Okaloosa County BOCC — 2013 meeting #1144 (date undetermined) — Revised Budget Letter — reading text

County Administrator’s Office State of Florida July 26, 2013 Honorable Members of the Okaloosa County Commission: I wish to convey, via this letter and presentation, my revised budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2013/14. We are all aware of the action taken by the Florida Legislature relative to the Florida Retirement System (FRS). They have imposed a costly unfunded mandate on all Florida counties and, as a result, Okaloosa taxpayers are required to pay almost $1,850,000 each year, starting on October 1, 2013. This same legislation excluded school boards; the state of Florida is paying their share. Therefore, the Okaloosa County Commission has to come up with $1,850,000 while the school board has to pay zero. After five consecutive years of budget cuts, the Okaloosa County Commission is having a challenging time deciding from where the money for this unfunded state mandate will come. For your consideration, a millage increase of .1409, 4.3% over the current rate, will raise the $1,850,000 for this state imposed cost to the County. If the Commission is acceptable to this increase, it will enable us to develop a realistic budget for Fiscal Year 2013/14 that will remain very lean but at the same time address a number of pressing needs. You have heard directly from your Department Directors relative to their backlog of projects which have been put off for the last five years. Additionally, staffing has been reduced by almost 100 positions and no cost of living adjustments have been given to your employees during this five year period. On the transportation, maintenance and stormwater issues, my recommendation for a five cent gas tax is unchanged. This is a revenue increase that is much needed. This added revenue will allow the County to start moving forward on road issues as opposed to getting further and further behind, which has happened over the last five years. In conclusion, if the Commission approves these two recommendations, the County can balance the Fiscal Year 2013/14 budget with sufficient funds to begin catching up on backlogged projects and to also give our dedicated employees a 3% cost-of-living increase. During the month of August, staff, in consultation with Commissioners, will develop a detailed budget well before the first of two public hearings in September. Respectfully LA Ernie Padgett Okaloosa County Administrator Okaloosa County Administration Building 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 400 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 (850) 651-7515 « FAX: (850) 651-7551 e-mail: epadgett@co.okaloosa.fl.us