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JAN 5 198 BOOK 70 PAGE 533 Enclosed is our 1986-87 Annual Report which provides information an our activities for this past year. We have added two positions which have greatly increased our capacity. A computer. system improved operations, allows better legislative tracking, and ultimately will create a comprehensive data base on county government. It will be the only data base of its kind in Florida. Our education program has been greatly expanded. In short, 1986-87 may have been the most productive year this Association has ever had thanks to the financial and moral support of our members. One of the Long Range recommendations was that we should obtain a permanent office for the Florida Association of Counties. We now own an option to purchase a building. The building is on the corner of Monroe and Park Streets two blocks from the Capitol. In so doing, we will join many other groups who have had a highly visible Capital City presence for years: the cities, homebuilders, lawyers, trial lawyers, realtors, school boards, CPA's, architects, retail merchants, doctors and sheriffs - to name just a few. The majority of the building will be funded by funds solicited from the private sector. It is necessary to have the one-time, special dues assessment placed upon our membership. The special assessment was unanimously approved by the general membership at the October Annual Conference. To date, 48 counties have paid or committed to pay the assessment, 8 counties have declined (but may reconsider) and 11 counties have not yet voted on the issue. This is the first time our Association has imposed a' special assessment. Those counties which have not paid the special assessment will not be terminated. Our leadership wanted to be sensitive tO special circumstances which some of our member counties might face. We have had 100% membership for many years which adds immensely to our credibility. We may be the only statewide association in Tallahassee which can boast 100% dues paying membership. I would also like to address two other concerns described in the minutes. First, we apparently did not respond to a request for information. Although I do not recall receiving the letter, I can assure you that we make every effort to respond to our members. I apologize if there has been an oversight on our part. Second, the concern about urban/rural issues troubles me. My nine years experience with the Association's policy process has been that the large and small counties have worked together very well. I cannot think of one issue that was seriously divisive on the basis of urban/rural in the course of developing the Florida Association of Counties legislative policy statements. You can be sure that I and ourother lobbyists are constantly reminding the legislature that small ocunties have special needs and more limited resources. In general, the decision to purchase the building was one of a series of objectives intended to make the Association a more active force in Tallahassee and to increase our non -legislative services to county commissioners and county staff persons. We are well on our way to meeting these goals. It is important that we have strong support from the membership during this time of expanding and enhanced services. Again, thank you for the opportunity to provide additional information. We would be happy to respond to any additional questions from Indian River County or to speak with you and the other commissioners personally. Sincerely, • Kurt A. 'Spit of C Executive Direct,r 64