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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC Minutes 062017CITIZENS’ BUDGET COMMITTEE Meeting Date June 16, 2017 Conference Room 3 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Kurek Richard Pancoast Barry Mucklow Clarence Kearney Jake Sanders John Culverhouse Ed Lounds Rubin Johnson Jerry Buechler Mark Gotz Craig Mundt William Donovan Gloria Johnson Gwen Morris MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Hensley OTHERS PRESENT: Craig Hauschild Leslie Olson Ed Matthews Howard Tipton Beth Ryder Jennifer Hill Patty Marston-Duva Amy Griffin Dan Allison Sheriff Mascara Toby Long Sophia Holt CALL TO ORDER Mr. Kurek called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No member of the public spoke. APPROVAL OF JUNE 9TH MINUTES After a motion by Mr. Pancoast and second by Mr. Kearney, the minutes from June 9th were unanimously approved. WRAP UP OF BUDGET PRESENTATION Before Ms. Hill began her presentation, Mr. Long, Sheriff Mascara’s Finance Director, gave information in response to a question from the last meeting. In the last 18 months, 63 certified deputies left the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. Twenty went to agencies Citizens Budget Committee June 16, 2017 Page 2 in the surrounding area, mostly Palm Beach County (PBC). PBC may take six in a quarter. St. Lucie County can’t hire ahead to have people ready to fill the vacancies, so it causes overtime wages. Mr. Matthews briefly explained the highlights of the attached report from Florida Power & Light (FPL). Mr. Lounds started discussion about timing and cost. Ms. Hill started the attached PowerPoint presentation. There was discussion on the 800 MHz system and other agencies. Ms. Hill continued the presentation. Mr. Kearney started discussion on the sales tax, homestead exemption, and break even point for cost of services. Mr. Gotz started discussion about fund balance, emergency funds, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Continuing her presentation, Ms. Hill answered questions regarding reserves and Constitutional Officers. Mr. Lounds started the conversation concerning emergency culvert fails and reserves. After the balance of her PowerPoint, Mr. Donahue asked about sales tax distribution. Mr. Tipton started his presentation with Prior Commitments. Mr. Gotz began the discussion on the Florida Retirement System (FRS) increase. After Mr. Tipton gave more information, Mr. Kearney asked about budget allocations under consideration and started a discussion. Mr. Gotz left the meeting. When Mr. Tipton explained the process for tax amendments. Mr. Kurek asked for an explanation of millages. Mr. Lounds started questions and discussion concerning a recommendation to the Board. There were comments by several members on public safety, including safe roads, and clarification on amounts of millage rates. The cost to a homeowner created by a 1 mill increase, social media, newspapers, and communication were discussed. Mr. Kurek asked for a motion specifying the recommendation. Ms. Johnson asked for clarification of restrictions. Mr. Kurek suggested recommending the end of deficit spending. Mr. Mucklow asked for the amount required to provide services to each home. A motion was made by Mr. Donovan and seconded by Mr. Pancoast for the Committee to recommend an additional mill be added to the amount, .9398 mill, that Mr. Tipton had presented. Reception of the suggestion was discussed. The majority of the members were in favor. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Morris were opposed. Citizens Budget Committee June 16, 2017 Page 3 Mr. Kurek talked about presenting the recommendation. Mr. Lounds asked about Committee members speaking to the Board member or Constitutional Officer that appointed them. Mr. Tipton explained that their charge is to advise their appointer. Mr. Mucklow commented that the money is staying in St. Lucie County. Mr. Kurek expressed thanks to the Committee & adjourned the meeting at 9:32. Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Marlin The next CBC meeting will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017, at 7:30 a.m., in Conference Room 3, of the St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex.