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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Workshop Minutes 07-06-2006BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA BUDGET WORKSESSION Date: July 6, 2006 Convened: 10:00 a.m. Tape: 1-3 Adjourned: 4:45 p.m. Commissioners Present: Chairman, Doug Coward, Chris Craft, Paula A. Lewis, Frannie Hutchinson, Joseph Smith Others Present: Doug Anderson, County Administrator, Marie Gouin, Management and Budget Director, Millie Delgado-Feliciano, Deputy Clerk The County Administrator addressed the Board and reviewed the recommended adjustments made on July 5, 2006 and outstanding issues. He advised the Board they have broken it out into 3 funds, General, Fine and Forfeiture and Non-ad valorem. Under the General Fund, $10,000 added for staff development under Human Resources. Under Central Services they have removed the jail master plan, the Civic Center lobby, Jail roof replacement, equipment and added $10,000 to the operating reserves. The net decrease of the General Fund as of 7/5/06 by $261,052.00, Fine and Forfeiture (the additional funding for Criminal Justice Coordinator programs. There was one program questioned, the Juvenile Assessment Center the $54,000 was not needed, the funds were in the budget. Under Fine and Forfeiture there was an added amount of $1,143,560. Under Non Ad-Valorem, Solid Waste he took $300,000 for a visual buffer. The outstanding issues were : 1) A report on the parks referendum, 2) additional money from taxes, they will be working on this, 3) Weed and Seed (to be discussed later), 4) time and location of mental health court, 5)media relations will bring back the cost of a server,6) additional information on Taylor Dairy Road, 7)contacting Lake County to see what they did for their Turnpike Lighting Program, 8)update on jail nursery, 9) the fuel farm will come up with recommended amount to transfer from our gas operating account to capital for a fuel farm, 10)water quality enhancement projects down Indian River Drive, 11)current sidewalk capital projects under design and identify capital funding. The presentation made the previous day was reviewed once again. TAX COLLECTOR - This budget is not due until August 1 (DOR) no comments made. Tape 1 /Tab 52.1 CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT This budget reflects an increase of 7.44% this is a revised budget. The Clerk of the Courts, Mr. Edwin M. Fry, Jr. was present to answer any questions the Board of County Commissioners may have relative to his increase. The Clerk advised the Board he mainly focusing on upgrading the phone system, replacement of Howard computers. He is also creating a new position, an Enterprise Fund Accountant to assist with the business type activities for the County. Mr. Fry commented on unbudgeted items such as the renovation for the old courthouse and stated he would appreciate it being funded. He also commented on the parking lot and stated he hoped there would be 2 floors added to the parking garage and addressed another parking lot for employees on the east side of Indian River Drive this would enable more residents and jurors to park in the parking garage. Com. Craft asked if he was adequately staffed with clerks to assist the judges in the courtrooms. Mr. Fry stated he believed he had adequate staff and stated he would add staff for the new judge if so appointed. Com. Smith recommended making downtown Ft. Piece pedestrian friendly and possibly having a trolley run between the courthouse and other parking areas. He suggested looking at other ideas and coordinating with the city and the Regional Planning Council. * * It was the consensus of the Board to approve this budget. PROPERTY APPRAISER This budget reflects a 5.63% increase. The Property Appraiser advised the Board he has been working with the State on the original budget submitted. They were having difficulty coming up with hard numbers on items they have been working on. They have actually reduced their budget and are working at $5.3 million. They expended $100,000 due to the hurricane and putting back what they needed. He stated he had a discussion with the State and expressed his concern with his department not having emergency reserves or a contingency fund. The State advised the Property Appraiser that he could have an emergency contingency fund and this is a significant item in this year's budget. They are placing $100,000 in this fund due to the fact the State informed him he could receive assistance from the State. The County Administrator stated he needed the affect on the General Fund. The Property Appraiser stated they received shared Information Technology services with the County. They were advised this service was being raised 300%. They decided to drop away $60,000 of the $100,000 + and drop the Banner program and purchase their own. The County Administrator stated the $60,000 will affect his revenues coming in and plus the expenses on the side. The banner revenue is going to drop from the $120,000 to $60,000. The Management and Budget Director stated they would also need to drop the position supporting the Property Appraiser. The Property Appraiser advised the Management and Budget Director they had two positions supporting the department. These positions would come back to the County's budget. The Property Appraiser stated he needed for someone to come up with what services were being provided for the remaining $60,000, no one seems to know. The County Administrator stated they would work it out. The Property Appraiser stated they are having to deal with personnel costs and technology costs due to the roll numbers. He is running the department with 65 people and the state revised number for personnel is 75 this year. He advised the Board of the many data requests he is receiving from the cities and others and this also affects personnel. ** The adjusted numbers will be brought to the Board on Friday. 