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

county kicks in $441,000 above its commissions and that should put the county in line for return of revenues over expenditures. Mr. Anderson replied he does not have the ability to set up a sinking fund. He said all the profits are turned over to the county and other taxing authorities. Mr. Anderson noted that he returned $394,000 to the county last year. Upon inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Anderson replied that any unused tourist development revenues will be returned to the county. Mr. Windes asked Mr. Anderson if he is still optimistic of increasing collections for tourist taxes. He replied that in the transferring a function, duty or service from one office to another it is important to learn as much as you can before getting into it. Mr. Anderson spoke about the software to be purchased for the function and the savings from staff doing their own data entry for accounts. He said they are not sure what the final numbers will be but he believes they will be more accurate when they take over the function on October 1. Mr. Anderson expressed his confidence in the changes and numbers of people participating in the program. He also told of the difficulty with trying to work with out-of-state booking companies. This statement opened a brief discussion on these type collections. July 23, 2013 -11- Minute Book 69, Page 240 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Parisot stated the Board received only a 7-page summary and asked when the complete budget document will be provided. Mr. Anderson reiterated his budget will be submitted to DOR next week. Mr. Steve Czonstka, Niceville, was of the opinion if you want to encourage business, you might consider removing the business tax requirement. Sheriff Sheriff Larry Ashley stated he doesn’t know that he can present anything more than what has already been submitted. He said he will be brief and answer any questions from the Board. Sheriff Ashley reported an increase in crimes which can be associated with a higher population in the county and more tourists. He added that violent crimes are up by 41%. The Sheriff stated the operating expenses faced by the Board are the same ones he faces. Last year 14 positions were eliminated but he needs five of those back. Other increased costs are due to the need to staff the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit 24/7 with a full-time deputy position and to provide deputies for court-ordered supervised visitations at the Ben Gordon Visitation Centers. A number of questions were posed on the court-ordered supervised visitations and why it is not funded by the judiciary. Sheriff Ashley pointed out there are many functions the State mandates the county to fund. Sheriff Ashley continued with his explanation of funding needed to replace aging patrol vehicles and a prisoner transport bus. He also addressed funding needs for the expanded School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. He said the School Board has allocated $1.2 Million for the program and may contribute another $500,000, Sheriff Ashley stated that will leave him with a deficit of $500,000 to fund the SRO program. Also, a 3% cost of living increase for employees will total $600,000. A chart showing the historical expenditures for the last four years was provided. Mr. Parisot asked about an agreement between the former County Administrator Jim Curry and the Sheriff to use any overage (unspent revenues) to purchase vehicles rather than give the money back to the county. Sheriff Ashley replied they have not July 23, 2013 -12- Minute Book 69, Page 241 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners been on par with their vehicles. He said the department provides a professional law enforcement service and has been 100% in compliance with 268 standards. Sheriff Ashley stated that he is looking for guidance on relocation of the Investigations Division. He showed pictures of the facility which currently houses the team and the problems they have because of a leaking roof. Mr. Parisot said the building owner should be responsible for repairing the roof. Sheriff Ashley replied they have a 90-day lease and the owner may not replace the roof if they vacate the premises. Sheriff Ashley pointed out the proposed budget for FY 2014 represents an increase of 17% over the current year's budget. He advised that anything not approved, he will have to cut. Mr. Amunds referred to a discussion he had with Sheriff Ashley. He said he made a commitment to the Sheriff that he will not tell him where to make cuts or how to spend the allocation. Sheriff Ashley responded by asking what a budget cut decision will be made on if it is not the information he is providing. Mr. Amunds replied the county only has so much money, short of raising taxes. Mr. Harris stated the expenditure for SROs is self-imposed, noting that was not planned initially. He recommended coordination with the School Board to fund the SRO Program. Mr. Harris said the School Board gets the bulk of tax revenue and should pay for this program. He asked why the School Board is not willing to fund this. Sheriff Ashley replied the School Board, like other School Boards throughout the state, do not believe it is their responsibility to enforce the law. He said they are of the opinion it is the Sheriff's job to protect the citizens. Discussion continued. Mr. Parisot pointed out the FRS contribution was passed along to all city and county governments to cover; however, the State agreed to pay the cost for all 67 School Boards. He said this request is putting the burden on the taxpayers of the county. Mr. Parisot felt the issue should be directed to the Legislators and ask them why funding for Safe Schools is not increased. Sheriff Ashley said the State’s view is that SROs are a local issue. He noted the Governor included $10 Million in his budget for this purpose but it was not approved. Mr. Boyles commented the Sheriff is in a non-enviable position. He referred to School Board Member Rodney Walker’s remarks in the newspaper and said they were disappointing to him. July 23, 2013 -13- Minute Book 69, Page 242 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Specifically, he was referring to the statement that the Sheriff would find a way of making up the difference in the funding needed. Sheriff Ashley responded he believes the reason for that comment is because he is more committed. He reiterated that he has a commitment to the citizens and SROs are his number one priority. Mr. Boyles expressed his difficulty in understanding how the School Board defines its responsibilities. It was his opinion that SROs are part of the package for providing education, transportation to the schools, and safety in the schools. He said they should fund SROs in the same manner as buses and school lunches. Sheriff Ashley said the School Board seems to be divided. Some of the members want two officers in the high schools and some believe it is law enforcement’s responsibility to provide the SROs. Mr. Boyles said if an entity, Destin for example, wants exclusive service, it pays for it. He asked how he is to make the distinction between Destin’s desire to have exclusive service and the School Board wanting someone sitting there. Mr. Harris noted the county is already paying the Sheriff's Office to respond, not to sit there. He said Mr. Boyles’ point is well taken. Mr. Amunds added that many of the schools are inside the city limits and a city officer could respond more quickly. (Mr. Parisot left the meeting at this time and did not return— 4:52 p.m.) Mr. Boyles pointed out the Sheriff is caught in the middle of two taxing entities with overlapping responsibilities. He said there does not appear to be a finite funding source and he does not anticipate that funding level to be repeated in the future. Sheriff Ashley stated he got the same feeling from the School Board. Mr. Steve Czonstka, Niceville, asked what portion of the Sheriff’s responses can be attributed to tourists and asked why some of the bed tax cannot be used to supplement the Sheriff's budget for these services. The Sheriff replied that a bill which would allow bed taxes as a revenue source for the scenario made it through the Senate but not the House. He said 90% of the calls in the bed tax district are for visitors and he believes they should pay their fair share. July 23, 2013 -14- Minute Book 69, Page 243 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners cto Mr. Bob Bomar, Okaloosa Island, stated he has the ultimate respect for law enforcement officers. He asked if the increased desire for SROs is attributed to the Sandy Hook shootings. Sheriff Ashley answered “yes.” Upon further inquiries by Mr. Bomar, Sheriff Ashley said there are some studies on the effectiveness/presence of a uniformed officer but there is no way to measure what criminal activity may have been prevented. Mr. Steve Menchel, Destin, stated he is working with the Undersheriff on legislation. He stressed the importance of keeping statistics to support the use of bed taxes to cover tourist-related incidents. Mr. Menchel noted that Destin did not keep any statistics on this. Mr. Amunds commented the county did provide its data for the last five years to the Legislature. Mr. Ben White, Crestview, addressed the use of tourist taxes to cover not only a portion of the Sheriff's costs but lifeguards, EMS, roads and other infrastructures. He also reported there were some members of the local legislative delegation that voted against the proposal for use of bed taxes in this manner. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the workshop was adjourned at 5:10 p.m. DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) July 23, 2013 -15- Minute Book 69, Page 244 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners