Okaloosa County BOCC — September 16, 2014 — Minutes — reading text

August 4, 2014 Budget Workshop A Fiscal Year 2014-15 Budget Workshop of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview. Members present were Charles kK. Windes, Jr., Chairman; Nathan Boyles, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Dave Parisot; and Don Amunds. Also present were Gary J. Stanford, Finance Director, and Dave Skarzynski, Budget Analyst, Clerk’s Office; Ernie Padgett, County Administrator; and Greg Stewart, County Attorney. ROAD & BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, stated the Road & Bridge Construction Division is largely supported with gas tax revenues. He said this is where the work gets done in the Public Works Department and noted this division is supported by the Road Department. Mr. Hofstad listed the major accomplishments, program goals and key objectives of the division. He said it has the smallest operating budget, advising there are no personnel in this division because it is strictly the construction arm of Public Works. Mr. Hofstad pointed out the large difference in Reserve funding for FY 2014 and FY 2015. He explained that previously seed monies earmarked for specific projects was dropped into reserves; however, in the future those monies will be carried forward into specific project accounts. Mr. Hofstad also pointed out there are fewer requests for equipment purchases for FY 2015. ROAD DEPARTMENT Mr. Hofstad reiterated this is the support arm for Road & Bridge Construction with 94 to 95 people. Specific accomplishments include maintaining 671 miles of paved roadway, 74 miles of cold mix base stabilized roads, 199 miles of graded dirt roads, 223 retention ponds, 727 miles of mowed rights-of-way, and 60 bridges. Additionally, 1680 tons of milled asphalt was placed on roadways, 9 miles of hot mix roads were restored or preserved, and 5.3 miles of cold mix roads were restored. Mr. Hofstad presented slides showing historical staffing summaries from FY 2012 through FY 2015 and operating budget histories from FY 2012 through FY 2015. August 4, 2014 -~1- Minute Book 71, Page 186 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Steve Czonstka referred to numbers Mr. Hofstad presented on gas tax revenue. He said he assumed because the gas tax was increased, the revenue for projects would have increased. Mr. Hofstad replied that he was showing the net available for projects; the slide does not depict gross revenues from the gas taxes. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING AND SIGNAL MAINTENANCE Mr. Hofstad stated Dr. Randy Showers manages the complex traffic signal system. He said this division manages signals in the county, the cities, and on Hurlburt Field. Mr. Hofstad reported a 5.3% increase in the proposed budget. Slides were shown providing a list of major accomplishments, a history of staffing from FY 2012 through FY 2015, and operating budget history from FY 2012 through FY 2015. ENGINEERING Mr. Hofstad stated this division is a critical part of Public Works. He said each project has an engineering and permitting component. Mr. Hofstad advised this is a five-person office. He reported the county’s surveyor will be retiring later this month and he is looking for a replacement. Slides were shown identifying the revenue source for this division, key objectives, major accomplishments, a staffing summary for FY 2012 through FY 2015, and operating budget history from FY 2012 through FY 2015. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Hofstad stated he believes the county’s decision to enact the second local option gas tax has increased the cooperative effort between FDOT and the county. He said the state wants to see local governments do what they can to leverage their dollars. STORMWATER Mr. Hofstad stated there are significant deficiencies in stormwater which need to be addressed but he is not telling the Board anything it doesn’t already know. Key objectives include: strategies to construct, maintain, inspect and catalog existing and planned stormwater systems; pursue NPDES permitting; and construct stormwater infrastructure. August 4, 2014 -2- Minute Book 71, Page 187 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Slides used to support the presentation were: e Photographs of damages from April rainstorm event e Historic summary of staffing from FY 2012 through FY 2015 e Historic budget expenditures and revenues from FY 2009 through FY 2014 e® Stormwater challenges At Mr. Hofstad’s request, Dr. Karen Chapman (Director of County Health) briefed the Board on the consequences of stormwater runoff relating to water quality of the county’s bodies of water. She also provided a detailed commentary on mosquito- borne illnesses. Mr. Hofstad advised the current Unincorporated County Parks/Stormwater MSTU millage rate is 0.1800 mils. The proposal to increase this rate to 0.2718 mils would increase the amount of tax revenue by $602,646. A rate of 0.2990 mils would bring in an estimated additional $781,207. These increased revenues would be in addition to the base rate which could be used for stormwater issues. Mr. Padgett continued with an explanation of the proposed stormwater MSTU increases. He stated Option A (0.2718 mils) requires a simple majority vote of the Board; Option B (0.2990 mils) will require a 2/3 vote of the Board. Mr. Padgett stated those dollars could be leveraged for bond issues of $10 Million and $12 Million, respectively. He said the decision to bond the revenue rather than going year-to-year would be made by the Board. Mr. Harris noted that with leadership comes difficult decision which may not be popular. He then made motion to accept the proposed millage rate. Mr. Parisot asked if we can set the tentative millage rate for this MSTU at this time. Mr. Windes replied “Now or later.” Mr. Parisot felt a local option sales tax is more logical but the Board has no control over voter response to such a referendum issue. Mr. Parisot asked Mr. Harris to clarify which option his motion is supporting. Mr. Harris replied Option B, 0.2990 mils. Mr. Parisot seconded the motion. Mr. Stewart advised the commissioners this is a tentative rate and they can always set a lower final rate. Mr. Boyles addressed the damages from the April rainstorm event and the costs for repairs. He said he is not ready to make a August 4, 2014 -3- Minute Book 71, Page 188 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners final decision on this issue tonight. Mr. Boyles acknowledged the necessity to set a tentative rate and his willingness to do so but reported he will talk with his constituents before making a final decision. He said he prefers Option A. Mr. Boyles asked staff and the County Attorney to look at the legality of loaning the RESTORE Act Committee funds’ for projects, noting that he is not looking for an answer to this question tonight. Mr. Parisot said Susan Blakely with the Gulf Coast Consortium says that is not permissible. He felt it would be taking away from the committee. Mr. Parisot said it is his understanding it will be at least three more years before any funds from the RESTORE Act become available. Mr. Boyles stated he is not looking to bypass the committee. Mr. Harris stated he understands Mr. Boyles’ reservations but the Public Works Department has proven it spends money wisely. Mr. Amunds stated he is not going to support the motion. Mr. Windes said he believes Mr. Parisot is correct about the RESTORE Act money. He stated the commissioners were hired to represent the entire county. Mr. Windes said he too will reserve a final judgment on the rate until after he speaks with his constituents. The vote was called on the motion to adopt a tentative millage rate of 0.2990 miles for the Unincorporated County Parks/ Stormwater MSTU for FY 2014-15. 4 yeas, 1 nay. (Mr. Amunds voted no.) Mr. Hofstad stated he will make a commitment for himself and his staff to get things done. SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING Mr. Hofstad stated this is an enterprise fund division. He said renegotiated garbage rates have provided savings to- the customers while retaining the same level of service. Mr. Hofstad pointed out some of the major accomplishments, noting revenue was enhanced by 7.8%. He stated he is requesting two additional people to assist with the household hazardous waste program. August 4, 2014 ~4- Minute Book 71, Page 189 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners RECESS - The workshop was recessed at 7:50 p.m. and reconvened at 7:58 p.m. MOSQUITO CONTROL Mr. Hofstad provided the program description, revenue details, and key objectives of this division. The proposed budget reflects a decrease of slightly less than 3%. Mr. Hofstad reported since preparation of this budget, the division has experienced a software issue. He said he is working with Mr. Padgett to see if the costs to resolve the software problem can be handled in the current budget year. PARKS Mr. Hofstad began by explaining an action to identify tourist- related parks. By doing so, these parks qualified for support from the Tourist Development taxes and provided relief to the General Fund. Other designations are county parks’ and unincorporated county parks. Not only were major accomplishments announced (including the added responsibility of beach cleaning for Okaloosa Island and the Destin beaches) but slides were provided showing fund contributions and allocations for each of the three park designations. He also provided a slide showing the age of the mowers. COURT SERVICES Mr. Will Moore came forward to address any specific questions or concerns regarding the Court IT program. Ms. Allison Michael stated she can address any issues regarding the Court Innovation Fund. Mrs. Kelly Huckabee, Pretrial Coordinator, Stated Pretrial services assists the county in reducing the jail population and briefly spoke on how Pretrial Services works with first appearances, Veterans Court, Drug Court, and for inmates with mental health issues. Mr. Boyles asked if there is anything the county is not doing which could improve the program. Mrs. Huckabee stated there is always room for improvement but their hands are tied by the Statutes. AGRICULTURE EXTENSION OFFICE Mr. Larry Williams, Okaloosa County Extension Director, stated the proposed FY 2015 budget reflects a 1.85% reduction. A slide August 4, 2014 -5- Minute Book 71, Page 190 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners detailing the funding partnership for the Extension Service was shown. He said for every dollar of General Fund contribution provided to Agriculture Extension, over $2.15 was obtained from other sources. Mr. Williams stated staffing has been stable for a number of years with the office having eight full-time agents and one-part time person. Currently, there are two vacancies. One of these is 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent. The second is the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent which is vacant due to the retirement of Elaine Courtney. Major accomplishments were reviewed in each category: Agriculture, Horticulture, 4-H, Marine Science, and Family & Consumer Sciences. Mr. Williams concluded with information on the Kudzu Bug and its effect on crops. TENTATIVE COUNTYWIDE MILLAGE RATE Mr. Padgett stated the final item is adoption of a tentative countywide millage rate. He advised the existing rate is 3.4308 mils. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Amunds, to set a tentative millage rate at 3.4308 mils. 5 yeas. PUBLIC COMMENT None. ADJOURNMENT There being nothing further to be discussed, the workshop was adjourned at 9:05 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.) August 4, 2014 ~6- Minute Book 71, Page 191 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners