionally, and most importantly, nowhere in the proposed administrative code does it say that I will withhold information from any Commissioner.

We have decreased our staff by 16 percent; we have more information readily available on the website; our efforts continue to be more efficient and transparent. The revisions to the administrative code are to assure that all Commissioners have the same information and are aware of what is being requested of staff. 

Why are some in this community so opposed to a TRANSPARENT government?

Karen B. Hawes
Lee County Manager

Posted 1/23/12
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FY 2011-12 Budget Meets Taxpayer Expectations
Dear Citizens,
 
I am pleased to present your fiscal year 2011-2012 Lee County Government Budget.
 
I often hear taxpayers say they want effective public services, but they also want government to cut spending, reduce its size, increase efficiency and lower their tax burden.
 
This fifth county budget since the economic recession began in December 2007 continues that trend of what taxpayers have said they want.
 
Some highlights:
 
  • Since FY2007-08, Lee County has cut operating budgets by $94 million and the Capital Projects Budget by $253 million.


  • Since 2007, Lee County's workforce has been reduced by 16 percent, or 444 employees, creating a culture of working smarter, prioritizing and increasing efficiency to maintain service levels.


  • Although the property tax base has dropped by 45 percent, the Board of County Commissioners has virtually held all property tax rates steady, except for minor adjustments to the library rate.
 
Read my complete budget message in the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Annual Operating & Capital Budget Book.
 
 
Karen B. Hawes
 
Posted 1/4/12
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Lee County Releases Annual Performance Report
Dear Citizens,
 
I would like to announce the release of Lee County’s Annual Performance Report on our website and in downloadable PDF format.

The report outlines Lee County’s efforts to meet the three fundamental elements that guide our strategic planning process: Transparency, Accountability and Community. It features six sections:
• Meet Your Commissioners
• Vision, Mission & Values
• Strategic Planning Process
• Lee County Demographics
• Fiscal Year 2010-11 Scorecard
• Department Introductions and FY 2010-11 Goals & Strategies

Each county department has provided its vision statement, budget information and director’s message, as well as performance measurements of all goals and strategies. I invite you to become familiar with what Lee County has accomplished over the past year. We are constantly striving to improve the process, of which our community is an integral part.

Karen B. Hawes
 
Posted 11/18/11
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Research & Enterprise Diamond: Lee's Tipping Point
Dear Citizens,
 
Like much of the state and nation, Lee County faces a variety of daunting economic challenges. With a labor force of more than 277,000 and an unemployment rate of more than 11 percent, we are looking to our existing assets and the development of a clean economy to promote economic development and a more sustainable community.
 
The Research & Enterprise Diamond offers Lee County an opportunity to maximize our resources and use sustainability to overcome the challenges our community faces. Situated in Southwest Florida, the Research & Enterprise Diamond will be a livable, economically diverse hub for sustainable businesses. 
 
Research and Enterprise Diamond

The area is ideally located to maximize existing transportation infrastructure, including the Southwest Florida International Airport, as well as our recreational and educational resources. These resources establish a prime location for clean economic growth, maximizing opportunities to create synergies among research, enterprise and our local state university, Florida Gulf Coast University.
 
These synergies will allow businesses to co-locate, creating economies of scale. The university will create a knowledge base and workforce.  As business grows, the university will grow.  Similarly, as the university expands, there will be more business opportunity. 

The other critical component of the Research & Enterprise Diamond is the community design. Research suggests a major shift in the housing market is imminent. Baby Boomers and Millennials represent more than 135 million people and will be looking for more walkable, transit-oriented communities. Accordingly, the vision for the Research & Energy Diamond includes infill development that will provide convenience, sociability, excitement and job opportunities.  The area will also provide an excellent demonstration project for Lee County’s Complete Streets initiative. 

With this vision and the ongoing development of incentives, we have already begun attracting new, clean businesses, like Algenol, to the area. We are applying for funding to add the infrastructure to support other businesses and the type of livable community we know this area can become.  Collaboration with our private partners and Florida Gulf Coast University is the key to making this area success.  The Research & Enterprise Diamond is Lee County’s tipping point.
 
 
Karen B. Hawes
 
Posted 10/28/11 (originally appeared on the Florida Energy Summit website 10/26/11)
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Team Effort Required to Create Lee County's Budget
Dear Citizens,
 
The Board of Lee County Commissioners approved the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget on Wednesday, Sept. 21. It was the second of two public hearings following two public workshops that began in June, but the county’s budgeting process actually began in January.
 
Next year’s operating budget of $601.8 million is a decrease of $20.4 million. Over the last four years, total operating budgets have been reduced by $94.5 million. Next year’s capital budget is $258.1 million, a decrease of $30.6 million.
 
Despite these cuts, all property tax rates have remained the same for the last five years—except for the Library, which was increased by $1.60 per $100,000 of taxable value (the rollback rate).
 
I would like to thank all of Lee County’s department directors who worked so hard to reduce expenses. I would also like to thank all the budget staff, fiscal officers and Assistant County Manager Pete Winton for crunching the numbers to reach the best possible budget in these difficult economic times.
 
Read the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget documents on the Budget Services website.
 
 
Karen B. Hawes
 
Posted 9/22/11
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Remembering Booker
We lost someone very special this week, a true gentleman, a person of true integrity, our friend Mr. Booker T. Haynes Jr., whom I had the honor to work with for more than 10 years.


Booker T. Haynes Jr.

Since 1993, Booker served this County as a rehabilitation specialist in the Department of Human Services. He was always dependable and cared about doing his best.
 
His family’s home was destroyed when the eye of Hurricane Charley passed over his neighborhood in 2005. While he struggled to rebuild his home, his church and the homes of his friends and neighbors on nights and weekends—doing much of the work himself—he still came to work every day with a smile on his face. He never complained, and he continued to help other people. That was just Booker’s upbeat and caring nature. He truly loved his family, his church and his friends. He always went the extra mile.
 
Everyone who knew Booker loved his laugh, his honesty and his true caring nature for those who didn’t have the opportunity that many of us have. He believed that you work hard, assist others in need and help them to help themselves.
 
He stayed true to his core beliefs to the very end. This past Wednesday, as he was assisting an elderly resident with rehabilitation services to her home, he collapsed at the job site. He left us. Yes, we will miss him dearly, but we are better for knowing him. God bless you Booker, I know if that gate needed fixin’ it’s done by now.
 
With our love.
 
Karen B. Hawes

Posted 9/16/11
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In Remembrance of Sept. 11
Dear Citizens,

Ten years have passed since that tragic day on Sept. 11, 2001 when our lives were changed forever. We here at Lee County remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks and honor the memory of the countless heroes who gave their lives to save so many.


Statue of Liberty

We celebrate the strength and cohesiveness that Americans showed in the aftermath as well as the indelible determination to not let our liberties slip away out of fear. Always remember.
 
Karen B. Hawes

Published 9/9/11

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Setting the Record Straight: Your Recycled Glass
Dear Citizens,

A recent story aired by the local FOX4 TV news station called into question Lee County’s actions in recycling glass. Unfortunately, the story included errors and was broadcast without providing the County an opportunity to comment or provide factual information.

I would like to assure you that your efforts in recycling glass are not in vain. Lee County Solid Waste is nationally recognized and places a high priority on recycling. We encourage you to continue doing your part to protect the environment and ensure Lee County’s sustainability.

The facts about how Lee County handles the glass you recycle:

• The glass from the recycling program is not being dumped in a landfill. It is being stored until an economical and beneficial use is developed.

• There are currently no viable markets for recycling mixed glass in south Florida. Lee County is fortunate that it can temporarily store this material until a viable market or use is developed.

The only company in south Florida that can take limited amounts of recycled glass is in Sarasota. However, at this time, it could only use slightly more than 50 percent of the County’s glass and would landfill the remainder. Additionally, the County would have to pay this company to recycle the glass.
 
Also, although a Waste Management spokesperson told FOX4 they are able to find an end user and recycle all of their glass, Lee County received a letter from Waste Management, Inc. Vice President of Public Affairs Chuck Dees that said: “In South Florida, Waste Management currently uses the majority of its mixed glass for beneficial reuse at our landfills, including road base.”
 
Lee County Solid Waste recently received an engineering report developed at the County’s request that explored alternative uses for recycling glass. The most feasible solution at this time is for use as an aggregate in asphalt. Solid Waste's construction debris recycling facility was recently completed, for which tons of recycled glass were used in the facility’s asphalt. The County is using this demonstration project to verify the veracity and long-term stability of this asphalt design. 
 
Lee County has been a leader in Florida with its comprehensive recycling program for the past 10 years. This success has come about because the County uses a pragmatic approach that includes economical considerations. Such approaches have even allowed for a reduction in garbage rates for the next year.
 
Lee County’s recycling program has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive and successful programs in the United States. Lee County was recently honored to receive the Gold Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America for having the best overall solid waste management system.
 
Lee County will continue to explore and use cost-effective systems for recycling the appropriate materials of its solid waste stream.
 
--Karen B. Hawes
 
Published 8/31/11
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My Guiding Principles: Integrity and Honesty
Dear Employees,
 
It has come to my attention that FOX4 has reviewed and copied my travel expenses. I want you to hear the details from me why I traveled business class to Los Angeles in January to attend the National Association of Counties’ EcoMedia presentation, rather than potentially hearing negative innuendo from second-hand sources.

CBS purchased EcoMedia in 2010, and this was a presentation to counties regarding the public/private partnership. This and many other grant opportunities are being pursued for Lee County to create jobs that we desperately need.

My guiding principles are integrity and honesty, so I wanted you to hear the truth directly from me. I traveled to Los Angeles business class. As you know I am a contract employee, and as stated in my contract, “The County agrees to budget and pay for travel expenses of the County Manager pursuant to County policy…” County policy includes federal laws which require any employee’s special accommodations as medically necessary.

As you may know, in 2008 I was in a back brace for six months prior to some very extensive back surgery. I followed County procedure—as I would expect any employee to do—and provided a note from my physician stating it was medically necessary to travel business class. This wasn’t a pleasure trip.  I traveled seven hours by plane for business, returning two days later on another seven-hour flight. It wasn’t pleasurable, but it was part of my job. I could have chosen to send someone else, I could have chosen not to attend, but my choice was to do my job.

To all of you that have stopped me in the hallway, on the street and in Publix to express your concern and disgust for the personal attacks against me, thank you again.

Be proud that you are a Lee County employee. You do great work, and you are appreciated.

-- Karen B. Hawes
 
Published 8/10/11
 
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