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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Minutes 07-14-2009BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA BUDGET WORKSESSION Date: July 14, 2009 Convened: 1:33 p.m. Adjourned: 5:15 p.m. Commissioners Present: Chairperson, Paula A. Lewis, Charles Grande, Chris Craft, Chris Dzadovsky, Doug Coward Others Present: Faye Outlaw, County Administrator, Lee Ann Lowery, Asst. County Administrator, Christopher Steers, Asst. County Administrator, Marie Gouin, OMB/Purchasing Director, Millie Delgado-Feliciano, Deputy Clerk The County Administrator made opening remarks and addressed the major issues and highlights of the budget work sessions. The County Administrator alluded to the discussion previously held regarding the School Resource Officers program and how the $1.7 million dollars needed would be funded and if it was to be a one time allocation or a re-occurring expense. She also requested direction on the Jail inmate medical wing and asked where we need to start securing construction dollars to fund the money that was re-allocated. Tourism- At their July ls` meeting the council made a recommendation the Board consider stimulus funding in the amount of $150,000. For the tourism effort. Risk Management- There was a change in position within the budget, it is not a new position but it is a change as to how it has been funded in the past. It is now combined with the safety officer's position. She is proposing to go back to the two positions with the additional position being funded by the health insurance fund. Research Education Park the last discussion of the Board was to swap out the general fund money for the gaming money because is was a more secure source of funds and bonds that money out. More discussion needed. The County Administrator again stated she believed this was not a sustainable budget and it would be needed to review cost containment measures as well as cost reduction methods. This needs to be a shared effort by the BOCC and those outside the BOCC. Supervisor of Elections This budget reflects a 0 increase budget over last year which was a 9.07% decrease from 2007-2008 budget years. She advised the Board the money for the special election this year would most likely not be reimbursed until after the next legislative session. She expects a low turnout, around 10%. Com. Dzadovsky addressed there may additional cuts required next year and he would like the Constitutional Officers to start preparing this year for budget year 2010/2011. Com. Coward stated they would be reaching out to the Constitutional Officers to cut their budgets in order to help the Board meet the budget. The Supervisor of Elections stated she realizes this and is looking for ways to participate and reduce her budget for next year. She stated she believed the county should be ~~ .r ~~ looking for a more permanent location for her office. She advised the Board she has been having problems with new owners and other issues at the Orange Blossom Mall. ** It was the consensus of the Board to approve this budget. Sheriff This budget represents a reduction of $150,117 in his funding request compared with the current fiscal year's approved budget. With regard to the School Resource Deputy program, he stated he has included in his proposed budget the same level of funding as in the current fiscal year with the realization that this is only one half of the cost of maintaining this vital service at its current level. The Sheriff advised the Board in speaking with the Port St. Lucie Police Chief he was informed they would reducing their SRO staff from 22 to 6 and would be removing all SRO's from the middle schools. He is keeping 3 officers in the high schools and 3 in the elementary schools. He also advised the Board the City of Ft. Pierce will also not be allocating any funding towards this program. Com. Coward questioned the cost of the program with 2 schools closing in Port St. Lucie. The Sheriff advised the Board they did not have deputies in those two schools so that it would not affect their budget or the county's contribution to their budget. The Board had addressed picking up the School Board's portion of the county. They are not picking up the entire School Board portion. The Sheriff stated the School Board had assumed they were picking up the entire School Board's responsibility for the entire program. The Board stated this was not what they had agreed upon. The County agreed to double their contribution up to 3.34 million minus the 250,000. based on the contributions by PSL and Ft. Pierce. Com. Coward stated they started with a base amount of 1.72 million. The 3.34 million minus 1.72 already paid, leaving 1.5 or 1.6 in additional to be funded. He stated in the past the School Board picked up 50% of the program, the county 32% through the Sheriff's office, 16.5% by the City of Port St. Lucie and 3.6% the City of Ft. Pierce, now the county is funding 31 % of the 50% of the School Boards amount and the cities are stepping back. The county is doubling their contribution to the program. The Sheriff stated the total program cost is $5.5 million and the county is picking up 3.4 million of that cost. He believes they need to look for a re-occurring funding source. Com. Dzadovsky stated he did not know if the county budget could continue to be the funding source and he believes they should discuss putting a referendum on the ballot and let the citizens make the decision if they wished to be taxed to continue the program. Com. Coward stated the earliest referendum should take place is 2010 in the general election where you will have maximum voter turnout. They have been paying for the SRO program for years and he is not at the point where he would agree to increase taxes and he would like to have this discussion. Com. Craft stated he is having difficulty with still having a 2 million dollar gap. The Sheriff stated there will be coverage at all the schools except not at the same level. 