HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/2/1980THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1980
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, MET IN SPECI
1053 20TH PLACE, VERO
AT 5:01 O'CLOCK P.M.
ALMA LEE Loy, VICE CH
AND PATRICK B. LYONS.
ADMINISTRATOR; GEORGE
AL SESSION AT THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 19801
PRESENT WERE WILLARD W. SIEBERT, JR., CHAIRMAN;
AIRMAN; WILLIAM C. WODTKE, .JR.; R. DON DEESON;
ALSO PRESENT WERE NEIL A. NELSON, COUNTY
G. COLLINS, .JR., ATTORNEY TO THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS; .JEFFREY K. BARTON, FINANCE OFFICER; AND
VIRGINIA HARGREAVES, DEPUTY CLERK.
THE CHAIRMAN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCED THAT
IT IS BEING HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF HAVING HEARINGS ON THE INDIVIDUAL
BUDGETS UNDER THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE VARIOUS
DISTRICTS WHICH ARE REPRESENTED BY THE MEMBERS WHO SERVE ON THE BOARD
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT EXPLAINED TO THOSE PRESENT THE PROCEDURE
TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE HEARINGS, WHICH WILL BE AS SET OUT IN THE
FOLLOWING MEMO FROM ATTORNEY COLLINS:
M E M OR A N D U M
TO: All Members of the Board of County Commissioners
FROM: George G. Collins,Jr.
DATE: October 1, .1980
1. First issue: (a) Percentage increase in millage over rolled
back rate.
(b) Purpose tax revenues are being increased.
(c) Hear all comments from public and explain.
2. Discuss and adopt millage prior to budget.
3. Publically announce the percentage by which the recomputed
proposed millage rate exceeds rolled back rate.
4. Adopt millage then budget.
5. Re: Fire District - Discuss Tax Anticipation Note and authorize.
OCT 2190 �Do 44 PACE 705
OCT 21980
Bou
4-4,
;,PAGE 706
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT
COMMENTED TO THOSE PRESENT
THAT
SOME
PEOPLE APPARENTLY FEEL IT IS MANDATORY THAT THEY ATTEND THIS MEETING.
HE EXPLAINED THAT ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK AT THIS HEARING WILL
BE WELCOME, BUT IT IS NOT MANDATORY TO ATTEND. THE CHAIRMAN THEN
INTRODUCED FINANCE OFFICER BARTON.
MR. BARTON DISCUSSED THE GENERAL FUND. HE ANNOUNCED THAT
THE TOTAL DOLLARS IN THE GENERAL FUND HAVE NOT CHANGED. THERE WAS,
HOWEVER, ONE LINE TO LINE ITEM TRANSFERRED FROM CONTINGENCY TO THE
STATE ATTORNEYS BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,250 AS APPROVED AT THE
LAST COMMISSION MEETING, BUT THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE TOTAL DOLLARS
OF THE BUDGET. THE ROLLED BACK MILLAGE IS FOR THE THREE AREAS FOR
GENERAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. MR. BARTON EXPLAINED THAT ROLLED BACK MILLAGE
IS THIS YEAR S ASSESSED VALUE DIVIDED INTO THE NUMBER OF DOLLARS WE
RECEIVED LAST YEAR. HE STATED THAT FOR THE GENERAL FUND, THE
TRANSPORTATION FUND AND THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ISSUE of 1959,
THE PROPOSED MILLAGE ASSESSMENT IS A DECREASE OF 22.5% OVER LAST
YEAR, AND THE PROPOSED MILLAGES FOR THOSE FUNDS ARE AS FOLLOWS;
GENERAL FUND 3.30239
TRANSPORTATION FUND 0.00001
'59 OBLIGATION BOND ISSUE 0.04239
TOTAL 3.34479
THOSE THREE MILLAGES ARE THE ONES THAT WILL BE ASSESSED COUNTYWIDE
TO EVERY PARCEL OF LAND. MR, BARTON EXPLAINED THAT THE DECREASE IN
THE GENERAL FUND IS DUE TO SOME SWITCHING OF FUNDS AND SOME SPECIAL
DISTRICTS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT ASKED THE ATTORNEY IF WE ADOPT THE MILLAGE
INDIVIDUALLY FOR EACH OF THESE FUNDS, AND ATTORNEY COLLINS FELT THE
MILLAGES CAN ALL BE READ AND ADOPTED IN ONE MOTION AT THE POINT WHEN
THE BOARD IS READY TO ADOPT THEM.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE COMMENTED THAT THE PUBLIC IS LOOKING
AT A TOTAL TAX DOLLARS BILL AND HE DID NOT BELIEVE TOO MANY WILL BE
ABLE TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ONLY ONE
FUND. HE DISCUSSED POSSIBLY GOING THROUGH ALL THE FUNDS AND THEN
OPENING THE FLOOR TO THE PUBLIC.
ATTORNEY COLLINS FELT TO KEEP IT LOGICAL, WE MUST KEEP THE
FUNCTIONS SEPARATE, AND HE RECOMMENDED THERE BE COMMENTS FROM THE
PUBLIC AS SET OUT IN THE PROCEDURES.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE FELT THAT IS FINE AS LONG AS WE CAN
EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ONLY ONE PARTICULAR
FUND IN THE TOTAL OF THEIR TAX BILL. BASICALLY WE HAVE A 22.5%
DECREASE IN THE MILLAGE RATE IN THIS PARTICULAR FUND FROM PROPOSED
TO LAST YEAR S ACTUAL.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT AGREED THIS IS MISLEADING BECAUSE THOSE
DOLLARS HAVE BEEN PUT OVER INTO OTHER PLACES AND THE TOTAL RESULT
IS AN INCREASE IN OTHER FUNDS. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD NOW LIKE THE
COMMISSION TO HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THE THREE FUNDS JUST ADDRESSED
AND OPENED THE FLOOR FOR PUBLIC INPUT.
FRED MORGAN OF IXORA PARK INFORMED THE BOARD THAT HIS HOUSE
WAS BUILT FOR LESS THAN $10,000; HE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS, GOT A
PERMIT FOR A DRIVEWAY, ETC., AND HE WAS RAISED TO $14,000. NOW LAST
YEAR, AFTER TURNING 65, GOING ON SOCIAL SECURITY, AND GETTING A
$10,000 EXEMPTION. HE GOT A NEW NOTICE AND HIS VALUATION WAS RAISED
FROM $14,000 TO $23,000.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT AGREED THIS IS CONFUSING. HE INFORMED
MR. MORGAN THAT THE EVALUATION OF HIS PROPERTY IS NOT A FUNCTION OF
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THEY DO NOT PLACE VALUES ON ANY
PROPERTY; THAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.
COMMISSIONER LYONS REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THERE IS AN
APPEAL PROCEDURE FROM THESE APPRAISALS, AND AFTER YOUR FINAL APPRAISAL
IS RECEIVED, YOU CAN MAKE AN APPEAL TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISAL
ADJUSTMENT BOARD.
3 �ooK 44 pacE 7u
OCT 2198p
OCT 21980 B -bo .44 Pacf 708
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT REPEATED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMIS-
SIONERS IS HAVING HEARINGS AS IT RELATES TO TAXES - NOT THE ASSESS-
MENTS.
A GENTLEMAN IN THE AUDIENCE INQUIRED WHY THEY WERE TOLD
TO COME HERE BY THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE.
PROPERTY APPRAISER LAW CAME BEFORE THE BOARD AND FELT THAT
PEOPLE ARE GETTING A LITTLE CONFUSED AS TO WHAT THEY ACTUALLY WERE
TOLD. HE CONTINUED THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM HIS OFFICE WERE THAT
IF SOMEONE CALLED ABOUT THE VALUE OF THE APPRAISAL, THEY WERE TOLD
THE PROPERTY APPRAISER WOULD REVIEW IT, BUT IF THE CALLER COMPLAINED
ABOUT TAXES, THEY WERE REFERRED TO THIS MEETING TO TALK ABOUT TAXES,
DISCUSSION FOLLOWED ABOUT THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS CALLED,
AND COMMISSIONER LOY ASKED THAT THE RECORD SHOW THAT THE TRIM NOTICE,
WHICH WAS PUT ON US BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA, REQUIRED THAT THE NUMBERS
TO CALL WERE THOSE OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER AND THE TAX COLLECTOR.
SHE NOTED THAT THE TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE IS NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT
THIS PROCEDURE, AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HANDLED BY HIS OFFICE.
CLIFFORD FERGUSON,OF 4368 33RD AVENUE, INQUIRED IF YOU DON'T
PAY TAXES ACCORDING TO THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT STATED THAT IT IS A COMBINATION OF TWO
FACTORS; THE PROPERTY APPRAISER PLACES THE VALUE, AND THE MILLAGE RATE
APPLIED TO THE PROPERTY VALUE IS THE COMBINATION THAT DETERMINES YOUR
TAX. THE BOARD TAKES THE VALUES SET BY THE PROPERTY APPRAISER AND
APPLIES A MILLAGE RATE TO THEM SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT OUR BUDGET.., THIS
BOARD SETS THE TAX RATE.
HUGH THOMPSON, 645 BEACHLAND BOULEVARD, FELT IT WOULD BE
VERY HELPFUL TO THOSE PRESENT IN GENERAL IF WE REALLY HAD A BASIC
UNDERSTANDING. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A GENERAL PICTURE
OF WHAT IS GOING ON - I.E., HERE IS WHAT THE TAX WAS LAST YEAR AND
HERE IS THE INCREASE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE. HE INFORMED THE BOARD
THAT HE CALLED THE OFFICES LISTED AND COULD NOT GET CORRECT INFORMATION.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT STATED THAT HE COULD UNDERSTAND THE PUBLIC'S
PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE HE CANNOT READ THE TRIM NOTICE EITHER.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE BOARD NOW WILL GO THROUGH AND EXPLAIN THE
INCREASES, ETC., IN THE VARIOUS FUNDS AND NOTED THAT WE HAVE ALREADY
GONE THROUGH THE DECREASE IN THE GENERAL FUND,
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON INFORMED THOSE PRESENT THAT LAST
YEAR WE ASSESSED AND RECEIVED, IN TAX DOLLARS, $4,503,743 FROM THE
GENERAL FUND. THE PROPOSED GENERAL FUND ASSESSMENT THIS YEAR IS
$4,410,000, OR A $93,000 DECREASE. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GENERAL
FUND COVERS THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS A BOARD, THEIR
SALARIES, EXPENDITURES, ETC.; THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE; THE
FINANCE OFFICE AND DATA PROCESSING; LEGAL COUNSEL, COMPREHENSIVE
PLANNING; THE COURT SYSTEM AND THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT; A
PORTION OF THE SHERIFFS BUDGET; THE COUNTY JAIL; CIVIL DEFENSE; THE
AMBULANCE SQUADS; RESOURCE MANAGEMENT; VETERANS SERVICES; THE GENERAL
CATEGORY OF COUNTY HEALTH; WELFARE; LIBRARY; AND PARKS AND RECREATION.
THESE ARE ALL SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL
COUNTY RESIDENTS.
