League of Women Voters invites public to hear county experts

The League of Women Voters of Collier County invites members and the public to a panel discussion about “Your Tax Bill, The Budget and The Services You Expect” at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the Collier Athletic Club.

“League members are concerned about the impact that the current economic climate is having on local public services,” says Sandy Parker, league president. “Understanding that it must be difficult for Collier County officials to meet the expectations of the citizens at a time when a large percentage of government’s revenue has been wiped out, we are more interested than ever in learning how and why these hard choices are made by those deeply involved in the process.”

Panelists John Yonkosky, director, Collier County office of management and budget; Mark Isackson, senior management and budget analyst; Steve Harrison, chairman, Collier County Productivity Committee; Donna Fiala, Collier County commissioner, District l; and Abe Skinner, Collier County property appraiser, will explain how they determine the services citizens need and the cost of those services, and how they plan a budget to meet community needs and expectations.

Meeting attendance is free. A buffet lunch beginning at noon is offered for $20 for league members and $25 for others. For reservations, phone 263-4656 or e-mail hospitality@lwvcolliercounty.org. Deadline for lunch reservations is 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5. The Collier Athletic Club is at 710 Goodlette Road North.

The League of Women Voters of Collier County is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to women and men.

There will be no meeting in December. Meetings resume Jan. 11 with “Hot Topic in Social Policy” and continue Feb. 8 with “Update on the State of Florida’s Everglades Land Purchase,” March 8 with “Hot Topic in the Local Justice System” and April 12 with “On the Road to Citizenship: A Look Inside” with immigration attorney Casey Wolff.

For information about the league and for contact information for federal, state and local government officials, voter information and league publications, call 263-4656 or visit www.lwvcolliercounty. org. 