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BOOK - 2000R - B.O.C.C.------------------------------
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JUNE 14, 2000
A
Budget Workshop
the proposed operating budgets for FY00-01, with the following Commissioners present:
ON FILE IN THE MINUTES OFFICE:
BUDGET OPERATIONS MEMORANDUM, DATED JUNE 06, 2000;
AND
MEMORANDUM FROM
BUDGET WORKSHOPS.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m.
Principal Operations Analyst Sue Gilpin reported that this was the first of two proposed workshops for
FY2000/20001, and noted that the second workshop will be held on July 12, 2000. She stated that the certifications
for the property values will be forthcoming from the Property Appraiser on July lst; that the numbers being used today
are estimated numbers, and that millage recommendations will be presented at the July 12
th
workshop.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET
the CIP Index since the packet was distributed:
Page 1, line 12,
Downtown Jail/Ortiz Fiberoptic Link
- change FY 00/01 from $500,000.00 to
$31,000.00.
Page 22, line 930,
Downtown Jail/Ortiz Fiberoptic Link
- change $500,000.00 to $31,000.00. Ms.
Discussion was held between the Commissioners and staff, with County Attorney James G. Yaeger rendering legal
opinions. Some of the projects discussed were:
funding is budgeted, with staff’s recommendation, and for the Board’s consideration, to acquire the necessary parcel.
(Page 4, lines 107/108) In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Manning,
Assistant County Manager Bruce Loucks explained the format/procedures; and that the library expansion will be
funded in this fiscal year. Planning and Construction Director Jim Lavender clarified that the library is under design,
but the library will not be completed until January/February of 2002.
Pondella Road Widening
to Commissioner Coy’s question and stated that this indicates the last remaining segments of Pondella to be four-
laned, going towards Cape Coral; that the funding shown will finish the four-laning and is funded for construction for
FY01.
Veterans Memorial Parkway Extension
(Page 8, lines 286/287) Responding to Commissioner Manning’s question,
Division of Transportation Director Scott M. Gilbertson stated the interlocal agreement between the city and the
county did not address construction. The county spent money on design and permitting; the city on right-of-way
acquisition; construction is not addressed; and there is a five year extension on the permit. Commissioner Coy
inquired about finishing the road from Miracle to Burnt Store Road - that it was not scheduled to be done until 2005,
but now Staff is looking at it being drivable by 2001/2002. Mr. Gilbertson stated it is shown in 2001, assuming the
county receives the state infrastructure bank loan. Commissioner Coy suggested, as a second choice, that perhaps
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Gator Slough Improvements
Commissioner Manning’s request to move this project ahead, time wise; stated that staff is doing the extension
piecemeal as the funding is received; that if additional grants are received, then the project can be moved forward.
COMMISSIONER MANNING LEFT THE MEETING BRIEFLY DURING THE ABOVE DISCUSSION.
COURT SERVICES
The Chairman noted that the increase for the proposed “FY01” budget was 4.7%. The Commissioners had no
PUBLIC DEFENDER
The Chairman noted that the decrease for the proposed “FY01” budget was a -5.1%. The Commissioners had no
STATE ATTORNEY
The Chairman noted that the increase for the proposed “FY01” budget was a 28.2%. Executive Director Dennis
Pearlman, of the State Attorney’s Office, responded to questions, and stated that a good percentage of the increase was
in IGS charges, computer costs, replacement of two vehicles, and radio equipment. Ms. Gilpin stated that the
Interment Governmental Service (IGS) charges have fluctuated among departments and court related services; and
MEDICAL EXAMINER
The Chairman noted that the increase for the proposed “FY01” budget was a 3.1%. It was stated earlier that the
103.1%, as presented in the Workshop booklet, was an error and should be 3.1%. The Commissioners had no
questions for the Medical Examiner’s Office.
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER BUDGET
After discussion, Ms. Gilpin stated she wished to comment on the Constitutional Officers’ budget. She called
attention to
page 1, Clerk to the Board, “FY99 adopted”
, and stated the number should be $5,467,875.00; for “FY00”,
the number should be $4,406,926.00, which would change the percent to -1.8%. The reason for the change is the
reallocation of the support budget monies back into the budget request amount. She added that each of the
Constitutionals return excess fees every year; and that for FY98/99, the Clerk returned $3,191,905.00. AT THIS
TIME, MS. GILPIN REVIEWED ALL OF THE CHANGES FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES AND THE
FIGURES OF THE RETURNED EXCESS FEES; SEE THE INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER’S
budget decrease from last year’s budget.
PROPERTY APPRAISER
The Chairman noted that the increase for the proposed “FY01” budget was 5.1%. The Commissioners had no
questions for Director of Budget and Personnel Sandra O’Shea.
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
Earlier in the meeting, Ms. Gilpin stated that each of the Constitutionals return excess fees every year, and that for
“FY98/99”, the Supervisor of Elections returned $65,571.00. The proposed FY01 budget increase is 1.8%. The
Commissioners had no questions for Supervisor of Elections Philinda Young.
SHERIFF
Earlier in the meeting, Ms. Gibin stated that, under the column “FY00 adopted”, the figure should be changed to
$57,427,628.00, which would change the increase to 11.7%; and added that each of the Constitutionals return excess
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fees every year and that for FY98/99, the Sheriff returned $759,180.00. The Commissioners had no questions for
LATER IN THE MEETING:
Mr. Bergquist came forward and acknowledged agreement with the $64.1 million, and noted he would like to look at
the “support budget”, because it went up $600,000.00; and requested a breakdown. He continued by stating,
depending on what happens in Tallahassee, that the year 2000 budget will be adjusted accordingly. Commissioner
Coy stated that as part of the Sheriff’s budget request, they had requested $1.9 million in another reserve fund not
contained in the six line items; Mr. Bergquist concurred. Commissioner Coy stated that this will be a concern that will
be discussed at a later time.
TAX COLLECTOR
Earlier in the meeting, Ms. Gibin stated that, under the column “FY99 adopted”, change the figures to $6,568,749.00;
and change the “FY00 adopted” to $7,740,356.00; and added that each of the Constitutionals return excess fees every
year; that for FY98/99, the Tax Collector returned $2,983,309.00. Lee County Tax Collector Bill Fussell stated that
this past year the Tax Collector’s Office returned approximately $3 million dollars, and offered a breakdown on the
monies. He added that on page 1, of the Tax Collector’s budget, it indicates there was an increase in “FY00 adopted”
of 18.6%; stated there is a spread of almost 34/35 percentage points and indicated he does not know where this spread
comes from. Ms. Gibin explained that the figures were changed earlier at this meeting, so that the “FY00 adopted”
increase is now 17.8%, and responded to questions on their procedures. Mr. Fussell stated the numbers are incorrect;
objected to having the Tax Collector’s Office separated from the other Constitutionals; objected to the $400,000.00
that has been allocated for a phone system that his office does not want, and requested it be removed from his budget.
Ms. Gilpin reviewed the history on this item, and responded that staff would check into this matter. Mr. Fussell
requested clarification on the disparity of the budget numbers within the budget pamphlet. County Manager Donald
D. Stilwell stated staff will get with the Tax Collector’s staff to discuss the problem. The Chairman inquired if anyone
else was in disagreement on the numbers as they presently stand. AT THIS TIME, SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET
DISCUSSION.
OPERATING DEPARTMENTS
TRANSIT
revised page 3 of the Workshop booklet
(copy is on file in the Minutes Office), and
noted that it indicates staff is requesting a total of 71 new positions, and a 6.3% overall increase; that within the
booklet, there is a format for the department model pages (page 4) because staff wanted to segregate IGS indirect
charges from the rest of the budget to better indicate what the departments were asking for, and to layer in the IGS and
indirect costs; noted that the “IGS” and the “Indirects” fluctuated; and reviewed the methodology. She added that the
City of Bonita Springs indicated they wish to contract services with Lee County for one year, and the departments are
in the process of developing their costs in order to incorporate them into interlocal agreements. Ms. Gilpin presented a
handout, “
for the Transit Department (copy is on file in the
Minutes Office, also see page 30 in the Workshop booklet). She stated this is a service funding issue that must be
addressed and noted the following reasons why transit is where it is today: the increase in the Americans with
Disability Act (ADA) demand, the increase in fuel costs, the Transit’s subsidy from the general fund has remained the
same for several years, and the operating costs and IGS costs have gone up. The fact sheet offers two scenarios: one
scenario is to remain at the same subsidy level and the other is to go to an increase. A major update of a five-year
plan, which originated from the Center of Urban Transportation Research, is in the works, but will not be ready until
October. Ms. Gilpin responded to the Board’s questions, and stated that the federal and state subsidy have been
increasing, but not to the extent that the expenses have been increasing. Transit Grants Coordinator Chris Leffert
reviewed Transit’s programs and responded to questions. Commissioner Manning requested staff check on the 7%
surcharge that Tallahassee charges on gas tax revenues, that perhaps some of that money can be returned to the transit
systems. In response to Commissioner Judah, County Manager Donald D. Stilwell stated that the Board wants to hold
the millage rate this year, indicated that mass transit is a difficult issue; noted that this will be a tough budget year and
assured the Board that Staff is looking into all of the issues. Deputy County Manager William Hammond added that it
is a tight labor market, that it will be a challenge to fund the transit, and that the routes will have to be looked at
closely.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMS
Public Safety Director John Wilson commented that the Union’s recommendation for additional units was to add six
24-hour units; that in the Workshop booklet, pages 20/21, Staff proposed three ten-hour units to meet the benchmarks
as per the DMG Maximus Study; and that the total cost for three 24-hour units and two 12-hour units is $2.2 million,
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less the $325,000.00 already budgeted for nine positions in the proposed model in the booklet, so that approximate net
increase is $1.9 million, which takes care of ambulance and personnel. Benchmarks by way of evaluation were
discussed. Commissioner Judah stated he was looking for the 9-minute response time; the addition of five
ambulances, minimum; and three 24-hour units and two 12-hour units, with personnel, which was confirmed at $1.9
million. The following issues were discussed: Salary adjustments for EMS personnel; clarification that the collective
bargaining process was not completed; and that the $1.9 figure is in addition to what is stated in the budget summary.
Ms. Gilpin clarified that the salary alignment charge is not a part of the budget model amount; and that COLA and
merit is included in the budget model, but nothing beyond that.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Commissioner Judah noted how the county has worked out a good partnership with the Lee Soil and Water
Conservation District in getting match dollars; and requested Public Parks and Recreation Director John Yarbrough
check whether it is worth considering a similar partnership with the University of Florida, through the Institute of
Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) and the Marine Research Sea Grant Programs, to perhaps have a marine
research agent through the Agricultural Extension Service. Mr. Yarbrough stated that the state did agree to fund 60%
of a position with the county funding 40%, and he would research the matter and return to the Board with further
information.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 11:18 a.m.
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