MR. BARTON THEN REVIEWED THE TRANSPORTATION FUND, NOTING
THAT IT IS FOR THE ROAD SYSTEM WITHIN THE COUNTY, AND WE ARE DIVIDED
INTO TWO TYPES OF SYSTEMS - THE COLLECTOR SYSTEM AND THE LOCAL SYSTEM,
THE COLLECTOR SYSTEM IS TO BE PAID FOR BY ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS. HE
REPORTED THAT WE ARE ASSESSING $100 COUNTYWIDE AND THE BALANCE OF THE
MONEY IS FROM OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE. BASICALLY, WE HAVE RECEIVED
ENOUGH STATE REVENUES TO FUND THE COLLECTOR SYSTEM OF ROADS, THIS
IS SUCH ROADS AS 512, 510, 20TH AVENUE, 27TH AVENUE, AND OLD DIXIE.
MR. BARTON NEXT EXPLAINED THE 1959 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND
ISSUE, AND INFORMED THOSE PRESENT THAT THE VOTERS AND FREEHOLDERS
AUTHORIZED THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN 1959 TO BUILD WHAT IS REFERRED
TO AS THE OLD COUNTY HOSPITAL, NOW TO BE THE NEW COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
CENTER. WE ARE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS OF THIS BOND ISSUE. WE MUST
ASSESS ANNUALLY ENOUGH TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST DUE. LAST
YEAR WE RECEIVED $40,000, AND THIS YEAR WE ARE ASKING FOR $57,000.
EACH YEAR AS THE ISSUE GETS OLDER, THERE IS MORE PRINCIPAL DUE AND A
LITTLE LESS INTEREST, AND THE LAST FEW YEARS, ITS JUMPS $15,000 MORE
IN PRINCIPAL, BUT THE INTEREST DOES NOT DROP ACCORDINGLY.
goo 44 P'' GE 709
OCT 2 1980 5
OCT 21980 Boor 44 pAcE. 710
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT ASKED THAT FINANCE OFFICER BARTON NEXT
REVIEW THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE FUND AND NOTED THAT IF YOU LIVE WITHIN
A MUNICIPALITY YOU DO NOT PAY ANYTHING INTO THIS FUND, BUT YOU DO IF
YOU LIVE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE COUNTY.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON INFORMED THOSE PRESENT THAT THE
GENERAL PURPOSE MUNICIPAL SERVICES FUND IS FOR THOSE SERVICES BEING
SUPPLIED EXCLUSIVELY TO THOSE LIVING IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF
THE COUNTY, WHO ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO WILL PAY THIS MILLAGE. THIS
FUND WAS CREATED DUE TO LAWSUITS WHERE RESIDENTS IN MUNICIPALITIES
HAVE GONE THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM IN REGARD TO DUAL TAXATION. THE
STATE SUPREME COURT HAS RULED WE MUST CHARGE INDIVIDUALS FOR SERVICES
BEING RENDERED TO THEM EXCLUSIVELY FOR THEIR BENEFIT. LAST YEAR WE
DID NOT ASSESS A MILLAGE UNDER THIS CATEGORY S0, AS FAR AS ROLLBACK,
THERE WAS NONE AND IT IS A 100% INCREASE. THE BOARD IS ASKING FOR
A MILLAGE OF 2.10523.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT COMMENTED THAT THIS FUND IS THE ONE THE
PEOPLE SHOULD PAY THE MOST ATTENTION T0, IT REFLECTS THE BIGGEST
INCREASE IN MILLAGE IF YOU LIVE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. THE
REASON FOR IT IS SUPREME COURT ACTION RE DUAL TAXATION, AND THOSE
WHO LIVE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA WILL SEE A BIG INCREASE.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON EXPLAINED THAT WE DID HAVE A
CONSULTANT WORK WITH US GOING OVER THE SERVICES AND SETTING UP THE
BUDGET. HE NOTED THAT ONE OF THE LARGEST ITEMS IN THIS BUDGET IS
PART OF THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET. THERE ARE CERTAIN FUNCTIONS WITH THE
JUDICIAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL RESIDENTS;
A BASE AMOUNT WAS SET UP THAT WOULD BE CHARGED TO ALL RESIDENTS OF
THE COUNTY AND ANYTHING OVER THAT AMOUNT WOULD BE CHARGED TO THE
UNINCORPORATED AREA RESIDENTS FOR THE INCREASE IN PATROL SURVEILLANCE
WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. OTHER ITEMS ARE FINANCIAL ADMINIS-
TRATION - PLANNING & ZONING - LAW ENFORCEMENT FIRE FROM THE STAND-
POINT OF WHAT WE PAY THE STATE FOR THE FORESTRY SERVICE FOR THE
UNINCORPORATED AREA - INSPECTIONS, REFUSE DISPOSAL, THE LOCAL SYSTEMS
OF ROADS (THESE ARE THE NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS WITHIN THE SUBDIVISIONS
� � O
WHICH THE COUNTY MAINTAINS) AND A PORTION OF WELFARE AND PARKS AND
RECREATION, WHERE THE COUNTY IS MAKING PAYMENTS TO THE DIFFERENT
MUNICIPALITIES SO THAT THOSE COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE NOT DISCRIMINATED
AGAINST AS TO THE FEES THEY PAY TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE PROGRAMS,
THIS WILL REQUIRE $1,446,700 IN AD VALOREM TAXES.
THE NEXT DISTRICT TO BE DISCUSSED WAS THE NORTH COUNTY FIRE
DISTRICT, AND ATTORNEY COLLINS EXPLAINED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS IS THE GOVERNMENTAL BOARD OF THE NORTH COUNTY FIRE
DISTRICT, WHICH IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMIS-
SIONERS.
MR. BARTON INFORMED THOSE PRESENT THAT THESE DISTRICTS ONLY
COVER CERTAIN PARTS OF THE COUNTY, AND CHAIRMAN SIEBERT EXPLAINED
THAT THIS PARTICULAR DISTRICT PERTAINS TO ANYONE LIVING IN THE AREA
NORTH OF HOBART ROAD, EAST OF I-95, NORTH TO THE COUNTY LINE, EAST
TO THE INDIAN RIVER, AND PLUS THE DEVELOPED AREA AROUND FELLSMERE,
WHICH IS WEST OF I-95.
MR. BARTON REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO ASSESSMENT LAST YEAR
SO THE PROPOSED INCREASE IS 100%. WE ARE ANTICIPATING RAISING $56,000
FROM THIS DISTRICT TO FUND THE ROSELAND, SEBASTIAN AND FELLSMERE
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE PROPOSED MILLAGE IS 1/2 OF 1 MILL
OR 50� PER $1,000 OF ASSESSED VALUATION.
MR. BARTON CONTINUED THAT THE WEST INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
MUNICIPAL SERVICE UNIT COVERS THE PORTION OF THE COUNTY WEST OF I-95
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH COUNTY LINE, OTHER THAN THE LITTLE PORTION
AROUND FELLSMERE. THIS IS TO PROVIDE FIRE SERVICES WITHIN THAT
DISTRICT, AND IT ALSO IS A 100% INCREASE BECAUSE THE DISTRICT DID.NOT
EXIST LAST YEAR. THE TAXES TO BE ASSESSED ARE $29,412, AND THE
PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE WOULD BE .38229.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT NEXT BROUGHT UP THE SOUTH COUNTY FIRE
DISTRICT, WHICH IS THE ONE JUST PASSED BY REFERENDUM VOTE OF THE
TAXPAYERS. IT IS BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY I-95, ON THE NORTH BY HOBART
ROAD, SOUTH TO THE COUNTY LINE AND CONTAINS ALL THE BARRIER ISLAND
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF INDIAN RIVER SHORES AND ORCHID.
OCT 21980 7
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OCT 21990 $ooK 44 PAGE712'
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MR. BARTON REPORTED THAT THIS ALSO IS A 100% INCREASE
BECAUSE THE DISTRICT DID NOT EXIST LAST YEAR. THE DISTRICT INTENDS
TO LEVY $2,308,000 TO FUND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH COUNTY
DISTRICT, AND IT WILL REQUIRE A MILLAGE OF 2.37591.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT EXPLAINED THAT THIS ACTUALLY IS A TRANSFER
OF TAX RESPONSIBILITY; IT HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET OF THE
CITY OF VERO BEACH AND NOW IS ALL IN THE COUNTY BUDGET, WHICH IS
ANOTHER REASON FOR THE INCREASE IN THE COUNTY TAX LEVY.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON GAVE A SUMMARY OF HOW THE MONEY IS
BEING SPENT BY THE DISTRICT. THE BUDGET CALLS FOR $1,898,2431 FOR
OPERATIONS (SALARIES, FRINGE BENEFITS, TELEPHONE, TRAINING, MAINTE—
NANCE OF VEHICLES, BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING, CHARGES FOR FIRE
HYDRANTS, ALL TYPES OF GENERAL LIABILITY, ETC.); THE CAPITAL BUDGET
TO BUILD TWO NEW FIRE STATIONS IN THE FIRST YEAR IS $306,400.
MR. BARTON NEXT REPORTED THAT THE SOUTH BEACH MUNICIPAL
SERVICE WATER TAXING UNIT IS THE AREA OF THE BARRIER ISLAND SOUTH
OF THE MOORINGS TO THE COUNTY LINE. THIS IS A NEW DISTRICT SO THE
PROPOSED INCREASE IS 100%. IT CALLS FOR $17,647 AD VALOREM TAX TO
BE GENERATED AND THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE IS 2.50202.
A GENTLEMAN IN THE AUDIENCE QUESTIONED THE HIGH RATE OF
MILLAGE TO RAISE $17,000, AND MR. BARTON POINTED OUT THAT THE AREA
IS VERY SMALL; THERE ARE ONLY 27 HOUSES IN THE DISTRICT, AND THEY
WANT WATER,
MR. BARTON CONTINUED THAT LAURELWOOD STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT
IS A SPECIAL DISTRICT CREATED TO PAY FOR SERVICES OF STREET LIGHTS
WITHIN THE DISTRICT S BOUNDARIES — BASICALLY IT IS THE LAND BEING
DEVELOPED BY LAUREL BUILDERS, KNOWN AS LAURELWOOD SUBDIVISION. THE
ADVERTISED ROLLBACK IS A DECREASE OF 9.2%. THE AD VALOREM TAX IS
$1,925. HE EXPLAINED THAT TO KEEP THE MILLAGE SOMEWHAT EVEN, THE
DEVELOPER IS FUNDING THE DIFFERENCE SO THEY DON T HAVE A TAX INCREASE
UNTIL THE WHOLE DISTRICT IS DEVELOPED. THIS IS SOLELY TO PAY FOR
STREET LIGHTS; IT ONLY AFFECTS LAURELWOOD; AND THE PROPOSED MILLAGE
Is .51422.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON NOTED THAT THE ROCKRIDGE STREET
LIGHTING DISTRICT IS FOR THE SAME PURPOSE. THE INCREASE IN ROCKRIDGE
IS 51.2%, THE TAX DOLLARS NEEDED $2,953. AND THE PROPOSED MILLAGE
,65711,
MR. BARTON ANNOUNCED THAT WITH THIS RESUME, ALL THE VARIOUS
BUDGETS UNDER THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN COVERED,
COMMISSIONER WODTKE FELT IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO THOSE WHO
MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT THEIR TRIM NOTICE TO EXPLAIN THAT THE ITEMS MR,
BARTON HAS TALKED ABOUT ARE INCLUDED UNDER THE LABEL "COUNTY GOVERN-
MENT." HE ASKED IF THE FIRE DISTRICTS WOULD BE INCLUDED IN "OTHER."
