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to evaluate potential options to ensure that we can effectively address animal sheltering needs.
<br /> The Animal Control Division of Emergency Services is prepared,if needed,to transition from enforcement and collection to
<br /> • more of a direct animal management system including enforcement,collection,care,adoption,and disposition of stray,
<br /> dangerous,and abandoned animals,which may include the acquisition and development of a county-owned and operated
<br /> facility under the supervision of county staff and a licensed veterinarian.
<br /> The Clerk of the Circuit Court has requested a $34,755 or 2.3% increase from the current year's budget. The budget
<br /> request includes a cost-of-living increase for employees,along with the State-mandated retirement rate increases.This
<br /> request also includes an additional 1.25 full-time positions, including an IT position,and additionalfunding for software
<br /> needed to transmit data through existing criminal justice information systems.
<br /> As previously mentioned,the Sheriff's recommended budget is$83,646,672,which is an increase of$4.73 million or 6.0%,
<br /> over the current year's budget.As part of the request,$2,137,305 in Optional Sales Tax is being used to fund replacement
<br /> vehicles and other eligible capital in the Sheriff's FY 2025/2026 budget request to further minimize the impact on the ad
<br /> valorem tax supported funds. The proposed FY 2025/2026 budget includes a sixth year of partial funding for the School
<br /> Resource Officers expense.The State continues to provide no funding for this mandate on School Districts.
<br /> The Supervisor of Elections has requested an increase of $155,736 or 6.9%. This request includes a Geographic
<br /> Information Systems Specialist position to manage and maintain the spatial data essentialfor election operations.Dueto
<br /> pending legislature,it may be necessary for the Supervisor of Elections to come to the Board of County Commissioners to
<br /> request additional funding for increased petition verification costs(notice requirements, postage, and staff resources).
<br /> A modest increase has been included for the Tax Collector's budget in the General Fund.It is important to note that this is
<br /> simply a Staff estimate as the Tax Collector's budget is not due until August 1St
<br /> The Property Appraiser has requested an increase of $348,101 or 6.6% for the County funded portion of the budget.
<br /> • General Fund dollars support the bulk of the Property Appraiser's budget,and the General Fund impact is an increase of
<br /> $210,119 or 4.8%. The budget request includes funding for employee raises.
<br /> The BCC departmental funding amount reflects an increase of$1,706,783 or 5.0%. There is an increase of 8 full-time
<br /> positions in various departments including Parks, Recreation&Conservation(4),Office of Management&Budget(2),and
<br /> Building&Facilities Services (2).
<br /> Recommended State agency budgets total$7,007,814,which is an increase of$1,414,865 or 25.3%.This is principallydue
<br /> to a $179,422 or 11.6% increase in Medicaid, a $261,284 or 32.3% increase in Medical Examiner, and a $814,676 or
<br /> 101.8%increase in Circuit Court expenses.The Circuit Court increase is mostly due to the addition of mental health court
<br /> costs,totaling$520,681,that will prevent the criminalization of mental illness by diverting eligible individuals away from
<br /> jail and into structured,therapeutic services.This funding was previously provided by the Hospital District and is expected
<br /> to be eliminated from their budgeted in FY 2025/2026,thus the County has assumed the expense.The Court Technology
<br /> Fund and Court Innovation Fund were intended to cover Court Administration expenses; however, once again these
<br /> expenses cannot be supported.Thus,a total of$169,300 for the State Attorney's budget request and$521,371 from the
<br /> Court Administrator's budget is being funded from the General Fund.
<br /> Municipal Service Taxing Unit(M.S.T.U.) Fund
<br /> The M.S.T.U.recommended budget is$54,969,931,a decrease of$2,285,375,or4.0%(pages 27-28).Transfers outtothe
<br /> Transportation Fund are increasing by $482,525 and transfers for Law Enforcement are decreasing by$708,321. As
<br /> transfers out comprise 76.0%of the M.S.T.U. expense budget, any change causes a significant impact on the total fund
<br /> budget.
<br /> • A summary of major factors impacting the M.S.T.U. Fund are shown below:
<br /> Ad valorem tax roll—8.7% increase, generating$1,557,817 in additional revenue, assuming 95% collections at
<br /> proposed millage rate.
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