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Home My WebLink About09/16/2009 (3)JEFFREY K. BARTON Clerk to the Board INDEX TO MINUTES OF FINAL BUDGET HEARING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009 1. CALL TO ORDER.......................................................................................................1 2. INVOCATION -STAN BOLING, PLANNING DIRECTOR................................1 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - JOSEPH E. FLESCHER, VICE CHAIRMAN..................................................................................................................1 4. BUDGET OVERVIEW BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JOSEPH A. BAIRD............................................................................................................................2 5. AD VALOREM FUNDS..............................................................................................2 S.A. AD VALOREMMILLAGEANDAD VALOREMBUDGET............................................2 GENERALFUND.................................................................................................................2 MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT (M.S. T. U.)..............................................................3 TRANSPORTATION FUND................................................................................................... 6 EMERGENCYSERVICESDISTRICT..................................................................................... % ENVIRONMENTALLYSENSITIVE LAND ACQUISITION....................................................... 8 LAND ACQUISITION BONDS- 2004 REFERENDUM......................................................... 9 AGGREGATE.................................................................................................................... IO 6. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SITTING AS SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT BOARD.......................10 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT BUDGET (NON -AD VALOREMSPECIAL DISTRICT)IO A. ANNOUNCE 2009/2010 PROPOSED CHARGE AND BUDGET ................................ 10 B. RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC............................................................ 11 C. CONSIDER ANY PROPOSED AMENDMENTS......................................................... 11 D. MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE NON -AD VALOREM RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WASTE GENERATION UNIT CHARGES AND READINESS -TO -USE FEE..................................................................................... 11 E. MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT B UDGET RESOL UTION........................................... 12 7. ADOPTION OF NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT CHARGES................12 A. ANNOUNCE 2009/2010 PROPOSED CHARGE FOR EACH NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT DISTRICT........................................................................................ 12 B. RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC............................................................ 13 C. CONSIDER ANY PROPOSED AMENDMENTS......................................................... 13 D. MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT B UDGET RESOL UTION........................................... 13 8. APPROVE NON -AD VALOREM DOLLAR BUDGETS...................................14 A. ANNOUNCE 2009/20IO PROPOSED BUDGET ....................................................... 14 B. RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC............................................................ 14 C. CONSIDER ANYPROPOSED AMENDMENTS......................................................... 14 D. MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT B UDGET RESOL UTION........................................... 15 9. ADJOURNMENT.......................................................................................................15 2 JEFFREY K. BARTON Clerk to the Board September 16, 2009 FINAL BUDGET HEARING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met at the County Commission Chambers, 180127 1h Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 to conduct the Final Budget Hearing for 2009/2010. Present were Chairman Wesley S. Davis, Vice Chairman Joseph E. Flescher, and Commissioners Gary C. Wheeler, Peter D. O'Bryan, and Bob Solari. Also present were County Administrator Joseph A. Baird, Management and Budget Director Jason E. Brown, County Attorney William G. Collins II, and Deputy Clerk Maureen Gelfo. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wesley S. Davis called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. 2. INVOCATION -STAN BOLING, PLANNING DIRECTOR Planning Director Stan Boling delivered the Invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - JOSEPH E. FLESCHER, VICE CHAIRMAN Vice Chairman Joseph E. Flescher led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget 4. BUDGET OVERVIEW BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JOSEPH A. BAIRD Administrator Baird announced the Proposed Budget for the 2009/2010 Fiscal Year as $302,670,415, a decrease of approximately $83,443,999 or 21% from the prior year. He revealed the following savings in the new Budget: the elimination of forty-one (41) positions for a savings of $2.3 million; a reduction of about $625,000 in fuel costs; health plan changes of about $513,000; and a reduction in Capital spending. He conveyed that there would be a reduction of $9,866,333 in the Ad Valorem taxes, an estimated 10% decrease. 