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON INFORMED THOSE PRESENT THAT BECAUSE
OF THE WAY THE LAW READS, IF WE SHOULD DECIDE TO ASSESS A RATE HIGHER
THAN ORIGINALLY SET OUT IN THE NOTICE, THEN THE NOTICES WOULD HAVE
TO BE SENT OUT AGAIN TO ALL LAND OWNERS AFFECTED. AT THE TIME WE
SENT THE INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NOTICE TO THE PROPERTY
APPRAISERS OFFICE, IT WAS BEFORE THE ELECTION CREATING THE SOUTH
COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT! THEREFORE, WE SENT TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER
THE INFORMATION FOR FIRE SERVICES IF THE REFERENDUM PASSED AND FOR
FIRE SERVICES IF THE REFERENDUM DID NOT PASS SO THAT WE COULD COME
DOWN FROM THE FIGURES STATED ON THOSE NOTICES. WE COULD COME DOWN
ON THE FIGURES, BUT COULD NOT GO UP WITHOUT SENDING THE NOTICES OUT
AGAIN, AND THE COST JUST FOR POSTAGE TO SEND THESE NOTICES TO COUNTY
RESIDENTS WAS $7,500. WHEN THE REFERENDUM PASSED CREATING THE SOUTH
COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT, THE BACKUP FIRE LEVY OF .72 MILLS WAS DROPPED
FROM OUR BUDGET. THIS MILLAGE,WHICH WOULD HAVE GENERATED AROUND
$400,000, WILL NOT BE ASSESSED. THE CITY ALSO HAD A LEVY IN THEIR
BUDGET FOR THE AMOUNT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO OPERATE THEIR
FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY NOW HAVE ROLLED BACK THAT MILLAGE.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE ASKED IF THAT .72 IS LISTED ON THE TRIM
NOTICE UNDER COUNTY GOVERNMENT OR IF THAT IS LISTED IN "OTHER."
PROPERTY APPRAISER LAW INFORMED THE BOARD THAT THIS WOULD
BE LISTED IN "OTHER." HE EXPLAINED THAT "OTHER" TAKES IN ALL OF THE
SMALL DISTRICTS THAT ARE NOT ITEMIZED AT THE TOP OF THE NOTICE, AND
IT WOULD DEPEND ON WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED. OUR COUNTY IS SPLIT IN
OCT 21980
9 eooK 44 Pace 713
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OCT 21984 WX 44 FACE 714
MANY DIFFERENT WAYS WITH TAXING DISTRICTS; THERE ARE ABOUT 22 OF THEM
THIS YEAR, AND IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE AS TO WHICH ONE OF THESE
TAXES APPLIES TO YOUR PROPERTY.
ATTORNEY COLLINS BELIEVED ITEMS (A) AND (B) UNDER PROCEDURES
HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY COVERED AT THIS TIME.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A
COUPLE OF OBSERVATIONS TO HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND. HE NOTED THAT
IN THE MULTI PURPOSE MUNICIPAL SERVICE FUND, BASICALLY THERE ARE TWO
VERY EXPENSIVE ITEMS - THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET AND ROAD & BRIDGE'S BUDGET.
DUE TO THE CITIES TAKING COUNTIES TO COURT, IT HAS BEEN RULED THAT
WE MUST ALLOCATE THE DOLLARS TO WHERE THEY ARE USED. WE, THEREFORE,
HAD TO TAKE THE GREAT BULK OF THE ROAD & BRIDGE BUDGET AND THE
SHERIFF'S BUDGET AND ONLY TAX THOSE PEOPLE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE COMMENTED THAT THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU
WILL NOTICE $25,000 ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS. THAT AFFECTS THE SCHOOL
BOARD'S PORTION OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS. HE EMPHASIZED THAT EVERYONE
PRESENT COULD BE IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION ACCORDING TO WHERE THEY LIVE.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON EXPLAINED THAT THE TRIM BILL IS
SUPPOSED TO BE A TRUTH IN MILLAGE BILL PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE.
THE DOCUMENT IS 99 PAGES LONG AND IT HAS 24 PAGES OF AMENDMENTS.
WITHIN THAT BILL THEY OUTLINED THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE
PROPERTY APPRAISER AND ALL TAXING AUTHORITIES AND OUTLINED THE NOTICE
WHICH EVERYONE RECEIVED. IT ALSO SAYS THAT THE ASSESSED VALUES WILL
BE 100%. IF YOUR PROPERTY APPRAISER HAD NOT COMPLETED THE CHANGE
TO 100%, THERE WAS A PROCEDURE FOR AN INTERIM TAX ROLL, THE BOARD
AND THE PROPERTY APPRAISER JOINTLY FILED SUIT ASKING THAT THE COURT
TAKE JURISDICTION OVER THE TAX ROLL FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY AND ALLOW
US TO GO ON AN INTERIM ROLL PROCEDURE. THE VALUE SHOWN ON THE TRIM
NOTICE IS LAST YEAR'S VALUE FOR YOUR PROPERTY PLUS ADJUSTMENTS FOR
NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATIONS.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT NOTED THAT WHEN THE FINAL ROLL COMES OUT,
SOME PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE AND SOME PEOPLE WILL BE GETTING
A REFUND.
L�J
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT IF YOU BUILT
A NEW HOUSE AND MOVED IN IN 1979, YOUR LOT IS VALUED AT THE 1979
VALUE AND THE HOUSE AT ITS 1980 VALUE, ADDITIONS TO A HOME ARE AT
1980 VALUES. MR. BARTON CONTINUED TO EXPLAIN HOW VALUES WILL BE
DETERMINED AND THE AFFECT OF THE ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, HE
NOTED THAT NOT UNTIL ALL PROPERTY IS COMPLETELY REASSESSED, WILL THE
FINAL NOTICES GO OUT FOR TAXES.
APPEAL OF THE ASSESSMENT.
THERE THEN WILL BE A PROCEDURE FOR
COMMISSIONER WODTKE STATED THAT THE ASSESSED VALUES THAT
WERE ON THE NOTICES RECEIVED ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS RESIDENTS WERE
ASSESSED LAST YEAR, UNLESS IT WAS A NEW PIECE OF PROPERTY OR HAD
ADDITIONS OR RENOVATIONS.
PROPERTY APPRAISER LAW STATED THAT IS BASICALLY CORRECT, BUT THERE
ARE A FEW EXCEPTIONS, THE COURT IN ISSUING INSTRUCTIONS TO PUBLISH
THE INTERIM ROLL USED THE WORDS "WHERE PRACTICAL" IN SOME SITUATIONS,
IMPLYING WHERE THE PROPERTY APPRAISER HAD ALREADY WORKED AN AREA
FOR 1980, IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO GO BACK AND UNDO WHAT ALREADY
HAD BEEN DONE. HE INFORMED THE BOARD THAT THERE IS A VERY SMALL
PERCENTAGE OF THE PROPERTIES THAT WERE SENT OUT WITH THE 1980 VALUES
THAT ALREADY HAD BEEN WORKED.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT ASKED FOR AN ESTIMATE OF WHEN THE FINAL
ROLL WILL BE READY, AND MR. LAW STATED THAT THEY ARE UNDER COURT
ORDER FOR .JANUARY 1, 1981, AND HE FELT THIS IS A REACHABLE GOAL.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT AGAIN EMPHASIZED THAT IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS
WITH THE BUDGET WE WILL HEAR THEM, BUT IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS AS TO
THEIR VALUATIONS, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.
COMMISSIONER Loy WISHED TO EMPHASIZE TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE
ACTUAL DOLLARS SET FORTH FOR THE VARIOUS BUDGETS WILL NOT CHANGE ONCE
THEY ARE ADOPTED, IT IS THE MILLAGES THAT MAY CHANGE.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT OPENED THE FLOOR TO THE PUBLIC AND ASKED
IF ANYONE WISHED TO BE HEARD.
HUGH THOMPSON, 645 BEACHLAND BLVD., HAD A SUGGESTION FOR
NEXT YEAR. HE FELT THERE SHOULD BE PROJECTIONS AND SLIDES OR A
11 Bou 44 P�,cE 71
OCT 2 1980
OCT 21900
Boa ' 44 PAGE lis
HANDOUT OF THE FIGURES JUST GONE OVER BY THE BOARD BECAUSE IT IS TOO
DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW WHEN THEY ARE JUST READ OUT. HE STATED THAT HE
WOULD VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THIS NEXT YEAR.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT FELT IT IS A GOOD SUGGESTION AND HOPED
IT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.
MR. THOMPSON ASKED IF THE ADDED CONDOMINIUM UNITS, BUSINESSES,
ETC., WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE ADDED TAX BURDEN; HE FELT SURE THERE
WILL BE AN ADJUSTMENT. HE ASKED HOW THE OVERALL TAX THAT IS GOING TO
BE NEEDED, RELATES TO LAST YEAR IS TAX, AND HOW MUCH MORE WILL BE RAISED
BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY.
COMMISSIONER LYONS ASKED HOW HIS GROCERY BILL IS THIS YEAR
COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.
MR. THOMPSON AGREED THAT A LOT OF THINGS HAVE GONE UP, BUT
HE STILL POINTED OUT THAT WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME IN WHO
ARE ADDING TO THE TAX ROLL. HE NOTED IN CALIFORNIA, TAXPAYERS HAVE
TAKEN ACTION AND THEY ARE ELIMINATING SOME SERVICES. HE FELT IT IS
OUT OF ORDER TO CONTINUE ADDING TAXES AND STATED THAT IF WE ARE GOING
TO KEEP ON RAISING TAXES, HE FOR ONE, IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT
ELIMINATING SOMETHING.
COMMISSIONER LYONS POINTED OUT THAT FOR ONE THING, THE
BOARD HAS HAD A SERIES OF BUDGET HEARINGS WHERE THEY HAVE GONE OVER
IN DETAIL EACH ITEM THAT HAS BEEN EXTENDED HERE. HE NOTED THAT
WE SPENT DAYS AND DAYS; WE WOULD HAVE BEEN DELIGHTED IF MR. THOMPSON
HAD BEEN PRESENT; AND HE FELT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL IF
MR. THOMPSON HAD THE BACKGROUND OF THOSE BUDGET SESSIONS.
MR. THOMPSON ASKED HOW MANY ATTENDED THESE SESSIONS, AND
COMMISSIONER LYONS STATED THAT IS THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE ADVERTISED
AND ONLY ONE OR TWO PEOPLE SHOW UP. COMMISSIONER LYONS POINTED OUT
THAT THE PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD ARE PEOPLE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
THEY ALL LIVE HERE AND PAY TAXES, AND THEY ALSO ARE INTERESTED IN
HOLDING TAXES DOWN. HE FELT THE THING THAT IS HAPPENING IS WHAT IS
HAPPENING TO THE COST OF EVERYTHING THAT WE USE AND WORK WITH, ALL OF
WHICH HAS GONE UP TREMENDOUSLY. HE ASSURED MR. THOMPSON THAT THIS
BOARD SAT HERE AND SWEAT TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO HOLD THINGS DOWN.
� - r
MR. THOMPSON REITERATED THAT HIS QUESTION WAS HOW MUCH
ADDED TAX AND HOW MUCH ADDED REVENUE CAN WE EXPECT FROM NEW THINGS
THAT WERENIT TAXED LAST YEAR AND ARE NEW TO THE AREA. HE REALIZED
WE HAVE TO PAY MORE, BUT POINTED OUT THAT WE DO HAVE ADDITIONAL
REVENUES.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON STATED THAT THE NEW CONSTRUCTION
FROM 1979 WAS 87-I/2 MILLION, AND THIS ONLY REPRESENTS 6% OF THE
TOTAL.
MR. THOMPSON STATED YOU ARE BRINGING IN A NEW 6%, AND HOW
MUCH MORE TAX ARE YOU ASKING FOR.
MR. BARTON POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY DISTRICTS AND HE
DOES NOT HAVE A BREAKDOWN WHERE THE NEW CONSTRUCTION IS.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT FELT THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS THAT
THE NEW 6% WONT BRING THE TAXES DOWN BECAUSE THE RATE OF INFLATION
IS IN DOUBLE DIGITS, AND PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THE COUNTY OPERATION
USES A LOT OF OIL BASED SUPPLIES. HE CONTINUED THAT WE IMPACT THE
TAXPAYER IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA MORE THIS YEAR THAN WE EVER WILL
AGAIN. A GREAT PORTION OF THOSE THINGS SUPPORTED BY A TAX BASE BY
ALL THE COUNTY IN THE PAST NOW ARE BEING SUPPORTED SOLELY BY THE
UNINCORPORATED AREA, AND THAT WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY SUPREME COURT
DECISIONS.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON DISCUSSED DIVISION OF THE ROAD
SYSTEM, NOTHING THAT WE HAVE BASICALLY 512 MILES OF ROADS, 111 MILES
OF WHICH WERE HANDED BACK TO US BY THE STATE DURING THE LAST YEAR
FOR US TO MAINTAIN AND KEEP WITH NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING; IN FACT, LESS
THAN WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST. ON THESE ARE ALL THE BRIDGES, AND WE
MUST MAINTAIN AND INSPECT THOSE BRIDGES. THE INSPECTION FEES FOR
WABASSO BRIDGE ALONE WERE AROUND $80,000.
MR. THOMPSON REITERATED HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL IS BEING ASKED
IN TAXES THIS YEAR IN TOTAL TAX DOLLARS?
MR. BARTON STATED THAT THE TOTAL TAX INCLUDING ALL DISTRICTS
NEWLY CREATED UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION WOULD
BE $8,700,000; LAST YEAR IT WAS ABOUT $5,000,000. HE POINTED OUT
13 �QOK 44 PAcf 717
OCT 2 1980
_I
OCT 21980
BOOK 44 PAGE 71-$
THAT PART OF THIS WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CITY FOR THE FIRE DISTRICT.
IF THE CITY WENT THEIR OWN WAY AND HAD NOT JOINED IN THE SOUTH COUNTY
FIRE DISTRICT, THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO ASSESS 4 MILLS, OR ALMOST
$2,000,000.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT AGREED THAT ABOUT $1,800,000 WAS TAKEN
OUT OF THE CITY OF VERO BEACH AND GIVEN TO THE COUNTY. HE NOTED THAT
OUR BUDGET IS MADE UP OF AD VALOREM TAXES PLUS OTHER SOURCES OF
REVENUE,- AND WHEN OTHER REVENUE GOES DOWN, AD VALOREM GOES UP. THE
CHAIRMAN COMMENTED THAT THE SHERIFFS BUDGET WAS THE MOST INCREASED
OF ANY; IT WAS HEADLINED IN THE NEWSPAPERS; AND WHEN WE HEARD THAT
BUDGET, NOT ONE PERSON SPOKE AGAINST IT, AND THE ROOM WAS LOADED.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE COMMENTED THAT THE 87-1/2 MILLION FOR
NEW CONSTRUCTION IS INCLUDED IN THE MAIL -OUTS, AND THE ONLY WAY THIS
WILL CHANGE IS WHEN THE ASSESSMENTS GO TO 100%. HE ALSO DISCUSSED
ROADS AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE GETTING LESS REVENUE FROM THE GAS
TAX BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE USING LESS GAS, AND IT IS BASED ON GALLONS
NOT DOLLARS. HE EMPHASIZED THAT WE ARE GETTING LESS OTHER INCOME
AND OUR COST OF LIVING IS GOING UP. THE STATE HAS PUT NEW PROGRAMS
ON US WHICH WE HAVE TO FUND, AND IT MAKES IT HARD ON THE AD VALOREM
TAXPAYER.
BOB LINDSAY, OF 6585 12TH STREET, WISHED TO POINT OUT THE
INEQUITY OF THE FIRE TAXING DISTRICT. HE NOTED THAT HE IS IN THE
CITRUS BUSINESS AND NOTED THAT WHEN YOU LEVY TAXES FOR A PARTICULAR
AREA WITHIN THE GUIDELINES THE STATE SETS FORTH, THOSE DOLLARS ARE
TO BE SPENT BACK IN THE AREA THEY ARE LEVIED FROM. HE STATED THERE
IS NO WAY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WILL BE PAID BY THE CITRUS GROWERS
CAN BE PROVIDED BACK IN SERVICES, HE NOTED THAT THEY CALL THE
FORESTRY SERVICE IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM, AND THEY ARE ALSO TAXED FOR
THAT. MR. LINDSAY HAD NO COMPLAINT ABOUT ASSESSMENT BY THE DISTRICT
ON THE RESIDENTIAL AREA WHERE HE LIVES BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THE
PROTECTION IS NEEDED THERE, BUT FELT IT IS A GROSS INEQUITY ON THE
CITRUS GROWERS WHO CAN T RECEIVE THE VALUE BACK IN SERVICES.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT REFUTE THAT
BECAUSE HE IS IN THE CITRUS BUSINESS, TOO. HE FELT THE SAME ARGU-
MENT HOLDS TRUE FOR EVERY SERVICE THAT IS PROVIDED. THERE ARE
INEQUITIES, AND THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
ATTORNEY COLLINS BELIEVED IT SHOULD BE POINTED OUT THAT
THERE WAS SOME ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND THE LINES OF
THE DISTRICT WERE DELIBERATELY SET EAST OF 1-95 SO THAT THE AGRICULTURE
AREA WEST OF 1-95 WOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THAT BURDEN.
COMMISSIONER LYONS STATED THAT THE BOARD IS WELL AWARE OF
THE FACT THAT THE CITRUS GROWERS DON T NEED AS MUCH SERVICE AND THAT
I.S WHY THE BOUNDARIES WERE SET AS THEY ARE.
MR. LINDSEY FELT THE MILLAGE SHOULD BE LESS ON AN AGRICULTURAL
AREA THAN ON A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
MR. BARTON POINTED OUT THAT THEIR ASSESSMENT IS LESS BECAUSE
OF THE "GREEN BELT" LAW.
ATTORNEY COLLINS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN PLANNING SUCH
DISTRICTS, THE BOARD IS LOOKING 20 YEARS AHEAD.
MR. LINDSEY ASKED WHAT STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO REMEDY THE
INEQUITY, AND COMMISSIONER LYONS DID NOT KNOW, BUT EMPHASIZED THAT
THEY DO HAVE AN AGRICULTURAL EVALUATION.
N. R. BACH, OF 735 STARBOARD DRIVE, BROUGHT UP THE SOUTH
COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT, AND ASKED MR, BARTON TO CONFIRM THAT THERE IS
.72 MILLS THAT APPEAR UNDER COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT WILL NOT BE FIGURED
IN THE FINAL TAX BILL.
MR, BARTON STATED THAT THIS .72 MILLS IS LISTED UNDER "OTHER,"
AND IT WILL NOT BE FIGURED IN THE FINAL BILL.
MR. BACH STATED THAT HE RECOGNIZED THAT IT IS DIFFICULT
TO MAKE A COMPARISON, BUT CONTINUED THAT THIS IS THE WAY HE UNDERSTANDS
IT: IN 1979 FOR THE GENERAL FUND LINE ITEM, THE COUNTY EXPENDED 4.57
MILLION AND IN 1980 THAT IS NOW 4.41 MILLION, BUT YOU HAVE TO ADD TO
THAT THE NEW MUNICIPAL SERVICE FUND FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA
BECAUSE YOU ARE COVERING BASICALLY THE SAME SERVICES. HE UNDERSTOOD
THERE IS 1.446 MILLION IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR FOR THOSE SERVICES;
15 eoaK 44 -Fac-E719
OCT 21980
OCT 21900 Boox 44 PAGE720
SO, IF YOU ADD 4.41 MILLION AND 1.446 MILLION, YOU COME UP WITH A
COMPARABLE TOTAL OF AN INCREASE OF SOMEWHERE AROUND 27% WITHOUT
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ANY ADDITIONAL TAX BASE FROM NEW CONSTRUCTION.
IF YOU TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT, YOU GET OVER 30%. IT, THEREFORE,
STRUCK HIM THAT WE ARE TALKING AN INCREASE.IN THE GENERAL FUND OF
30%, OR ABOUT TWICE THE RATE OF INFLATION. MR. BACH STATED THAT KIND
OF AN INCREASE RAISES A RED FLAG TO HIM AND HE CANNOT BE SURE THAT
IT IS JUSTIFIED.
ATTORNEY COLLINS ASKED THAT HE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
THAT IN THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE DISTRICT THE MONEY FOR THAT LAST YEAR
WAS SPREAD OUT THROUGH THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND INCLUDED IN THE TAX
BASE OF VERO BEACH, INDIAN RIVER SHORES, SEBASTIAN, FELLSMERE AND
SEBASTIAN. THIS YEAR, BECAUSE WE ARE MANDATED, THOSE ITEMS HAD TO
BE PULLED OUT. WE ARE NOT REALLY TALKING ABOUT INCREASES, BUT SERVICES
THAT HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO BE PLACED ON US.
MR. BACH CONTINUED THAT HIS FIGURES, AND HE BELIEVED THEY
ARE CORRECT, SHOW THAT LAST YEAR THOSE SERVICES COST 4.57 MILLION
AND THIS YEAR THEY ARE GOING TO COST 5.86 MILLION, AND THAT'S WITHOUT
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ANY ADDITIONAL TAX BASE, WITHOUT THAT INCREASE,
IT COMES TO ABOUT 26%, AND THIS IS WHAT RAISES THE RED FLAG AND
CONCERNS HIM AS A CITIZEN.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT STATED THAT HE HAD TO AGREE WITH MR.
BACH'S COMPARISON, BUT NOTED THAT MR. BACH ACTUALLY IS COMPARING
DOLLARS AND NOT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION WHERE THEY ARE COLLECTED.
THE CHAIRMAN AGREED THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE, BUT STATED THAT
HE HAD TO SUPPORT THIS BUDGET BECAUSE IT IS NECESSARY JUST TO SUPPORT
THE SERVICES. HE ASKED THAT MR. BACH NOT TO FORGET THE ROADS, THE
INCREASE IN THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET, AND IN ADDITION THE FACT THAT WE
NOW ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM AN AUDIT ON EVERY DEPARTMENT EVERY YEAR.
THE STATE USED TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE, BUT NOW WE HAVE TO PROVIDE
IT, AND IT IS GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE.
MR. BACH DID NOT FEEL THERE IS ANYONE WHO WOULD DENY THE
COST OF GOVERNMENT HAS GONE UP. IT IS A QUESTION OF HOW MUCH IS
REASONABLE, AND HE HAS A PROBLEM WITH A 26% MINIMUM INCREASE. HE
STATED THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY IF HE COULD GET A STATEMENT THAT THE
BOARD IS CONCERNED ABOUT A 26% INCREASE.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THAT THEY WERE DEFINITELY CON-
CERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE.
COMMISSIONER Loy STATED THAT SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
LEGISLATORS WHO GIVE US THESE THINGS AND CONTINUE TO ERODE THE BASE,
FLORA SHELLEY, 4261 26TH AVENUE, STATED IT APPEARS THAT
WITH THE NEW TAXES THE BOARD IS TALKING ABOUT, THE UNINCORPORATED
AREAS ARE GOING TO PAY MORE TAXES; IT IS THESE AREAS THAT CONTAIN
THE PEOPLE LEAST ABLE TO PAY THE TAX, AND THEY ALSO GET THE LEAST
SERVICES. SHE FELT THERE SHOULD AT LEAST BE A GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE TO
COMPLAIN TO WHEN THESE SERVICES ARE NOT DELIVERED. MS. SHELLEY
CONTINUED THAT WHEN YOU CALL THE ROAD & BRIDGE DEPARTMENT, NO ONE
CARES ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO ONE TO COMPLAIN TO. SHE
ASKED WHY JOHN'S ISLAND AND ORCHID WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE MUNICIPAL
SERVICES DISTRICT.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT EXPLAINED THAT IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE
PAYING CITY TAXES. HE NOTED THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF VERO BEACH
PAY FOR THE CITY POLICE AND PART OF THE SHERIFF`S DEPARTMENT, THEY
DO NOT FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE SERVICES RENDERED TO THE PEOPLE
IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS.
MR. SHELLEY AGREED THAT THE UNINCORPORATED AREA SHOULD PAY
IF THEY GET THE SERVICES, BUT REITERATED THAT THEY DO NOT GET THE
SERVICES.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT STATED THAT WE DO THE BEST WE CAN WITH THE
DOLLARS WE HAVE AND NOTED IF MS. SHELLEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE NUMBER
OF DEPUTIES OR NUMBER OF ROAD GRADERS THAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET UP
TO THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE AS THE CITY, SHE WOULD BE FACING A MUCH
HIGHER TAX.
OCT 21990 17
BOCK- 44 PAGE 2I
OCT 21980
BOOK 44 PAGE 722
MS. SHELLEY STATED THAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT UNPAVED ROADS
IN GIFFORD AND THE SCRAPING OF THEM, SHE NOTED THAT A STATEMENT WAS
MADE ABOUT THE COST OF BRIDGE REPAIRS AND ASKED WHAT REPAIRS COULD
BE MADE TO THE WABASSO BRIDGE.
ADMINISTRATOR NELSON INFORMED HER THAT WE HAD A COST OF
OVER $6,000 TO REPAIR NAVIGATION LIGHTS ON THE WABASSO BRIDGE THAT
WERE .KNOCKED OUT BY VANDALS.
COMMISSIONER LYONS INFORMED MS. SHELLEY IF SHE DID NOT GET
SATISFACTORY SERVICE FROM HER PHONE CALLS, SHE SHOULD CALL THE
ADMINISTRATOR DIRECTLY OR CALL MRS. FORLANI, THE BOARDS SECRETARY,
BECAUSE WE WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE TREATED RIGHT.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE WAS SURE MS. SHELLEY'S COMPLAINT WAS
JUSTIFIED BUT FELT IT HAS BEEN A RARE CASE WHEN SOMEONE HAS CALLED
ROAD & BRIDGE AND HAS NOT GOTTEN A REPLY OR AN ANSWER. HE FELT THE
GIRLS HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO BE HELPFUL.
MS. SHELLEY STATED THAT THE LADY DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO
REFER HER, AND COMMISSIONER WODTKE REITERATED THAT IF MS. SHELLEY HAS
ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS, SHE SHOULD CALL THE BOARDS SECRETARY OR ONE
OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
GERALD JACKSON OF 705 HARBOUR DRIVE HAD A QUESTION ON THE
SOUTH COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT. HE STATED THAT HE VOTED FOR IT AND HE
WAS A FIREMAN FOR 25 YEARS, BUT HE HAD A QUESTION AS TO THE EARLY
ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN DISTRICTS THAT WILL NOT RECEIVE SERVICES FOR
AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT INFORMED HIM THAT IN THE FIRST YEAR, THE
DISTRICT ANTICIPATES BUILDING AT LEAST TWO NEW FIRE STATIONS WHICH
WILL INSURE QUICKER RESPONSE TIME, AND HIRING 20 ADDITIONAL MEN.
MR. JACKSON STATED THAT HE LIVES IN THE MOORINGS, AND IT
WILL BE THREE YEARS BEFORE THEY GET A NEW STATION ALTHOUGH HIS TAXES
ARE GOING FROM $52.00 TO $416.00.
DISCUSSION FOLLOWED, AND IT WAS NOTED THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES
FUND IS ALSO INCLUDED IN HIS TAXES, AND THE .72 SHOULD BE DROPPED
18
OUT, WHICH WAS PUT IN THE NOTICE IN CASE THE REFERENDUM FOR THE SOUTH
COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT DID NOT PASS.
MR. JACKSON STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO POINT OUT THAT
THE FIRE DISTRICTS ARE BEING TOTALLY FUNDED BY TAXES, AND THERE ARE
NO BOND ISSUES BEING CONSIDERED.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT AGREED THERE ARE NO BONDS BEING CONSIDERED
AT THE PRESENT TIME.
MR. JACKSON EMPHASIZED HE WILL BE FUNDING SOMETHING WHERE
HE WILL RECEIVE NO BENEFITS FOR THREE YEARS AND THE STATE MANDATES
AN AREA CANNOT BE TAXED FOR SERVICES THAT ARE NOT RECEIVED.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT STATED THAT THIS IS BROKEN DOWN BY
INCORPORATED VERSUS UNINCORPORATED.
MR. JACKSON COMMENTED THAT THE NORTH COUNTY LEVY IS ONLY 1/2
MILL, AND CHAIRMAN SIEBERT EXPLAINED THAT ALL STATIONS IN THE NORTH
COUNTY ARE MANNED BY VOLUNTEERS; THERE ARE NO PAID FIREMEN IN THE
DISTRICT.
ATTORNEY COLLINS FELT MR. JACKSON HAS A POINT. HE NOTED
THAT IN ORDER TO GET THE DISTRICT SET UP THIS YEAR, IT WAS DONE THIS
WAY, BUT THERE IS NO REASON WE CAN T HAVE A BOND ISSUE IN LATER
YEARS.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE AGREED WITH THE PREMISE OF BORROWING THE
MONEY SO THAT PEOPLE WHO MOVE IN LATER CAN SHARE THE COST, AND HE
BELIEVED THE FIRE DISTRICT SHOULD LOOK VERY CAREFULLY AT LONG RANGE
FUNDING FOR SOME CAPITAL ITEMS.
MR. JACKSON COMMENTED THAT HIS TAXES HAVE DOUBLED - FROM
$1,200 TO $2,400, AND HE REALIZED HE WOULD HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS WITH
THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.
MARTIN EDSON OF 825 STARBOARD DRIVE INFORMED THE BOARD
THAT HE HAS TWO HOUSES - ONE IN THE CITY AND ONE IN THE COUNTY. HE
NOTED THAT THE BOARD SAID THEY PICKED UP $1,$00,000 FROM THE CITY'S
BUDGET, BUT HIS CITY TAXES ARE UP ALSO.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON INFORMED HIM THAT THE CITY ALSO HAD
TO INCLUDE FIRE SERVICES IN CASE THE SOUTH COUNTY DISTRICT DID NOT
800K �� PAGE `%�J
OCT 2190 19
OCT 21980
am 44 PACE 724
PASS, AND SINCE IT DID, LAST NIGHT THEY ROLLED THAT MILLAGE BACK
SO HIS CITY TAXES SHOULD BE LESS.
MR. EDSON NOTED THAT HE SERVED FOR OVER 15 YEARS IN COUNTY
GOVERNMENT IN BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, AND IT WAS HANDLED DIFFERENTLY
THERE. IT SEEMS THAT HERE THINGS ARE BROKEN UP INTO DISTRICTS. IN
BERGEN COUNTY, IT ALL GOES INTO ONE POT AND PEOPLE ALL OVER THE
COUNTY GET THE BENEFIT FROM WHAT IS IN SOME OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY.
HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT WAS DONE IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY.
COMMISSIONER LYONS EXPLAINED THAT THE ASSESSED VALUATION
FOR THE DISTRICT IS THE ONLY THING USED TO RAISE THE TAXES FOR THAT
DISTRICT, AND FINANCE OFFICER BARTON CONFIRMED THAT WE DO SEPARATE
THE VALUES FOR THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS. IN EACH DISTRICT, THEY ONLY
COUNT THE PARCELS OF LAND WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THAT PARTICULAR
DISTRICT.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT EXPLAINED SOME OF THE REASONS WE HAVE TO
SET UP DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, NOTING THAT THE NORTH COUNTY IS PROTECTED
SOLELY BY VOLUNTEER FIREMEN, THE WEST COUNTY HAS VIRTUALLY NOTHING
TO PROTECT, AND IN THE POPULATED AREA OF THE SOUTH COUNTY, WE HAVE
TO PAY. IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR OTHERWISE.
MR. EDSON CONTINUED TO ARGUE THAT PEOPLE IN THE CITY BENEFIT
FROM COUNTY SERVICES.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE COMMENTED THAT HE AGREED WITH THE GENTLE—
MAN FROM NEW JERSEY, HE NOTED THAT IT USED TO BE IF YOU LIVED IN
THE COUNTY YOU HAD A BASIC RESPONSIBILITY BUT IF YOU LIVED IN THE CITY,
YOU EXPECTED CERTAIN SERVICES, AND YOU PAID MORE; IT IS NOT THAT WAY
ANY MORE, HOWEVER. NOW THE COURTS SAY WE MUST SEPARATE OUR SERVICES,
AND HE FELT OUR BUDGETARY PROBLEMS ARE BEING CAUSED BY DUAL TAXATION
SUITS BY THE CITIES AGAINST THE COUNTIES,
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT STATED THAT HE,T00, AGREED, AND IT IS NOT
DUE TO COURT CASES, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF LEGISLATION PASSED REGARDING
DUAL TAXATION. HE NOTED THAT COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS THE ONLY LEVEL
OF GOVERNMENT HE KNEW OF IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAS BEEN TOLD THEY
WILL SPEND THE MONEY WHERE THEY COLLECT IT,
20
MR. EDSON COMMENTED THAT IT IS NOT THAT WAY IN BERGEN
COUNTY, AND THE CHAIRMAN STATED THAT IT IS THAT WAY IN FLORIDA.
MR. EDSON STATED THAT HE HAS THE FEELING THAT THE BOARD IS
REALLY NOT IN ACCORD WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THEY HAVE TO D0, AND
HE, THEREFORE, BELIEVED IT IS ABOUT TIME LOCAL OFFICIALS ORGANIZED
WITH OTHER COUNTIES AND LOBBIED AGAINST THINGS THAT ARE PUT ON THEIR
BACKS.
COMMISSIONER LYONS INFORMED HIM THAT WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO
LOBBY THESE THINGS, AND THERE IS ALSO A LEAGUE OF CITIES, BUT THIS
LEGISLATURE IN THIS STATE SEEMS TO DECIDE THEY GAIN POINTS BY TELLING
THE COUNTIES HOW TO OPERATE. HE NOTED THAT THE STUPID NOTICE
RECEIVED BY THE CITIZENS, THE TRIM NOTICE, IS A CREATURE OF THE STATE
LEGISLATURE AND WE ARE HERE TRYING TO EXPLAIN IT. HE BELIEVED THE
BOARD IS AS CONFUSED BY IT AS EVERYONE ELSE, HE CONFIRMED THAT WE
ARE LOBBYING TO TELL THE STATE TO GET OUT OF OUR BUSINESS.
WILLIAM KOOLAGE, OF 815 26TH AVENUE, NEXT CAME BEFORE THE
BOARD, AND CHAIRMAN SIEBERT ANNOUNCED TO THOSE PRESENT THAT MR.
KOOLAGE IS ONE OF THE FEW WHO COMES TO EVERY BUDGET MEETING.
MR. KOOLAGE COMMENTED THAT THE TRIM NOTICE WITH WHICH
EVERYONE PRESENT HAS BEEN PRESENTED WAS THE WORK OF THE STATE LEGIS-
LATURE AND HE FELT THE THREE STATE SENATORS OF THIS DISTRICT AND
THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE TONIGHT TO EXPLAIN
IT AND TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE CAUSED THE TAXPAYERS IN THIS COUNTY,
HE URGED THE PEOPLE PRESENT TO SPEAK TO OUR LEGISLATORS AND LET THEM
KNOW HOW WE FEEL. MR. KOOLAGE FELT THE COUNTY HAS DONE A FINE JOB
IN DEVELOPING THEIR BUDGET, ESPECIALLY WITH THE HARDSHIPS THEY ARE
WORKING UNDER, ALL CAUSED BY TALLAHASSEE. HE FELT IT IS GREAT THAT
THE TAXPAYERS CAN COME HERE AND LET THE BOARD KNOW THEIR FEELINGS, AND
NOTED IT IS T00 BAD THAT TALLAHASSEE IS SO FAR AWAY AND WASHINGTON
EVEN FURTHER. MR. KOOLAGE HAD NO OBJECTION TO THE BUDGET AS IT NOW
STANDS AND URGED ITS ADOPTION. HE POINTED OUT THAT NO ONE WILL
21
POQK 44 PAGE 725
BOOK 44 PAGE 726
ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEIR TAXES WILL BE UNTIL AFTER THE FINAL ROLL
COMES OUT, AND STATED THAT HE ALSO HAS A LOT OF SYMPATHY WITH
PROPERTY APPRAISER LAW AND WHAT HE HAS TO GO THROUGH THIS YEAR.
SYLVIA KESINGER, OF DATE PALM ROAD, INFORMED THE BOARD THAT
SHE IS A RELATIVELY NEW MEMBER OF THE COUNTY ALTHOUGH SHE IS A
NATIVE OF FLORIDA. SHE STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCED IN INTER-
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL SO SHE DOES HAVE SOME
BACKGROUND. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS MIXED EMOTIONS AND WOULD LIKE
TO ASK SOME PARTICULAR QUESTIONS. FIRST, MS. KESINGER ASKED WHAT
WAS THE PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL INCREASE IN THE COUNTY'S BUDGET - NOT
THE DOLLARS, BUT THE PERCENTAGE.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON NOTED THAT WE HAVE FIVE NEW DISTRICTS
THIS YEAR, AND MS. KESINGER REITERATED THAT SHE WANTED THE TOTAL
INCREASE, NOT IN DOLLARS, BUT PERCENTAGES.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT FELT THAT WHAT MS, KESINGER IS ASKING IS
IN REGARD TO THE DOLLARS SPENT LAST YEAR BY THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COMPARED TO THE DOLLARS TO BE SPENT THIS YEAR.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE ASKED WHAT DISTRICT MS. KESINGER WAS
TALKING ABOUT, AND SHE REPLIED - THE TOTAL COUNTY BUDGET,
ATTORNEY COLLINS ASKED IF SHE MEANT INCLUDING THE CITY OF
VERO BEACH, AND MR. KESINGER STATED THAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT THE
BUDGET THE BOARD IS PROPOSING - WHAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
SHE FELT SURELY THE BOARD MUST KNOW THE INCREASE FROM ONE YEAR TO
THE NEXT,
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON NOTED THAT IT IS NOT THE SAME APPLES
AND ORANGES. YOU ARE NOT COMPARING LIKE ENTITIES. HE CONTINUED THAT
IN OUR TOTAL BUDGET IN SOME OF THE FUNDS THERE ARE NO TAX DOLLARS AT
ALL; WE HAVE A FOUR MILLION DOLLAR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT GOING ON =
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION CENTER, AND THAT'S ALL FROM A BOND ISSUE THAT
IS PLEDGED REVENUE FROM THE STATE; SO, WHEN YOU ADD THIS TOGETHER
YOU CAN MAKE THE NUMBER ANYTHING YOU WANT.
MS, KESINGER STATED IN THAT CASE SHE WOULD ADDRESS ONE OR
TWO SPECIFIC ITEMS, AND ASKED WHY THERE IS A MAJOR INCREASE IN THE
CITY OF VERO BEACH TAXES.
22
ATTORNEY COLLINS EXPLAINED THAT THE NOTICE DOES NOT REFLECT
THAT THE CITY OF VERO BEACH TOOK ABOUT TWO MILLION OUT OF THEIR
BUDGET AFTER THE SOUTH COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT WAS CREATED,
MS. KESINGER COMMENTED THAT THE LINE ITEM CALLED "OTHER" IN
THE NOTICE IS ABOUT FIVE TIMES AS MUCH, AND THAT IS STAGGERING.
MR. BARTON INFORMED HER THAT "OTHER" INCLUDES THE FIRE, AS
STATED EARLY IN THE MEETING, SOME OF THE LINE ITEMS HAD THE SAME
THING IN TWICE BECAUSE THE NOTICE WAS PRINTED TO BE SENT BEFORE THE
VOTE ON THE FIRE DISTRICT. BECAUSE OF THE COST OF THE NOTICE, IF WE
DIDNIT DOUBLE STATE AND ROLL BACK, WE WOULD HAVE TO SEND THE NOTICE
A SECOND TIME TO EVERY TAXPAYER AT A VERY LARGE COST.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE COMMENTED THAT BASICALLY THE TWO MILLION
TAKEN OUT OF THE CITY BUDGET SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE CITY AND THEN
PUT IN "OTHER."
MS. KESINGER STATED THAT IS WHAT SHE WAS LEADING UP T0,
THAT NONE OF THE LINE ITEMS REFLECT THAT YOU ARE MOVING ONE LINE ITEM
TO ANOTHER FROM LAST YEAR S BUDGET.
MR. BARTON NOTED THAT THE STATE EDICTED HOW THE NOTICE
WOULD BE PRESENTED, AND COMMISSIONER LOY REITERATED THAT THESE NOTICES
COULDN'T SHOW ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN THE EARLIEST FIGURES, WHICH
WERE HIGH.
Ms. KESINGER STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT AGREE WITH MR.
KOOLAGE, WHO URGED THE BOARD TO ADOPT THE BUDGET, AND SHE WOULD NOT
LIKE THE BOARD TO PASS THE BUDGET AS PROPOSED. SHE NOTED THAT EVERY-
BODY IN THE NATION IS UPSET ABOUT THE COST OF GOVERNMENT, LOCAL,
STATE AND FEDERAL, AND WHILE SHE DID NOT WISH TO GIVE UP NECESSARY
PROGRAMS, SHE FELT IT IS TIME FOR ALL OF US TO THINK WHAT WE CAN DO
TO HOLD OFF UNTIL INFLATION IS UNDER CONTROL. SHE URGED AGAIN THAT
THE BOARD TRY TO HOLD THIS BUDGET TO THE BASICS. MS. KESINGER
CONTINUED THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN FORCED ON
TO EVERYONE, SHE FELT THE PERCEPTION THE TAXPAYER IS GETTING, WHETHER
IT IS DELIBERATE OR NOT, IS THAT WE HAVE A COMBINATION SITUATION WHICH
LOOKS LIKE A REAL "SNOW JOB, 11 SHE NOTED THAT THE TIME OF THE HEARINGS
23
Boa 44 Pact 727
OCT 2 19 80
Boa 44 PAGE 728
IS VERY UNFORTUNATE; PEOPLE JUST RECEIVED THESE NOTICES AND CAME IN
THINKING THEY COULD MAKE AN IMPACT, AND IT IS REALLY TOO LATE. MS.
KESINGER THEN DISCUSSED THE NATURE OF THESE HEARINGS, AND NOTED THAT
WHEN A CITIZEN COMES IN AND SPENDS 30 MINUTES LISTENING TO THESE
FIGURES BEING READ OFF, THE TOTALS MEAN NOTHING. SHE REALIZED THAT
THE BOARD DID THIS AT EARLIER HEARINGS AND STATED THAT KIND OF
INFORMATION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE TAXPAYERS, REGARDLESS OF THE
COST BECAUSE THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON THE TRIM NOTICES THAT IS
USEFUL TO ANYONE CONCERNED. THE FORM ITSELF HAS NO COLUMN LETTING
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WILL END UP WITH.
ATTORNEY COLLINS AGAIN NOTED THAT THIS BOARD HAS NO CONTROL
OVER THAT FORM.
MS. KESINGER STATED THAT SHE IS JUST PUTTING TOGETHER A
COMBINATION OF THINGS THAT MAKES SOMEONE FEEL LIKE IT IS A "SNOW JOB. 11
SHE CONTINUED THAT EITHER WE NEED TO GET BETTER INFORMATION TO THE
PEOPLE OR ELSE WE NEED TO LOOK TO THE PEOPLE WE VOTE FOR TO TAKE A
MUCH MORE RESPONSIBLE POSITION ON EXPENDITURES OUT OF THE TAXPAYERS
POCKETS. SHE NOTED THAT IT IS NOT ONLY OUT OF LOCAL TAXPAYERS`
POCKETS, BUT OUT OF POCKETS CLEAR AWAY FROM VERO BEACH BECAUSE IT IS
OUT OF STATE FUNDS, REVENUE SHARING, ETC., THAT ARE COMING INTO VERO
BEACH THAT ARE BEING TAXED BY OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR TAXES ARE GOING
ELSEWHERE. IN REGARD TO WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD HAVE TO BE TAXED
AND HAVE TALLAHASSEE TELL US WHAT TO DO, MS. KESINGER WISHED TO SAY
ONE POSITIVE THING ABOUT IT. SHE NOTED THAT IT IS HARD TO READJUST
TO THIS TAXING SITUATION LOCALLY, BUT SHE DID BELIEVE THE NATIONAL
RELATIONS PICTURE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR
SOME YEARS NOW HAVE BEEN MAKING AN EFFORT TO RETURN BOTH TAXING
AUTHORITIES, TAXING RESPONSIBILITIES, AND SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES
TO THE STATES AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. MS. KESINGER FELT THAT WHAT
SHE HAS SEEN HAPPEN SO FAR IS THAT THEY START RETURNING RESPONSIBILITIES
WITHOUT POLICY DECISIONS BEING MADE LOCALLY AND THEY ALSO RETURN
THESE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITHOUT STOPPING THEIR
TAXING OF THEM; S0, SHE WAS ALL FOR OUR TAXING LOCALLY AND OUR MAKING
LOCAL DECISIONS, BUT SHE ALSO WAS FOR OUR STOPPING THEIR TAXING OF
US TO TURN IT AROUND AND GIVE IT BACK TO US.