2 ~~ i `~~ Corn. Coward stated he did not know how to respond. There is only so much they can do. They have still not heard from the elected officials and they need to give them the opportunity to go through their budget sessions. Com.Craft recommended having a joint meeting between all bodies concerning this issue. Com. Lewis stated she has not heard any different and she believes what she is hearing is what looks more likely to happen but she agrees they need to give the elected officials the opportunity to discuss the issue. Com. Dzadovsky stated the Sheriff may need to cut further next year in order to continue this program. The Sheriff stated they had discussed three possibilities, 1) charging a fee on the citations, 2) charging a student fee 3) MSTU Com. Coward stated they have committed to 3.34 million of the 5.2 million with 1.72 coming from the Sheriff's budget leaving a 1.62 million shortfall. He believes they should be concentrating on the 1.62. The County Administrator stated she had not built in the 1.2 million into the operating budget and if the Board goes into the 908,000 that has not been budgeted, this would then become part of this and the operating budget would be into a deficit or, if the Board elects to go to the 5.6 million for the 2010/2011 then this would be a different scenario. Com. Coward stated he believed they needed more discussion for the long term solution however, as an interim step they need to come up with one time money and have more deliberations on the long term solution. The Sheriff stated this budget does not have any raises for his employees. He believes that if they go into 3 fiscal years without realizing some increase for employees they will be doing a disservice. They need to look at compensating them somehow. Com. Dzadovsky stated everyone is in the same situation and there are those who do not have jobs. This has happened to all employees across the Board. Com. Coward stated he would love to be able to give adjustments, however it is not possible with the economic times we are in and are facing more cuts next year. He believes everyone has to share in the pain. The Sheriff advised the Board of his concern regarding the weapon systems. They are experiencing problems and 125 guns need to go through refurbishing which would cost $51,000. This may be a process they would need to take over 2 years since they have more than 125 guns in service and this would cost $170,000. They can upgrade their entire system for $117 per weapon. It is better to upgrade rather than refurbish. He stated he wanted to advise the Board that this is something they would be looking at for the next fiscal year. Jail Medical Wing- the County Administrator advised the Board staff has been looking for grant dollars as well as stimulus dollars. They have two possible bonding sources and will have further discussions with the Board on this issue. There was no further discussion. County Commission This budget reflects a 2.0% decrease. Corn. Dzadovsky stated he would be willing to reduce his budget further. He believes they should also feel the pain as much as everyone else. 3 Com. Coward stated he would consider an equal amount reduced from each Commissioner's budget rather than a percentage on different levels. Com. Craft stated he would have to look at his budget to see what that amount would be. Com. Lewis stated each Commissioner has different responsibilities and travel requirements. Com. Grande stated his expenses are next to non.' in comparison to other Commissioners. Com. Coward stated he too has many travel requirements. He believes if they are going to say their budgets are at a minimum of what can be done then it should be said, however, if they wish to reduce their budgets he recommends an equal amount for everyone. It was the consensus of the Board to approve the 2.0% reduction in the overall budget. County Administration This budget reflects a 5.1 % decrease. Sustainability and Business Development This budget reflects an 18.6%increase a recently approved position and the incentive payment to Torrey Pines. Com. Coward addressed the position and believed this person should also have the expertise on buildings, green energy and work closely with Central Services. The County Administrator stated she believed this person may not need to have all the functions under his/her supervision. In terms whether she could find someone who has the skills set in that area as well as the business development side is going to be a challenge. She is not sure if she could justify the position with just one person handling just one function and not a multitude of different functions. Com. Grande stated the concept of a business development coordinator is something he does not support. The responsibility should be under of one of the Asst. County Administrators if it should be amulti-tasking middle management position. Com. Craft stated he felt they needed a development business person in order to free up our grant writers to write up grants. The County Administrator stated there are some major job functions tied to this position. Com. Coward stated he believed you will not have an individual who will have expertise in building, energy efficiency and business development. He believes you need to get in one person who will concentrate on the county buildings and energy efficiency. Com.Craft stated they can hire a consultant for that purpose and not have a permanent staff person to do this type of work. Com. Coward stated you need a "point person" to be able to do this type of work and that would walk into a building and know what is needed to make it energy efficient. The County Administrator stated under the title Sustainability she has included that function. They have job applications and she will be reviewing them based on the discussion held here today and what the Board has stated they are looking for. She is concerned on having someone just focusing in that one area when she has so many doing a lot of other functions. 4 +~. ~~ ~r Com. Dzadovsky stated he supports the County Administrator's requirements for the position. He believes with today's economy there may be someone who fits the criteria. Cultural Affairs This budget reflects 18.4% decrease. Marine Center This budget reflects a 2.4% decrease Regional History Center This budget reflects a 4.3% decrease UDT Seal Museum This budget reflects flat budget. Tourism This budget reflects a 14.0% decrease The County Administrator stated the issue the Boazd needs to weigh in is the request of the additional $150,000 by the Tourist Development Council. $100,000 for bidding by the Sports Commission of sport events. Tourism had budgeted $150,000 for the Sports Commission, however this was an additional request. $50,000 for promotion and advertising. Com. Cowazd stated he felt this was a good one time investment and alluded to the Bahamas cooperative. Com. Craft stated he was supporting this due to the fact St. Lucie County is one of the very few counties investing in events. * * It was the consensus of the Board to approve the additional request of $150,000. Media This budget reflects a 25.3% increase. This is due to the relocation of the webmaster from IT to Media. Com. Dzadovsky addressed next year's budget and advised the department they may be looking at reductions next year and may need to save fora "rainy day". * * It was the consensus of the Boazd to approve this budget. OMB (Office of Management and Budget) This budget reflects a 10.6% decrease due to a position not being filled. OMB/Purchasing This budget reflects an 18.8% decrease. * * It was the consensus of the Boazd to approve both budgets. Human Resources This budget reflects a 1.2% decrease ($10,270). Due to health insurance being overstated. 5 They are looking to save $2 million dollars on the health insurance this coming yeaz. They will be making a presentation to the Boazd and for discussion at the upcoming budget session. Also once the health clinic is completed they should anticipate an initial $1 million in savings a yeaz. A brief discussion on the possible location of the health clinic was held, however a decision was not made. * * It was the consensus of the Boazd to approve this budget. Research and Education Pazk This budget reflects a 3.9% decrease. The County Administrator advised the Board she held this budget to the same standards as any other department. They had requested $824,190 and the recommended budget was $436,705. The Board had previously approved $4 million for the infrastructure of the pazk. Com. Craft stated once the design is completed they need to put the breaks on and start looking for stimulus dollazs with our grant writer. The County Administrator stated they will be able to have a better timeline once they have completed the work and data. The Research and Education Pazk Director stated they needed to get water and sewer into the site, without this the tenants cannot be accommodated. Com. Craft stated once the permits aze in hand the funds would be easier to obtain. Previously they could not obtain any grants due to the fact the project was in the "concept" stages. * * It was the consensus of the Boazd to approve this budget. Port with Capital This budget reflects a 19.6% decrease. For next yeaz's budget there is no general fund transfer. The County Administrator stated they would be having a discussion regarding dredging with Representative Rooney and Senator Nelson in the future. Com. Coward requested the Port be placed on an informal meeting agenda to receive an update and discuss the Taylor Creek dredging to get everyone up to speed. * * It was the consensus of the Board to approve this budget. The meeting was adjourned. 6