HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC Minutes.8.21CITIZENS BUDGET COMMITTEE
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2020 Convened: 7:32 AM
Adjourned: 9:02 AM
1.CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 AM by Mr. Hensley. He reminded the members of the
Committee’s purpose.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Carl Hensley, Chair
John Culverhouse, Vice Chair
Barry Mucklow
Jerry Buechler
Hector Rodriguez
Ed Lounds
Gwen Morris
William Donovan
Jake Sanders
Richard Pancoast
Mark Gotz by phone
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Brit Anderson
Robert Lynch
Clarence Kearney
OTHERS PRESENT:
Jennifer Hill Garry Wilson Michelle Lanchez
Harvey Alligood Alphonso Jefferson Kori Benton
Doug Baber Matthew Beard Leslie Olson
Ed Matthews Mark Satterlee
Dan Allison Gino Butto
Regular Meeting Friday, August 21, 2020 7:30 AM
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2. PUBLIC COMMENT
No member of the public spoke.
3. APPROVAL OF JUNE 19th MINUTES
After a motion by Mr. Pancoast and second by Mr. Rodriguez, the minutes were unanimously
approved. Mr. Lounds, Mr. Culverhouse, and Mr. Saunders were not included in the vote for this item.
4. UPDATE ON FY21 PROPOSED BUDGET
Ms. Hill’s PowerPoint presentation started with a review of the dates of the budget process. She gave
information on Property Values & Property Taxes, Fund Balance & Reserves, Challenges, Incremental
Revenue & Expenses, and Board Approval.
Mr. Hensley asked about disaster relief and the value of 1/10 of a mill. Mr. Gotz started discussion
about the total amount of the FY20 Sheriff’s budget and the employee clinic.
Mr. Lounds asked about the Tourist Tax and funding the stadium. Ms. Hill explained the cushion and
more recent numbers. He also asked about the Sheriff’s budget and starting salaries for new
employees, training, and replacements. Chief Gary Wilson spoke for the Sheriff’s office.
Mr. Gotz started discussion on debt and bond issues. As of September 30, 2020, the total County debt
obligation, General Fund and Enterprise Funds, is $179.6 million. Ms. Hill gave information on
outstanding debts, possible future bonds, and potential refinancing.
Mr. Buechler spoke about beach renourishment in another county.
5. BUDGET RESERVES
The attached draft recommendation had been sent to the members. Mr. Pancoast started the
discussion with his opinion on a minimum. Ms. Hill expressed her concern about COVID impacts.
Mr. Rodriguez made a motion to adopt the attached draft resolution. After a second by Mr. Pancoast, Mr. Gotz
suggested an amendment.
Regular Meeting Friday, August 21, 2020 7:30 AM
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He asked that “20% of the budget with a longer range goal of 25%” be removed from Item 2 under
Resolved:
The Committee recommends setting a 5‐year goal to increase the GF/FF
reserves to 20% of the budget with a longer range goal of 25%.
and removing “but not limited to utilizing” from Item 4:
The Committee recommends utilizing a variety of measures to achieve
the desired reserve levels including but not limited to utilizing new
revenue for reserves, applying interest earnings to reserves, and
exploring efficiencies and reallocating savings to reserves.
Mr. Mucklow seconded the amendment. Mr. Gotz and Mr. Mucklow voted for the amendment.
The rest voted against.
Mr. Gotz voted against the resolution, Mr. Mucklow did not vote, the other members voted in
favor of sending it to the Board of County Commissioners.
6. OTHER ISSUES
The September hearings and issues for the future meetings were discussed.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hensley adjourned the meeting at 9:02 AM and expressed gratitude for their participation.
Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Marlin
The next CBC meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2020, at 7:30 AM, location to be
determined.
St. Lucie County Citizen Budget Committee
Resolution 2020‐01
Recommendation on the County’s Reserve Policy
WHEREAS, the St. Lucie County Citizens Budget Committee (“Committee”) met on August 21,
2020, to review the County’s reserves; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of these discussions, the Committee has the following concerns:
1. Reserves levels for emergencies are too low.
2. Need to establish a reserve policy that preserves or improves the County’s bond ratings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Lucie County Citizens Budget Committee as
follows:
1. The Committee recommends changing the emergency reserve policy for the General
Fund and Fine and Forfeiture Fund (GF/FF) to a percentage of the budget instead of a
flat amount.
2. The Committee recommends setting a 5‐year goal to increase the GF/FF reserves to 20%
of the budget with a longer range goal of 25%.
3. The Committee recommends that when the emergency reserves are utilized, there
should be a policy to replenish the reserves within a period not to exceed three years.
4. The Committee recommends utilizing a variety of measures to achieve the desired
reserve levels including but not limited to utilizing new revenue for reserves, applying
interest earnings to reserves, and exploring efficiencies and reallocating savings to
reserves.
5. A copy of this resolution shall be provided to the Board of County Commissioners, the
County Administrator and the Management and Budget Director.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 21st day of August, 2020.
St. Lucie Citizens Budget Committee
BY: ______________________________
CARL HENSLEY, CHAIRMAN