9/8/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Administrator Chandler was concerned about an across-the-board cut because some departments have been cut already. He thought that if -the Commissioners were thinking of a flat percentage amount to be cut from the total budget, staff could show the alternative ways to achieve that. Commissioner Tippin agreed with Commissioner Macht's comments. He recalled that during the budget workshop, we received over 20 non-profit requests, ten of which were denied totally. Commissioner Tippin was born in Indian River County and recalled times when there were no ambulances and only volunteer fire fighters who helped everyone, and no taxes were paid for those services. Now we have one of the finest ambulance squads in the state and it must be paid for, along with all the other services provided in the county. He agreed we must cut the budget further, but not through an across-the-board percentage decrease. He felt that no matter how long it takes, we must analyze each department and consider priorities before making further cuts. Commissioner Macht suggested using the current year's budget figures for the proposed budget, plus or minus some hot spots, and he clarified that "across-the-board" includes constitutional officers. OMB Director Joe Baird pointed out that only 24.2 percent of the General Fund is for departments under the control of the Commission. The rest are constitutional officers, state agencies, and judges. Administrator Chandler cautioned that the Commission has no alternative on certain items like the Medicaid budget which has increased $67,206. Chairman Bird stated that his goal is to cut an additional $1 million from the aggregate budget because it all cannot come out of the General Fund. In an effort to remove a burden from the County Administrator, and realizing he would not be popular with a lot of people with whom he worked daily, he suggested that one of the few possibilities for reduction is to eliminate the two percent salary increase for county employees. The County Administrator made that recommendation to the Board in the beginning of the budget process and the Board chose to grant the two percent salary increase. If the constitutional officers followed the Board's action, that would cut approximately $700,000. Another possible reduction is to cut the 6 new paramedic positions. He emphasized that he would not make that recommendation if he thought it would decrease the level of emergency services which the people of our county deserve. This is a very tough budget year and the people are telling us here tonight that they cannot afford an increased level of service. 21 BOOK 90 F'AGE 4�9 L_ SSP � �9