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Home My WebLink About5/16/1994� MINUTESORTTACI-IED M BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA AGENDA CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS BUDGET WORKSHOP MONDAY MAY 16, 1994 9:00 A.M. - COUNTY COMMISSION CHAMBER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 1840 25TH STREET VERO BEACH, FLORIDA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS John W. Tippin, Chairman ( Dist. 4) Kenneth R. Macht, Vice Chairman (Dist. 3) Fran B. Adams ( Dist. 1) Richard N. Bird (Dist. 5) Carolyn K. Eggert ( Dist. 2 ) James E. Chandler, County Administrator Charles P. Vitunac, County Attorney Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk to the Board 9:00 A. M. Clerk of Circuit Court/Clerk to Board of County Commissioners Supervisor of Elections Property Appraiser Tax Collector 10:00 A. M. Sheriff ADDITION TO THE AGENDA: Discussion regarding parking fees at new courthouse parking garage. ANYONE WHO MAY WISH TO APPEAL ANY DECISION WHICH MAY BE MADE AT THIS MEETING WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE WHICH INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL WILL BE BASED. ANYONE WHO NEEDS A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS MEETING MAY CONTACT THE COUNTY'S AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) COORDINATOR AT 567-8000 X 408 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING. Tuesday, May 16, 1994. The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in Special Session at the County Commission Chambers, 1840 25th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, May 16, 1994 at 9:00 o'clock a.m. Present were John W. Tippin, Chairman; Kenneth R. Macht, Vice Chairman; Carolyn K. Eggert; and Richard N. Bird. Commissioner Fran Adams was absent due to illness. Also present were James E. Chandler, County Administrator; Charles P. Vitunac, County Attorney; and -Barbara Bonnah, Deputy Clerk. Chairman Tippin called the meeting to order. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA%EMERGENCY ITEM Commissioner Macht requested the addition to today's Agenda of a brief discussion concerning the parking garage for the new Courthouse. ON MOTION by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED by Commissioner Macht, the Board unanimously added the above item to today's Agenda. PARKING GARAGE FOR NEW COURTHOUSE Commissioner Macht reported that an article in this morning's newspaper mentioned that the new parking garage would be free and basically unmonitored, and he wished to state that has not been determined as yet. He pointed out that there is a potential of $200,000 annually in parking fees, and we have to make a determination on whether the parking will be free or whether we want to recover some of the construction and maintenance costs by charging fees. Commissioner Eggert felt the Board should review an analysis before making that decision. Administrator Chandler confirmed that staff has not made a recommendation as yet. Commissioner Bird didn't feel the employees nor the jurists should pay parking fees. However, the merchants in that area might be willing to pay for that privilege. The consensus was that staff was to proceed with bringing a recommendation to the Courthouse Advisory Board. MAY C 199 Bou 92 Face 396 MAY 16 199 4 Pox 92 F,%F -397 PRELIMINARY BUDGET WORKSHOP - CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS Chairman Tippin explained that the intent of these preliminary budget workshops is to provide early communication in order to better understand the status of the budget and the County's revenue resources before getting into the line by line budget workshop meetings in July. Clerk of Circuit Court/Clerk to Board of County Commissioners CLERK TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMIVIISSIONERS DEPARTMENT 300 CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT DEPARTMENT 309 PROPOSED INCREASE % 1994/95 (DECREASE) CHANGE WORKER'S COMPENSATION PROPOSED INCREASE % 0.53% 1993/94 1994/95 ECREA�SE CHANGE F<i ;: M s>u>• : ` ;; mm, a WORKER'S COMPENSATION $3,299 $3.132F$167) ($34,050) -5.06% TOTAL $1257,377 $1.233321 (S24,056) 191% CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT DEPARTMENT 309 PROPOSED INCREASE % 1994/95 (DECREASE) CHANGE WORKER'S COMPENSATION $5,714 $5,744 $30 0.53% TOTAL GENERAL FUND S812,102 $845,071 $32,969 4.06% COURT FACILITY CAPITAL S44,050 $10,000 ($34,050) 7730% TOTAL $856152 $855 071 ($1 081) -013% Jeff Barton, Clerk of the Circuit Court, advised that his budget is basically down.a little from last year. Very little capital expense is included because most of what is needed will be provided with the new Courthouse. The budget includes the normal" step raises in the pay plan he has in place and 2 new employees who will be involved in the transcription of appeals using the new video transcription program. This will effect a savings in the BCC general fund department 1905. Commissioner Bird asked how many parking spaces will be needed in the.. new garage for the Clerk's employees, and Mr. Barton estimated that there will be a need for 90-100 parking spaces which includes the Sheriff's employees. That doesn't include the jurors, however. The heaviest day is. Monday when jurors are selected for the rest of the week. 2 Mr. Barton explained that there has been talk about expanding hours when the new Courthouse opens. At present, the regular hours are 8:30 to 5:00. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but that includes only the cashiers and a few_ people working staggered hours. He estimated that it would cost $186,000 to open one half hour earlier, at 8:00 a.m. That would impact the Sheriff's budget also because he provides the security for the building. Most of his employees are on an hourly rate and would receive overtime for anything over 40 hours. At present, we are working a 37-1/2 hour week and they receive regular pay for the 2-1/2 hours before reaching 40 hours. Mr. Barton just wanted the Board to be aware of the costs involved before we get into any discussions about the hours of the Courthouse. Commissioner Bird asked to what degree the present early hours are used, and Mr. Barton advised that people come in and pay traffic fines, etc. after 7:30 a.m. Monday and Friday hours are very heavily used, but it trails off during the middle of the week. We are keeping track so that we can make adjustments if necessary. If the hours are changed, it would impact us by $186,000 and also impact the Sheriff's budget. Chairman Tippin thanked Mr. Barton for coming in under budget. Supervisor of Elections _- Ann Robinson, Supervisor of Elections, read aloud the following letter accompanying her budget for 1994-95: SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT 700 1993/94 PROPOSED INCREASE % SUB -TOTAL $393,949 $393,795 ($154) -0.04% WORKER'S COMPENSATION $1,121 $1,168 $47 4.19% TOTAL $395.070 $394,963 ($107) -0.03% 3 MAY 16 1994 booK 92 FAGE398 MAY16 1994 vER coX�e • rOR pF •E April 29, 1994 ANN ROBINSON SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS 1840 25TH STREET, SUITE N-109 VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32960-3394 TELEPHONES: (407) 567-8187 or 567-8000 Hon. John W. Tippin, Chairman Board of County Commissioners - Indian River County Dear John: SOOK 9? PAGE 399 DISC 816_ comrigissionLri: Administrator AEtocPOT . . Personnel G �i v � � ��L!`•-� Rio Gtr or _.�.._. _....� Attached is the budget for fiscal year 1994-95 for the office of -the Supervisor of Elections. We have done our best to keep costs down in spite of increasing state and federal mandates which are unfunded. Please note that we are not asking for any additional employees, and I have not added a full-time employee since 1989 when our north county office opened. One way we'have met the challenge of providing quality service to an increasing number of voters without a commensurate increase in costs -is our cooperation with the municipalities in administering their elections. We are not required by law to run city elections, but it is beneficial to everyone for us to do so. The National Voter Registration Act, more commonly known - as "Motor Voter," will change nearly everything that is. done in the elections office. It takes effect January 1, 1995, and it will cause us to reevaluate everything. Sincerely, &."� Ann Robinson Supervisor of Elections Copy to Joe Baird, OMB Director Chairman Tippin reduction. commended Mrs. Robinson 4 on her budget Property Appraiser David Nolte, Property Appraiser, advised that his budget is not due in Tallahassee until June 1 and they are still working on it. He did give OMB Director Joe Baird a working number. He pointed out that his budget is funded solely by the people who collect ad valorem taxes, which means that the percentage paid varies from year to year depending on the amount of taxes levied by the different entities. The Legislature has said that the BCC will pick up the tax collection costs for the School Board and the municipalities, which means that while his budget may come in at zero percent increase, there may be a to or 20 increase for the General Fund because other .entities have spent more money in proportion. Right now, the budget we are looking at is going to be flat. We are looking at a zero increase with the exception of raises. The State has come along with raises of 4 percent for State employees. There are no new employees in the budget. Mr. Nolte wished to have the Board's guidance in the matter of retaining monies derived from the sale of surplus vehicles rather than turning it over to the General Fund. Director Baird indicated that he would like whatever monies we get to be turned over to the General Fund. That could mean a to difference in the way they budget, which is significant, and he would like the Board's guidance on this matter. They try to replace two vehicles each year, but are falling behind that goal. There would be no bottom line difference to the taxpayers since it' is just a budgetary matter. Director Baird explained that he was just looking for some firmer policy on monies derived from surplus vehicles. He doesn't have a problem either way, and he was just looking for revenue on the General Fund side. Commissioner Bird felt the Board's direction is to keep it the way it is. MAY 16 1994 s _ EOOK - 92 FADE 400 POOK 92 RnE 401 MV ion 199 Tax collector Tax Collector Karl Zimmermann advised that his budget is not due in Tallahassee until August 1, and they have just begun preparation. There will be no new employees, but there will be some capital .increase because of a substantial change in the computer system. The State has established a 4 percent guideline for employee increases, but he felt his office could get by with a little less than 4 percent for their merit increases. Outside of the capital area, he didn't expect any change of any degree in this year's budget. They have expanded the hours and the office is open from 8:00-5:00 p.m., which they achieved without any dollar impact by staggering their starting and stopping times. OMB Director Joe Baird explained that while the budgets of the Tax Collector and the Property Appraiser can go down, the County's budget could increase due to the fact that the County has to pay the cost of the collection of taxes for the School Board and the municipalities. This has hit us pretty hard in the last couple of years. This is felt to be an unfair practice, and we have asked the Legislative Delegation to consider changing it so that each entity pays for their own collection of taxes. If everybody paid for their own, the General Fund budget would go down $1.2 million. Mr. Zimmermann felt it is important that -people realize that the unused fees that are returned to the General Fund do reduce people's taxes. Sheriff -Law Enforcement Sheriff Gary Wheeler noted that the Sheriff's budget is divided into three areas -- Law Enforcement, Court Services, and Corrections. SHERIFF DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT 600 'S 911 SURCHARGE PORTION $44.328 $44,328 $0 0.000/0 TOTAL .17 530 972 $18,441,928 $910,956 5.20% THE SHERIFF WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $63,880 IN 1993/94 NOT SHOWN ABOVE FROM THE ANTI-DRUG GRANT FUND. 1993/94 FIGURES ARE PER THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. THE TOTAL IS $4,210 LESS THAN RECORDED BY BUDGET DUE TO A DIFFERENCE IN COURT SERVICES. R PROPOSED INCREASE % 1993/94 1994/95 (DECREASE) CHANGE SHERIFF - LAW ENFORCEMENT $10,832,920 $11,154,907 $321,987 2.97% SHERIFF - COURT SERVICES $303,034 $620,442 $317,408 104.74% TOTAL LAWENFORCEMENT $11,135,954 $11,775,349 $639,395 5.74% SHERIFF - DETENTION $5,933,862 $6,192,177 $258,315 4.35% TOTAL DETENTION $5,933,862 $6,192,177 $258,315 4.35% 'S 911 SURCHARGE PORTION $44.328 $44,328 $0 0.000/0 TOTAL .17 530 972 $18,441,928 $910,956 5.20% THE SHERIFF WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $63,880 IN 1993/94 NOT SHOWN ABOVE FROM THE ANTI-DRUG GRANT FUND. 1993/94 FIGURES ARE PER THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. THE TOTAL IS $4,210 LESS THAN RECORDED BY BUDGET DUE TO A DIFFERENCE IN COURT SERVICES. R Sheriff Law Enforcement N•�n �. jeriff «1G� GARY C. WHEELER • INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MEMBER FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF NATIONAL SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION 4055 41st AVENUE VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32960-1608 PHONE 407-569-6700 Honorable John Tlppin, Chair Board of County Commissioners May 1, 1994 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Dear Commissioner Tippin: In compliance with Florida State Statues, Chapter 30.49, 1 hereby submit our proposed 1994-1995 annual budget for Law Enforcement. The budget was prepared under the following considerations. Since we had only six months' experience under our first zero based budget, the same zero based techniques were used to prepare this budget. My orders to my staff in preparing the final draft were to eliminate staff requests for fourteen additional personnel Including restoration of personnel lost in last years' budget cuts with the exception of the School Resource Program (SRO). In that program, we have restored the two positions cut among the nine total positions we lost last year. We added an additional SRO position to cover Sebastian River High School and a supervisor position for the SRO and new Juvenile investigations unit we were mandated last year. I am still hopeful -that the Indian River School Board will provide relief through Safe Schools' funds anticipated from the state. We cut staff request for fleet replacement by 50 percent In order to keep capital expenses as flat as possible. This budget reflects a 2.90 percent increase over last years revised budget. As has been the case for the last four years, there is no cost of living increase Included for our employees. In Law Enforcement, there are fifty-two employees that are not eligible for merit raises and their Income has been slowly eroding since 1990. Personnel resources are our most important asset and they deserve relief from the Commission in this area. I am requesting the Board of County Commissioners to fund a three percent cost of living Increase over and above our pay plan to correct the inequities suffered by our employees since 1990. In our budget process, we employed an outside citizen's committee review Including representatives from the . Tax Payers Association, and Enuff is Enuff government watch organization. While we did our best to maintain our level of services, I am concerned about the impact of commercial growth including the new outlet mall, the new Indian River Mall, Waimart, SAM's, the South Beach Publix store, and the Disney project on further stretching our law enforcement services. No new law enforcement personnel resources have been added to - the patrol function of Uniform Division since 1987. In the interim, serious crime has escalated fifty percent since 1987 and unincorporated population has increased fifteen percent. In our unincorporated area, there were 1698 more serious crimes in 1993 than 1987. This year we lost an additional law enforcement position when I recently had to transfer a position to the court house to fill urgent security needs. Personnel have periodically been moved internally in the past beginning in the last administration to meet program requirements such as Victims Assistance, School Resource, Crime Prevention, Community Oriented Police Unit, and our most recent mandated program, Juvenile Investigations. As these programs have come on board, the Detention Division has been reduced to backfill reductions in patrol operations further stretching resources. Our employees throughout the Sheriff's Office and I have very carefully managed our resources this year. Short of further cuts In personnel, programs and services, we have prepared this budget in the spirit requested by the Commission consistent with low expectations in increased revenues. Your favorable consideration of my request, as submitted, is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Gary C. Wheeler, Sheriff 7 Pou 92 PAGE 402 MAY 16 1994 Sheriff Corrections BOOK 32 PAGE 403 NIf t �ff r ` 6, I GARY C. WHEELER • INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MEMBER FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF NATIONAL SItEnIFFS ASSOCIATION 4055 41st AVENUE VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32960-1608 PHONE 407-569-6700 May 1, 1994 Honorable John Tippin, Chair Board of County Commissioners 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Dear Commissioner Tippin: In compliance with Florida State Statues, Chapter 30.49, I hereby submit our proposed 1994-1995 annual budget for Corrections. The budget was prepared under the following considerations. SInce we had only six months' experience under our first zero based budget, the same zero based techniques were used to prepare this budget. There is an increase In personnel of one nurse (LPN), a position that was eliminated In last years budget cuts. An analysis of substantial overtime expenses in medical services revealed that replacement of that position was cost effective. No major Increases In jail population were forecast In this budget. This budget reflects a 4.25 percent increase over last years' revised budget. The majority of the increases are related to increases In personnel costs, medical care costs and underfunding this year -in operational expense areas such as prisoner transportation and utilities. There are no new programs being funded this year. As has been the case for the last four years, there is no cost of living Increase Included for our employees. In Corrections, there are twenty-three employees that are not eligible for merit raises and their income has been slowly eroding since 1990. Personnel resources are our most important asset and they deserve relief from the Commission in this area. I am requesting the Board of County Commissioners to fund a three percent cost of -living increase over an above our pay plan to correct Inequities suffered by our employees since 1990. In our budget process, we employed an outside citizen's committee review which Included representatives from the Tax Payers Association, and Enuff Is Enuff, a government watch organization. Our goal in Corrections Is to provide a safe environment for both inmates and employees. We have recently made our facility smoke free. Having discussed with you our federal prisoner program this spring, I now understand that the U.S. Marshall's Service recently entered Into a contract with Palm Beach County for 200 beds in their new tower facility. That contract may virtually eliminate that source of revenue for our county. Our employees of the Sheriff's Office and I have very carefully managed our resources this year. We are studying the potential cost savings related to privatization in medical services and/or facility management relating to Corrections. I do not believe that review will be complete. this year. However, I will advise the Commission if that avenue appears to hold promise. We have prepared this budget In the spirit requested by the Commission - consistent with low expectations in increased revenues. Your favorable consideration of my request as submitted, is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Gary C. Wheeler, Sheriff 8 Sheriff Court Services P%EPiFp 4 ' GARY C. WHEELER - INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MEMBER FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF NATIONAL SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION 4055 41st AVENUE VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32960-1806 PHONE 407-569-6700 May 1, 1994 Honorable John Tippin, Chair Board of County Commissioners 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Dear Commissioner Tippin: In compliance with Florida State Statues, Chapter 30.49, I hereby submit our 1994-1995 annual budget for Court House Services. As you are aware, for the past two years, a Court House Advisory Committee has met regularly. The committee membership Included Commissioner Ken Macht,. staff representatives of the Board of County Commissioners, the State. Attorney, the Public Defender, the Office of the Cler4c; the Sheriff's Office, the Judicial Staff, and those contract representatives engaged in the construction process. This committee set a goal of providing adequate safety and security for our citizens participating in volatile family and criminal court environments, fbr the movement and processing of prisoners, and for the court house employees of our criminal justice system. The committee examined many different types of personnel solutions to provide these services at minimum costs to the taxpayers. We found that by using sworn personnel, the flexibility In assignment, cross training, and relief factors resulted In a smaller work force to accomplish the committees safety and security goals. Our budget reflects the results of the committee deliberations by recommending an additional seven personnel to our current staff of eight to provide minimum security and bailiff services. This represents a substantial Increase over last year's budget approval. We were recently forced to move an additional deputy position from Law Enforcement to bolster our court house staff to meet heavier work load requirements. That position was not reflected in last years' approved budget figure. As has been the case for the last four years, -there is no cost of living increase Included for our employees. Three employees In our current staff of eight are not eligible for merit raises and their Income has been slowly eroding since 1990. Personnel resources are our,most important asset and they deserve relief from the Commission In this area. I am requesting the Board of County Commissioners to fund a three percent cost of living increase over and above our pay plan to correct the inequities suffered by our employees since 1990. Our employees in the Sheriff's Office and I have very carefully managed our resources this year. Among the three budgets prepared by our agency, this Court House Budget Is the only budget reflecting substantial change. We have prepared this budget In the spirit requested by - the Commission consistent with the collective wisdom of the Court House Committee's goals and requests. Your favorable consideration of my request as submitted, is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, 6111,17G. CJ,64&` Gary C. Wheeler, Sheriff 9 MAY 16 1994 nio 92 F}1Uc 404 mox 92 PAGE 405 MAY 16 1994 Sheriff Wheeler gave a 3 -hour presentation of his proposed budget, which included graphs, charts, facts and figures. He noted that while they have done their best to maintain the level of service, he was concerned about the impact of commercial growth, i.e., the new outlet mall, the new Vero Beach Wal -mart, the Disney project, and, possibly, the South Beach Publix. He stressed that each of these additional commercial developments brings a cost to law enforcement because of the additional demands for service. Sheriff Wheeler stated that he would have been extremely happy to keep his budget flat. There is a modest increase of 2.9 percent in law enforcement, 4.2% in corrections, plus additional staffing of the new Courthouse, and his employees need urgent assistance in their pay scale. He expressed his belief that the BCC must plan for substantial law enforcement resources for the future and prioritize the services needed to keep our community safe and secure. Sheriff Wheeler emphasized that crime has escalated at an alarming rate in our community. Our agency resources are not keeping up and we are being out -matched by the criminal element. The Board of County Commissioners has hard choices to make between quality of life programs and primary services that keep citizens alive and secure in their homes and work places. Chairman- Tippin thanked Sheriff Wheeler for his excellent presentation and making the Board aware of the serious and difficult decisions they have ahead of them. He stated that he could guarantee that the Commissioners are sympathetic and would do the maximum we can afford. There being no further business, the Board adjourned at 12:30 ATTEST: J. K. Barton, Clerk John W. Ti i , Chairirrain '.J M