Okaloosa County BOCC — September 2, 2014 — July14,2014 budgetworkshop — reading text

Corrections Officer Paul Lawson provided the Program Description, as well as historical expenditure and staffing summaries. He detailed the major accomplishments of the department, Program Goal, and Key Objectives. When asked by Mr. Parisot if Chief Lawson was proposing additional staff, he replied he has a slide graphing the average jail population from 1995 to 2014. After the explanation, he said he had originally requested five Corrections Officers and one Captain for the next year. He said if the Board told him to follow through with hiring these positions, it would be October or November before he could have them on staff. Chief Lawson stated the proposed budget does not include costs to hire those five Corrections Officers. As discussion continued, Chief Lawson explained why having another Senior Staff Officer would be beneficial. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Chief Lawson stated the budget does factor in the hiring of a Captain. Chief Lawson next explained the impact of Senate Bill 522, aka the Jimmy Ryce Act. He termed it a good law but stated it is another unfunded mandate. Chief Lawson reported a problem with the entry/exit doors (purchased in 1992) which occurred during the April 29 storm event. He said the doors have been kept operational by the Facilities Maintenance staff but advised no further repairs are possible. Chief Lawson stated replacement of these doors is vital, noting the estimated replacement costs are $300,000. He added that he has spoken with FEMA representatives who were July 14, 2014 -6- Minute Book 71, Page 138 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners supportive of the damages application for the doors. However, he stated the doors must first be purchased and then FEMA will reimburse. Another issue brought forward by Chief Lawson was the eventuality of building another jail. He said the current location is built out. Anticipated costs for a new jail are $15 Million. Mr. Amunds asked about adding the costs to hire the five Corrections Officers into the FY 2015 budget. Mr. Padgett said this was discussed last year and we waited. He stated he would again like to hold off as long as possible. Mr. Padgett also advised the $300,000 for the doors is in the budget in the Capital Outlay Fund. Mr. Boyles said they return money back at the end of the year and asked about placing those funds in a reserve account. He stated at least some funds would be set aside if the level of service must be increased. PUBLIC SAFETY Mr. Dino Villani, Public Safety Director, stated this department consists of four divisions, running six programs. He said the proposed budgets for all those divisions are basically the same as last year with one exception. Mr. Harris referred to the survey conducted a few years back on what residents felt were priorities. He stated this agency was the highest of citizens’ priorities. PUBLIC SAFETY - E9-1-1 SYSTEM Mr. Villani reported no ad valorem dollars go into the E9-1-1 System. Funding comes from the collection of a $.50 fee by the State on telephones. of that $.50 fee collected by the State, Okaloosa County E9-1-1 receives §.48 for wireline devices and $.35 for wireless devices. Beginning January 1, 2015, the fee will change from $.50 to $.40. He advised that 129,530 E9-1-1 calls were received in FY 2013. PUBLIC SAFETY - COUNTY WARNING POINT The County Warning Point provided dispatch services for EMS, 17 fire districts, animal services, after hours notification for July 14, 2014 -7- Minute Book 71, Page 139 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Department of Health, assists with 3-1-1 requests, and provides notification to State and other County departments. In FY 2013, there were 24,081 EMS responses dispatched and 18,734 fire department dispatches. Mr. Villani presented a diagram of the Emergency Communications Center, showing the location of the Sheriff's Dispatch Room, 9-1-1/3-1-1 Call Center, and EMS/Fire Dispatch Room. PUBLIC SAFETY - BEACH SAFETY Mr. Villani reported a total of 42 spring rescues with a total of 15 red flag days with rip currents in 2013. In 2014 there were 19 total spring rescues with a total of 18 red flag days with rip currents pulling. One extra lifeguard daily increases the ability for educational and preventative contacts. He said the establishment of a portable tower system for quick set up on rip current locations has allowed the lifeguards to increase the ability to contact patrons and focus on prevention efforts. Mr. Villani noted they are doing their job with less money this year. PUBLIC SAFETY - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Mr. Villani stated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to 24,081 requests for assistance during calendar year 2013. EMS provides Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support Care. He said an ambulance for Basic Life Support Care to shuttle patients takes the work load off Advanced Life Support units. Mr. Villani referred to the slide showing staffing cuts in FY 2009 and FY 2012 and advised staffing cuts are beginning to impact operations. He said it has been necessary to move staff from one end of the county to the other for coverage. Mr. Villani addressed Destin seasonal coverage. Medic 11 is in operation from April 1 through October 1. In 2013, in Destin during the season, there were 1,537 calls. Off season in Destin in 2013 there were 1,128 calls. He advised the countywide response time is less than nine minutes; however, the response time in Destin during off season is longer. On one of his slides, Mr. Villani stated Medic 10 must pick up an additional 400 calls during the off season when Medic 11 is inactive. Mr. Villani requested reestablishment of six full-time EMTs and three full-time Paramedics which were eliminated in 2009 and 2012. He also asked to add ten relief positions, noting this will not increase budget costs. Additionally, he recommended July 14, 2014 -8- Minute Book 71, Page 140 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners a BS a a Uw Te Rea SS a the purchase of three new GM 4500 Advanced Life Support ambulances, one new ford F350 van ambulance for Basic Life Support Care, and cardiac monitor replacements. PUBLIC SAFETY ~ EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Mr. Villani described Emergency Management as prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. He stated when the funding is reduced by more than 2%, it affects the EMPA Grant. Upon inquiry by Mr. Boyles about EMS, Mr. Villani stated one unit is taken down during the winter in Destin and they want to make it a full-time unit. Upon further inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Villani stated the additional staff will take personnel back to the 2009 level. In reply to a question from Mr. Amunds, Mr. Villani stated the Basic Life Support is being used to its fullest extent. Mr. Padgett said the request is to add nine full-time positions and ten relief positions. PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public came forward to comment. Mr. Parisot requested a breakdown in expenditures, by percentage from the General Fund, in each of the following categories: Public Safety, Essential Services, and Quality of Life. ADJOURNMENT There being nothing further to be discussed, the workshop was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. DON W. HOWARD CHARLES K. WINDES, JR., CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) July 14, 2014 -9- Minute Book 71, Page 141 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners