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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-16-2010 CITIZENS’ BUDGET COMMITTEE Meeting Date: April 16, 2010 Conference Room 3 Meeting convened at 7:33 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl Hensley, Chair Craig Mundt Dana McSweeney (7:35) Randy Ezell (7:37) Dan Kurek Edith Hepburn Edward Lounds Ron Knaggs Richard Pancoast Ryan Strickland (7:59) MEMBERS ABSENT: Patricia “Pat” Ferrick Bill Casey Jay L. McBee John Culverhouse Patti Tobin OTHERS PRESENT: Faye Outlaw Lee Ann Lowery Marie Gouin Jennifer Hill Carl Holeva Mark Satterlee Don West Erick Mershon Bill Hoeffner Robert O’Sullivan Bill Hammer Mark Godwin Beth Ryder Sophia Holt Audrey Jackson Karen Smith Jack Southard Toby Long Don West Jim David Bill Hoeffner Mike Monahan Shai Frances Tom Bakkedahl Elizabeth Mackenzie Patricia Armold Gayle McMahon Harriette Rowe Hill Phill Brodeur Lydia Cason Roger Mittleman Tom Genung Steven Levin CALL TO ORDER Mr. Hensley called the meeting to order at 7:33 a.m. Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 2 JUDICIAL/STATE AGENCIES Mr. Hensley asked Court Administration to start the presentations. Chief Judge Steve Levin introduced himself and Trial Court Administrator, Tom Genung. They handed out copies of their budget (see attached). Chief Judge Levin explained how some issues are funded by the State and some by the County, such as facilities, electricity, telephone systems and computer networks. Court and recording fees help fund the system. The largest issue is courier service. They expect to have savings from the Voice- Over IP telephone system during the next year. It should save $20,000 per year. Mr. Hensley asked how they were able to reduce their numbers. Mr. Genung answered that it was because of reduced spending on the local and State level. He personally reviews every dollar that is spent. Mr. Hensley asked if there would be any reduced services. Mr. Genung said there had not been any other staff reductions. The presumption is that there would not be reduced services, but the level of service is impacted by case files. Case filings related to the economic decline have been way up. There is a backlog. The House and Senate have put money in the budgets to address those cases. Assuming the budget passes, there should be more resources available July st 1. It also depends on there being Senior Judges available. Mr. Lounds asked if there is an increased need for Judges on the criminal side. Chief Judge Levin said there is always a need for more Judges. He tries to adjust schedules. It is a juggling act. They are doing the best they can with the number of Judges they have. Mr. Lounds said that the civil defendants do not go to jail. The faster the criminal defendants are processed correctly, the less the burden is on the County for jail space. Mr. Genung agreed and told one thing they have done the past year is add more resources. Former Chief Judge Roby is spending more than half of his time addressing criminal dockets in this County. Chief Judge Levin has made a commitment to more judicial resources. The area was certified for three additional Circuit Judges and one additional County Judge. But Mr. Genung doubts that we will see those resources in the next few years. The needs grow with time. Mr. Lounds asked if the money comes from the State for Judges. It does. Chief Judge Levin followed up by explaining the way he was able to have a Judge spend more time in St. Lucie County was by decreasing the time he spent in Martin County. As Chief Judge, he has taken part of an assignment to help out. He is handling cases in addition to administrative duties. Hearing Violation of Probation (VOP) cases first, sometimes helps the Jail move the inmate in or out and move the case along faster. Mr. Lounds reported that Mr. Godwin and his group had started a program to lower the population of the Jail by using a monitoring system. He asked if more of that could be done. Chief Judge Levin answered that certain criteria must be met. They have been able to use that program a great deal, thanks to the County, Mr. Godwin and Ms. Savage. Mr. Lounds said the program has gone up dramatically and asked if that means it is Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 3 successful. Mr. Genung said Jail population was over 1600 three to four years ago. He does not think it can be attributed to a single cause, but it is now about 1200-1300. There has been a sustained, substantial decline in Jail population due to the efforts of many people. It has been a combined effort. Many have worked hard and well together. Chief Judge Levin said that unlike many Counties, this County works well together. He travels to other Counties where you would never see representatives of the different agencies in a room together. Mr. Lounds said it was like that here at one time. Mr. Lounds asked about communication between the Clerk’s office, the Jail, the Sheriff’s office and the Judges. Mr. Genung answered that over the last six to nine months, they have been having meetings with the Information Technology (IT) folks to increase those efforts. It is not a simple task. It is improving. This County is the only one in this circuit that has strongly moved forward in that area. Sharing the information is essential. It has been mandated that the court system go to electronic filing of cases. When the information comes in electronically, it can be easily shared and should expedite processes. Mr. Lounds asked the Chief Judge and Ms. Outlaw to work with the Public Safety Coordinating Council to make sure the technology is moving ahead. The more information they have, the more efficient the Judges can be. That means savings to the County. Chief Judge Levin said they are following that avenue. Mr. Genung spends hours every week trying to move it faster. Mr. Lounds said the longer a person, who has been processed, sits in Jail the more it costs the County. Mr. Mundt asked for clarification on Court Innovations. The cost on the Planning Session line more than doubled. Mr. Genung responded that it is training for staff. Last year they had to come back mid-year and ask for more money. Mr. Mundt asked about the Civil Citation dropping to zero. Mr. Genung explained that last year it was a grant program that ended abruptly. He had to come in and ask for access to the Court Innovation money to continue the program. He transferred it to the Juvenile Alternatives and Diversion monies. Mr. Mundt asked about Judicial Assistants. Mr. Genung answered that it is for temporary assistance. He gave an example of an assistant that had to be out of the office. Judges cannot operate without someone there to operate their office, taking the telephone calls. There is no way around the ethical consideration. Judges cannot talk to the people that call in. Mr. Genung reminded the group that it is not Ad Valorum dollars. It is money derived from court fees, not from tax dollars. Mr. Long added that most of the reduction of the Jail population is because of the reduction of VOP cases. That is an initiative that has paid great dividends. Chief Judge Levin said that was the intent. Mr. Long said it worked. Elizabeth Mackenzie of Guardian ad Litem (GAL) was the next speaker. She distributed their budget (see attached). Ms. Gouin said she had asked the agencies to come and give Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 4 an overview for the Committee so they would know how each agency serves the community. Not all of the groups will have their budgets. GAL is a State program that utilizes volunteers to represent children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected in Dependency Court. The State covers staff salaries. The other expenses are divided between the four counties. They are tight, but try to decrease their budget every year. The program gives the child a voice. There are attorneys assigned to everybody but the child. They are responsible to be sure the child gets needed care and their voice is heard in court. GAL has 369 volunteers in the four-county area. There are 160 in St. Lucie County representing 353 children. They just completed a class for 17 new guardians. There are 400 children waiting because they do not have the resources. Some are in foster homes, some residential facilities, some with family members or other places. The goal state-wide is to have a guardian for every child, to give them a voice and let them know somebody is going to watch out for them. She also handed out brochures (see attached). This year they decreased their technology expenses. If they divided their total budget by the 907 children they currently represent, that would come out to $377 a year per child. That is $31 a month to protect a child. The Guardians do phenomenal work. Mr. Lounds asked what they need if they had more money. Ms. Mackenzie answered that they need more Guardians and more staff to take on the cases that have no representatives. Mr. Lounds said St. Lucie County is almost 50% of the expenses and 50% of the load. Ms. Mackenzie said currently in Martin and Indian River Counties, they are assigned to 100% of the kids. The 400 that are not covered are in St. Lucie County. Mr. Mundt asked if they had potential Guardians waiting for funds. She answered that if a Guardian volunteers, she figures out a way to manage them. If she had more staff, that would be better. Now the focus is on Guardians. She has kids that need somebody. They are constantly recruiting. Mr. Lounds asked if they have State mandates. Ms. Mackenzie answered that there are policies and procedures from their State office as well as representing the best interest of the children within the court system. They are not a division of Department of Children and Families (DCF). DCF represents the family unit. GAL’s primary goal is the child. They want them to go home if possible. If not, they look for other places. They deserve to have a voice. Ms. McSweeney asked if GAL works with Child Abuse Services, Training & Life Enrichment (CASTLE). Ms. Mackenzie said they work closely with CASTLE and other agencies. CASTLE does the parenting classes for them. It is a community network. Mr. Hensley asked if they were expecting problems with State funds next year. Ms. Mackenzie said the State is already talking about more decreases. She has lost nine positions over the last two years. Each position lost affects 64 children. Chief Judge Levin felt compelled to add that in his experience in the courtroom, the GAL program is the voice they hear that is not an advocate for anyone but the child. It helps to steer the court. In his 11 years, he has been amazed that the Guardians will give hours and hours of their time without compensation. Ms. McSweeney asked if there was an increase in the number of children entering the program. Ms. Mackenzie said the number of children coming in was decreasing. There are more diversion programs. Ninety-five percent of the time, the kids need to be home Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 5 with their moms and dads. If they can help the child while Mom and Dad are getting help, they are making major strides. Mr. Mundt asked how much staff they have. Ms. Mackenzie answered that they now have 21. They lost nine the last two years. Nine times 64 children each would make the 400 children that are waiting. Mr. Mundt asked who the advocate is in Tallahassee. Ms. Mackenzie said Theresa Flurry is the new Executive Director. She works in the State office. Mr. Hensley asked if the County is providing appropriate support. She answered, “Absolutely.” Ms. Mackenzie was asked how closely she works with DCF. They work very closely. She was asked the difference. Ms. Mackenzie answered that DCF works for the whole family. GAL works just for the child. In the older generation, children were to be seen and not heard. That’s what happens in the system. Moms and Dads tell their issues. The children are the victims. GAL’s job is to fracture the cycle and let children see there is more. It is not okay for moms and dads to hit their children or do drugs. They try to help the kids see it is not their fault. They try to override DCF if needed. They present recommendations to the court. It is up to the court to decide. Mr. Hensley thanked Ms. Mackenzie and announced the Medical Examiner would be next. Dr. Mittleman had a PowerPoint presentation (see attached). He was appointed by the Governor in 2001. They work for hundreds of thousands of dollars less than other jurisdictions of similar size, partly because of the relationship with the college and because they work very efficiently. Eventually, at least part-time help will be needed. They are working above recommended guidelines. Mr. Hensley asked where the money comes from. Dr. Mittleman answered that it comes from each County and cremation fees. Mr. Hensley asked what the budget would be if they were not with the college. Dr. Mittleman said they would have to have a building, maintenance and computers. Recently, they have been allowed to use the entire building where they are currently located. Mr. Mundt asked about the increase in the Annual Workload slide. Dr. Mittleman was not sure. It may have been the increase in population. Mr. Lounds asked if the County pays the college or the Medical Examiner direct. Ms. Cason answered that the college does the bookkeeping for them. Dr. Mittleman added that it saves an enormous amount of money for the County. The Medical Examiner rents the building for $1. Ms. Gouin said the college does not charge for the fiscal services they provide. It is a tradeoff for class work. Mr. Lounds asked Ms. Outlaw if it was working well. She said it has. Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 6 Mr. Hensley asked the State Attorney’s office to go next. Mr. Bakkedahl introduced himself as the Chief Assistant State Attorney, filling in for Mr. Colton who has been under the weather. Financial Director Gayle McMahon, Harriet Rowe, the Victim Services Director, and Executive Director Phill Brodeur were with him. He began his portion with a quote from John Foster Dulles, “The primary function of government is the protection of its citizens from violence.” The State Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer in the circuit. Fort Pierce is the hub where the most attorneys are located. They are responsible for the criminal prosecution of every violation of criminal law. They are located in a four-story building on Second Street. With the assistance of the County, they have done an amazing job of packing people in the office. Last year, they processed over 6,000 felony cases through the St. Lucie County office. They run from grand theft auto to murder. They also processed 11,000 misdemeanor cases such as Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and petty theft with six attorneys. There are approximately 12 attorneys handling the felony cases. The good news is that the crime trend has been downward since mid to early 90s. Everybody likes to give law enforcement credit, but he likes to think that they helped. He thinks tougher sentencing laws have removed the people from society. There are 20 th judicial circuits in the State of Florida. In calendar year 2008, the 19 Circuit was number three in the State in terms of number of cases taken to trial, behind only Jacksonville and Miami-Dade County. They are number one in the State in total number of cases taken to trial. Budget-wise, their right arm is the Victim Services program. He wanted to strongly express how important they are. Most of the 175 to 250 cases assigned to an attorney in their office have a victim. The first response of most victims is anger. They have been violated. They need someone to spend time with them to hold their hand and get them through the system. The victim advocates free the attorneys to carry on their mission. Most of the State Attorney’s money for salaries comes from the State. They are getting wacked like everybody else. They have eliminated five trial level positions the last three years. He is hiring attorneys out of law school with seven years of higher education and $150,000 of student loans. They get paid $48,000 per year and have not had a raise in over three years. The State Attorney’s office has consistently worked with the County in terms of the budget. They realize they all have to share the pain. But if you go back to the quote, the primary function of the government is the protection of the people and that’s the business of their office. The County keeps them cool in the summer, warm in the winter, keeps the lights and computers on and allows them to communicate with people, very important functions. In terms of the good will between the offices, there are provisions that would authorize them to enter into a contract and charge the County for prosecution of County ordinance violations, such as alcohol in the park. Historically, they have provided that service free to the County because of the good working relationship. Mr. Lounds asked if the communications side of their office is working well. Mr. Bakkedahl Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 7 answered that it is not perfect, but they are getting there. They have been working on it. It did not happen overnight. Mr. Lounds said there was an effort to make that happen. Mr. Bakkedahl said it is ongoing, consistent, and continuous. Mr. Lounds added that it is dynamic, always changing. He asked if the County could help. Mr. Genung is trying to fast-track the project. He is the guy on the State level that is identifying data elements for e-filing. There is a huge tie-in to get things rocking locally. The Clerk’s office and Sheriff’s office have put it in high gear and are sharing data now. The next e-filing arena is criminal. Mr. Bakkedahl agrees that speeding up the process saves the County money at the Jail. Mr. Lounds added that it has to be done correctly. His questions on how to relieve the burden at the Jail is because of the potential of putting federal inmates in there. Making it more efficient at the Jail helps everybody. Mr. Bakkedahl said the attorneys in Drug Court and Mental Health Courts also have regular case loads. They are doing double-time duty. He recognizes how important it is to St. Lucie County from a fiscal perspective. They will not save money at the expense of public safety. Chief Judge Levin added that ten years ago they did not have the special courts. They are taking the same number of Judges and Prosecutors and putting them into different groups so they can more efficiently put people in the right place. Judge Cox is handling about 175 people in Mental Health Court to help them get where they need to be, so they do not abuse themselves or society. He has 75-80 in Adult Drug Court and 30-40 in Juvenile Drug Court that he hopes will not victimize others again. The key point he is hearing and seeing is the State Attorney and Public Defender with fewer attorneys are covering more courtrooms so the Judges can do better. They are strapping themselves. It is remarkable when you think about how much has changed the last ten years. Mr. Lounds asked if Mr. Bakkendahl knows of any mandates coming that will fall on the County to perform. Mr. Bakkendahl answered that they have altered the sentencing guidelines. It is now more difficult to send people to prison. If the State Attorney is not allowed to send the inmate to prison and feels the need to give the person the most jail time possible, he must keep him locally which means one more bed the County is paying for. He was not aware of any others at the time. Mr. Lounds asked who makes the decision if a VOP goes back before the Judge or to Jail. Mr. Bakkedahl said 95% result in an arrest by warrant that has been reviewed by a Judge. They do not have to make any filing decisions. Next, they appear at the defendant’s first appearance before a Judge. If they think it is un-provable, they would dismiss it. Otherwise, it would be fast tracked in Judge Roby’s court. There is not much discretion at the front end. There could be a bond hearing. Mr. Lounds asked them to continue with the groups. They are unique in the State in being able to work things out. Mr. Mundt asked if they had requested anything from the County that they had not received. Mr. Bakkedahl said he made his pitch for Victim Services. He can’t tell how important they are to his office. The County has always supported it. He thinks they recognize that it is a necessary, vital function. It is constitutionally mandated under Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 8 victim’s rights. Mr. Mundt asked for clarification of number one in cases taken to trial. Mr. Bakkedahl explained they do try more cases here by sheer volume, circuit-wide they are number one in the percentage of all cases taken to trial and they are number three in the total number. Mr. Mundt asked if the reason is because they do not accept plea bargains as readily and want to go to trial. Mr. Bakkedahl thinks the mentality is that our community is still blessed to be able to seek justice. A quick example was that a guy came from Miami who had nine prior grand theft autos. The worst sentence there was a withhold adjudication, meaning he was not a convicted felon. He came here and got ten years in prison as a habitual offender. Mr. Hensley asked the Public Defender’s office to be next. Ms. Pat Armold introduced herself as the Administrative Director from the Public Defender’s office. She does all the budget work. She may not know some information regarding the day-to-day handling of cases. She is representing Diamond Litty. Their office is mostly State funded. Less than 5% of their budget comes from St. Lucie County. Their State budget is $5.3 million now. They have been cut the last several years. They have managed to reduce some staff through attrition. Ms. Armold said the Public Defender is a constitutional office created by Chapter 27.50 and represents persons declared indigent under 27.52. It is the Clerk’s job to screen the defendants. They represent a charged person if there is jail time involved. They do not select their clients. Their mission is to protect the constitutional rights of all citizens. The main focus is to make sure everyone gets a fair trial. In the County’s FY 2008-2009, they handled 13,867 cases. That is near the number the State Attorney handled. This year st from October 1 to the present, they have handled almost 6,600 cases. They take a holistic approach to their clients. They have a Client Services program that works with the Mental Health Court program office to safely divert non-violent offenders out of Jail and into community settings with wrap-around services. This has been very successful. St. Lucie County currently funds two positions in the Client Services program in their office. The money is a grant match. St. Lucie County also provides a person at the Jail to help expedite cases and alleviate overcrowding. The Client Services program has handled over 981 mental health cases to date with 264 graduates. They have a 7% recidivism rate within that program. The normal recidivism rate is 85%. The Mental Health Court is working to keep people out of Jail and in the community safely. Ms. Armold said their office won the 2009 Davis Productivity award. She thinks it is tied to a tax watch group. The award was for their participation in the Mental Health Advocacy Team. The two people St. Lucie County provides for the Mental Health Court program represents less than 2% of the total budget. They normally have about 200 clients, which is more than all the Drug Courts in the entire circuit. She gave the details: Tuesdays at Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 9 2:00 p.m., in the St. Lucie County Courthouse with Judge Cox presiding, and invited anyone interested to attend. Ms. Armold said their reentry program that helps prepare offenders in the County Jail to transition back into the Community reduces recidivism while increasing public safety. They assisted 570 inmates in calendar year 2009 and 149 this year. This program is funded by DCF and their office. They do not receive funds from the County for that program. They did reduce their budget to St. Lucie County by $5,000 this year. She wishes it could be more. The County provides housing, utilities, maintenance and janitorial services. None of that is presented in her budget. Mainly, what she presents is telephone expenses, a small amount of utilities, a little administrative rent that is shared by the four Counties, and IT expenses. They share lines with the State Attorney’s office. They try to share costs with the State Attorney and Court Administration where possible. They constantly look for savings. They were scheduled to replace work stations, but they decided to continue to use half of them. Mr. Mundt asked the dollar figure of the 5% the County provides. Ms. Armold answered that last year their budget request was just under $274,000 for the current year. The FY2010-2011 budget request is approximately $269,000. Mr. Hensley asked if she thinks the County is doing the best they can. Ms. Armold replied that they have done an excellent job, and her office is grateful. The building downtown was a godsend. They are fortunate that the County has been a good partner. They do not have a lot to offer on the transfer of information, but it is critical that they receive the information. They cannot open a case until it has been recorded by the Clerk. People call before they have a record. It is vital that they participate. Their IT Director is attending the meetings. Mr. Mundt asked about the clients being decided by the Clerk’s office. He asked if a Judge supervises. Ms. Armold explained the task of determining indigence fell to the Clerks. When a person is arrested and wants a Public Defender, there is a financial affidavit to complete. The Clerk must follow guidelines. The Judge can override the Clerk’s decision. Chief Judge Levin said they verify the situation if it is brought to them. Mr. Mundt asked for clarification about the program the County does not support. Ms. Armold answered the reentry program works with DCF. Ms. Outlaw added that one of the attorneys at the Jail is funded out of the County Attorney’s budget. Mr. Hensley thanked Ms. Armold. Ms. Outlaw thanked Chief Judge Levin. Mr. Hensley welcomed the new member, Ryan Strickland. TH APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 19 MEETING Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 