5. AD VALOREM FUNDS S.A. AD VALOREMMILLAGE AND AD VALOREM BUDGET GENERAL FUND Administrator Baird announced that the proposed millage is 3.0892, 9.4% below rollback, and the proposed budget is $77,314,789, 11% less than the prior year. He reported that there was a net decrease of about ten (10) positions. He emphasized staff's goal of trying to maintain and not impact any of the services in the General Fund, noting that even with the budget reductions, the new Brackett Library would open. Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comments. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. ON MOTION by Commissioner Wheeler, SECONDED by Commissioner Solari, the Board unanimously approved the millage rate of 3.0892, and approved Resolution 2009-142, establishing the tax millage rate to be levied upon all real and personal taxable property in Indian River County, Florida, for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 for the General Fund. 2 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Flescher, SECONDED by Commissioner Wheeler, the Board unanimously approved the dollar amount of $77,314,789, and approved Resolution 2009-143, amending the County Budget Officer's estimates of receipts other than taxes and of balances to be brought forward for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 and adopting a final budget for the General Fund. MUNICIPAL SER VICE TAXING UNIT (M.S. T. U ) Administrator Baird explained that anyone residing in the unincorporated area of the County pays this tax. He reported that the proposed millage at 1.0774 is 13.4% below both rollback and below the current year's millage, and announced that the proposed budget is $27,029,020, about 16% less than current year. Nine (9) full-time and six (6) part-time positions were eliminated for a savings of $976,685, and transfers out resulted in a savings of $890,000. Administrator Baird acknowledged that one of the hardest decisions in this year's budget had been to dispense with the lifeguards at the Tracking Station Beach, which was currently costing $110,628 annually. Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comments. Ocean Rescue Lieutenant Joe McManus asserted that removing the lifeguards from the Tracking Station Beach would endanger the public. He reported that $10,000 which could be applied towards a part-time lifeguard (at a cost of $21,000 for 3 days per week), had been found within Ocean Rescue's Capital Expense Account, and he appealed to the Board to supply the balance of the funds - $11,516. 3 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget Management and Budget Director Jason Brown confirmed for Commissioner O'Bryan that the estimated costs for a part-time (3 day a week) lifeguard would be $21,000 per year, and did not think it feasible to pull the above-mentioned dollars from Ocean Rescue's budget. Commissioner O'Bryan suggested that shutting the Beach down in the slow season could provide a savings which would allow it to remain guarded during the peak season. Commissioner Wheeler noted that there were sufficient public access lifeguard -controlled beaches in the County, without the Tracking Station Beach. He would have to be shown that there was an extra benefit to having that particular Beach remain open, adding that if not guarded, the Beach should be closed. Dr. Peter Wernicki, Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Advisor for the U.S. Lifesavings Association, Board Member of the International Lifesaving Federation, and Advisory Board Aquatic Director for the National Red Cross, presented arguments and supporting data to warn Commissioners that eliminating the lifeguards at the Tracking Station Beach might have dire consequences. Vice Chairman Flescher wanted to know how the County intended to secure the Beach facility in the absence of the lifeguards. Administrator Baird described the current scheduling of lifeguards at the County's beaches, noting that the gates are open from sunrise to sunset, even though the lifeguards go off duty at 4:00 p.m. He advised that "Non -Guarded Beach Access" signage would be posted, as is done at some other non -guarded beach access in the County. Vice Chairman Flescher voiced concerns about liability, pointing out that the Tracking Station Beach had previously been guarded for the past twenty-six (26) years. 4 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget Administrator Baird assured the Commissioners that staff would continue exploring options for keeping the Tracking Station Beach open. Dr. Wernicki asserted that posting a "Non -Guarded Beach Access" sign would not mitigate the dangers of changing the Tracking Station from a guarded to an unguarded Park. Peter Paskowski, 7300 20th Street, Village Green, related his experience of being carried out to sea and being rescued by a lifeguard. Seeing no further speakers, the Chairman closed the public comment period. ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Flescher, SECONDED by Commissioner Solari, the Board approved the millage rate of 1.0774, and approved Resolution 2009-144, establishing the tax millage rate to be levied upon all real and personal taxable property in Indian River County, Florida, for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 for the Indian River County General Purpose Municipal Service Taxing Unit. ON MOTION by Commissioner Solari, SECONDED by Commissioner Wheeler, the Board approved the dollar amount of $27,029,020 and approved Resolution 2009- 145, amending the County Budget Officer's estimates of receipts other than taxes and of balances to be brought forward for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 and adopting a final budget for the Indian River County General Purpose Municipal Service Taxing Unit. 5 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget TRANSPORTATION FUND Administrator Baird explained that the Transportation Fund, comprised of Public Works, Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Road and Bridge, and Stormwater, derives about 70% of its income from taxing funds, the General Fund, and the M.S.T.U. He reported that the proposed budget is $14,372,690, and that it has no millage. Administrator Baird divulged that the elimination of twelve (12) full-time positions, the reorganization and reduction of management structure, and reduced fuel costs had all resulted in savings. He stressed that staff was trying to utilize less money while maintaining the same level of services as last year. Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comments. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Flescher, SECONDED by Commissioner Wheeler„ the Board unanimously approved the dollar amount of $14,372,690, and approved Resolution 2009-146, amending the County Budget Officer's estimates of receipts other than taxes and of balances to be brought forward for Fiscal Year 2009/2010, and adopting a final budget for the Transportation Fund. 6 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT Administrator Baird said that excepting those in Indian River Shores, all residents pay this Ad Valorem tax, which is for fire and ALS services in the County. He reported that the proposed millage is 1.7148, the same as last year, and 11.3% below rollback, and the proposed budget is $26,736,213. Administrator Baird said in spite of the budget reductions, Fire Station 12, with an ALS Engine, would open in Gifford. He said the main reasons for the reductions were the repairs, replacements, and upgrades accomplished this year, and noted there are no new fire trucks or ambulances in this budget. Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comments. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan SECONDED by Chairman Davis, the Board unanimously approved the millage rate of 1.7148, and approved Resolution 2009-147, establishing the tax millage rate to be levied upon all real and personal taxable property in Indian River County, Florida, for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 for the Indian River County Emergency Services District. ON MOTION by Commissioner Solari SECONDED by Vice Chairman Flescher, the Board unanimously approved the dollar amount of $26,736,213, and approved Resolution 2009-148, amending the County Budget Officer's estimates of receipts other than taxes and of balances to be brought forward for fiscal year 7 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget 2009/2010 and adopting a final budget for the Emergency Services District. ENVIRONMENTALLYSENsinyE LAND ACQUISITION Administrator Baird announced that the proposed millage is 0.0725 (rollback rate does not apply). He conveyed that the debt service for the Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisition Bonds is $2,330,010, a 46.6% reduction from last year. Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comments. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan, SECONDED by Vice Chairman Flescher, the Board unanimously approved the millage rate of 0.0725, and approved Resolution 2009-149, establishing the tax millage rate to be levied upon all real and personal taxable property in Indian River County, Florida, for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 for the General Obligation Land Acquisition Bond Issue. ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan, SECONDED by Vice Chairman Flescher, the Board unanimously approved the dollar amount of $2,330,010, and approved Resolution 2009-150, amending the County Budget Officer's estimates of receipts other than taxes and of balances to be brought forward for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 and adopting a final budget for the General Obligation Land Acquisition Bond Issue. 8 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget LAND ACQUISITION BONDS— 2004 REFERENDUM Administrator Baird advised that this is the debt service for the $50 million voter approved bond issue for environmentally sensitive land. The proposed millage is 0.3154, an increase of about 10% above the current millage rate (rollback rate does not apply), and the proposed budget amount is $4,793,098. Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comments. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Flescher, SECONDED by Chairman Davis, the Board unanimously approved the millage rate of 0.3154, and approved Resolution 2009-151, establishing the tax millage rate to be levied upon all real and personal taxable property in Indian River County, Florida, for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 for the General Obligation Land Acquisition Bond Issue — 2004 Referendum. ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Flescher, SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, the Board unanimously approved the dollar amount of $4,793,098, and approved Resolution 2009-152, amending the County Budget Officer's estimates of receipts other than taxes and of balances to be brought forward for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 and adopting a final budget for the General 9 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget Obligation Land Acquisition Bond Issue — 2004 Referendum. AGGREGATE Administrator Baird reported that the Aggregate Millage is a requirement of the Florida Statutes; it is simply a benchmark and not paid by anyone. He announced that the proposed millage is 5.1436, 10.5% below the rollback rate. Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comments. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. No vote was required. 6. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SITTING AS SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT BOARD SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT BUDGET (NON -AD VALOREM SPECIAL DISTRICT) A. ANNOUNCE 2009/2010 PROPOSED CHARGE AND BUDGET Administrator Baird explained that everyone pays for all the garbage collection in the County. He announced the proposed charges and budget as follows: (1) Residential Waste Generation at $40.38 per unit, or $64.61 per House, a 1.37% decrease from the current year; Commercial Waste Generation at $28.13 per unit, a 0.67% decrease from the current year; and Readiness -to -Use Fee at $17.10, a 1.78% decrease from the current year. All charges are below the current year's rates. 10 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget (2) The proposed budget is $10,869,504, a decrease of about $760,607 from last year. B. RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comment. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. C. CONSIDER ANYPROPOSED AMENDMENTS There were no proposed amendments. A MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE NON -AD VALOREM RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WASTE GENERATION UNIT CHARGES AND READINESS -TO -USE FEE ON MOTION by Commissioner Solari, SECONDED by Vice Chairman Flescher, the Board unanimously approved the non -ad valorem Residential and Commercial Waste Generation Unit Charges and Readiness -to -use Fee, and Resolution 2009-153, establishing the Assessment Rate to be levied upon all real taxable property in Indian River County, Florida, for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 for the Solid Waste Disposal District. 11 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget E. MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT BUDGET RESOLUTION ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan, SECONDED by Commissioner Solari, the Board unanimously approved the dollar amount of $10,869,504, and approved Resolution 2009-154, amending the County Budget Officer's estimates of receipts other than taxes and of balances to be brought forward for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 and adopting a final budget for the Solid Waste Disposal District. 7. ADOPTION OF NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT CHARGES A. ANNOUNCE 2009/20IO PROPOSED CHARGE FOR EACHNON-AD VALOREMASSESSMENT DISTRICT Budget Director Jason Brown read the 2009/2010 proposed rates for each Non -Ad Valorem Assessment District into the record as follows: 12 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget Charge Per Parcel Acre 1. Vero Lake Estates M.S.B.U. $19.00 2. East Gifford Stormwater M.S.B.U. $15.00 Street Lighting Districts 3. Gifford $25.00 4. Laurelwood $18.00 5. Rockridge $10.00 12 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget 6. Vero Highlands $23.00 7. Porpoise Point $13.00 8. Laurel Court $27.00 9. Tierra Linda $23.00 10. Vero Shores $21.00 11. Ixora Park $19.00 12. Royal Poinciana $28.00 13. Roseland Road $ 1.50 14. Whispering Pines $18.00 15. Moorings $12.00 16. Walker's Glen $24.00 17. Glendale Lakes $40.00 18. Floralton Beach $38.00 19. West Wabasso $21.00 A RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comment. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. C. CONSIDER ANYPROPOSED AMENDMENTS There were no proposed amendments. A MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT B UDGET RESOL UTION ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Flescher, SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, the Board unanimously adopted the Non -Ad Valorem assessment charges, and 13 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget approved Resolution 2009-155, establishing the assessment rates to be levied upon certain real property in Indian River County for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 for all the Non -Ad Valorem assessments. 8. APPROVE NON -AD VALOREM DOLLAR BUDGETS A. ANNOUNCE 2009/20IO PROPOSED BUDGET Administrator Baird announced the proposed charges and budget for the remaining Non -Ad Valorem budgets as follows: 1. *Housing Authority $141,047 2. *Special Revenue Funds $50,418,069 3. *Other Debt Service Funds $1,242,233 4. *Capital Projects $16,830,000 5. *Enterprise Funds $46,525,442 6. *Internal Service Funds $24,068,300 * Breakdown of separate funds found on pages 5 & 6 of Budget Handout B. RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Chairman Davis opened the floor to public comment. There were no speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment period. C. CONSIDER ANYPROPOSED AMENDMENTS There were no proposed amendments. 14 September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget D. MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT BUDGET RESOL UTION ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan, SECONDED by Commissioner Solari, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 2009-156, adopting a final budget for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 for certain non -taxing funds of Indian River County. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chairman declared the Final Budget Hearing adjourned at 5:52 p.m. ALL BACKUP DOCUMENTATION IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AND ATTEST: 1L S;Jeffr arton, Clerk Minutes Approved: September 16, 2009 MG/Final Budget IS HEREBY MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES NOV 0 3 2009 es ey S. avis, airman 15