COMMISSIONER LYONS EXPLAINED TO MS. KESINGER THAT MR.
BARTON'S INABILITY TO ANSWER HER QUESTION AS TO THE TOTAL INCREASE
WAS BASED ON THE CHANGES MADE THIS YEAR. HE ASSURED HER THAT ANY
TIME SHE WISHED TO GO TO MR. BARTON'S OFFICE AND DISCUSS THIS, SHE
WOULD BE MORE THAN WELCOME. HE EMPHASIZED THAT NO ONE IS TRYING TO
GIVE ANYONE A "SNOW JOB."
MS. KESINGER STATED THAT SHE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS A
"SNOW JOB,BUT BELIEVED THE TAXPAYERS FEEL THAT IT IS. SHE FELT
THAT WHEN THE BUDGET HEARINGS ARE HELD, THE PEOPLE WHO,ATTEND SHOULD
HAVE COPIES AND THOROUGH INFORMATION TO GO ON IN ADVANCE OF THE
HEARINGS.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT STATED THAT HE AGREED WITH A LOT OF WHAT
MS. KESINGER HAS SAID, BUT HE BELIEVED IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR
THE LAY PERSON TO UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET UNLESS THEY ATTEND THE
BUDGET HEARINGS. HE POINTED OUT THAT, AS PEOPLE WHO ARE TRULY
CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN TAXES, THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO HEAR
ON WHAT WE ARE SPENDING T00 MUCH MONEY.
MS. KESINGER ASKED HOW ANYONE COULD TAKE A DOCUMENT LIKE
THE TRIM NOTICE AND TELL THE BOARD WHERE TO CUT BACK, AND CHAIRMAN
SIEBERT FELT IF WE SENT THE COMPLETE BUDGET BOOK, WHICH IS INCHES
THICK, TO EVERY TAXPAYER, THEY STILL WOULDNIT KNOW HOW TO FIGURE IT
[oij9
MS. KESINGER FELT SOMETHING IN BETWEEN IS NEEDED AND HOPED
THAT IF SHE DOES PARTICIPATE IN THESE THINGS IN THE FUTURE SHE COULD
BE OF HELP.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE FELT POSSIBLY MS. KESINGER DID NOT
UNDERSTAND OUR PROCEDURES IN ADOPTING THE BUDGET. HE NOTED THAT
WE GO THROUGH A THREE WEEK PERIOD OF TIME WITH CONSTANT BUDGET
SESSIONS AND WE WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY PRINT—OUTS OR COPIES FOR
ANYONE WHO COMES TO THE MEETINGS. WE GO LINE FOR LINE DOWN EACH
BUDGET AT THESE HEARINGS, AND THAT IS THE TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO GET
INVOLVED.
OCT 21980 25 aoaK 44 PA -E729
_I
OCT 21900 8009 44 PAGE 730
MS. KESINGER FELT YOU ARE GETTING TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
CONCERNED WAY TOO LATE, AND COMMISSIONER LOY COMMENTED THAT SHE WOULD
NOT WANT MS. KESINGER TO THINK THAT NOBODY CAME TO THE BUDGET
SESSIONS BECAUSE ANY TIME THERE WAS A PROGRAM THE PEOPLE PARTICULARLY
WANTED OR DID NOT WANT, THEY WERE THERE, AND WE DID HAVE CONSIDERABLE
PUBLIC INPUT. COMMISSIONER LOY ADDRESSED MS. KESINGER'S COMPLAINTS
ABOUT THE TRIM NOTICE AND SUGGESTED THAT SHE TELL MR. LAW ABOUT IT
AND ASSIST US IN TELLING THE LEGISLATORS. COMMISSIONER LOY NOTED
THAT THIS BILL WAS NOT PASSED UNTIL THE VERY LAST PART OF THE SESSION
AND THEN A SPECIAL SESSION WAS HELD WHEN THEY DID ALL THE AMENDMENTS,
AND WE ARE TRYING DESPERATELY TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES SENT DOWN TO
US, WHICH WE DIDN'T EVEN GET UNTIL THE LAST OF AUGUST.
MS. KESINGER NOTED THAT SHE IS ONLY TRYING TO SAY THAT THE
COMBINATION OF THINGS MAKES A PERSON FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN HAD.
SHE FELT THAT IN REGARD TO THE AMENDMENT ON TUESDAY'S BALLOT, THAT
THAT IS ANOTHER "SNOW JOB;" IT IS NOT THE BOARD'S FAULT, BUT IT IS
AGAIN A COMBINATION OF THINGS WHERE THE RIGHT INFORMATION DOES NOT GET
TO THE PUBLIC. MS. KESINGER INFORMED THE BOARD THAT SHE CAME FROM A
COMMUNITY WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE TAXES BACK, AND THE "SNOW
JOB" THERE WAS THAT ABOUT THE ONLY THING ANYONE COULD CUT BACK WOULD
BE FIRE RESPONSIBILITIES AND POLICE RESPONSIBILITIES. SHE FELT IT
IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHER THINGS IN THE BUDGET THAT
CAN BE CUT, BUT THOSE ARE THE KIND OF "SNOW JOBS" THAT ARE DONE ON
THE PUBLIC, AND THE PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT.
MRS. GUISEPPE NICOTRA NEXT CAME BEFORE THE BOARD AND STATED
THAT HER APPRAISAL HAS BEEN INCREASED 300%, AND SHE COMPLAINED TO
MR. LAW'S OFFICE AND THEY SENT HER TO THIS MEETING.
PROPERTY APPRAISER LAW COMMENTED THAT MR. NICOTRA DID TALK
WITH HIM AND HIS VALUE DID NOT CHANGE, BUT THE TAXES WENT UP.
MR. BARTON LOOKED AT THE NICOTRAS' NOTICE AND FELT THE
APPRAISAL VALUE HAD GONE UP, AND CHAIRMAN SIEBERT INSTRUCTED THAT
THE NICOTRAS CONTACT MR. LAW, WHO WOULD DISCUSS THIS WITH THEM.
I - j
ROBERT MOONEY INFORMED THE BOARD THAT HE DOES NOT LIVE
HERE, BUT HE HAS A BUSINESS IN VERO BEACH, AND HE HAS THE FEELING
THAT THE MEETING WAS CONDUCTED UPSIDE DOWN, HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT
THE FORM WAS; IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPLAINED; NO ONE LIKES IT; IT COST
A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TO SEND IT OUT. HE FELT WE SHOULD HAVE
DIFFERENTIATED BETWEEN THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND ASKED IF THAT IS WHAT
WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON, AND IF NO BUDGET CHANGE IS MADE, IS THAT A
PRACTICAL COLUMN IN THE FORM?
COMMISSIONER Loy STATED THAT IT IS NOT A PRACTICAL COLUMN
AT ALL, BUT THE BOARD DID NOT DESIGN IT, AND THE LAW SAYS WE HAVE
TO DO IT.
ATTORNEY COLLINS NOTED THAT THE LAW ALSO SAYS HOW WE ARE
TO CONDUCT THE MEETINGS AND IN WHAT ORDER WE ARE TO TELL YOU.
MR. MOONEY STILL FELT IT IS AN UPSIDE DOWN PROCEDURE. IT
IS VERY COMPLICATED, AND IT SEEMS WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
HE CONTINUED THAT HIS TAXES ARE GOING UP, ACCORDING TO THIS, 30%,
AND HE CAME TO FIND OUT WHY SPECIFICALLY, AND FROM THE WAY IT WAS
PRESENTED AND THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE, HE DOES NOT KNOW WHY IT WENT
UP 30% AND IS LEAVING WITHOUT AN ANSWER.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT COMMENTED THAT IT TOOK THE BOARD THREE
WEEKS TO DO THIS, AND IT WOULD TAKE THAT LONG AGAIN TO EXPLAIN IT
ALL.
COMMISSIONER LYONS NOTED THAT MR, MOONEY°S TAXES MIGHT NOT
GO UP DEPENDING ON WHAT THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL WILL BE, AND THAT
WE WON T KNOW UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY OR LATER. THERE WILL BE TAX
APPEAL HEARINGS. HE CONTINUED THAT IF THE TOTAL VALUATION IN THE
COUNTY HAS GONE UP CONSIDERABLY, VERY LIKELY MR. MOONEY'S TAXES
WILL NOT GO UP AS HIGH.
MR. MOONEY STATED THAT HE IS HERE IN RESPONSE TO THE NOTICE,
AND WHEN THE TAXPAYER RECEIVED THIS NOTICE AND COMES TO THE MEETING,
HE REALIZES THE CAT IS OUT THE DOOR, HE REITERATED THAT THEY ARE
HERE IN RESPONSE TO A FORM WHICH WAS NOT REALLY ADDRESSED TONIGHT
AND APPARENTLY CAN T BE BECAUSE IT IS A NEW FORM.
Awl
L
27
Boa 44 PAGE 731
OCT 21980 aaaK 44 PACE 739
COMMISSIONER WODTKE LIKENED THE BOARD'S SITUATION TO A
BASEBALL TEAM ENDING BASEBALL SEASON AND GOING INTO THE WORLD SERIES
WITH A WHOLE NEW SET OF RULES. HE INFORMED MR. MOONEY THAT THE
BOARD HAS FIVE YEARS OF BACK-UP INFORMATION TO LOOK AT WHEN THEY GO
INTO BUDGET SESSIONS. THIS YEAR THE BOARD HAS HAD TO TRY TO BREAK
IT DOWN INTO DIFFERENT PARTS, AND IT IS VERY CONFUSING AND TO TRACE
WHERE A TAX DOLLAR ACTUALLY GOES, IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.
IN FURTHER DISCUSSION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MR. MOONEY'S
BUSINESS IS IN THE COUNTY, NOT THE CITY, AND COMMISSIONER WODTKE
EXPLAINED THAT THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS
WOULD HAVE TO PAY A MAJOR CHUNK OF THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET, ROAD &
BRIDGE, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME A NEW FIRE DISTRICT. HE CONTINUED
TO EXPLAIN HOW THIS WOULD WORK OUT FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA AND
FURTHER NOTED THAT YOU ALSO MUST LOOK AT THE SCHOOL TAX.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT FELT THAT MOST HOMEOWNERS. WILL END UP
ABOUT THE SAME OR POSSIBLY EVEN LESS BECAUSE OF THE NEW HOMESTEAD
EXEMPTION, BUT COMMISSIONER WODTKE DISAGREED.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT WAS OF THE OPINION THAT IF YOU OWN A
BUSINESS, VACANT LAND, AGRICULTURAL LAND OR RENTAL LAND, YOU WILL
GET AN ADDITIONAL BILL AFTER JANUARY, AND THOSE THAT OWN RESIDENTIAL
HE FELT WILL GET A REFUND IF HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION GOES THROUGH. HE
NOTED THAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE TOTAL TAX BILL.
COMMISSIONER WODTKE POINTED OUT THAT WAS ANOTHER GOOD
EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE VOTED ON NEXT WEEK THAT WILL
AFFECT THE TAX BILL.
MR. MOONEY STATED THAT HE APPRECIATED THE CHANCE TO COME
BEFORE THE BOARD, BUT BASED ON THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO HIM NOW,
HE WOULD RECOMMEND THE BUDGET NOT BE ADOPTED.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT INFORMED HIM THAT THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST
PUBLIC HEARING, AND THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ONE NEXT TUESDAY EVENING.
MARYANN CONROY, OF 730 CAMELIA LANE, INFORMED THE .BOARD
THAT HER TAXES DOUBLED AFTER SHE GOT HER $I0,000 EXEMPTION. HER
HOUSE IS ALMOST 30 YEARS OLD AND SHE FELT THERE SHOULD BE SOME
LeJ
DEPRECIATION FOR AGE.
SHE NOTED THAT SHE LIVES IN ONE OF THE OLDER
SECTIONS OF THE BEACH; SHE HAS BEEN PAYING, TAXES FOR MANY YEARS,
AND IF THE TAXES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE USED IN THE AREA FROM WHICH
THEY ARE COLLECTED, SHE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IN ALL THESE YEARS,
SHE DOESNIT HAVE STREET LIGHTS.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT COMMENTED THAT MRS. CONROY LIVES IN THE
CITY OF VERO BEACH AND WOULD HAVE TO TAKE HER QUESTION TO THE CITY.
MRS. CONROY EXPRESSED SURPRISE THAT SHE WAS NOT ADDRESSING
THE CITY COUNCIL AND THAT COUNTY COMMISSION WAS MEETING IN CITY HALL.
SHE BELIEVED SOME OF THE COUNTY MONEY COULD BE USED FOR LIGHTS, AND
STATED THAT SHE WOULD TALK TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT ANNOUNCED THAT THE BOARD WOULD NOW VOTE
ON THE TENTATIVE MILLAGES AND THE TENTATIVE BUDGETS.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMIS-
SIONER Loy, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ATTORNEY COLLINS POINTED OUT THAT THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL
PUBLIC HEARING, BUT JUST AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD.
COMMISSIONER LYONS WITHDREW HIS MOTION AND COMMISSIONER Loy
WITHDREW HER SECOND.
ATTORNEY COLLINS FELT THAT IN THE COUNTY BUDGET, THE
GENERAL FUND, TRANSPORTATION FUND AND THE OBLIGATION BOND ISSUE COULD
BE DEALT WITH IN ONE MOTION.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR
THE FOLLOWING:
GENERAL FUND 3.30239
TRANSPORTATION FUND 0.00001
1959 GENERAL OBLIGATION
BOND ISSUE 0.04239
TOTAL 3.34479
MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER Loy, SECONDED BY COMMIS-
SIONER DEESON TO APPROVE THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR THE GENERAL FUND,
TRANSPORTATION FUND, AND 1959 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ISSUE AS SET
OUT ABOVE.
29 , BOGK 4 PAGE 733OCT 2 i9��
Fp -
OCT 21990 8nog 44 Ra
GEi'34
COMMISSIONER WODTKE COMMENTED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HAS
BEEN SAID ABOUT ASKING US NOT TO VOTE FOR THIS BUDGET; HOWEVER, WE
HAVE GONE THROUGH THE BUDGETS LINE FOR LINE ON EACH ITEM. WITH THE
POSITION WE ARE IN OCTOBER 2ND AND WITH WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED IN THE
PAST MONTHS WITH THE TRIM BILL, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC REQUESTS BEING
MADE IN ANY PARTICULAR AREAS, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT WE
ADOPT THIS BUDGET, AND IT IS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE GOING
TO HAVE THE REDUCTION OF .7239.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON CONFIRMED THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT.
THE CHAIRMAN CALLED FOR THE QUESTION. IT WAS VOTED ON AND
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON THEN ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING
TENTATIVE BUDGET AMOUNTS: (ALL COUNTY BUDGETS WHETHER OR NOT THEY
ARE FUNDED THROUGH AD VALOREM SOURCES)
GENERAL FUND
$7,355,386
TRANSPORTATION FUND
567,382
1959 GENERAL OBLIGATION
BOND INS FUND
108,885
LANDFILL ENTERPRISE
694,585
SECTION 8 HOUSING
2391181
1980 BOND INS FUND
479,875
NORTH CO. WATER ENTERPRISE
179,100
SOUTH CO. WATER ENTERPRISE
271,3448
COURTHOUSE & ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLEX RENOVATION FUND
3..443,560
TOTAL $13,339,302
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER Loy, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DEESON, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE TENTATIVE BUDGETS AS
LISTED ABOVE.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR
THE SOUTH BEACH MUNICIPAL SERVICE WATER TAXING UNIT OF 2.50202.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
WODTKE, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR THE
SOUTH BEACH MUNICIPAL SERVICE WATER TAXING UNIT OF 2.50202.
"I
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON STATED THAT THE TENTATIVE BUDGET
FOR THIS TAXING UNIT WAS $16,765. COMMISSIONER WODTKE COMMENTED HE
HAD THOUGHT IT WAS TO BE $17,647, AND FINANCE OFFICER BARTON NOTED
THAT IT WOULD BE 5% LESS TO GIVE YOUR NET EXPENDITURE.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
WODTKE, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE
SOUTH BEACH MUNICIPAL SERVICE WATER TAXING UNIT OF $16,765.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR
THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MULTI-PURPOSE MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT
OF 2.10523.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WODTKE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
Loy, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR THE INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY MULTI-PURPOSE MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT OF 2.10523.
MR. BARTON NEXT ANNOUNCED A TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE ABOVE
TAXING UNIT OF $3,900,673.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER Loy, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DEESON, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MULTI-PURPOSE MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT OF
$3,900,673.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON EXPLAINED THAT THE TENTATIVE BUDGET
FOR THE FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUND IS $1,032,855, AND THERE IS NO
MILLAGE.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEESON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
LYONS, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,032,855.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR THE
WEST INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MUNICIPAL SERVICE FIRE TAXING UNIT OF
0.38229,
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
LOY, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR THE WEST
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MUNICIPAL SERVICE FIRE TAXING UNIT OF 0.38229.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED A TENTATIVE BUDGET OF
$27,941 FOR THE ABOVE'TAXING UNIT.
wx 44 PAGE %35
OCT 21980 31
I
OCT 21980
BDOK . 44 PACE 736
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEESON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
LYONS, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE BUDGET OF $27,941
FOR THE WEST INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MUNICIPAL SERVICE FIRE TAXING UNIT.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT INQUIRED IF THE BOARD SHOULD ADJOURN AND
RECONVENE AS THE GOVERNING BOARDS OF THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN ORDER
TO VOTE ON THEIR MILLAGES AND BUDGETS, AND ATTORNEY COLLINS STATED
THAT THE BOARD IS ALREADY IN SESSION, AND HE FELT THEY COULD JUST
DECLARE WHICH DISTRICT THEY ARE IN SESSION ON.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT DECLARED THAT THE BOARD WILL NOW ACT AS
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE LAURELWOOD SUBDIVISION STREET
LIGHTING DISTRICT.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED THAT THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE
FOR THIS DISTRICT WOULD BE 0.51422.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DEESON, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE LAURELWOOD SUBDIVISION STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT,
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE OF 0.51422 FOR THE LAURELWOOD
SUBDIVISION STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON REPORTED THAT THE TENTATIVE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE ABOVE DISTRICT WOULD''BE $4,300.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DEESON, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE LAURELWOOD SUBDIVISION STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT,
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE BUDGET OF $4,300 FOR LAURELWOOD
SUBDIVISION STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT.
AT THIS POINT, CHAIRMAN SIEBERT ANNOUNCED THAT THE NEXT
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL BE FOR THE PURPOSE
OF HOLDING THE BUDGET HEARINGS ADVERTISED FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7,
1980, AT 5;01 O'CLOCK P.M. IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
33
L OCT 21980
AdoK 44 PA,ur 7:37
Fr- 1
OCT 21980 -
BOOK 44 PAG( �! 38
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT DECLARED THAT THE BOARD NOW WILL ACT AS
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE ROCKRIDGE SUBDIVISION STREET LIGHTING
DISTRICT.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED THAT THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE
FOR THE ABOVE DISTRICT WOULD BE .065711.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER Loy, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DEESON, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE ROCKRIDGE SUBDIVISION STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT,
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE MILLAG:E FOR THE DISTRICT OF .065711.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED THE TENTATIVE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE DISTRICT WOULD BE $3,555.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DEESON, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE ROCKRIDGE SUBDIVISION STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT,
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE DISTRICT
OF $3,555.
CHAIRMAN SIEBERT DECLARED THE BOARD WILL NOW ACT AS THE
DISTRICT BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NORTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
FIRE DISTRICT.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR
THE ABOVE DISTRICT OF 0.5.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEESON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
LYONS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS THE DISTRICT
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NORTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE
DISTRICT, UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR THE DISTRICT
OF 0.5.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED A TENTATIVE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE DISTRICT OF $75,075.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DEESON, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS THE DISTRICT
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NORTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE
DISTRICT, UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A TENTATIVE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE
DISTRICT OF $65,075.
35
Boos 44 PACE 739
OCT 21980
600K 44 fa���740
THE CHAIRMAN DECLARED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
NOW WILL ACT AS THE DISTRICT BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTH
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED THAT THE PROPOSED MILLAGE
FOR THE DISTRICT IS 2.37591,
MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER DEESON, SECONDED BY COMMIS-
SIONER LYONS, TO ADOPT A TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR THE SOUTH INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT OF 2.37591,
ATTORNEY COLLINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME
DISCUSSION BEFORE THE MOTION IS VOTED ON. HE INFORMED THE BOARD
THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES THAT ARE GOING TO
BE PLEDGED, BOND COUNSEL HAS REQUESTED THAT THE MOTION PROVIDE THAT
THE MILLAGE AND THE BUDGET BOTH ARE PREPARED ANTICIPATING THAT THE
TAX REVENUES WILL BE PLEDGED TO SUPPORT THE TAX ANTICIPATION NOTE
OF $1,500,000.
COMMISSIONER DEESON WITHDREW HIS MOTION, AND COMMISSIONER
LYONS WITHDREW HIS SECOND.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEESON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
LYONS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS THE DISTRICT
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE
DISTRICT, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A TENTATIVE MILLAGE OF 2.37591 FOR THE
SOUTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT AND STATED THAT THE MOTION
IS MADE ANTICIPATING PLEDGING OF FUNDS RAISED FROM THIS MILLAGE TO
PAY BACK NOTE OR NOTES OF A TAX ANTICIPATION TYPE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,500,000.
FINANCE OFFICER BARTON ANNOUNCED THAT THE PROPOSED OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE DISTRICT IS $2,204.642.
ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LYONS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
WODTKE, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ACTING AS THE DISTRICT
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE
DISTRICT, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A TENTATIVE BUDGET OF $2,204,642 FOR
THE SOUTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT AND STATED THAT THE
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MOTION IS MADE ANTICIPATING PLEDGING OF FUNDS RAISED FROM THIS BUDGET
TO PAY BACK NOTE OR NOTES OF A TAX ANTICIPATION TYPE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,500,000.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, ON MOTION MADE, SECONDED
AND CARRIED, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADJOURNED AT 8:12
01CLOCK P.M.
ATTEST:
CLERK
UNA I KHAN
OCT 21980
37 BOCK 44 f-AcE 741