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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07-18-2008 CITIZENS’ BUDGET COMMITTEE Meeting Date: July 18, 2008 Conference Room 3 Meeting convened at 7:33 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl Hensley, Chairman Jeremiah Johnson Edward Lounds Craig Mundt Nathaniel “Nate” Wells (7:35) Bill Casey Chris Dzadovsky Richard Pancoast Jay L. McBee (7:36) Randy Ezell (7:50) Steven Messer (7:48) Patricia “Pat” Ferrick MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael McKinnon Barry Schrader Thomas Hickey OTHERS PRESENT: Doug Anderson Faye Outlaw Marie Gouin Mike Monahan Kathryn Hensley Lee Ann Lowery Carl Holeva Debra Brisson Erick Gill Michelle Franklin Bill Hammer Garry Wilson Marty Sanders Robert O’Sullivan John Ferrick Tim Imhoff Lewis Gilbert Jason Frucht Diane Andrews Andrea Purge Citizens’ Budget Committee July 18, 2008 Page 2 CALL TO ORDER Mr. Hensley called the meeting to order. He thanked the candidates for not using the meeting as a platform for their campaigns. He read a news article informing the Committee that the St. Lucie County Management and Budget Office received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the tenth consecutive year. Mr. Casey suggested the Committee make a resolution to honor the department. He made the motion and Mr. Lounds seconded it. The Committee approved the motion and Chairman Hensley will take care of it. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Lounds made a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Mundt asked about the blue-collar layoff. Mr. Anderson explained they had already done a white-collar layoff. A few positions are being reviewed and they will come to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in August. They are doing the layoffs in steps. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved by the Committee. BUDGET RECAP – DOUG ANDERSON Mr. Anderson showed the 2009-2010 Budget Gap PowerPoint presentation giving the information from the BOCC budget review. He said they are in negotiations with the union for no wage increases. The Constitutional Officers have agreed to no wage increases for their employees. There will be no increases for BOCC white-collar workers. If there were increases, there would be a snowball effect. Mr. Pancoast is concerned about two years from now. Mr. Anderson feels cutting now will decrease the impact next year. The 2010-2011 budget will be based on the 2009-2010 economy. At some point, it is expected to stop declining. He’s fairly comfortable that we will be able to cover the 2010-2011 Budget with the current cuts. Mr. Anderson has been reading that other communities have to make drastic reductions in 2009-2010. Based on what we know, we’ll be good three years out. Mr. Wells asked about health care savings. Mr. Anderson advised the Committee about the workshop to explore the possibility of a clinic. He would not add those savings to the budget until they are approved by the BOCC. Mr. Lounds asked about user fees and income increases. He asked what the County could do to get income from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) since the County provides office space for them. Mr. Anderson said they are going to the BOCC Citizens’ Budget Committee July 18, 2008 Page 3 recommending some new fees such as parking in the downtown parking garage. He will bring the recommendations to the Committee. Mr. Lounds recommended in-kind services. He would also like the Committee to pursue getting income from the port. Mr. Anderson is working with the director of another port. A study will need to be done. Mr. Lounds wants the Committee to be able to add comments. Mr. Mundt said the County Occupational Fee is lower than either of the Cities. Mr. Casey asked for a breakdown of frozen and eliminated positions. Mr. Anderson explained if he can get a consensus from the BOCC members, he could fill a frozen position. To fill an eliminated position, you have to start from scratch and get Board approval. He explained there is no funding for frozen or eliminated positions. It would cost more and take more time to eliminate all positions. Mr. Mundt asked about the Economic Development position. Mr. Anderson answered that it is frozen. Since we are dealing with the CEOs of some companies, he feels someone new would not serve the purpose. The Tourism Development Council has formed a Human Resource Subcommittee to look at the job description and job title. Then it will have to go to the BOCC for approval and the position will be filled. There were two positions. Larry Daum, Erick Gill and Faye Outlaw are doing the work. Mr. Dzadovsky thanked Mr. Hensley for acknowledging the candidates were not using the Committee for a pulpit, but he feels some candidates are giving inaccurate information. For clarification, he asked about cost of living raises for employees. Mr. Anderson explained history and the plan for the coming two years is zero across the board. Past policy was that if the bargaining unit negotiated an increase, all employees received an increase. No increases are planned for this year. If increases were given, more jobs would have to be eliminated. Mr. Dzadovsky said it was also stated that the buyout programs for white collar workers were on the backs of blue collar workers. Mr. Anderson said some of the statements are false. The blue collar workers are entitled to the same buyout as white collar. The package is much better for the County than the early retirement package that has been in place since 2004. Mr. Dzadovsky added that as the Committee looks at cuts, it looks at the human factor as th well. He wanted it clarified for the record. Mr. Anderson said that on August 4 he would be speaking to all County employees. The last time over 90% of the employees attended the meetings where he explained the budget. Mr. Dzadovsky asked how many blue-collar employees took advantage of the early retirement. Mr. Holeva answered that out of 68, around 40 were blue-collar. Mr. Anderson Citizens’ Budget Committee July 18, 2008 Page 4 explained that the employee had the choice to have insurance paid for three years or get a check for the amount it would currently cost. He was surprised that only four of 16 took the insurance. Several are moving out of state. It is better for the County financially if they take the money. Mr. Lounds is concerned about performance stress for the employees that are left. It all has to come together. TEAM does not have an I in it. It will take a team effort to make it work. He hopes counseling is available before they get to the pop point. Mr. Anderson mentioned again that he is going out to talk to all employees. He was amazed when he spoke with a gentleman yesterday from the Parks Department that sprays the lawn; he knew exactly where the County stands with the budget. That helps Mr. Anderson know they are getting the word out to the employees. Mr. Anderson thinks it will get worse as people lose their jobs. There have been a couple issues. Mr. Lounds said there are organizations in the community that will help. Mr. Holeva mentioned that there is an employee assistance program in place. It is an active program and employees are encouraged to take advantage of it when needed. Mr. Lounds said a little compassion goes a long way. Mr. Anderson announced that in September there will be a lunch for the employees in the new Havert L. Fenn Center. Mr. Wells started discussion about County offices since the employees will have to do more with less. Renewing licenses online saves money. He asked if kiosk had been considered. There are computers in the libraries and Growth Management. Mr. Casey agreed that technology should be able to assist. Mr. Johnson asked about space needs. Mr. Anderson said one area that the County is still struggling with is the Court system. There are Clerk of the Court employees in the old fire station at Rhode Island. It is a savings from Orange Blossom Mall. He still wants to get them into the old Courthouse downtown. Overall, we are in good shape for space because we are down so much in staff. Mr. Mundt asked if everyone who left was interviewed, the tenor of the interviews and their attitude toward the County. Mr. Holeva answered that there was a team to interview them. Most took voluntary retirement. Most of them were enthusiastic. They were positive toward the County but negative about the whole economic condition. Most people took the money because they were leaving the area. They appreciated the severance package and ways to transition to being unemployed. Mr. Mundt asked if there were suggestions. Mr. Holeva answered not really. Most people asked why them. They tried to explain that it wasn’t the person, it was the position. Unfortunately, with the position there is a live person and it affects their families. PARKS OUTSIDE LIGHTS – DOUG ANDERSON Citizens’ Budget Committee July 18, 2008 Page 5 A memo from Ms. Brisson, Director of Parks and Recreation to Mr. Anderson regarding Outdoor Facilities Lighting was distributed (see attached). Ms. Ferrick asked about how the lights would be turned off later. Ms. Brisson answered that Staff turns some off and some are by computer with a phone call. Representatives from Musco Lighting were at the meeting. They keep improving their programs. Mr. Casey asked how much it would cost for solar lighting. Mr. Dzadovsky said $20,000 is the minimum for his house and that will not completely take it off the grid. He’s sure stadium lighting would be a lot more. But there are grants. Mr. Anderson added that grants and solar will take time. They are working with Musco to come up with better ideas. In the interim, they are recommending the lights be turned off at 9:30. The new basketball courts have the efficient lighting. Mr. Mundt asked about timers. Ms. Brisson said they are retrofitting some facilities. He asked that they keep looking at that. Mr. Wells asked about the Ellis basketball court. Mr. Anderson answered that it has the efficient lighting and will be able to be on later if the youth are there. Mr. Dzadovsky asked about the teams paying more for the permit to help with the lighting. Ms. Brisson said there is no charge for the youth. The cost of lighting is built into the fees but not enough to recoup the entire amount. It could be about $100 per player. Mr. Dzadovsky would not support charging the youth. He told how in other areas a key is given with the permit to turn lights on and off. Mr. Anderson said the $50 will be charged upfront. Mr. Sanders, from the School Board explained that there was a partnership with the County to minimize duplication of facilities. Some counties build a football stadium at each high school. They built South County and Lawnwood Regional Stadiums to save the County, School Board and ultimately the taxpayers money. The whole program is built on this partnership. The School Board has contributed tens of millions of dollars from the donation of Lawnwood Stadium and the facilities, which has allowed the County to expand their program for soccer fields and other programs. He feels the capital investment of the School Board should offset some of the operational costs. The County gets all the gate receipts. It would be difficult to move up the time because of travel time for opposing teams. Normally the games are over by 9:30. He requested flexibility because of the capital contributions. The South County Stadium has not been completed. Most of the JV games will be moved to the school fields. The number of games at County stadiums will be reduced by 50%. The School Board is trying to reduce the cost to the County. Mr. Lounds asked if the gate fee goes to the General Fund or Parks and Recreation. Mr. Anderson answered the General Fund. The gate receipts from daylight events also goes Citizens’ Budget Committee July 18, 2008 Page 6 to the County for upkeep and supplies. Mr. Casey asked about contracting with outside agencies for buses so coaches and other employees would not have to work at night. Mr. Sanders said if games were moved to an earlier time, gate receipts would be lost. Time for the game was discussed. Mr. Hensley added that several thousand people come to the games and they should be taken into consideration since they pay their taxes. Mr. Lounds mentioned the security factor at the end of the games. Mr. Anderson said they are only asking $50. The Board of County Commissioners have directed them to cut $250,000 from the budget. This would be $40,000 of it. He agrees that there are lights on at the fields too late, so they are trying to come up with a uniform policy. Mr. Mundt asked how much money the $50 would generate. Mr. Sanders stressed that he thinks the School Board has done their part by reducing the amount of games. Ms. Ferrick said a lot of people are losing a lot of things. If parents lose the ability to see their children’s games, the children will suffer. Mr. Anderson’s response was that over 70% of the voters voted for the Property Tax Reform Amendment. She asked if they were sold a bill of goods. Mr. Pancoast agreed that the pain must be shared. Ms. Ferrick thinks the Sheriff’s Department will end up with more problems if the kids have nothing to do. We have to offset some of the expenses that will occur at the other end if activities are taken from the young people. Mr. Pancoast doesn’t think activities will be taken. They will just have to pay more. Mr. Wells asked about ticket cost. Mr. Lounds asked about the current cost. Mr. Sanders said the current cost is $5.00 and he believes it would be appropriate to increase the price. Movies are $9.00. Mr. Dzadovsky applauded the County and School Board for getting together, especially in these times. There was discussion on how long after the event the lights would be on. Mr. Mundt wants to know the total amount of money requested from the School Board. Mr. Sanders mentioned again that the School Board contributed a tremendous amount of capital. Mr. Mundt supports Mr. Sanders in that. He feels that if it is not a big number, the Committee should hold off. If it is a significant number, the ticket prices should be raised to $5.50. Mr. Sanders thinks the tickets should be an even dollar amount. Most games are over by 9:30 pm. Ms. Lowery added that there is always staff at the games to collect gate receipts. The County gets the money but it does not cover the costs. They are working with Mr. Sanders to get more school staff to help. If the ticket prices are raised, it will have to go to the Board of County Commissioners to amend the interlocal agreement. Mr. Mundt does not like the idea of games being earlier and parents not being able to be there. Citizens’ Budget Committee July 18, 2008 Page 7 Mr. Anderson said we are under a direct order to cut the budget $250,000. If we don’t do this, we have to do something else and we’re running out of ideas. Mr. Johnson doesn’t see the $50 per hour being a large revenue source. He asked about the concessions. Ms. Brisson said the revenue from the concessions still does not cover the cost of the stadium. Mr. Lounds said a lot of private citizens put up $1,000 to have the stadium built. He believes the County and School Board need to work together to keep the facility a focal point for the community. He thinks Mr. Anderson and the School Board should be able to sit down and work out a solution. Mr. Pancoast asked how long the ticket prices have been $5.00. Mr. Sanders guessed at least eight or ten years. Mr. Messer how the $50 was determined. Mr. Anderson answered that it was the best estimate of electricity and bulb cost. Mr. Casey asked about timers. Ms. Brisson explained the different kinds of timers. Mr. Casey expressed concern about youth on the streets being a problem waiting to happen. Mr. Wells asked about curfew. Mr. Ezell made a motion to accept what was presented except the football stadium and allow the School Board and the County to work out the ticket price increase. Mr. Pancoast seconded the motion. Mr. Dzadovsky asked about concessionaires for the games. Mr. Lounds asked about the timers. Ms. Brission explained there is staff at night that monitors the areas without timers. Mr. Casey is concerned about a Saturday night at 10:00 pm. Curfew was discussed. Mr. Dzadovsky clarified the motion did not include charging the School Board the extra $50. Mr. Johnson said the County has been supportive of youth baseball and he thinks the teams should be able to adapt. He thinks high school baseball is as important as football. There was a roll call vote. The motion passed nine to two. Mr. Casey and Mr. Hensley opposed the motion. TAX WATCH DISCUSSION – DOUG ANDERSON It was decided to wait until the next meeting to discuss the report. Mr. Anderson asked what departments the Committee wanted to attend. Mr. Lounds suggested the Golf Course. OTHER ISSUES Mr. Dzadovsky asked that even though the motion was approved, he would like them to continue to look at timers. Mr. Hensley added that a savings of $40,000 out of a $640,000,000 budget is .006 of 1%. .006 of 1% to put kids on the streets instead of a ball court. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hensley adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m. Citizens’ Budget Committee July 18, 2008 Page 8 Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Marlin