2 SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS This budget reflects an 11.84% increase due to the increase in rent. * * It was the consensus of the Board to approve this budget. SHERIFF The Sheriff thanked Chairman Coward and the County Administrator for taking the time to meet with him to discuss the budget. The Sheriff reviewed how he lowered his budget from $62.8 million to $59.2 million. He stated they removed the entire contingency amount of one half million dollars, removed all capital expenditures of $1.2 million which included new patrol cars and $200,000 of other capital outlay. They removed 23 of the requested 82 new positions which saved roughly 3/4 of a million dollars. They did not reduce raises, they staggered them through the year which saved $378,000. With the removal of the 23 positions the benefits were reduced by $271,000 and they went back and fine tuned their expenditures by just under '/z million dollars. They are today at $59,233,566. There are market driven costs i.e. health insurance, retirement, insurance, jail medical and jail food totaled just under $3.5 million dollars. This also equates to 40% of their requested increase. The yearly average for `06' of inmate population is 1333 per day which is 140 over last year's average daily population. With this continuing rise the Board funded 13 additional deputies to off set the inmate to deputy ratio which will come down to 6.09 per 1 correction officer. In this budget he has requested an additional 23 correctional officers and these positions will be phased in throughout the year they are not budgeted to start October 1St, this would bring the ratio down to 5.51 to 1 correction officer. The Sheriff advised the Board, jail bookings has increased 47.75% since `O1' and jail population has increased 70% since `O1'. The present detention need is 13 deputies to assist with Pod 2. The 13 deputies that the Board has assigned as of July 1 and funded would be shifted to over to Pod 2 so that they have a full compliment of deputies in Pod 2, they would then use the 10 new deputies to assist with the ratios, they have added 4 support staff with this budget request and all together that includes a 1.857 million dollar cost. Law Enforcement The Sheriff stated he had reviewed this area in their private meeting. The law enforcement needs in this budget include 12 new deputies and they will be trickled throughout the law enforcement functions of the Sheriff's office including road patrol, CID and SIU this also includes 9 support staff ,the cost of these new positions is roughly $635,000. and, will be hired staggered throughout the year these have not been funded for October as yet. In addition to the law enforcement needs, of the deputies they will need 5 new court security deputies to answer the new judges positions that are currently there as well as the one expected for January `07'. They need 3 new civil deputy positions to help out with the increased work load with the judges and the clerks and 3 school resource deputies that will be positioned in the new schools. Total cost for all these positions is just under''/z million dollars. The Sheriff stated the scheduled raises for everyone excluding the bargaining unit is 1.8 million dollars or 22%. Com. Coward requested more detail on the raises as it related to the salary survey. The Sheriff stated they have 3 bargaining units within the Sheriff's office. 3 They have placed a 3% step raise for all employees whether in the bargaining unit or not. This has been historically done from year to year. For the non-union employees they have implemented staggering through the year, 1 /3 starting October 1St and 2/3 April 1St. The County Administrator stated, for clarification purposes the Sheriff adjusted budget was $50,932,042 total from last year and this was after they okay'd the 10 deputies and the 13 correction officers. Staff had budgeted a 12% increase over and above this which came out to $6,111,629 which is in the current budget. The difference the Sheriff is requesting is in addition to that of $2,191,695., this brings his requested budget up to $59,233,566. The number to be discussed this morning is the $2,191,695. Com. Coward asked the County Administrator if he was comfortable with the budget, the revised request presented this morning. The County Administrator stated that he was. Com. Smith stated he had a question on the capital expenditures and how they could get back on schedule since he did not know when was the last time he was able to purchase vehicles. He felt more comfortable if they could put at least a number out there to at least give the Sheriff to start him back on that program again versus what he has now which is nothing. Com. Coward stated he was under the impression they were giving back the interest earned specifically for capital. The Sheriff stated they were going to ask for this and asked the Board to take into consideration the 10 new grant positions that the Board permitted him to hire, those vehicles were purchased with impact fees and all the new positions today, those vehicles would also be funded with impact fees. Com. Craft stated his concern with the estimated fuel costs. He believes the estimates are high and believes it can come down. The Finance Director for the Sheriff s office stated without a contingency if the fuel costs were to rise to $5.00 a gallon there may be a problem. Com. Craft stated he would be more than happy to support providing additional funds for the Sheriff's office should the fuel costs get too high. Com. Coward suggested keeping $200,000 in the budget for fuel increases and if it is not utilized the funds can be used to purchase vehicles. Com. Craft stated he still had an issue with the corrections end of the budget due to still having a way to go with the implementation of the programs. Once the goal is accomplished, they will eliminate a lot of pressure currently at the jail. He stated if he had the support he would recommend only the hiring of the 13 deputies, however, since he is not confident he has that support, he is recommending the total $1.1 million left from the Criminal Justice Coordinator's program, that they would split those costs between the Sheriff's office and the revised budget for employees, they pay for half of that cost from those funds and the Board take $600,000 off of this request and then the county would fund the additional $600,000. The Sheriff stated the additional deputies are needed and he felt a better solution would be to fund the 23 deputies by June of next year they would hope to have all of the maintenance done and the pods open with the manpower the Board is funding them here and he would much rather rent the beds to the Feds and produce the income to offset the Criminal Justice Coordinator's programs. Com. Craft stated he would rather get the system under control before looking at bringing in federal inmate programs and other counties. 4 Com. Craft stated he would like to give the Sheriff half of the request for the jail and fund them completely on what they have asked. Com. Coward stated he continues to be supportive of funding both the program and the jail. He felt this budget helps them achieve both and felt this is what should be done. The officer's safety is a main concern and the ratio still remains high. Com. Hutchinson stated they had held a discussion regarding moving forward with some of the programs and consider doing a classification for the jail together with the Public Safety Committee and brining it back so that everyone is aware of what is going on. The grading of the programs next year would determine whether or not the programs worked and if we would continue funding them or drop them. The other idea was to come forward in January to do a six month review and let them know where they were, the renovations would be done and they would then know if they could move forward with the federal inmate program and this would off-set the cost of the salaries, this was always the intent to get there. Com. Lewis stated she felt they did not reduce the inmate population number, but have stabilized the numbers. She felt $1.1 is not a negotiable issue and felt they are playing catch up and now is the time to do this while they have it and would like to get things where they are supposed to be and make the Sheriff comfortable. There is a safety issue as well. Com. Craft stated they may not have the funds next year. The Sheriff is asking for 23 additional deputies for the jail and the $600,000 he is requesting be cut will roughly take away 10 of those positions. The Sheriff stated they have staggered those positions through out the year so the affect is very minimal. Com. Craft questioned the impact next year and if it would be a full impact. The Sheriff stated the $1.8 million is for all the positions listed, the new 23 deputies, the 4 new support staff and including the full year salary of the 13 deputies the Board just gave them. Taking $600,000 would affect them more than just 10 positions. Com. Craft stated his concern was they would be facing the same increases next year a 20% increase next year. Com. Coward stated he concurred with Com. Lewis' comments that they are playing catch up and they now have the opportunity to do so and he does also agree that there will be an affect next year, however the reality is that next year they will assuming the full cost and not be able to fund 59 new people. He would like to see the Board support both issues as he stated earlier. Com. Smith stated what makes it difficult for him is not the issue of Sheriff or Board, but the issue of the system. He would like to think the numbers will drop but it will depend on the system. He would also like to think at some point the numbers will go down especially with there being inmates in the jail who are non-violent and cannot be bail and he would like to find a way to work through that problem. Classification goes right through to ratio numbers and he would like to see those numbers based on classifications, violent vs. non-violent offenders. The County Administrator advised he was approached by FPL and they would like to do an energy survey of the water efficiencies like the one performed at Martin County where they saved them $200,000 in water bills. Com. Hutchinson stated she is comfortable with the request so long there is a commitment that in 6 months the Public Safety Council will be coming back to the Board and sit down in strategic and make it a priority going into the following year's budget. Com. Craft requested a five year capital plan from the Sheriff so they know what to expect. The Sheriff stated they would go back and review what they proposed 3 years ago and update it for the Board. The Sheriff stated he felt this budget would bring things better into the control. He advised the Board the GPS system has saved the county a million dollars plus in medical costs to this point. This budget would give them the opportunity to catch up and be under control at the jail and asked the Board to approve the budget as discussed. * * It was the consensus of the Board to move forward with the Sheriff's budget as requested. Tape 2 STATUTORY AGENCIES Court Administrator/19 Judicial Circuit This budget reflects a 34% increase due to communications and fiber optics and some rewiring of courtrooms most of the cost is in this year's budget. They are going to digital court recording video and audio. This was due to having to re-trial cases due to recordings and better transcripts needed. They also need a new phone system. The County Administrator asked if impact fees can be utilized for some of this cost. The Budget Director stated she would obtain the figures and the answer and come back to the Board. The Board discussed putting together a space needs committee for courtroom space. The Court Administrator stated they would like to place a half time position in Felony and a half time position in Juvenile and they do not have the space at either location. He is not sure what they will be able to do. Judge Roby is contemplating placing a half time position, so there will be 3 '/2 felony judges working and the half time position will probably be taking changes of pleas to get things moving faster, however they do not have the space for that position. Com. Craft asked if staff could look into the option of possibly having a courtroom at the jail for first appearances and have the judge at the jail as opposed to video conferencing. Com. Coward stated this was why he would like the committee to be put together and come back with recommendations. Com. Hutchinson suggested the committee having something for the Board to review in January at the Strategic Planning meeting. Judge Roby stated they needed the space before January. They need two courtrooms at 7~' Street and he believes there is room for a modular trailer to serve as a courtroom. The County Administrator stated they could fit into their budget a court facility reserve fund of $250,000 for trailers. Com. Coward stated he did not like wasting money on short term fixes. The Court Administrator asked the Board consider building into the budget the two floors and the addition changes in the court facility 1 S` floor area and next year the upper two floors this could help them get over the hump for the time being. It was the consensus of the Board to place the $250,000 court facility reserve fund on the short list for discussion. 6 GUARDIAN AD LITEM This budget is divided by 4 counties. This yeaz the St. Lucie County shaze is $183,227.61. St. Lucie County is the largest contributor out of the 4 counties @ 43%. At this time the Guazdian Ad Litem is out of space. The additional cost is due to the need in space and what they would pay per squaze footage. They need 10,000 squaze feet. * * It was the consensus of the Boazd to approve this budget. MEDICAL EXAMINER This budget reflects a 6.43% increase. * * It was the consensus of the Boazd to approve this budget. STATE ATTORNEY This budget reflects a 10.1 % increase. The State Attorney stated they would be needing space in the future and if Juvenile will be expanded he is requesting space there and also at St. Lucie West. He also advised the Board they need storage for dead files and need it to be air conditioned and aze requesting funds for this space. They will need $10,000. It was the consensus of the Board to approve this budget and add $10,000 for storage of files. PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION This budget reflects a 7% increase due to salary and fringes. No new positions requested. * * It was the consensus of the Boazd to approve this budget. CODE COMPLIANCE This budget reflects a 3.3% increase. This department requested additional positions. These positions were not recommended for approval by the County Administrator. * * It was the consensus of the Boazd to approve this budget. IMPACT FEE DIVISION This division is requesting one position at a cost of $74,172.00 Com. Smith recommended hiring another person to handle the county impact fees rather than having other employees in code compliance doing this job. The County Administrator recommended hiring one person to see how it works out. **It was the consensus of the Board to approve the budget and the hiring of one person for the impact fee division. 7 ENGINEERING This budget reflects a 6.1 % increase. This department has presently 2 vacant positions. The Public Works Director recommended having a consultant to do the design. This would help with the project completion. * * It was the consensus of the Board to approve this budget. EROSION This budget reflects a 20.3% decrease. The Board was advised staff had received a request from Sandollar regarding the dune project. The County Administrator advised the Board they have $575,000 in reserves and they will look at what can be done and come back to the Board with the details. * * It was the consensus of the Board to approve the budget. ROAD AND BRIDGE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT This budget reflects a 12.2% increase The Public Works Director was given direction on the various projects. * * It was the consensus of the Board to approve the budget. DRAINAGE This budget reflects a 10.4% increase. Com. Coward asked where the road improvements were in the next five years in conjunction with the drainage improvements. The Public Works Director stated the plan was a few years ago to provide drainage and then provide millings this is what was being done at that time to the dirt roads. There were neighborhoods that did not have drainage in so they could not place the millings. The drainage has been addressed, but the paving issue has not and at this time it is not funded. Com. Coward stated he felt it was time to start paving roads inside long standing urban areas. He would like to work with Com. Smith on some areas that have been neglected. Com. Coward asked the Board consider $50,000 be set aside for the paving of paradise park area. Com. Craft requested this be placed on the short list for discussion. Com. Coward stated he felt this did not need to be debated and they could make the decision to move on. Com. Smith concurred with Com. Coward and would like to make sure the city buys in also. It was the consensus of the Board to approve this budget and allocate $50,000 for the road project. The Board discussed the Kings Highway segments and using the combination of TRIP dollars and county funds to be used for design of the roads. The Board discussed the county's bonding capacity now at $43 million which would be .2373 mils. Com. Coward asked for a consensus on the .2373 mils for the bond money. Com. Hutchinson asked for a list of the projects that are ready to go. It was the consensus of 4 members of the Board to review the bond dollars and the .2373 mils with the exception of Com. Lewis who did not wish to do so. Com. Coward suggested contacting the cities and requesting a list of their sidewalk projects where the county may assist in these projects since the millage would be countywide. This item will be discussed again on Monday. GRANTS/DISASTER RECOVEY This budget requested 2 new positions. 1) grants writer 2) senior staff assistant There is a lot of paperwork generated in this department. * * It was the consensus of the Board to approve this request. The meeting was adjourned. 9