HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/03/2008INDEX TO MINUTES OF PRELIMINARY BUDGET HEARING
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
SEPTEMBER 3, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER.........................................................................................1
2. INVOCATION - STAN BOLING, PLANNING DIRECTOR................I
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - SANDRA L. BOWDEN,
COMMISSION CHAIRMAN.......................................................................1
4. BUDGET OVERVIEW BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR,
JOSEPHA. BAIRD........................................................................................2
5. AD VALOREM FUNDS................................................................................2
A. AD VALOREM MILLAGE AND AD VALOREM BUDGET ...............2
GENERALFUND.......................................................................................................................2
M.S. T. U...................................................................................................................................4
TRANSPORTATION FUND...
WE
EMERGENCYSERVICES DISTRICT........................................................................................... S
September 3, 2008 1
Preliminary Budget
ENviRONMENTALLYSENSITIVE LAND ACQUISITION............................................................. 6
LAND ACQUISITION BONDS - 2004 REFERENDUM.............................................................. 7
AGGREGATE............................................................................................................................. 8
6. SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT BUDGET (NON -AD
VALOREM SPECIAL DISTRICT)............................................................8
A. ANNOUNCE 2008/2009 PROPOSED CHARGE AND BUDGET.........................................8
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS...................................................................................................... 8
C. CONSIDERATION OFANYPROPOSED AMENDMENTS ................................................... 9
D. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE NON -AD VALOREMASSESSMENT RATES .......................... 9
E. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE BUDGET................................................................................ 9
7. ADOPTION OF NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT
CHARGES.....................................................................................................10
A. ANNOUNCE 2008/2009 PROPOSED CHARGE FOR EACH NON -AD VALOREM
ASSESSMENTDISTRICT...............................................................................................10
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
C. CONSIDERATION OF ANYPROPOSED AMENDMENTS.................................................11
D. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE NON -AD VALOREMASSESSMENT RA TES........................11
8. APPROVE NON -AD VALOREM DOLLAR BUDGETS .....................12
A. ANNOUNCE 2008/2009 PROPOSED BUDGET...............................................................12
September 3, 2008 2
Preliminary Budget
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS....................................................................................................12
C CONSIDERATION OFANYPROPOSED AMENDMENTS.................................................13
A TENTATIVE BUDGET ADOPTED..................................................................................13
9. ANNOUNCE TIME AND PLACE OF FINAL BUDGET HEARING.................13
10. ADJOURNMENT........................................................................................................14
September 3, 2008
Preliminary Budget
September 3, 2008
2008/2009 PRELIMINARY BUDGET HEARING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY
The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in the
County Commission Chambers, 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Wednesday,
September 3, 2008, to conduct the Preliminary Budget Hearing for 2008/2009. Present
were Chairman Sandra L. Bowden, Vice Chairman Wesley S. Davis, and Commissioners
Joseph E. Flescher and Peter D. O'Bryan. Commissioner Gary C. Wheeler was absent.
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 Bowden 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 - SANDRA L. BOWDEN,
COMMISSION CHAIRMAN
Chairman Bowden led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
September 3, 2008 1
Preliminary Budget
4. BUDGET OVERVIEW BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR,
JOSEPH A. BAIRD
County Administrator Joseph Baird presented an overview of the
2008/2009 proposed Budget totaling $289,650,399, showing a decrease of about $175
million, about 37% from last year. He advised that the County was proposing a
reduction in ad valorem taxes of $5.2 million, a decrease of 6.3%. He reported that the
tax roll was down by 5.6%, and the passage of Amendment 1 had resulted in a decrease
in taxing funds of 4.9%. Additionally, the 1/2 cent sales tax revenue decreased by
$406,000, or 5.1%; and State Revenue Sharing decreased by 5.5% or $158,000.
Administrator Baird outlined this year's budget cuts, noting the elimination
of 85 full-time positions, 74 under the Board of County Commissioners and 11 under the
Constitutional Officers, which accounted for about a $4.7 million reduction. He reported
that a new accounting requirement to document employee benefits (retirement and health
insurance), has increased budget expenses by $2.7 million. Fuel costs rose by about
$620,000. Estimated electrical costs were reduced by about $170,000, and over $100,000
in travel expenses were reduced. Administrator Baird divulged that the County was
looking at a $1.2 million reduction in interest earnings. He thereafter conveyed that, in
view of the current local and national economic environments, it had been a very
challenging budget to put together.
jW.A M% 0).9 0101.1 a111e1 1
A. AD VALOREM MILLAGE AND AD VALOREM BUDGET
GENERAL FUND
Administrator Baird announced that the proposed budget for the General
Fund is $82,016,250, about $2.8 million less than the current year. The millage for the
current year is 3.2885, and the proposed millage is 3.0689, 6.7 % below rollback. He
September 3, 2008 2
Preliminary Budget
reported that the proposed budget includes the elimination of twenty-six (26) full-time
positions, fifteen (15) under Board of County Commissioners, and eleven (11) under
Constitutional Officers, a savings of about $1.3 million, and clarified that the majority of
those positions had been vacant and were capped. Administrator Baird conveyed that the
ad valorem taxes were down about $2.3 million, and due to the decline in values, the
County lost about 1.9 million in ad valorem taxes. He related that the funding required
under the new accounting for employee retirement benefits, increased our expenses by
1.5 million.
Chairman Bowden opened the floor to public comments.
Harry Hall, Comptroller, Sheriffs Office, representing Sheriff Roy Raymond,
was on hand to answer any questions regarding the Sheriff's budget.
comments.
There were no other speakers and the Chairman closed the public
ON MOTION by Commissioner Flescher,
SECONDED by Vice Chairman Davis, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative millage of 3.0689 for the
General Fund.
ON MOTION by Commissioner Flescher,
SECONDED by Vice Chairman Davis, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative budget in the amount of
$82,016.250, for the General Fund.
September 3, 2008 3
Preliminary Budget
M. S. T. U.
Administrator Baird read into the record the proposed millage of 1.0804
(9.03% below rollback), and the proposed budget of $29,125,672, a reduction of about $1
million from the current year's $30,168,918 budget. He explained that the majority of
the decrease resulted from transfers to the Sheriff's and the Road and Bridge
Departments' budgets, the latter which accounted for approximately a $508,000
reduction. Administrator Baird announced that the '/2 cent sales tax revenue had
decreased by about $700,000; State Revenue Sharing dropped $290,000 or 15%;
franchise revenue fees increased by $432,000; and the overall tax roll decreased by 6%.
The Chairman opened the floor to public comments. Seeing no one, the
Chairman closed the public comments.
ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan,
SECONDED by Commissioner Flescher, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative millage of 1.0804 for the
M.S.T.U.
ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan,
SECONDED by Commissioner Flescher, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative budget in the amount of
$29,125,672, for the M.S.T.U.
TRANSPORTATION FUND
Administrator Baird explained that this fund derives 70% of its revenues
from transfers from the taxing funds. He read into the record the proposed budget of
September 3, 2008 4
Preliminary Budget
$16,306,066, a reduction of $1.2 million in the current year. He observed that the
transportation budget includes Public Works, Traffic Engineering, County Engineering,
Road and Bridge, Land Acquisition and Stormwater departments. He remarked that
twelve (12) positions were eliminated in the Road and Bridge budget; nine (9) full-time
positions were eliminated in Engineering; three (3) full-time positions were eliminated in
Traffic Engineering; and two (2) full-time positions were eliminated in Stormwater, to
effect a $1.4 million reduction in expenses.
The Chairman opened the floor to public comments. Seeing no one, the
Chairman closed the public comments.
ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Davis,
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative budget in the amount of
$16,306.066, for the Transportation Fund.
EMERGENCY SER VICES DISTRICT
Administrator Baird read into the record the proposed millage of 1.7148, which is
9.7% below rollback; and the proposed budget of $28,501,218.00., a decrease of
$5,872,499 million below the current year's $34,373,717 budget. Mr. Baird explained
that about $4 million of the reduction was due to capital improvements, which were done
to bring the stations up to date after the hurricanes. The passage of Amendment 1 resulted
in reduced revenues of about $1.4 million, and there was about a $32,000 cost increase
due to manning Stations 6 and 11 for the full year. He reported that one position for a
delivery person (which was vacant) had been eliminated, but there was no reduction in
the fire or paramedic positions.
