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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-20-2011 Minutes - Citizen's Budget CommitteeCITIZENS' BUDGET COMMITTEE Meeting Date: May 20, 2011 Conference Room 3 MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl Hensley, Chair John Culverhouse, Vice Chair Craig Mundt Richard Pancoast Edward Lounds Ron Knaggs Patricia "Pat" Ferrick Jay L. McBee Bill Hammer Randy Ezell MEMBERS ABSENT: Dan Kurek Ryan Strickland Dana McSweeney Edith Hepburn Stephanie Morgan OTHERS PRESENT: Faye Outlaw Lee Ann Lowery Bill Hoeffner Marie Gouin Ken Pruitt Mark Godwin Liz Martin Mark Satterlee Lydia Kidd Carol Bishop Lisa Savage Celia Garcia Peter Harrison Shane DeWitt Jim David Diamond Litty CALL TO ORDER Mr. Hensley called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -April 15th Meeting Sophia Holt Laurie Waldie Toby Long John Ferrick Jerome Adams Audrey Jackson Tom Genung Mike Monahan Roger Mittleman, M.D. JoAnn Riley Patricia Marston-Duva Travis Erickson Erick Gill Erick Mershon Dan McIntyre Pat Armold After a motion by Mr. Knaggs and a second by Mr. Pancoast, the minutes were Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 2 unanimously approved. DECIDE IF SCHEDULE A JUNE MEETING Mr. Hensley asked Ms. Outlaw if she had information for a June meeting or if she needed the time to prepare for the Budget Hearings. She said the answer to both was yes. She said they were prepared for the Committee to have a June meeting. They planned for the Committee to review three of the Constitutional's budgets. But it is the Committee's choice. There would not be a need to review the budgets after Strategic Planning. Strategic Planning and the Board's Budget Reviews will be a dual session. Mr. Knaggs said they would have to review the budgets in June if they were expected to give input in July. Mr. Mundt said the report from the task force on the Building and Development process is being reviewed by the Chamber of Commerce and will be ready in June. It was decided to have the June meeting. CAFR PRESENTATION -Faye Outlaw Ms. Outlaw greeted and thanked everyone for attending. She thanked staff forfilling in for her the month before as she attended a conference. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) PowerPoint attached is for FY10. Ms. Outlaw likes to do an update on the fund balance because it is a key component. General Fund money can be used for Fine and Forfeiture, but it cannot be done in the reverse order. She expects to give updated numbers at Strategic Planning. Mr. Knaggs asked for an explanation of FRS. Ms. Outlaw answered Florida Retirement System. Mr. Knaggs asked about an excess revenue refund from the Clerk's Office. Ms. Outlaw said it was probably the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser. The amount comes at the beginning of the fiscal year, so it is projected in FY12 numbers. Mr. Knaggs asked the amount. It was between $4 - 5 million. It was not anticipated in the FY12 or FY13 budget so there might be about $7 million to help with the shortfall. Ms. Outlaw said a good portion would be available to close the gap, but $1 million will go to fund the nonprofit agencies. Ms. Outlaw said the tgap would be smaller because of the 3% employee contribution to FRS starting July 15. They are projecting thatto be $800,000 forthe County each year. Mr. Lounds asked if the Tax Collector would use some of what he normally returns to fund the driver's license function. Ms. Outlaw said that cost will be included in his total costs. It will reduce the amount. The State did allow him to charge fees to help offset the cost. It will not affect this year's budget because he will not take over the function until FY12. PROPOSED BUDGET REVIEWS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION -Faye Outlaw Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 3 The PowerPoint presentation is attached. Ms. Outlaw reported the Carry Forward Projects are for the Research Park. Ms. Outlaw reviews her budget and Ms. Gouin added that she also cuts her own budget. COUNTY ATTORNEY -Dan McIntyre Mr. McIntyre explained that there are a couple functions in his office that are not normally handled by the County Attorney. One is acquisitions. The other is Criminal Justice. He thinks the Criminal Justice part of the budget is the most interesting. There has been success with the pretrial program because they have worked together with the Judiciary, State Attorney, Public Defender and the Sheriff. The budget for the Attorney's Office, except Criminal Justice, is flat. The components of the Criminal Justice Division are the ankle bracelet program, drug testing, pretrial supervision and State-mandated Juvenile Justice. The idea is to spend money to save money. The cost of incarceration is $50-$70 per day. The Judiciary makes the decision to divert non-violent offenders. Mr. McIntyre asked Mr. Goodwin and Ms. Savage to give a short presentation. He acknowledged that he is biased, but believes we have the best pretrial program in the State. Mr. Godwin, Criminal Justice Coordinator, told the Committee they did not know when he started there would be some of the unfunded mandates that the Department of Juvenile Justice has required. It costs over $2 million