07/14/2021 (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The largest component of budgeted projects is for road construction, totaling $14,959,698 along with $4,125,000 for Stormwater projects for FY 2021/22. These projects include improvements at multiple Parks and Conservation areas for $150,000, construction of replacement Traffic Operation Building and Health Department AC repair for $1.2M, road projects totaling $15M as mentioned above, and various other capital improvements. The 20% allocation of OST to fund Indian River Lagoon improvement projects is also budgeted totaling $4,395,576. Golf Course The proposed Golf Course budget totals $3,389,323, reflecting an increase of $161,230 or 5.0%. No change in rates is currently proposed and the courses remain self-supporting. Additionally, COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on Golf Course revenue. Because the Golf Course is an open- air sport where social distancing is easily achievable, Sandridge has experienced a $187,196 or 30.9% increase in net income when comparing October through February of FY2019/20 (pre - pandemic) to October through February of FY2020/21. The increase in usage has resulted in the need for one (1) additional part-time Attendant and (1) additional budgeted temp Attendant resulting in a cost of $20,791. Building Division The proposed budget is $5,564,289, reflecting an increase of $328,537 or 6.3% The FY 2021/22 Building Division budget is being greatly impacted by a number of House Bills (HB) that have recently been passed including HB 1059 Construction Permits, HB 667 Building Inspections, and HB 735 Preemption of Local Occupational Licensing. These bills will place strict timelines on the building permit issuance process, place additional requirements on Building Inspectors, and decrease revenues previously collected by the Building Division. In order to offset these additional costs and offset a current operating loss, staff is proposing to increase the building permit multiplier by 10%, and decrease the Private Provider Permit discount to 25% for Plan Review and 10% for Inspections which are expected to generate a combined $285,000. Also included in the budget request are two (2) additional FT positions which consist of a Senior Building Support Specialist and a Building Administrative Assistant at a total cost $117,112. These positions will assist the Building Inspectors with the increased workload and strict permit approval timelines the Building Division is now required to comply with. As noted in previous years, the Building Division continues to struggle with the ability to recruit Building Inspector and Plans Examiner positions. That recruitment issue is a common problem statewide and in growing areas nationally. We have successfully used contracted inspectors to keep daily inspections per inspector down to a manageable level and will continue working to improve customer service through reduced inspector loads. The FY 2021/22 budget includes $850,000 for this contracted expense. Utilizing contracted inspectors also helps preserve Building Division positions in the event of an economic downturn, as contracted labor services will be eliminated before permanent positions Uncertainty regarding building activity remains a concern as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Although permit activity has remained relatively strong, staff will continue to monitor building activity levels and make mid -year adjustments to the budget if necessary.