SPECIAL MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
July 22, 2003
The Special Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on July 22, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:
Chairman Danny Stevens
Vice Chairman Lilly Rooks
Comm. Sammy Yearty
Comm. Tony Parker
Comm. Nancy Bell
Also present were:
Clerk of Court - Danny J. Shipp
Sheriff - Johnny Smith
Supervisor of Elections - Connie Asbell
Property Appraiser - Francis Akins
Tax Collector - Linda Fugate
County Coordinator - Fred Moody
Chairman Stevens called the advertised budget workshop to order at 10:00 a.m..
BUDGET
Mr. Danny Shipp explained the proposed budget for 2003 -2004 is currently out of balance by $5,205,288.00 for the General Fund and savings need to be instituted by the Constitutional Officers and Department Heads.
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
Mrs. Connie Asbell explained her initial proposed budget for office costs was reduced to $190,845.00 which allows a 3% salary increase and eliminated a part-time position.
Mrs. Asbell said the equipment budget will need to be increased for 2005-2006 for the purchase of voting machines to meet new voting requirements. Mrs. Asbell said the voting precincts will need to be upgraded prior to the 2006 election.
PROPERTY APPRAISER
Mr. Francis Akins explained the Department of Revenue (DOR) has approved the budget at $930,785.00.
TAX COLLECTOR
Mrs. Linda Fugate explained operating expenses had been cut almost 16% and is allowing a 3% salary increase for personal services. Mrs. Fugate said a savings will be realized with the bulk mailing of the tax notices being provided by a new vendor which will then be mailed from the Bronson Post Office and increase their revenue for an additional local benefit.
Mrs. Fugate explained the rise in expenditures result from increases in insurance, retirement benefits, and other uncontrollable costs which are impacting all of the budgets.
Mrs. Sheila Rees explained the Board of County Commissioners are responsible for only a portion of the Tax Collector’s budget and the remainder is a percentage from collected fees.
SHERIFF
Sheriff Smith explained an increase of $785,198.00 in the 2003-2004 budget is being requested to allow for the increases in health insurance worker’s compensation, over time pay as a result of the jail overcrowding, retirement benefits, increase in required training resulting from the mandates on terrorism and for three (3) additional positions are some of the increases in the budget. Sheriff Smith said the increase will also allow for an increase in salaries to be competitive with the surrounding counties for starting salaries. Sheriff Smith said it is difficult to attract qualified personnel at the current salary range.
Sheriff Smith explained rising inmate costs, housing of inmates, increase in services catastrophic inmate health care and low salary ranges impacting qualified personnel applying for employment have increased expenditures for the Sheriff’s Office and jail.
CLERK OF COURT
Mrs. Sheila Rees explained the Clerk’s budget will be reduced.
Mrs. Mary Lou Gardner, said Court Administration is estimating the budget needed for the operation of the courts and are predicting approximately 44% in savings for when the operation of the courts is assumed by the State on June 30.
COMMISSIONERS
Comm. Yearty explained there are still adjustments needed for the budget and the constitutional officers have cooperated. Comm. Yearty said the budget has been balanced in previous years using the Debt Service Fund and with the retiring of the previous bond issue these funds have be reduced. Comm. Yearty explained the remaining reserve balance and the ½ cent tax may be used to offset the budget and will leave a remainder of approximately 1 ½ million dollars out of balance. Comm. Yearty said a reduction in services may be necessary and action is needed to find additional sources of revenue and not continue to impact the 35% of the population that pays the Ad Valorem taxes. Comm. Yearty said the union contracts need to be re-negotiated for benefits and salary increases currently provided or it may be necessary to implement a reduction of personnel. Comm. Yearty recommended considering contracting for a professional negotiator for the union contracts.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Mr. Wayne Hardee presented the proposed budget with a 4.5 percent increase included to address improvements for building, space and kennels. Comm. Yearty recommended continuing with the same budget as 2002-2003 fiscal year.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Mr. Hardee presented the proposed budget with an approximate $20,000.00 increase. Comm. Yearty recommended continuing the budget at 2002-2003 fiscal year amount.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Mr. Fred Moody recommended reviewing the user fees in place the parks, boat ramps and springs. Comm. Yearty recommended continuing the budget at the 2002-2003 fiscal year amount.
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Mr. Rob Corbitt presented the budget with an approximate 1/2% decrease.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Mr. Corbitt said the budget had increased to allow for salary and insurance increases.
COUNTY AGENT
Mr. Albert Fuller presented the budget with increases allowed for salaries and insurance, and the purchase of a pick up truck for hauling the pontoon boat and trailer.
Comm. Yearty recommended retaining the same budget for 2002-2003 and reviewing it for an increase later.
Mr. Fuller said fencing is not included in the proposed budget but is a concern for security of the building.
BUDGET
Mr. Moody said the budget for Devil’s Hammock remains the same.
Mrs. Rees said the budget for Emergency Management Services is the same.
Mrs. Rees explained Emergency Medical Services operates on fees.
LIBRARY
Chairman Stevens advised Mr. Reitz to remain with the 2002-2003 budget.
Mr. Reitz said there is an opportunity to increase state funding through rental of the administrative offices.
Mrs. Rees explained it would return revenue to the General Fund unless the filing requirements exceeded the actual benefit.
Mr. Reitz said the reduction in budget would result in fewer book purchases.
PLANNING, COUNTY
Mrs. Kathy Winburn presented the proposed budget with a 22 percent reduction.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Chairman Stevens requested Mr. Billy Carrecia to submit the information pertaining to non-transport fees at a regular meeting.
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
Mr. Jim Jones said the budget has been adjusted with the assumption of construction and maintenance costs for projects for other departments.
Mrs. Rees explained these items have been returned to the Construction and Maintenance budget and can be tracked with the purchase orders.
Comm. Parker said the funds that are scheduled for approved repairs or construction for a specific department need to be available and not used for another reason without the Board being notified.
UTILITIES
Mrs. Rees said the water systems are fee based and requires transfers for any maintenance or improvements mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
LANDFILLS
Mrs. Rees said the landfill operates on fees.
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
Mrs. Rees said there has been an increase in this budget to allow for a copy machine purchased last year and this budget is supported by Gilchrist and Dixie counties.
ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Justin Watson said the budget proposed has eliminated the purchase of any equipment, reducing road and bridge improvements.
Mrs. Rees explained the Road and Bridge Department operates solely on gas taxes and they have been expending more than what has been received and the reserve is being depleted.
Comm. Parker recommend stopping any unnecessary construction until the end of the fiscal year.
Mrs. Rees said maintenance on a one (1) time basis, not increasing the gas tax and the current assessments on the Municipal Service Tax Units (MSTU) are severely impacting the budget.
Comm. Yearty explained these are part of the master ordinance and no action can be taken for the ensuing budget year and the assessments need to be updated.
Chairman Stevens said a review of all one (1) time maintenance requests need to be reviewed and the intent formerly was for a two-wheel vehicle to be passable on a fair weather day which allowed for emergency vehicles.
TRANSPORTATION
Mr. Major Stroupe presented the budget for transportation and explained with this the first year for a budget costs have been estimated and includes matching funds for awarded grants.
BUDGET
Mr. Moody said re-opening some articles on the collective bargaining agreements, court imposed civil restitution for incarceration, user fees at county parks are items for consideration along with adopting a (ten) 10 hour, four (4) day week for specific job classifications.
Mrs. Rees said a tentative millage rate will need to be established at the regular meeting.
Mrs. Rees said the Health Department percentage of the millage rate will remain the same.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Danny Stevens, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court