for the juveniles being held at the Juvenile Detention Center. $186,000 in the budget is for the Juvenile Assessment Center, next door. It was over $300,000 a couple years ago. The Cities withdrew theirfunding. Port St. Lucie will be making a $10,000 contribution directly to the detention center this year. They have been able to reduce the Jail population, especially with medical conditions. When inmates are fitted with an ankle bracelet and walk out the Jail doors, they are on their own insurance. What would cost the County $80,000, cost their insurance $20,000. The insurance premium the County pays for inmates taken outside the facility for treatment was reduced by $1.3 million. The Sheriff is responsible for medical care inside the facility. The pretrial program also has individuals that are post-sentence. Their house becomes their cell, and they are responsible for their own food, clothing and medical costs. The Judges have lots of wisdom, and when they see folks that are not a threat to society, especially if they are sick, they put them on the program. The Drug Lab is user fee based and successful. They project a $153,000 surplus this year to go back into the Fine and Forfeiture Fund. The Other section is a match for a grant for Mental Health Court that will end June 30, 2011. They hope to prevent returns to the Jail by giving treatment. Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 4 Mr. McIntyre asked for an estimated savings. Mr. Godwin said $3.5 - 4 million in jail bed days have been saved. It is hard to project inmate medical. They have not been able to get a schedule of services. He gave an example of an inmate that went to Shands. Mr. Godwin feels they have saved enough for the operating costs. Mr. Lounds asked for the FY12 budget. Ms. Gouin referred to the handout attached and answered $5.2 million. They started a few years ago at $150,000. Mr. Godwin mentioned the unfunded mandates. Mr. Lounds asked how many are on bracelets today. Ms. Savage said if you separate the pretrial program, the budget is less than $1 million. They are looking at 56,000 bed days last year at $60 per day. The bracelets are about $5 per day and they have 150 cases now. At any given time, about 50 are on bracelets. The savings of 56,000 bed days at $60 per day is about $3.4 million. The program including, staff, gas, bracelets, everything is less than $1 million. Mr. Lounds asked who monitors the bracelets. Ms. Savage said they monitor it locally. Mr. Godwin answered the staff does 24/7. It is part of the $5.2 million budget. Ms. Savage repeated the pretrial part is just under $1 million, saving over $3 million in bed days, and they have not been able to calculate the medical savings. Mr. Lounds said, "He who works the abacus wins the game." He asked what number they used to figure the bed days. Ms. Savage said she is using $60 per day. She is going with the low end. One medical case was easily over $1 million. Mr. Lounds understands and appreciates the medical side. It is a losing game for the County. Mr. Lounds asked what they need to get more people on bracelets and out of the Jail. Ms. Savage said this past year there have been more medical referrals, the Judges are on board, the Jail is quickly referring and cases are moving faster. They average 50 new cases per month. They are constantly reviewing and are now working with Hospice. Some cases are terminal. They have a couple half-way facilities. Some of the cases from the Jail are homeless or without a verifiable address. The only need she could think of was working on the relationship with the Jail to get the medical referrals faster. Mr. Lounds asked if it is the Judges' responsibility to determine if the person qualifies for a bracelet. Ms. Savage answered that everything they do is court ordered. Mr. Mundt asked about what percent of the juveniles come from the Cities and what happens as the Cities continue to abandon their responsibilities. Mr. Godwin said the City of Port St. Lucie is the number one user; Fort Pierce is second and the unincorporated portion of the County is number three. Mr. Mundt asked if there were negotiations. Mr. Godwin said they just notified the County that they were not going to contribute. The County has asked, invoiced and begged them. The City of Port St. Lucie is contributing $10,000 this year. It is appreciated. But they contributed a larger amount years ago. Mr. Godwin gave some history of the Juvenile Assessment Center. The Center assesses all the children. The budget was over $300,000. The State pulled their funding. When the Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 5 Cities pulled their funding, the staff was laid off. The County contracted with the current Detention Center officers at the lowest price they could. There is no case management being done. They fingerprint, photograph and call next of kin. Mr. Mundt asked Ms. Outlaw if there were other programs the Cities are no longer participating in. Ms. Outlaw could not think of other programs, but the County had been maintaining neighborhood parks and is now working on a schedule to return them to the City of Fort Pierce. She agreed with Mr. Mundt that the Cities have pulled back from funding partnerships. She is helping the Board realize they can no longer fill all the gaps when the partners pull out. The budget won't allow it. Mr. Mundt asked if the lost revenue from the Cities would be made up in the millage rate. Ms. Outlaw answered no. There was a modest millage increase, but not as a direct factor of the Cities pulling out of funding partnerships. Mr. Lounds explained there are fixed costs at the Jail, whether the inmate is there or not, and asked if that was reflected in Mr. Godwin's cost savings. Mr. Godwin said the cost savings are to the Sheriff, the dollar savings are the medical costs and increased cost of insurance the County would have had to provide. Mr. Lounds asked how they track an inmate with a bracelet if they are homeless. Ms. Savage said they cannot be homeless on a bracelet. They try a halfway house or relative. They have to have a residence. Mr. Knaggs said he has six questions, but suggested they hear the other presentations and come back to Criminal Justice. Ms. Outlaw thanked Mr. Knaggs for his suggestion. STATE AGENCIES COURT ADMINISTRATION -Tom Genung Mr. Genung informed the Committee that the County provides facilities, rent, utilities, communications, maintenance and security. They were able to cut their budget by about $12,000. Information Technology is an issue. The Clerk's Office is mandated to electronically file so their systems have to be able to work with the electronic documents. They have worked hard to keep their budget down. Mr. Genung said there is a fairly decent juvenile diversion program in Teen Court. Unfortunately, the resources for that are decreasing. So they have eliminated positions and gone with contracts to save dollars for FY12. They serviced over 300 kids from St. Lucie County and 660 circuit-wide the last calendar year. They would need staff to do more. The Judges are working hard with no additional resources. Even though the County qualifies for two additional Circuit Judges and one additional County Judge, they are not funded. That is without looking at foreclosure cases. They are growing. Mr. Hensley asked how the budget is distributed. It is based on the population of the Counties. Mr. Genung added that St. Lucie County is 46% of the total circuit. Indian River, Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 6 Martin and Okeechobee fluctuate about 1 % year to year. Mr. Hensley asked if the Legislature ever provides money for additional mandates. Mr. Genung said that it would be great if they did. Mr. Lounds asked if the County pays the bills for them. Mr. Genung said St. Lucie is the Bank County for all four Counties. St. Lucie pays the bills when submitted, and the other Counties send their share to St. Lucie some time during the year. Ms. Gouin added that it is sometimes a challenge for the other Counties to get the money here. They are trying to get them to pay a General Administrative cost. Mr. Lounds asked if they could let Mr. Genung pay their own bills. Mr. Genung's office does not have the ability to pay bills directly. The Court system is restrained on how they can handle money. Mr. Lounds asked the alternative if Indian River County does not come through. Ms. Gouin answered that we have interlocal agreements with them, they have to come through, at least pay his expenses. Ms. Outlaw added that we have not had a situation where we did not get the money. Ms. Gouin said it is the same set up with the State Attorney and Public Defender but they get their money from each County and get reimbursed. Mr. Lounds asked about the communication system between the Courts, Clerk, Jail and Sheriff's Department. Mr. Genung said it has improved. They have worked very hard. One issue is when an inmate is sentenced to a State facility. There are some legal rules for electronic documents that must be changed. Mr. Lounds said those delays cost the County money. We have spent a lot of money to be sure the flow is better. Mr. Genung believes there have been improvements, but the Sheriff's Office would be a better indicator. They track the days. Mr. Long added there have been improvements but there are still problems getting dispositions on a timely basis. There is a meeting scheduled. It is a big issue because Court Administration, the Clerk's Office and the State Attorney's Office must be on the same page. Mr. Lounds asked if they still meet on a monthly basis. Mr. Genung said they were meeting on a monthly basis when the system went into action, they decided to meet as needed. Mr. Lounds said it costs the County money if a prisoner is released that shouldn't be or if a prisoner needs to be sent to a Department of Corrections (DOC). When working on the deficit, a dollar spent to save ten is worth it. Mr. Genung said the vision is for the packet that now takes days for the Clerk's Office to prepare may be done electronically the same day. Mr. Long added that it is also a manpower issue. The Judges and Judicial assistants (JA) are expected to simultaneously perform other duties and put the package together. Things move quickly in Court. Mr. Knaggs asked about the Information Technology system. Mr. Genung answered that it is internal to his organization. GUARDIAN AD LITEM -Travis Erickson Mr. Erickson explained the agency represents the best interest of the child to the Judge. The County