10 th Mr. Mundt made a motion to approve the March 19 minutes. The motion was seconded and it was unanimously approved. OTHER ISSUES Mr. Hensley told the Committee that Ms. Ferrick was not able to attend the meeting. She had submitted information about millage rates (see attached). Mr. Hensley asked for feedback. Mr. Mundt asked if Ms. Ferrick was in favor of an increase. Mr. Hensley gets the impression the Committee thinks they should make some kind of recommendation. Mr. Mundt asked if Ms. Outlaw had looked at the pages. She is looking at millage rates on at least a weekly basis. Mr. Mundt asked what the impact would be. Ms. Outlaw answered that she is not in a position to walk through the impact of a millage increase and how it would help with the budget, primarily because what the Committee does, needs to be independent of input from her because of the Board’s directive to her to not include a millage increase. She cannot go against their instructions. She did point out that this is a matter that Ms. Ferrick brought forward, and she thinks Ms. Ferrick would want to be there when it was discussed. Ms. Outlaw would excuse herself from the discussion. The Board’s Strategic Planning session will not be until after the Committee’s May meeting. The Board’s budget reviews are scheduled for July. At their June meeting, the Committee could discuss the information from Strategic Planning before the July budget reviews. She thinks June would be the time to decide if they want to make a recommendation. They will know the Board’s position on services. Mr. Hensley asked if an opinion now would be better than after Strategic Planning. Won’t they be set on what they are going to do? Ms. Outlaw answered they are not necessarily set. She does not think it would be better now because the person who has taken the leadership position is not there. They have another meeting before Strategic Planning. They could still make a recommendation. Mr. Mundt asked if the Committee would have an opportunity to look at her proposals for the department budgets. She answered that they certainly would before the July meeting. At the June meeting, the Committee will have her recommendations on all budgets before the Board’s budget reviews. Mr. Knaggs summarized that the May meeting will be millage, the June meeting will be the County Administrator’s recommendations and in July the Board meets. Mr. Kurek asked the status of the changes or layoffs. Ms. Outlaw said the schedule for implementation of the realignment is being done in three phases. They are still in the process of implementing the phase that started in April. They have realigned Planning and Development. There have been some layoffs in the Building Operation which is an rd Enterprise Fund. Eight employees were laid off on April 3. At the peak of the development, there were 53 employees. Enterprise means the revenues generated from the fees have to cover the expenditures in that operation. Because of the downturn in the economy, there have been two prior layoffs. There are now 12 employees. If it goes further, her recommendation will be to outsource it. They are at a bare bone minimum. Some of the other departments have been consolidated, but there have not been layoffs. She is behind schedule. But her philosophy is to do it for the right reason and in the right Citizens’ Budget Committee March 19, 2010 Page 11 manner. If she is not ready, she is pushing it back a week or two. At the May meeting, she will have a full report on the first phase of the realignment. Mr. Knaggs suggested it be a permanent part of the agenda until the program is completely implemented. He does not want the Committee to be caught short like they were at the meeting a few weeks earlier when it was asked if the Citizen’s Budget Committee had made a recommendation. He feels they are obligated to stay behind her but without monthly reports they would not be able to do that. Ms. Outlaw agreed. She is trying to keep the Committee and her Board informed. She will try to do monthly updates. There may be months where there is nothing that she is in a position to report. Going back to the question of the Committee having input, you would have heard wrath from the Board if she had brought the realignment proposal to the Committee before the Board heard it. Even though one Commissioner asked the question, she was not in a position to bring it to the Committee, and she believes the Commissioner rethought the question and realized that. When she can, she will bring things to the Committee first. She knows he understands. Mr. Knaggs does understand and was making the point that there have been two meetings, and he thinks it should be on the agenda so they do not have to ask. It is probably the biggest single project in the County at the moment. Mr. Kurek agreed that it should be on the agenda every month. Ms. Outlaw has no problem with it being a standing item on the agenda. Mr. Hensley asked if there were any other issues. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hensley adjourned the meeting at 9:10 a.m. Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Marlin The next CBC regular meeting will be held on Friday, May 21, 2010, at 7:30 a.m., in Conference Room #3, at the St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex.