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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-16-2009 CITIZENS’ BUDGET COMMITTEE Meeting Date: October 16, 2009 Conference Room 3 Meeting convened at 7:37 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl Hensley, Chair Dana McSweeney Craig Mundt Nathaniel “Nate” Wells Patricia “Pat” Ferrick John Culverhouse Richard Pancoast Jay L. McBee MEMBERS ABSENT: Bobby Rodriguez Thomas Hickey Bill Casey Randy Ezell Dan Kurek Edith Hepburn Edward Lounds OTHERS PRESENT: Faye Outlaw Lee Ann Lowery Marie Gouin Jennifer Hill Carl Holeva Ron Knaggs John Ferrick Laurie Waldie Al Rivitt Mark Godwin Leo Cordeiro Roger Shinn Debbie Brisson Bill Hoeffner Karen Smith Diana Lewis Audrey Jackson Jim David Mark Satterlee Don West Robert O’Sullivan Toby Long Erick Gill Katherine Hensley Anita Neal Paul Hiott Beth Ryder Shai Frances Garry Wilson Jeff Furst CALL TO ORDER Mr. Hensley called the meeting to order at 7:37 a.m. Citizens’ Budget Committee October 16, 2009 Page 2 Chief Deputy Garry Wilson introduced Ron Knaggs. Mr. Knaggs will be the Sheriff’s recommendation for a seat on the Committee. He has financial background, has done volunteer work in the County and has lived here quite a while. THND UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 29 & OCTOBER 2 BUDGET WORKSHOPS Ms. Outlaw asked if the Committee wanted the entire presentation or a summation. Mr. Hensley answered a summation. She started with a recap on slide 2 (see attached PowerPoint presentation). The intent of the workshop was to look ahead at 2010-2011. The Board reviewed the revenue sources and made projections. The workshop started with a presentation from Mr. Furst. He informed the Board that he was projecting an 11.5% decrease in property values for 2010-2011 and a 5% decrease for 2011-2012. Ms. Gouin began her portion of the presentation on slide 6. Mr. Mundt asked about County Imposed Revenues that are listed on slide 6. He asked if Mr. Furst is projecting a decrease in property values, why there is an increase in the projection for FY 10-11. An uptick in the economy and the fact that the Tourist Tax exceeded the projection for last year is the reason. Some revenue is starting to show an upward trend. Ms. Outlaw explained that they began the workshop with an assumed 10% property value decrease. Since Mr. Furst announced the 11.5% decrease, they went back and revised the numbers in the balance of the presentation. She reviewed each slide of the Fund Balance section. The Board wanted assurances that the savings that were identified in the budget reviews were left on account, unallocated. Ms. Gouin took over the presentation with the Threshold Issues. Mr. Mundt asked about the gap in Water & Sewer District funds. Ms. Waldie explained that it is because of capital projects that are on hold. It is part of the carry forward reserves. Mr. Hensley asked if it is known when the subsidies for Tradition Field will end. Ms. Gouin answered that the Board will discuss why the subsidy is increasing during the workshop. Ms. Gouin said the Board is considering increasing the millage for Mosquito Control and reducing the millage in Erosion. Mr. Mundt pointed out that at the current rate the reserves in Mosquito Control would be gone in two years. Erosion uses their reserves to match grants for erosion projects. Citizens’ Budget Committee October 16, 2009 Page 3 Ms. Ryder explained how the grants for Transit are used for operations. Mr. Mundt asked what percentage of routes would have to be cut to meet the gap. Ms. Ryder said one of the five routes. Ms. Gouin explained how the lighting districts were set up in the 60s and the proposed changes. Mr. Mundt asked if there was a freeze on Cost of Living (COLA) raises for employees. She answered there was. Mr. Mundt asked about longevity. Ms. Gouin answered that it was not part of the freeze. She does not know what Ms. Outlaw has in mind. Ms. Lowery said it is a service award. It is a one-time payment. Not a pay increase. It has been approved for this year but it will be back on the table for FY 10-11. Mr. Mundt asked if the Clerk of Court gets most of his funding from fees. Ms. Gouin said the Clerk does finances and payroll for the Board. That cost is $1,894,407. Mr. Mundt asked about the reduction in CRA funding. The difference is a savings because it was already budgeted at a higher amount. Ms. Lowery said the message is that we have been able to close the gap the last couple years because of the fund balance. That one-time money is dwindling. We are looking at 2011-2012 being more difficult because the one-time money will not be there. There is a $6-8 million gap for 2010-2011. But they are more concerned about 2011-2012. Mr. Hensley said it has been projected that property values will level out and go back up. Ms. Lowery said we had used as much as $35 million to close the gap. That is down to $6 million. They will not rise as fast as we need them to. Mr. Hensley said the Board will have to decide if they want to cut services or raise the millage, unless someone has a good idea. Mr. Pancoast thinks the sooner decisions are made, the better. Ms. Lowery said that is why the Strategic Planning sessions were scheduled earlier than normal. APPROVAL OF MINUTES th Mr. Mundt made a motion to accept the September 18 minutes. Mr. Pancoast seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. OTHER ISSUES Ms. Ferrick asked about an article in the paper reporting a $7 billion shortfall in the Florida Department of Transportation’s five-year work program. How will that affect our County? Citizens’ Budget Committee October 16, 2009 Page 4 Mr. West said we have not seen any change at this point. At the next meeting, the Committee will approve their 2010 meeting dates and get an update on the Strategic Planning sessions. He urged the members to attend if possible. A new Chair will be elected in January. The November and December meetings will be th combined on November 20. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hensley adjourned the meeting at 8:28 a.m. Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Marlin The next CBC regular meeting will be held on Friday, November 20, 2009, at 7:30 a.m., in Conference Room #3, at the St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex.