Okaloosa County BOCC — December 16, 2014 — 2014-15-legcon-legislative-program-final-1 — reading text

2014-2015 Legislative Program  2014-15 Legislative Program Table of Contents 2014-2015 Legislative Priorities.................................................. 3 Finance, Tax & Administration.................................................... 6 Growth Management, Agriculture & Environment .................... 9 Health & Human Services ......................................................... 19 Public Safety ............................................................................. 23 Federal ...................................................................................... 28 2  2014-15 Legislative Program 0B 2014-2015 Legislative Priorities *Tax Reform: SUPPORT tax reform measures that simplify administration and provide an economic boost to Florida’s taxpayers while at the same time considering and minimizing the collective and cumulative negative impact on local revenues, including state shared and local discretionary revenue sources that are critical to local governments in providing community services. Potential tax proposals that are of major concern to FAC include, but are not limited to: A. Communications Services Taxes SUPPORT amending and/or revising current law in a manner that is: 1) revenue neutral; 2) simplifies administration and collection of the current tax; 3) provides for a broad and equitable tax base; 4) provides for enhanced stability and reliability as an important revenue source for local government; and 5) provides the opportunity for market-based growth. OPPOSE legislation that would revise current law in a manner that significantly reduces current local government related revenues. B. Sales Tax Exemption on Commercial Leases OPPOSE legislation that would exempt state sales tax and local option sales tax on commercial leases. C. Property Taxes – “Elimination of Recapture Provision” OPPOSE legislation that would eliminate the existing recapture provisions in Florida Statute 3  2014-15 Legislative Program D. Local Discretionary Revenue Flexibility SUPPORT modifications to existing laws governing local discretionary sales tax revenue sources to provide greater simplification, flexibility and more efficient administration and management. *Economic Development: SUPPORT measures that empower local governments and provide resources to work with community partners towards the creation of quality jobs, more vibrant Florida communities and global competitiveness as envisioned by the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 20 year strategic plan. Related issues that are of major interest to FAC for the 2015 Legislative session include, but are not limited to: A. Enterprise Zones SUPPORT legislation that reauthorizes statewide enterprise zone incentive programs. B. Film/Television Entertainment Production Tax Incentives SUPPORT legislation that would enhance the current incentives program to support and incentivize local governments to create and maintain a more sustainable and competitive physical and financial environment for attracting film, television, digital and new media related entertainment production in the State of Florida that promotes and is tied to infrastructure and workforce education in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. *Amendment 1–The Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment: SUPPORT a balanced distribution of funds for land acquisition and for water quality and quantity projects throughout the state, with equitable allocation irrespective of a project’s urban or rural nature, or its coastal or inland location. SUPPORT land acquisitions of less than fee simple interest, thus reducing the cost to taxpayers while generating revenue, and allowing property owners to continue certain uses with negotiable terms. SUPPORT an allocation policy that involves local government participation in priority assessment and community impact. OPPOSE the use of Amendment 1 to supplant current funding for beach renourishment, springs protection and other uses allowed in Amendment 1. SUPPORT the continued funding of the Water Management Lands Trust Fund and the annual reserve for payments in lieu of taxes for ad valorem losses incurred as a result of water management district acquisition or charitable donation. SUPPORT the provision of PILT payments at a level that reflects current ad valorem revenues with adjustments to reflect any increase in property value in the future. 4  2014-15 Legislative Program *Medicaid County Cost Cap: SUPPORT establishing a cap on growth in the individual county Medicaid costs under s. 409.915, F.S. to address the anticipated cost shifts that result from the transition to a Medicaid enrollee based cost-sharing system. *Juvenile Detention Cost Share: SUPPORT the state taking full responsibility for funding and operation of detention facilities serving juveniles, both for pre-disposition and post-disposition days and implementing juvenile justice reform, as recommended by the Detention Cost Share Proviso Workgroup. In the alternative, SUPPORT funding for the secure detention as upheld by Florida’s courts. SUPPORT allowing counties to pay actual costs on a monthly reimbursement basis. 5  2014-15 Legislative Program Davin J. Suggs, Fiscal Policy Director Finance, Tax and Administration Email: dsuggs@fl-counties.com Phone: 850-922-4300 or Fax: 850-488-7501 FINANCE & TAX POLICY Remote Sales Tax/“Main Street” Fairness Act: SUPPORT legislation that promotes an equitable competitive environment between “Brick and Mortar” businesses and remote business establishments conducting business in Florida. Tax Reform: SUPPORT tax reform measures that simplify administration and provide an economic boost to Florida’s taxpayers while at the same time considering and minimizing the collective and cumulative negative impact on local revenues, including state shared and local discretionary revenue sources that are critical to local governments in providing community services. Potential tax proposals that are of major concern to FAC include, but are not limited to: A. Communications Services Taxes SUPPORT amending and/or revising current law in a manner that is: 1) revenue neutral; 2) simplifies administration and collection of the current tax; 3) provides for a broad and equitable tax base; 4) provides for enhanced stability and reliability as an important revenue source for local government; and 5) provides the opportunity for market-based growth. OPPOSE legislation that would revise current law in a manner that significantly reduces current local government related revenues. B. Sales Tax Exemption on Commercial Leases OPPOSE legislation that would exempt state sales tax and local option sales tax on commercial leases. C. Property Taxes – “Elimination of Recapture Provision” OPPOSE legislation that would eliminate the existing recapture provisions in Florida Statute. 6  2014-15 Legislative Program D. Local Discretionary Revenue Flexibility SUPPORT modifications to existing laws governing local discretionary sales tax revenue sources to provide greater simplification, flexibility and more efficient administration and management. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Economic Development: SUPPORT measures that empower local governments and provide resources to work with community partners towards the creation of quality jobs, more vibrant Florida communities and global competitiveness as envisioned by the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 20 year strategic plan. Related issues that are of major interest to FAC for the 2015 Legislative session include, but are not limited to: A. Enterprise Zones SUPPORT legislation that reauthorizes statewide enterprise zone incentive programs. B. Film/Television Entertainment Production Tax Incentives SUPPORT legislation that would enhance the current incentives program to support and incentivize local governments to create and maintain a more sustainable and competitive physical and financial environment for attracting film, television, digital and new media related entertainment production in the State of Florida that promotes and is tied to infrastructure and workforce education in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. APPROPRIATIONS Specific County Based Appropriations: SUPPORT maintaining current state appropriations critical to the delivery of public services at the county government level as it relates to currently funded county based appropriations in the SFY 2014-2015 budget. SUPPORT maintenance of existing appropriations currently funded in support of fiscally constrained counties. BUDGET & FINANCE ADMINISTRATION 7  2014-15 Legislative Program Value Adjustment Boards: OPPOSE legislation that would harm the ability of Value Adjustment Boards in fulfilling its role as intended by the State Constitution. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Regulation of Taxis and Limousines: FAC SUPPORTS maintaining the integrity of home rule power, which allows counties to regulate taxis, limousines, and jitneys for the purpose of public safety and consumer protection. Conversely, FAC OPPOSES any effort that preempts to the state the regulation of chauffeured limousines, limousine services and drivers of chauffeured limousines. Collective Bargaining: SUPPORT legislation clarifying that constitutional officers can resolve impasse issues at the discretion of the constitutional officer. Elections: SUPPORT full state funding of all expenditures by supervisors of elections to comply with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act. Procurement: SUPPORT the non-publishing of detailed bid estimates by creating an exemption for county and municipality projects in statute. SUPPORT establishing an optional (alternative) process for state and local entities to consider cost in the award of professional services agreements pursuant to the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act. Public Notice: SUPPORT legislation allowing local governments to comply with public notice and legal advertisement requirements by means other than the newspaper. Florida Retirement System (FRS): OPPOSE any FRS benefit changes that result in an increase in the FRS county and county employee contribution rates. SUPPORT requiring all legislation that potentially results in an increase in the FRS contribution rate to be analyzed and evaluated to determine the direct fiscal impact of proposed changes to all local and state