SPECIAL MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

September 9, 1997

 The Special Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on September 9, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Chairman Sammy Yearty

Vice Chairman Don Foley

Comm. Wilbur Dean

Comm. Don Lindsey

Comm. Frank Davis

 Also present were:

County Attorney, Gregory V. Beauchamp

Clerk of Court Douglas M. McKoy

Administrative Assistant William C. Cobb

 The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m..

 BUDGET

LIBRARY

Mrs. Jane Stauff, representative for the Levy County Library Board asked consideration in increasing the budget contribution to Central Florida Regional Library for the five (5) libraries located in Levy County. Mrs. Stauff said the current allocation will leave a shortfall of $15,000.00 in the budget for the ensuing year.

Chairman Yearty said the next budget hearing will be held on September 17, 1997 and further review will be given for the Central Florida Regional Library, however, there could be no guarantee of an increase in the proposed budget.

Mrs. Julie Seig, Director, Central Florida Regional Library asked for consideration to increase the contribution to the library board. Mrs. Yvonne Craig also spoke in support of additional funding to the library board.

 MUNICIPAL SERVICES TAXING UNITS (MSTUs)

Mr. Skip Hammell said an increase of the MSTUs needed to be considered. Mr. Hammell said the MSTUs have not increased since 1989 and are no longer covering the costs for road maintenance within the developments. Mr. Hammell presented a list of MSTUs with proposed increases sufficient to maintain the roads within the service districts. (Exhibit #1)

Chairman Yearty said the MSTUs allow the maintenance of the roads within a development to be paid for by the developer and the purchasers of the property.

Comm. Davis moved to approve the recommended increases for the MSTUs as prepared by the Road and Bridge Department. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

No objections were presented.

 FIRE TAX ASSESSMENT.

Mr. Bill Beddow said a thorough review of the present funding for the fire department reflects that the current level of tax is not supporting the fire department budgets and an increase is necessary to provide proper funding. Mr. Beddow said it was his understanding that there had not been an increase in the assessment since 1989. Mr. Beddow said a full review shows increasing costs to operate and recommends an increase to the fire tax assessment in accordance with the presented proposal. Mr. Beddow said this should be sufficient for the next three (3) years and possibly for the next five (5) years.

Chairman Yearty said he had an objection of increasing the multi-family of 10 units or less from $40.00 to $70.00. Mr. Beddow said this was a minor point in the proposed fire tax and only affected nine (9) parcels.

Mr. Howard Walker voiced opposition of the fire tax.

Mrs. Renata Cannon asked how funding was distributed throughout the county and how many fire departments were there. Comm. Dean said a committee has been established consisting of volunteer members of the various fire departments to determine the allocation of funds to each of the thirteen (13) fire departments within the county.

Mr. Bill Beddow said the budget does not allow for volunteer firemen to be compensated. He said some compensation is made to firefighters within some municipalities and noted that the county provides Worker’s Compensation coverage, for those departments outside the incorporated municipalities..

Mrs. Jimmie Wall, Mayor of Yankeetown, spoke in support of an increase of the fire tax assessment.

 Mr. Beddow said the committee was willing to agree to a lock-in of the proposed assessment if approved. Chairman Yearty said he would prefer to have the committee submit this in writing.

Comm. Dean moved to approve the increase for the fire tax assessments as proposed. Comm. Lindsey seconded.

Comm. Davis said he would prefer to see the multi-family units, 10 or less, changed to $50.00.

Comm. Dean re-stated his motion to approve the fire tax assessments as proposed with the exception of the multi-family units, 10 or less, being changed from $40.00 to $50.00. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 AMBULANCE

Mr. Bill Beddow said consideration needs to be given to increasing the ambulance assessment for future funding of the Emergency Medical Services. Mr. Beddow said planning should begin for an additional ambulance station in the Chiefland area as a result of growth occurring in the area. He said the proposed budget for the ensuing year provides for Advance Life Support in Cedar Key. Mr. Beddow said the Emergency Medical Services budget has increased significantly with the addition of the Bronson station, which is no longer receiving grant funds and the commitment of Advanced Life Support to Cedar Key.

Comm. Davis said he had reviewed the proposed budget for the Emergency Medical Services and the special assessment has not been adjusted since 1993. Comm. Davis said he found the budget has been supplemented from contingency funds which are now completely exhausted. Comm. Davis said it is time to proceed toward Emergency Medical Services becoming self-supporting from fees. Comm. Davis said an increase in fees for ambulance service is needed to balance the proposed budget.

Mr. Billy Cobb said the present collection rate is approximately 65% for ambulance fees.

Mr. Bill Beddow said there have been 3,046 ambulance runs from October 1996 to August 31, 1996 and they are only able to bill for ambulance runs when the patient is transported to a treatment facility.

Mr. Howard Walker spoke at length in opposition to any increase for ambulance fees and asked for other avenues to be explored for funding relief.

Mr. Billy Cobb said an ambulance service can never be totally self supporting with the mandatory changes which occur and the inability to make 100% of the collections.

Comm. Dean said an ambulance must respond to all calls as required by Florida statute and cannot close.

There were no further comments from the public.

Comm. Davis moved to increase the ambulance fee from $50.00 to $75.00 per improved parcel. Comm. Dean seconded.

Comm. Foley said he objected to an increase in rates for service. Comm. Foley said he would rather find the $120,000.00 deficiency in other ways for the current year and if fees need to be increased, handle it in the year affected. Comm. Foley said consideration should be to increase collection efforts and possibly place a minimum charge for all calls made.

Comm. Davis said there is nothing available in the contingency fund and increasing fees is a step in making the department more self supporting.

After discussion Comm. Dean called for the vote on the motion. The MOTION CARRIED by 4 votes to 1 with Comm. Foley voting NAY.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

W. S. Yearty, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court