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Home My WebLink AboutBudget Public Hearing Minutes 09-07-2006 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA TENTATIVE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING Date: September 7, 2006 Convened: 6:00 p.m. Adjourned: 855 p.m. Commissioners Present: Chairman, Doug Coward, Chris Craft, Paula A. Lewis, Frannie Hutchinson, Joseph Smith Others Present: Doug Anderson, County Administrator, Dan McIntyre, County Attorney, Robert Nix, Growth Management Director, Beth Ryde4r, Community Services Director, Jack Southard, Public Safety Director, Marie Gouin, Management and Budget Director, Jim David, Mosquito Control, Ed Fry, Clerk of Circuit Courts, Michael Brillhart, Strategy and Special Projects Director, Ken Mascara, Sheriff, Diana Lewis, Airport Director, Millie Delgado-Feliciano, Deputy Clerk 1.REVIEW OF THE AGENDA The Management and Budget Director reviewed the agenda . A Power Point presentation was made by the County Administrator titled, “2007 Budget Highlights Where the Money Goes 2.PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007- The purpose of the public hearing was to adopt a Tentative Millage Rate and a Budget. 3.A discussion and reading of the Rolled Back Rate was held. The roll back rate is 6.6262 4.COMMENTS ON ERATTA AND SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES No comments were made 5.MILLAGES AND BUDGETS UNDER THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Millage Budget OPERATING FUNDS WITH MILLAGES: General Fund 4.2734 $137,780,169 Fine & Forfeiture Fund 2.3778 70,110,162 DEPENDENT DISTRICTS Mosquito Control District Fund 0.2200 7,051,703 Mosquito State I 37,025 Erosion District Zone E 0.1000 4,760,765 DEBT SERVICE FUNDS Environmental Land I & S 0.0823 2,946,155 Port I & S 0.0154 682,014 1 South County Regional Stadium 54,318 Communication System I & S 1,213,387 5 Year Building Bond 10,879,341 County Capital I & S 178,758 Becker Road I & S 290,623 Beach Bond I & S 0 Impact Fees I & S 262,164 Capital Projects I & S 9,171 th Tourism Dev. 4 Cent I & S 1,717,422 River Branch I & S 40,064 State Revenue Sharing Bonds I & S 3,610,943 Transportation Trust I & S 5,200,000 OTHER FUNDS WITHOUT MILLAGES SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS Transportation Trust Fund 84,948,726 Grants & Donations 633,120 Library Special Grants Fund 206,578 Additional Court Costs 0 Drug Abuse Trust Fund 19,776 Port and Airport Fund 18,564,193 Port MSBU 58,963 Plan Maintenance RAD 311,650 th 5 Cent Tourist Development Fund 273,026 Court Facilities Fund 3,186,208 Court Facilities Fund-Court Costs 149,828 th Court Administration 19 Circuit 2,395,575 Housing Finance Authority 49,286 Environmental Lands 0 Housing Assistance SHIP Program 8,558,946 Boating Improvement Projects 510,950 Bluefield Ranch Improvement Fund 107,428 CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDS South County Regional Stadium 0 Beach Bond 0 Impact Fees Fund 28,029,913 5 Year Building Bond Fund 5,111,173 County & Transportation Capital 23,795,896 County Capital State Revenue Share Bond 11,843,774 Lakewood Park Capital Fund 0 Port Development Capital 0 Sports Complex Improvements 377,732 MSBU In House Loan Funds 815,506 Environmental Land Capital 4,636,900 Treasure Cove/Ocean Harbor Capital 2,748,470 Lennard Road MSBU (Road) Capital 159,633 Lennard Road MSBU (Water) Capital 58,626 Lennard Road MSBU (Sewer) Capital 45,441 Grey Twig MSBU Capital 0 ENTERPRISE FUNDS Solid Waste Operations 29,849,313 2 Golf Course 1,703,288 Sports Complex 2,133,686 Building Code Fund 5,626,041 HEW Utilities 0 N. Hutchinson Utilities 0 N. Hutchinson Utilities Renewal/Repl. 0 N. Hutchinson Utilities Capital 0 So. Hutchinson Utilities 2,261,716 So. Hutchinson Fund R & R Fund 324,346 Holiday Pines Operations 5,845,385 Holiday Pines Renewal/Repl. 371,920 Holiday Pines Capital 5,072,000 Airport Utilities District Capital 0 INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS Insurance & Loss 19,497,800 TRUST FUNDS Two-Cent Tourist Development 1,113,701 One Cent Tourist Development 688,436 Law Enforcement Trust Fund 277,880 Law Library 460,692 Arts in Public Places Trust Fund 901,451 SLC Economic Dev. Trust Fund 185,887 FFA Road MSBU Fund (Debt Service) 0 South Hutchinson Fund (Debt Service) 3,850,621 Driftwood Manor Fund (Debt Service) 31,077 King Orange MSBU (Debt Service) 52,849 Lost Tree Estates 11,705 Anita Street MSBU (Debt Service) 9,400 Timberlake Estates MSBU (Debt Service) 46,746 Briargate Estates MSBU (Debt Service) 4,423 Rouse Road MSBU (Debt Service) 72,364 North A1A MSBU (Debt Service) 10,899 Ideal Holding Road MSBU (Debt Service) 61,414 Westglen MSBU (Debt Service) 45,747 Raintree Forest MSBU (Debt Service) 12,110 River Branch EST MSBU (Debt Service) 0 Grey Twig MSBU (Debt Service) 0 Treasure Cove Ocean Harbor 73,344 King Orange 2 MSBU 9,975 Skylark 2 MSBU 7,731 Revels Lane MSBU 12,979 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. William Doherty, representing Nettles Island, presented the attached comments regarding the budget and the millage rate. Mr. Terre Coope4r, 4706 Regina Drive, addressed the Board regarding his property taxes and what he felt was the lack of service being provided for his area. He addressed the many code violations and the speeding in his area and felt the county had not provided traffic calming signs. Mr. Tom Schoenberg, 3000 Indigo Bunting Ct.. Savanna Club, addressed the Board regarding the area having manufactured homes and paying taxes as if they were regular homes but being treated as if they were a sub-standard community. They felt they were not receiving any benefits to warrant such taxes. 3 Mr. Joe Lowry, 111 N.E. Charleston Drive, addressed having a commercial property and his taxes escalating 67% from $10,000 to$18,000. He stated he would need to pass this cost on to his tenants who in turn would pass them on to the consumer. He requested the Board’s assistance for those who have businesses. Ms. Lorena Chiniboga, 2066 S.E. Franciscan St, addressed the Board regarding her taxes which she felt had increased 500%. She stated her opposition and concerns. Ms. Karen Kovatsi, 6312 Spring Lake Terrace, addressed the Board and stated property values had come down however the prices of the homes have increased. She is a single female and is having a difficult time paying her taxes. Ms. Nancy Covtant, 4918 Buchanan Drive, Indian River Estates, addressed the Board regarding the assessment of properties increasing and felt she was being taxed out of the state. Ms. Lauretta Finley, 4801 Snail Kite Lane, addressed the Board in opposition to the increased taxes and not receiving any services. She presently does not have a good water or sewer system, does not have garbage pickup or roads. Ms. Audrey Ward, 214 SW Coconut Key Way, addressed the Board in opposition to the property taxes and stated she could not retire due to the increased cost. Ms. Jackie Shulman, 10741 Grey Heron Ct.. addressed the Board and stated her taxes had not increased tremendously and thanked the Board for providing the services recommended and keeping the costs down. Ms. BeverlyWatson, 1618 SW Janette Ave., addressed the Board regarding her increased property taxes. She stated her taxes were more than her income. Mr. Anthony Ervolino, 9800 S. Ocean Drive, addressed the Board and thanked them for reducing the millage rate in 2005 however, this year they have increased and he has not moved back into the home and is still living in an apartment. He asked if an adjustment would be possible. The Property Appraiser advised Mr. Ervolino to visit his office and they would review the problem. He advised everyone present that should you still have hurricane damage st that has not been repaired by January 1 they are able to apply for a credit. The Property Appraiser advised those present his office could only utilize the sales data that took place on 2005. 2005 was a year when the values increased tremendously and what has happened in 2006 cannot be reflected until 2007. Mr. Richard DiMaio, 6005 Santa Margarita Drive, Portofino Shores addressed the Board and stated he concurred with the comments made by the Nettles Island group. He also felt he was not getting the services for the taxes. Mr. Doug Reed, 1095 Buckhead Drive, Vero Beach, representing Pursuit Boats addressed the Board and stated his employees were very concerned about affording the taxes and if they would be able to remain in St. Lucie County. He stated they have a difficult problem recruiting people due to the cost of housing. Ms. Stephanie Neves, 2309 S.E. Beechwood Terrace, addressed the Board and stated she was shocked at her tax bill and advised them her taxes were now 1/3 of her income and suggested a tiered millage system. Mr. Russell Erickson, 7506 Don Lon Road, Lakewood Park, stated he had concerns on how his assessed value could increase 78% and his assessed taxed value increase 445% and his exemptions have remained the same. Ms. Susie Caron, 8500 Indrio Road, addressed the Board and stated the Board must maintain what we have today, a good quality of life. 4 Ms. Delores Charles, 492 N.W. Riverside Drive, addressed the Board in opposition to her taxes increasing an additional $500.00 per month due to her being new to the area. The County Attorney addressed the discretion of taxation laws. Mr. Jay Maycumber, 8680 Indrio Road, addressed the Board and stated people must realize the equity they have in their multiple properties and he thanked the Board for lowering the millage rate. Mr. Steve Righter, 5421 N.W. Clark Ave., addressed the Board and stated he agreed the problem must be handled at the State level and asked the Board to keep the taxes at the same level as last year until it is resolved. Dr. Martin Lasin, 1967 S.E. Port St. Lucie Blvd., addressed the Board and advised them his taxes had increased $6,000 from last year. Ms. Judy Piersal, addressed the Board and stated her taxes had increased tremendously and felt she could not afford to live here anymore. Mr. Craig Mundt, North Hutchinson Island, addressed the Board and stated he appreciated the Board’s collaborative efforts with the various departments . 5.B Board discussion Com. Coward the Board’s pattern of reducing the millage rates over the past years and stated they needed the residents support to bring the issue to the state level. Com. Craft stated he too thought the taxes were too high and asked the residents to assist the Board in addressing this issue with the state. 5.C It was moved by Com. Hutchison, seconded by Com. Lewis, to adopt the tentative millages for funds under the County Commission as published in the budget and listed in the agenda, and; upon roll call, motion carried unanimously. 5.D It was moved by Com. Craft, seconded by Com. Smith, to adopt the tentative budgets for funds under the County Commission as listed in the agenda, and upon roll call, motion carried unanimously. 6.MILLAGES AND BUDGETS OF THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS 6.A The following are the Tentative Millages for the Special Districts STREET LIGHTING DISTRICTS # 1 River Park 1 0.2394 54,702 # 2 River Park II 0.4330 11,115 # 3 Harmony Heights 3 0.5678 5,025 # 4 Harmony Heights 4 0.3958 9,886 # 5 Sheraton Plaza 0.4644 12,108 # 6 Sunland Gardens 0.4279 11,367 # 7 Sunrise Park 0.5929 3,850 # 8 Paradise Park 0.9723 13,861 # 9 Holiday Pines 0.1898 16,853 #10 The Grove 0.1194 4,641 #11 Blakely Subdivision 1.9418 2,886 #12 Indian River Estates 0.0873 18,273 #13 Queens Cove 0.0721 6,256 #16 Palm Grove 0.4575 14,758 #126 Southern Oaks 0.5194 3,654 5 6B. Board Discussion on the Millage and the Budget 6.C It was moved by Com. Smith, seconded by Com. Craft, to adopt the tentative millages for funds for the Special Districts as published in the budget and listed in the agenda, and upon roll call, motion carried unanimously. 6.D It was moved by Com. Hutchinson, seconded by Com. Craft, to adopt the tentative budgets for funds of the Special Districts as listed in the agenda, and upon roll call, motion carried unanimously. 7.MILLAGES AND BUDGETS OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING DISTRICTS 7.A The following are the Millages and Budgets for the MSTU’s Unincorporated Area MSTU (Comm. Dev) 0.4641 6,737,587 Storm Water MSTU 0.5082 13,811,123 Law Enforcement MSTU 0.3188 2,867,512 Parks MSTU 0.2500 21,995,004 Transit MSTU 0.0900 2,949,943 Monte Carlo/Meadowood Lighting MSTU # 4 0.3071 30,735 Palm Lakes Gardens MSTU 0.2774 5,815 Pine Hollow Street Lighting MSTU 7,055 Kings Highway Industrial Park Lighting 11,095 7.B Board Discussion on the Tentative Millage and the Budgets for the MSTU’s as published in the Budget and listed in the Agenda. 7.C It was moved by Com.Lewis, seconded by Com. Hutchinson, to adopt the Tentative Millages as published in the Budget and as listed in the Agenda, and; upon roll call, motion carried unanimously. 7.D It was moved by Com. Hutchinson, seconded by Com. Smith, to adopt the Tentaive Budget for MSTU’s as listed in the Agenda, and; upon roll call, motion carried unanimously. 8.It was moved by Com. Smith, seconded by Com. Craft, to adopt Resolution No. 06-276 fixing the FY 2006-2007 Tentative Millage Rates, and; upon roll call, motion carried unanimously. 9.It was moved by Com. Smith, seconded by Com. Hutchinson, to adopt Resolution No. 06-277 fixing the FY 2006-2007 Tentative Budget, and; upon roll call, motion carried unanimously. There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. _______________________ Chairman __________________________ Clerk of the Circuit Court 6