CFO Alex Sink photo

Volume 4 Number 8
February 23, 2007

Dear Floridian:

When I ran for the office of Chief Financial Officer, I promised Floridians that I would be the watchdog of their tax dollars and the state's financial interest.  I believe my election means voters want me to do just that.  

This week, that process got under way and I am pleased that the Governor has joined me in this mission.  Together, we announced our effort to search for the best practices to increase efficiency in state government, with the goal of bringing fiscal accountability to state contracting.  The Council on Efficient Government will begin by reviewing three of the state's largest technology contracts and determine how the state can be more efficient and cost-effective in administering these important services. 

As a member of the council, I will work with my colleagues to examine current government projects and work to develop practices that best serve the public and are of the utmost effectiveness. 

As an elected official, it is my duty to protect Floridian’s pocketbooks and to ensure sound and efficient spending.


Sincerely,

Alex Sink

 

Alex Sink
Chief Financial Officer
State of Florida

 

GOVERNOR CRIST AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER SINK SEEK BEST PRACTICES FOR EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT
Governor Crist appoints Council on Efficient Government

Governor Charlie Crist was joined by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink to launch Florida’s search for best practices to increase efficiency in state government. The search will be led by the Council on Efficient Government, created by the Florida Legislature in 2006. The Council will first review three projects already underway: People First, MyFloridaMarketPlace and Project Aspire.

“Government must be both efficient and effective, and the Council will lay a framework to help us achieve the best value for our tax dollars,” said Governor Crist.

The review of current projects will serve as a starting point for evaluating how to reap the most benefit from the systems. Moving forward, the Council will work with state agencies to identify other opportunities to develop best practices for evaluating future governmental contracts. The Council will then develop best practices for the implementation of innovative ideas for improving efficiency. CONTINUED


 

CFO SINK ANNOUNCES UNCLAIMED PROPERTY BUREAU SET TO RETURN $150 MILLION

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced that the Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Unclaimed Property has already returned more unclaimed property to rightful owners in the last seven months than was returned during all of the previous fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2006.

Last year, the bureau paid a record $101 million in claims, exceeding the $100 million plateau for the first time. Last week, however, the bureau had already surpassed that figure for the current year, putting it on pace to potentially return more than $150 million by June 2007.

“We are holding more than one-billion dollars’ worth of unclaimed property accounts for Floridians who have lost track of it,” said CFO Sink, who oversees the department. “We have made it a top priority to track down rightful owners and get their property back to them as quickly as possible.” CONTINUED


 

CFO SINK ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE CALLS, MEETING SCHEDULE FOR WINDSTORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE
The Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee met Thursday, February 22, 2007, and Friday, February 23, 2007, in the Cabinet Meeting Room in the Florida Capitol.

The Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee will conduct conference calls next Monday-Wednesday, February 26-28, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and will meet Thursday and Friday, March 1-2, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Room 37 of the Senate Office Building. 

The next meetings of the Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee will be held:

DATES: Conference calls Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 26-28, 2007, 8-10 a.m.

Thursday and Friday, March 1-2, 2007, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
LOCATION:   Room 37, Senate Office Building 

 

MARION COUNTY MAN ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FRAUD, FALSE AND MISLEADING STATEMENTS

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced the arrest of a Marion County man on charges of workers’ compensation fraud and providing false and misleading statements.  From July 28, 2005, until his arrest earlier this week, Marshall Lake, 59, allegedly represented his condition as being worse than it was and received nearly $22,000 worth of medical treatment and medication.

Lake, of Summerfield, was booked into the Marion County Jail on a $10,000 bond.  The charges against him will be prosecuted in Marion County by the State Attorney’s Office, Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida.  The arrest stems from an investigation by the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud.  The case agent was Detective Kurt Harmon.   If convicted on the charges, Lake faces up to 10 years in prison, in addition to fines and restitution.

 “At a time when many Floridians are struggling to pay premiums, this man was exploiting the system – at the expense of taxpayers,” said CFO Sink who oversees the department.  “This office is committed to protecting Floridians and their pocket books from these types of crimes.”  CONTINUED