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ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan, SECONDED by Chairman Flescher, the Board unanimously adopted the tentative budget in the amount of $70,920,776 for the General Fund. A brief discussion ensued about the additional allocations that will be required in the amounts of $100,000 for a lobbyist to advocate for the sale of the Vero Electric Utility to Florida Power and Light (FPL); and $150,000 to extend the operating hours of the GoLine Bus Line. MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT (M.S. T. U.) Administrator Baird announced that the M.S.T.U. is the taxing fund for all the services in the unincorporated areas of the County. The proposed millage is 1.0733, .43% above the rollback rate of 1.0687, and the proposed budget is $24,942,596, 1.95% or $476,094 more than the current year's budget of $24,466,502. The primary increases are in funding for the Road and Bridge Department and the Sheriff's Office. There is a $55,000 climb in the County's franchise fees, and the FRS rates have gone up $38,428 in this fund. The Chairman opened the floor to public comments. Althea McKenzie, 4876 30th Avenue, asked the Board to address the need for additional street lights in the Gifford area. She also expressed concerns about paying for the anticipated improvements in the Gifford Neighborhood Plan (GNP), and requested that the funding sources be included in the GNP if the information is available. Discussion ensued among Commissioners, staff, and Ms. McKenzie. Among topics mentioned were the five new streetlights installed this year; funds that have been designated for improvements to the multipurpose field lighting and to the Gifford Ball Field; and what the cost savings might be if FPL acquires the City of Vero Beach Electric Utility. Director Brown noted that the County plans to install five new streetlights in Gifford annually. September 11, 2013 4 Preliminary Budget Hearing BK 144PG307