Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Workshop Minutes 09-29-2009BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA BUDGET WORKSHOP Date: September 29, 2009 Convened: 1:30 p.m. Adjourned: 4:45 p.m. Commissioners Present: Chairperson, Paula A. Lewis, Charles Grande, Chris Dzadovsky, Chris Craft, Doug Coward Others Present: Faye Outlaw, County Administrator, Lee Ann Lowery, Asst. County Administrator, Dan McIntyre, County Attorney, Marie Gouin, OMB Director, Jeff Furst, Property Appraiser, Joseph E. Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Ken Mascara, Sheriff, Gertrude Walker, Supervisor of Elections, Millie Delgado-Feliciano, Deputy Clerk An overview of the previous budget discussion was given by the County Administrator. The County Administrator requested policy direction from the Board for 2010/2011 budget stating this would assist her in the layout for the upr.•oming Strategic Planning Sessions in November of this year. The County Administrator provided a re-cap of the 2009/2010 budget. The Property Appraiser addressed the recovery of the economic situation. He stated the question was "what will the recovery look like?" He advised the Board it would take approximately 17 months to deplete the housing list in St. Lucie County and these are the newly built home, he has no idea how long it would take for existing homes on the market. The Property Appraiser stated he believed we were through the roughest time regarding residential problems. His best guess for 2011 it that the values would probably decrease another 5% and this would be the end of the down trend in values. He also believes in 2011 they will see the impact of the industrial end. The Management and Budget Director gave an presentation on the projected revenues. Com. Coward questioned if this was an updated projection versus the budgeted projection. The County Administrator stated if all remains the same at the end of the fiscal year. She advised the Board the working fund balance would be $88,321,824 and the base fund balance amount would be ($52,945,821) leaving a fund balance towards 2010/2011 an estimated unallocated amount of $35,376,003 for the end of 09-10 fiscal year. 2010/2011 Projection The County Administrator advised the Board if the Property Appraiser's estimated drop in values will be 11.5%, then they would have a 6.4 million dollar gap in the 10/11 budget year. She advised the Board the term "fund balance" was a mis-Homer and stated they would be changing the name next year in order to avoid confusion. The County Administrator advised the Board she is projecting the same operating figures as in 2009/2010. Com. Dzadovsky stated he had concerns with the projected dollars and they must remember they will need to hire more people back at some point. School Resource Officers Sheriff Mascara addressed the Board regarding the funding of the School Resource Officers program. He stated the two cities did not fund the program to the extent needed. The city of Port St. Lucie reduced its funding from 20 to 10 and the city of Ft. Pierce is not funding the program at all. The Board asked the School Superintendent if they had received federal stimulus dollars. Mr. Lennin stated they had received stimulus dollars however they were ear-marked and could not be shifted. They presently do not have any funds to spare and it will be worse next year. The stimulus dollars cannot be utilized for law enforcement. Com. Dzadovsky questioned if they had pursued the referendum. Dr. Judy Miller, School Board member advised the Board that all three entities must agree to the referendum and they would need to talk to the two cities. She also pointed out they needed to have a plan in case the referendum does not pass. The County Administrator advised the Board she would be presenting her plan to fund the program at the $1.72 million unless the Board directs otherwise. Com. Craft stated the $1.72 funding is accurate and he believes they will have discussions with the other entities. They could base the $1.72 as a starting point recognizing there would be a shortfall. It was the consensus of the Board to continue this worksession on Friday at 11:00 a.m.