09/12/2007 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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4. BUDGET OVERVIEW BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, JOSEPH A. BAIRD County Administrator Baird presented an overview of the 2007-2008 Budget. The proposed budget totals $432,108,207, reflecting a decrease of $68,000,000, about 14% from the prior year. He explained that the State Tax Reform required the County to reduce millage rates and taxing districts by 5%, and the Emergency Services District (ESD) by 3%. He indicated that the Solid Waste fees were reduced by about 5%, and that there were no increases in recreation, utility, building fees, nor the golf course. Administrator Baird revealed the following savings in the new Budget: staff eliminated 56 positions for a savings of $3,298,000, reduction in overtime provided a savings of $604,000; and reduction in travel expenses was a savings of $128,000. Administrator Baird specified that the property insurance, at $1,090,000, and health insurance, at $385,000 were both increased. The cost to operate the new County Administration Complex, Emergency Operations Center, and Supervisor of Elections Office was increased by $235,110; and the new jail expansion was an additional $175,000. He noted that fuel costs increased by $93,000, and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) by $1,642,500. Administrator Baird pointed out that not only is the tax roll 5% below rollback, but the 1/2 -cent sales tax revenue had decreased by about 14%, due to the economy. Also, the State revenue sharing decreased by 3%, and fuel tax revenues decreased by 7%. SEPTEMBER 12, 2007 2