supports their physical location and communication tools. Most of them are fixed contracts. This past year they were able to save on internet and other services by changing providers. They were able to decrease their total budget by 3%. The costs are Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 7 allocated to the four Counties, with 46% to St. Lucie County. Mr. Mundt asked for examples of the contract services. Mr. Erickson answered they are five years into aten-year lease for the commercial site they are in. They contract for security and utilities. Mr. Knaggs asked about breaking the lease. Ms. Outlaw said they reviewed leases, and it does not have an out provision. Location during the storms was discussed. Mr. Lounds asked about the difference in Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and Division of Children and Family Services (DCF). Mr. Erickson said DCF is mandated for preservation of the families. GAL's role is to advocate for the child. Mr. Lounds asked how many children are in the system. Locally, there are about 850. The last number he heard for DCF was 1400. GAL is appointed to the more grievous situations, especially where the children and parents are separated for the children's safety. Mr. Hensley asked if there should be more children in their program. Mr. Erickson feels they are being appointed appropriately, but they strive to recruit more volunteers. There are about 320 local volunteers, one hundred of which are from St. Lucie County. His staff of 20 supports the 320 volunteers. PUBLIC DEFENDER -Diamond Litty Ms. Litty introduced her Administrative Director, Pat Armold. Ms. Armold apologized for not bringing a presentation. She said the good news is the State picks up the lion's share of their costs. The County is responsible for basic housing needs and computer costs. Most of the costs are paid by the Finance Department. The invoices they submit are phone costs, some Mental Health Court personnel costs and IT costs. Their current year's budget is $269,000. They diligently try to reduce that. It is mostly operating costs. FY12's budget will be $258,000. Ms. Gouin explained that even though they do not submit the invoices, the County is responsible for utilities. That brings the total budget to $310,000. Ms. Armold added that they do not have control over some of their expenses. Mr. Lounds asked about their IT. Ms. Armold explained that she had just spoken to Mr. Genung. Their largest IT cost is network administration. A reduction was negotiated last year. They have to maintain five offices in four Counties and have the network to support it. Because they contract the service they get service guaranteed which is essential. Mr. Lounds asked if their communication system is functioning properly. Ms. Armold said the cooperation between the agencies is wonderful. Mr. Lounds asked if the air conditioner works. Ms. Litty said he was quoted in the newspaper as saying, "Let them sweat." Mr. Lounds said he would not replace the system until it breaks. Mr. Litty said the problem is you can't open the windows. They do have air conditioning so they are okay right now. Ms. Armold added that they have server issues. Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 8 Fort Pierce is the main office for the entire circuit. The computer system that houses all the records is in a hot server room. The new system will protect very expensive computer equipment and all the records. Mr. Mundt asked the difference in the $258,000 Ms. Armond quoted and the $310,00 on the screen. Ms. Gouin explained that the County pays the utilities directly. MEDICAL EXAMINER - Dr. Roger Mittleman The handout that was passed out is attached. Mr. Mittleman explained that they are a State mandated agency that performs the autopsies and other cases that are sent to them. They receive calls from families, news media and funeral homes. They approve about 3,000 death certificates for cremations per year. They go to Court and have conferences with attorneys. They are requesting more money for staffing. Indian River State College (IRSC) helps them. They operate with much fewer personnel than Counties with comparable populations. Their staff is overworked and needs help to avoid issues. Their building is being renovated, and they will need personnel help. Mr. Mundt asked how much additional staff $80,000 would give them. Dr. Mittleman answered they would increase apart-time clerk to full-time. The investigators are having trouble keeping up with the load. They want apart-time investigatorthat could substitute in the morgue. They will need a replacement for Ms. Kidd. They would like to have 14 days of relief with another doctor in the office. Mr. Mundt asked if they are part of the forensics laboratory at IRSC. Dr. Mittleman said they were in the same building, but it was moved to the Homeland Security Complex. They were left on campus to take over the entire building. They participate in the medical program. The college sends Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) overfortraining. The college has helped a great deal. IRSC is allotting a large amount of money for renovation. They provide IT services and pay bills. The County sends a check on a monthly basis. Mr. Mundt asked Ms. Outlaw if she had reviewed the budget. Ms. Outlaw said they had a discussion about the County's inability to pick up the increase. Dr. Mittleman felt that in his professional judgment that his operation absolutely has to have an increase in staffing because of the increase in the death rate. Mr. Mundt asked if the increase caseload is the driver behind the need for additional staff. Mr. Mittleman said the death rate has increased. The autopsy rate has decreased a little because they have tried to adapt to the situation. They used to perform an autopsy on every automobile accident. Now, if there is enough medical history from the hospital and no legal concerns, they do an external exam. They no longer bring in every hip fracture. Mr. Mundt asked if Ms. Outlaw was buying into the number. Ms. Outlaw said she probably won't be able to support the increase. She is waiting to get all the budgets before she can make her decision. It will be hard for her to support an increase although she thinks there are legitimate reasons for the request. When you increase one area, you have to cut somewhere else. Mr. Mittleman said he will respect whatever they do. They will try to muddle along, but they Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 9 do need help. They have been doing with less for years. Mr. Hensley asked if the amount of increase was just the St. Lucie County portion and he would get an increased amount from the other Counties also. Mr. Mittleman said there is a formula. He told the rates for the other Counties. Mr. Hensley said the numbers show the increase is needed. OTHER ISSUES Ms. Outlaw asked Mr. Godwin to come back to the table. Ms. Gouin announced the State Attorney would be at the June meeting. Mr. Knaggs asked about the increase in the budget and where the money is being spent. Mr. Godwin answered they talked about Department of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Assessment Center, New Horizons for Mental Health and grant, the lab pays for itself and pretrial costs. First appearance lines come from his budget for the network between the Jail and Courthouse. Cameras and wiring that are shared by the other agencies are in his budget and some wireless fees for the Courthouse. They watch continuances. Mr. Knaggs asked how much the Juvenile Justice System costs. Mr. Godwin answered $2.6 million. The Juvenile Assessment Center costs $186,000. The New Horizon jail diversion contract costs $481,000. A contract with a forensic case worker costs $65,000. The grant was about $233,000 this year. The lab pays for itself but the revenue is on a different line. The total cost is $320,000. Pretrial is $1.5 million. The $5 million has gone up $1 million over two years. Mr. Knaggs asked if it is just one area or across the board. Ms. Gouin said the pretrial program went up about $400,000. The Juvenile Detention Center went up about $500,000. Mr. Knaggs asked about the manpower for Juvenile Center. Mr. Godwin said the Center is manned by State employees. We contract with them to man the Assessment Center. Mr. Godwin gave some history on the personnel. Mr. Knaggs thought he said those juveniles would go to the Jail. Mr. Godwin said before the Juvenile Assessment Center was there they would have to go to the Jail to be booked and fingerprinted. They would have to clear the Jail of any adults by sight and sound. That is no longer possible. The Sheriff would have to ask for a new building if the Juvenile Assessment Center was not there. Mr. Knaggs mentioned the increase in pretrial. It is a County function that does not include the Sheriff but it does save the Sheriff money because folks on bracelets would have to be detained in the Jail. But there is a tremendous amount of fixed costs. If the Jail was only half full, the amount would not be real savings to the Sheriff. Mr. Long said the Jail is at 80% capacity now which is considered full by Jail standards because of segregation issues. Mr. Knaggs said he is not suggesting it, but from an accounting standpoint there is no way to reduce pretrial function and increase the amount that goes to the Sheriff and save the money. Mr. Long said they could and have held more people than they have now but there are other issues. Mr. Godwin has no other way to look at the numbers except to treat fixed as variable costs. It certainly relieves pressure. They are understaffed, when they add inmates, they are more understaffed. When it is crowded, there is more violence. There are important intangibles Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 10 that go along with saving dollars. People that shouldn't be in Jail just increase the liability issues for the County. Mr. Knaggs asked Mr. McIntyre about the backlog in his office. Mr. McIntyre said they have lost two people the last two year. The dollars to acquire property are drying up so they let one person go in Acquisitions. A person retired a couple years ago that was not replaced. They have around 300-400 cases. Most are foreclosure cases, where the Clerk or County has a lien. Mr. McIntyre also represents the Clerk and Supervisor of Elections. He thinks it saves the County money. Most of his office is long-term employees. He thinks they have an experienced crew that has absorbed the workload. Mr. Knaggs said it is