Okaloosa County BOCC — October 5, 2013 — 7-23-13 budget workshop — reading text

July 23, 2013 Budget Workshop A Budget Workshop of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 1:00 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview. Members present were Don Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot, Vice Chairman (arrived at 1:10 p.-m.; departed at 4:52 p.m.); Wayne Harris; Nathan Boyles, and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary Stanford, Finance Director, and Dave Skarzynski, Budget Analyst, Clerk's Office; Ernie Padgett, County Administrator; and members of the press. Mr. Amunds told the audience they will have an opportunity to make comments oor pose questions after each department presentation. He remarked that Mr. Padgett has presented a tentative budget based on the potential of a millage increase and an increase in gas taxes. Mr. Amunds stated that if the Board does not approve these revenue increases, the Administrator, staff, and commissioners will cut the budget across the board. He said that action will not be taken today. Mr. Amunds commented that he has spoken with employees and others who believe those increases will happen but he cautioned against getting hopes up. Medical Examiner Mr. Jeff Martin, Director for the District I Medical Examiner (ME) Office, stated this ME Office covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties. He stated the ME is responsible for investigating all unusual, unnatural, violent and suspicious deaths. He added they review almost all natural deaths as well. Mr. Martin said they do have an office in Okaloosa County which is staffed with three investigators and a full-time forensic specialist who assists with autopsies. He noted the budget is before the Board and he will answer any questions. Mr. Amunds said nowhere in the proposed budget does it address shared cost for the Okaloosa County facility. Mr. Martin responded that since 2004, Okaloosa County has provided the morgue facility and administrative office for staff to perform their duties. Those costs are not being split by Okaloosa and Walton Counties. He said Walton County has not contributed to the cost of the building and the maintenance of that building. Mr. Boyles asked if they are going to start contributing. Mr. Martin answered an agreement is in the works. Upon inquiry by Mr. Harris about the timeframe for the agreement, Mr. Padgett July 23, 2013 -1- Minute Book 69, Page230 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners replied they are working with the Walton County Commissioners. He added this has been ongoing for many years and Walton County has been getting a free ride. Mr. Padgett was hopeful he would have an update by the next budget workshop. Mr. Boyles said this is his first budget process and realizes the county has different obligations for different entities. He advised that he is not familiar with the county's responsibilities to the Medical Examiner and asked Mr. Martin to explain it to him. (Mr. Parisot arrived at this time—1:10 p.m.) Mr. Martin explained the ME is not like the Tax Collector or Sheriff's Office. He said Dr. Minyard is appointed by the Governor as the Medical Examiner for this district. The county is responsible for providing the costs of Medical Examiner services and the State does not assist with payment of the fees. Mr. Martin clarified that the county is mandated to pay for these services. Upon inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Martin stated the ME submits a budget to each county commission in the district. Historical data and trends in death rates are used to prepare the budgets. He said it is not a precise budget but a guesstimate. Mr. Martin pointed out during his time as director, the ME has never exceeded budget. Upon further inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Martin stated if the Board was to reduce the ME’s budget, the county is still obligated to pay for expenses and could result in him coming back to the Board to request more funds or they would have to stop the services. Mr. Boyles said there is a small staff but it seems heavy in administration. He asked if this office has downsized. Mr. Martin replied there is one Medical Examiner for this district and there should be three. He added that he is also the judicial director. Mr. Martin explained there is an office Manager who also serves as office administrator and records custodian. The remainder of staff is the autopsy staff members and forensic investigators. Mr. Boyles asked if there has been a statewide study to determine the cost of these services per body. Mr. Martin said the ME is part of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and that agency keeps statewide records as to cause of death but there is no one who oversees administration of procedures or costs per body. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Martin stated the budgets for each of the four counties in the district are prepared by July 23, 2013 -2- Minute Book 69, Page 231 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners formula. He also said the budget before the Board is only for Okaloosa County. Upon inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Martin stated there are no interlocal agreements among the counties of the district. Mr. Boyles suggested consideration be given to interlocal agreements to guarantee consistency in how costs are split. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Martin stated the proposed budget does include a 1.5% salary increase for employees. Mr. Steve Czonstka, Niceville, said the Florida Association of Counties may have data about the per-body costs for ME services. Health Department Dr. Karen Chapman, Director of the Okaloosa County Health Department, provided historical background on the relationship between Okaloosa County and the health department which is a state agency. Dr. Chapman stated she has prepared a progress report to give the Board an idea of the agency’s activities for this fiscal year and began her presentation. She pointed out the proposed budget for FY 2013-14 demonstrates a 15% reduction from the current year’s budget. Ms. Carrie Ziegler, Health Department, detailed the department's proposal for establishing a 2-1-1 information referral system. She said there are only a few counties in the state which are not covered by 2-1-1. Upon inquiry by Mr. Harris, Ms. Ziegler said a stand-alone program would be very expensive and this program is a partnership with the Pensacola United Way. The estimated cost is $36,000 per year but depends on the saturation level and number of calls received. She said they are asking the county to support the program ($10,000) during the first year to get it going. Ms. Ziegler said the program is typically run by the United Way or Emergency Management. Mr. Amunds asked if this $10,000 cost has been factored into proposed budget which reflects at 15% reduction. Dr. Chapman stated that $10,000 has been factored. Mr. Amunds' sought clarification on the county’s contribution. Dr. Chapman referred to the $10,000 allocation as seed money. She said they want it to be with United Way and this seed money for one year would provide an opportunity for them to secure funding. Dr. Chapman stated there is no way to document the needs in the July 23, 2013 -3- Minute Book 69, Page 232 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners county and she believes 2-1-1 will do that. She added that having that information will help support grant requests. Mr. Parisot stated the Health Department has reduced its janitorial costs, gave money back to the county for the PAWS contract, and he has no problem with giving support for the $10,000 allocation for the 2-1-1 program. He stated Okaloosa County has a good working relationship with the Health Department. Mr. Harris applauded Dr. Chapman for making reductions in her budget and for giving back to the county. He asked why a private non-profit is doing the 2-1-1 program rather than a state agency or emergency management. Mr. Harris said the county has 9-1-1 and asked why not have it as a county program. Ms. Ziegler replied the focus will be on the county but for small population areas partnerships are necessary. She added this is a nationally certified program. At Mr. Boyles’ request for an overview, Dr. Chapman provided a breakdown of the Health Department's budget. Dr. Chapman also pointed out the effort to re-brand the agency, identifying it as the Florida Department of Health rather than the Okaloosa County Health Department. Her explanation included the unique contractual relationship and a description of all the services provided by the agency. Mr. Boyles commented that the county contributes a small portion of the funding but receives many services in return. Mr. Windes told Dr. Chapman that her department is doing an outstanding job. Inspections Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, displayed a chart with data from 2000 to present. He explained how the economic downturn affected this department and reported this past year they almost broke even. Mr. Kampert noted the department was able to pay money back to the county last year and this year. He reported they are on track and are approximately $100,000 ahead this year in comparison to the same time last year. Mr. Kampert noted the department is more efficient with the same amount of permits being issued. Mr. Parisot said it appears the same workload is being carried out with 15 people as it was with the previous number of 21 employees. Mr. Kampert stated the inspectors are multi-class and consideration for a fee schedule July 23, 2013 -4- Minute Book 69, Page 233 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners increase may be warranted because of increased activities but he does not want to ramp up too quickly. At Mr. Harris’ request, Mr. Kampert explained the state requirements for inspectors in the plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and building fields. He pointed out that it is becoming more difficult to find multi-class inspectors. Mr. Parisot asked about software upgrades which could assist with increased efficiency. Mr. Kampert replied there are better systems available for internet-based permits but they are very expensive. He advised those systems cost almost $1 Million. Mr. Amunds suggested working with the current Water & Sewer program for credit card payments. Mr. Kampert said the service they use is called PayPro. Planning Mr. Kampert stated the Planning Division is responsible for implementing the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Plan, Flood Plan Management, and the Local Mitigation Strategy Plan. He stated two positions in transit are paid here in the Planning Division. Mr. Kampert noted that a rate of 5 was maintained in the Flood Plan which resulted in a 25% reduction of flood insurance premiums. Code Enforcement Mr. Kampert stated this division is charged with implementing the Land Development Code, pursuing violations of the Building Codes, and following up on unlicensed contractors. He said there have been three officers in this division for quite some time and noted the count of cases per officer is 917. Mr. Boyles said before becoming a commissioner he served on the Code Enforcement Board. He noted the system is complaint driven, saying we don’t have the resources or people for it to be different, Coordinated Transportation Mr. Kampert stated he will begin with a presentation which includes a snapshot of the ridership for each route. He pointed out all routes, except for the Crestview route, increased in ridership. The Crestview routes ‘decreased by 7.5%. Mr. Harris pointed out that during budget hearing discussions last year, it July 23, 2013 ~5- Minute Book 69, Page 234 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was made clear justification for keeping the routes would mean they would have to hold their own. Mr. Parisot referred to the three Destin routes and noted that Route #33 goes to Silver Sands in Walton County. He asked if Walton County contributes anything to this route, to which Mr. Kampert answered “no.” Upon further inquiry, Mr. Kampert said no one has ever