Conti Solicits Cost-Cutting Suggestions

Despite her defeat in the 2010 county executive race, Joanna Conti is still committed to working to improve the competency and efficiency of local government.

The Broadneck resident recently created a website where county employees and citizens can submit cost-cutting ideas to address the county’s current fiscal problems.

“One of my first priorities upon being elected county executive would have been to embark on an extensive cost-savings program,” said Conti, the Democratic nominee for Anne Arundel County Executive in 2010. “Mr. Leopold’s proposed cuts to educational funding and his requirement that county employees accept substantial pay cuts for a second year show just how tight our budget is.”

Conti is requesting that county citizens share their ideas for making Anne Arundel County’s government and public school system more efficient by logging on to www.AACSavings.com. 

“Well-run businesses usually have several major cost-savings projects underway at a time, since it is always possible to do things more efficiently,” said Conti who promotes the knowledge she's gained running businesses for more than 20 years. “Unfortunately, government organizations typically aren't as focused on saving money.” 

Conti said she was offered many valuable cost-cutting ideas when campaigning, including the simple replacement of county firefighter shirts that would have saved more than $130,000.

“That’s substantial savings,” said Conti. “Those are the kinds of ideas I am looking for [people to suggest]." 

Conti was recently elected president of the (CAC), a group of citizens who work on providing the local school system with guidance on issues of concern to county residents. However, she wants to make it clear that this newest effort is not connected to the CAC in any way.

Conti is hopeful that, through the sharing of ideas, residents can come up with valuable suggestions as the county council debates the upcoming budget.

“While it is obviously harder to implement cost-saving reforms from outside government, I plan to share with the county council the best ideas we receive, giving the council options as they finalize the budget,” she said.