sometimes hard to measure backlog. Mr. McIntyre said the foreclosure cases cannot be compared to a case where you are an active defendant or plaintiff. They are more ministerial types of cases. Mr. Knaggs asked if there was any detriment to the County because of lack of employees. Mr. McIntyre said they are fine from that perspective. The liens generate money. Most of them don't survive the first mortgage foreclosure. Mr. Knaggs asked if their IT system is up to date. Mr. McIntyre said they are trying to scan and go as paperless as possible. They have a system to search documents. They are using technology to manage with less people. Mr. Mundt asked about outside council. Mr. McIntyre uses the illustration of a doctor. He feels he is a good general practitioner in local government law, but if you need brain surgery, you want a specialist. When specialized knowledge is needed or there is tremendous exposure he goes outside. Even then, he has someone from his staff monitoring the case, sitting second seat. They are normally the defendant. They rarely sue. He hopes the need will go down. There is money in his budget and has been about the same the last few years. Mr. Lounds asked if the County joins with other Counties in lawsuits against the State for unfunded mandates. Can this County lead in some of those? Mr. McIntyre said there have been two lawsuits filed by other Counties. He gave an example of one that they won at two levels that is now in the Supreme Court. The other one the State exempted itself. They won the battle, but lost the war. The County is aggressively challenging unfunded mandates. Mr. Lounds encouraged them to constantly join others and challenge them. Mr. McIntyre said their portion of the shared cost on one of the cases was less than $10,000. That came from the Professional Services portion of their budget. Mr. Hensley thinks they should consider the request for more funds from the Medical Examiner. He understands the arguments. Ms. Outlaw said the Committee could make recommendations apart from her recommendations. She will make that decision by Strategic Planning. The balance of the budgets and the number from the Property Appraiser are due June 1St. She may be able to have what she plans to submit to the Board at the June Committee meeting. Mr. Mundt asked if there is an offset somewhere else for the $80,000. She will be looking for that. Mr. Knaggs would guess that Ms. Outlaw needs to have all the items to prioritize. Qualitatively the Medical Examiner is justified. Quantitatively, dollars, he is not, because Citizens' Budget Committee May 20, 2011 Page 11 she is trying to cut everybody. She hopes to have her recommendation ready for the Committee for June so they can study it and make a Committee recommendation. Mr. Knaggs summed up that in the June meeting they will have seen the entire picture and should have recommendations for July. Ms. Outlaw said they can have recommendations in concert with hers or separate and apart from her recommendations. Mr. Lounds agreed with Mr. Hensley about the Medical Examiner. Page four shows the dynamics. The Medical Examiner has to do his job. St. Lucie County's dynamics, deaths and types of deaths were discussed. Mr. Lounds feels the office is understaffed. Ms. Outlaw is carefully considering where she could get the $80,000. Mr. Mundt asked if Dr. Mittleman made any changes. Ms. Outlaw said there were other scenarios at the original meeting. He went back, reviewed and submitted the absolute minimum increase he felt was necessary. Mr. Hammer said he has been listening and thinks how costs are apportioned, based on where the decisions that effect and cause those costs, should be examined. Ms. Outlaw asked for an example. Mr. Hammer said the Medical Examiner bases his cost on utilization. The cost of the Circuit Court is based on population. We have government entities, which citizens of the County cannot vote for the decision makers, making decisions which heavily impact their tax situation. Where is the demand coming from? It strikes him as a special use district. Some of the costs may be area and population specific. It is a mess and seems to be getting worse. He thinks it needs to be reviewed how costs are apportioned in order to fairly reflect where they are coming from. Mr. Knaggs confirmed that the next meeting is June 17th and asked the plan for Strategic Planning. Ms. Outlaw said the session starts July 6th and runs through July 14th. She is beginning to work on the schedule. She hopes to bring that to the June meeting. Because it is a dual session of Strategic and Budget Reviews, it will take seven working days. Not all, but for the most part, they will be eight hour days. The details have not all been decided. It will be at the Fenn Center. Mr. Hensley asked the members to consider when they would be available to attend. Mr. Knaggs thought the CAFR review was very well done. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hensley thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting at 9:31 a.m. Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Marlin The next CBC regular meeting wilt be held on Friday, June 17, 2011, at 7:30 a.m., in Conference Room #3, at the St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex.