SPECIAL MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
September 17, 1997
The Special Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on September 17, 1997 at 6:00 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 6:00 p.m..
BUDGET
TRIM HEARING
Mr. Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court said the proposed millage rate for 1998-1997 is 8.875 for the General Revenue and 0.125 for the Health Department for a total of 9 mils. Mr. McKoy said with the new growth within the county and other increases the 9 mils proposed represent a 1.99 increase or $272,990.00 in new revenue for the past year. Mr. McKoy advised that the proposed rate, tentatively adopted, could be reduced at the final budget hearing on September 29th, but could not be increased.
Mr. James L. Duncan, Sr. said his property taxes were proposed at $648.00. Mr. Duncan said that he had received erroneous information from the Property Appraiser’s office on the completion of his home and should have homestead exemption allowed. Mr. Duncan was referred to the Property Appraiser to resolve his problem. Comm. Davis said that he would assist Mr. Duncan. Chairman Yearty said Mr. Duncan could file a petition to be heard before the Value Adjustment Board (VAB).
There were no additional comments and no comments concerning the proposed millage rate.
Comm. Dean moved to adopt the tentative millage rate of 8.875 mils for General Revenue and 0.125 mils for the Health Department for a total of 9 mils. Comm. Lindsey seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. McKoy said the tentative adoption was the next order of business and there were several presentations to be made concerning portions of the budget.
COURT
Mr. Ted McFetridge, Court Administrator said the legislature has approved disbursement of $400,000.00 in a four (4) year period to the judicial circuit in increments of $100,000.00. Mr. McFetridge said the actual disbursement of the revenue will begin 1999. Mr. McFetridge said there was additional legislation allowing increases in court costs which can create additional revenues and this information would be provided by the Court Administrator.
Mr. Patrick Callahan said the administrative court budget is based on population, circuit and criminal filings. Mr. Callahan said the budget summary is:
Circuit Court $63,219.00
County Court 4,050.00
Law Library 5,000.00
Ms. Carol Zaegel discussed the Guardian Ad Litem, Family Law Self Help Coordinator, Judicial Officer, Mediators, who are providing services for the Family Law Program for conflict issues and how the costs are assisted through filing fees, state funding, federal funding and a pro rata contribution among the five (5) counties in the circuit.
Comm. Dean asked for clarification on the Travel and Membership allocation in the budget. Mr. McFetridge said there are conferences out-of-state which the Chief Judge may direct the judges to attend and the county is asked to assume the difference. He said Membership is for the Conference of Judges and individual membership is $150.00.
Mr. Douglas McKoy suggested a work shop after the adoption of the budget to discuss the line items to be administered by the county.
There was no discussion from the audience concerning the budget for the court.
AGENCIES
Mr. George Sandora, Levy County Development Authority said he wanted to present the tentative budget for the Development Authority and provide information on current progress. Chairman Yearty said the recommended amount would remain the same as the 1996-1997 contribution unless there was any other recommendation from the Board.
LIBRARY
Ms. Jane Stauff, Library Board member from Bronson asked for an increase in the budget for the Library. Comm. Dean said the Clerk of Court adjusted his proposed budget by $5,000.00 to increase the proposed budget for the library to $75,000.00.
BUDGET
Mr. Douglas McKoy then presented full line item budgets and a recap of the proposed budget for fiscal year 1997-1998 (Exhibit 1). Mr. McKoy said the final hearing will be held Monday, September 29, 1997. Mr. McKoy requested that the Board tentatively adopt the budget..
Comm. Davis moved to tentatively adopt the proposed budget. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
RESOLUTION
Mr. Billy Cobb read a resolution for a grant for Emergency Medical Services in the amount of $15,978.64 to buy a Life Pack II Cardiac monitor for the Cedar Key station if the grant is approved. Mr. Cobb said the grant is to be used to improve and expand existing services and not to supplement existing service.
Comm. Lindsey moved to adopt the resolution. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
Comm. Lindsey moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the grant application. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
LANDFILLS
Comm. Dean said there was a balance remaining in the Recycling Grant money and recommended buying a one (1) ton truck before the end of the fiscal year. Comm. Dean said there was not time to advertise for bids due to the uncertainty of the amount remaining in the grant and recommended that quotes be obtained from vendors. Mr. Greg Beauchamp recommended publishing the request for quotes from vendors.
Comm. Dean moved to obtain quotes from vendors and publish the request for quotes to conform with the time restraints with the bid policy. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
W. S. Yearty, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court