The Chairman opened the floor to public comments. Seeing no one, the
Chairman closed the public comments.
September 3, 2008 5
Preliminary Budget
ON MOTION by Commissioner Flescher,
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative millage of 1.7148 for the
Emergency Services District.
ON MOTION by Commissioner Flescher,
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative budget of $28,501,218.00 for
the Emergency Services District.
ENuRONMENTALLYSENSITIVE LAND ACQUISITION
Administrator Baird explained that this fund covered the outstanding
principal and interest on the $11 million Land Acquisition Bond Series 2001 and the $7.8
million Land Acquisition Bond Series 2003. He read into the record the proposed
millage rate of 0.1357 (rollback rate does not apply), and the proposed budget of
$2,428,658.
The Chairman opened the floor to public comment. There were no
speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment.
ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan
SECONDED by Vice Chairman Davis, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative millage of 0.1357 for the
Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisition
Bonds fund.
September 3, 2008 6
Preliminary Budget
ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan
SECONDED by Vice Chairman Davis, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative budget of $2,428,658 for the
Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisition
Bonds fund.
LAND Acouis IUN BONDS — 2004 REFERENDUM
Administrator Baird observed that these bonds covered the outstanding
principal and interest on the $48,600,000 GO (General Obligation) bonds. He announced
the proposed Bond millage rate of 0.2863 (rollback rate does not apply), and the proposed
budget amount of $4,797,340.
The Chairman opened the floor to public comments. There were no
speakers and the Chairman closed the public comment.
ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Davis,
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative millage rate of 0.2863 for the
Land Acquisition Bonds — 2004 Referendum.
ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Davis,
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative budget of $4,797,340 for the
Land Acquisition Bonds — 2004 Referendum.
September 3, 2008 7
Preliminary Budget
AGGREGATE
Administrator Baird stated that this was a benchmark millage rate that no one in
the County pays; it is an averaging of all the taxing funds that fall under the Board of
County Commissioners. After noting that no vote was required on this, he announced the
proposed aggregate millage of 5.1628, 8% below rollback.
Commissioner O'Bryan asked whether the County's millage rate for the General
Fund would be one of the lowest in the State, if the other 67 Counties adopt their
proposed budgets, and learned from Budget Director Jason Brown that the County would
have the lowest General Fund millage, with that provision.
6. SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT BUDGET (NON -AD
VALOREM SPECIAL DISTRICT)
A. ANNOUNCE 2008/2009 PROPOSED CHARGE AND BUDGET
Administrator Baird announced that the charges in the Solid Waste
Disposal District were per parcel acre. He read into the record the following proposed
charges: (1) Residential Waste Generation at $40.94 per unit, a 7.04% decrease from the
current year; (2) Commercial Waste Generation at $28.32 per unit, a 5.16% decrease
from the current year; and (3) Readiness -to -Use Fee at $17.41, a 7.74% decrease from the
current year. He noted that two (2) full-time positions had been eliminated from this
budget and announced the proposed budget of $11,621,986.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Chairman opened the floor to public comments. Seeing no one, the
Chairman closed the public comments.
September 3, 2008 8
Preliminary Budget
C CONSIDERA TION OF ANY PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
There was no discussion on the proposed amendments.
D. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT
RATES
ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan
SECONDED by Commissioner Flescher, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative Non -Ad Valorem assessment
rates of $40.94 per Residential Waste Generation
Unit; $28.32 per Commercial Waste Generation
Unit; and Readiness -to -Use Fees of $17.41, for the
Solid Waste Disposal District (SWDD).
E. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE BUDGET
ON MOTION by Commissioner O'Bryan,
SECONDED by Commissioner Flescher, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative budget of $11,621,986 for the
SWDD.
September 3, 2008 9
Preliminary Budget
7. ADOPTION OF NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT
CHARGES
A. ANNOUNCE 2008/2009 PROPOSED CHARGE FOR EACH NON -
AD VALOREMASSESSMENT DISTRICT
Administrator Baird said that these were per parcel acre charges. He read
into the record the 2008/2009 proposed charges for each of the following Non -Ad
Valorem Assessment Districts:
1.
Vero Lake Estates M.S.B.U.
$19.00
2.
East Gifford Stormwater M.S.B.U.
$15.00
3.
Gifford Street Lighting District
$25.00
4.
Laurelwood Street Lighting District
$18.00
5.
Rockridge Street Lighting District
$10.00
6.
Vero Highlands Street Lighting District
$23.00
7.
Porpoise Point Street Lighting District
$13.00
8.
Laurel Court Street Lighting District
$27.00
9.
Tierra Linda Street Lighting District
$23.00
10.
Vero Shores Street Lighting District
$21.00
11.
Ixora Park Street Lighting District
$19.00
12.
Royal Poinciana Street Lighting District
$28.00
13.
Roseland Road Street Lighting District
$ 1.50
September 3, 2008
10
Preliminary Budget
14. Whispering Pines Street Lighting District $18.00
15. Moorings Street Lighting District $12.00
16. Walker's Glen Street Lighting District $24.00
17. Glendale Lakes Street Lighting District $40.00
18. Floralton Beach Street Lighting District $38.00
19. West Wabasso $21.00
Administrator Baird reported that four districts, which had experienced electrical
utility increases, had the following increases on their street lights. Gifford went up
$4.00, from $21.00 to $25.00; Laurel Court went up $2.00, from $25.00 to $27.00;
Glendale Lakes went up $2.00, from $38.00 to $40.00; and Floralton Beach had a $9.00
increase, from $29.00 to $38.00.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Chairman opened the floor to public comment. Seeing no one, the
Chairman closed the public comments.
C. CONSIDERATIONOFANYPROPOSEDAMENDMENTS
There was no discussion on the proposed amendments.
D. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE NON -AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT
RATES
ON MOTION by Commissioner Flescher
SECONDED by Vice Chairman Davis, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative charge for each of the
nineteen (19) aforementioned Non -Ad Valorem
Assessment Districts.
September 3, 2008 11
Preliminary Budget
8. APPROVE NON -AD VALOREM DOLLAR BUDGETS
A. ANNOUNCE 2008/2009 PROPOSED BUDGET
Administrator Baird announced that the proposed budget for the Housing
Authority was $141,470, a decrease of $21,331 from the prior year. He revealed that the
Housing Authority was a federal agency requiring a separate Motion.
ON MOTION BY Vice Chairman Davis,
SECONDED by Commissioner Flescher, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative budget of $141,470 for the
Housing Authority.
Administrator Baird revealed the dollar amounts for the remaining non -ad
valorem budgets as follows:
2. Special Revenue Funds $ 2408,453
3. Other Debt Service Fund $ 1,239,633
4. Capital Projects $ 12,973,749
5. Enterprise Funds $ 49,451,188
6. Internal Service Funds $ 26,238,716
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Chairman opened the floor to public comments. There being no
speakers, she closed the public comments.
September 3, 2008 12
Preliminary Budget
C. CONSIDERATION OF ANYPROPOSED AMENDMENTS
There were no proposed amendments.
D. TENTATIVE BUDGET ADOPTED
ON MOTION BY Commissioner O'Bryan,
SECONDED by Commissioner Flescher, by a 4-0
vote (Commissioner Wheeler absent), the Board
adopted the tentative Non -Ad Valorem Budgets for
Special Revenue Funds; Other Debt Service Fund;
Capital Projects; Enterprise Funds; and Internal
Service Funds.
9. ANNOUNCE TIME AND PLACE OF FINAL BUDGET
HEARING
Administrator Baird announced that the Final Budget hearing would be
held at 5:01 P.M. on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at the County Administration
Building, Commission Chambers, 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, Florida.
ALL BACKUP DOCUMENTATION, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDINANCES ARE ON FILE IN THE
OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AND ARE HEREBY MADE A PART OF THESE
MINUTES.
September 3, 2008 13
Preliminary Budget
10. ADJOURNMENT
5:26 p.m.
ATTEST:
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There being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at
Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk
Minutes Approved: OCT 14 2008
WC/MG/2008Minutes
September 3, 2008
Preliminary Budget
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