Okaloosa County BOCC — August 16, 2016 — July 18, 2016 budget workshop — reading text

advised this budget also shows hardware and software maintenance costs for the elections equipment . Other items referenced were increased postage costs and funds needed for improvements at the warehouse . July 18 , 2016 -5- Minute Book 75 , Page 30 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners RECESS - The meeting was recessed at 9 : 28 a . m. and reconvened at 9 : 38 a . m. CORRECTIONS Chief Corrections Officer Stefan Vaughn stated the proposed budget for next year reflects a 2 . 4% increase . He provided actual data for FY 2015 regarding various aspects of inmate incarcerations , including total jail days ; number of inmates released and inmates transferred to other jurisdictions ; inmates detained on average per day ; number of inmates transported to court or prison , medical appointments , etc .; hours of inmate labor to other departments ; and hours of inmate labor in-house services . Chief Vaughn underscored the drastic increase in jail days . Chief Vaughn noted that his request for one additional full-time employee was eliminated during the budget balancing process . He addressed the performance measures and explained each slide supporting his presentation . Those slides included a graph showing the average jail population from fiscal years 1995 to date , daily populations from July 2013 through June 2016 , staff adjustments and jail population costs . Discussion ensued regarding the overcrowding condition at the County Jail and adequate staffing . During the discussion Mr. Boyles asked if staffing is adequate currently to which Chief Vaughn replied " no " and reported officers are working overtime . Mr . Boyles expressed concern that the Sheriff has been granted 14 new positions but the one position requested in Corrections was denied . He said he wants to give careful consideration to this request . Mrs . Ketchel agreed , saying it should be addressed when reviewing the overall budget . PROPERTY APPRAISER Mr. Pete Smith , Property Appraiser , stated his budget has been approved by the Department of Revenue (DOR) and represents a 2 . 2% increase . He said he has committed to do his part with regard to salary increases but would like a good quote on insurance . Mr . Smith asked if there are any questions . Mr . Harris remarked this will be Mr . Smith ' s last budget presentation as he is retiring . He stated Mr . Smith has been a valuable asset to the county . July 18 , 2 016 - 6- Minute Book 75 , Page 31 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners GROWTH MANAGEMENT Mr . Elliot Kampert , Growth Management Director , provided a brief review of the proposed budgets for the follo wing divisions : Planning and Inspections , Code Enforcement , and Transit and Grants . He listed accomplishments in each di vision . A graph was shown entitled Annual Revenue/ Expense Comparison w/ # of Permits for the time period of FY 2000-01 through FY 2014 - 15 . Mr . Kampert reviewed the list of positions requested to maintain the level of service identified by the Building Industry Association (BIA) and discussed in the Institute of Senior Professionals Vulnerability Report . Those positions are : • Plans Examiner • Multi-trade Inspector • Permitting Technician • Administrative Assistant (Inspections Division) • Administrative Assistant (Shared with Code Enforcement) Mrs . Ketchel said she feels there is too much under Mr . Kampe rt ' s " umbrella ." She asked consideration to place Code Enforcement back under the Sheriff ' s Office . Mr . Harris stated he might agree with that but posed questions on funding those officers . Mr . Boyles disagreed , stating the Sheriff manages a $36 Million budget and a large number of employees and his responsibility is law enforcement . He said code enforcement issues are different than law enforcement issues . HUMAN RESOURCES Mrs . GinNeal McVay , Human Resources (HR) Director , reported the pay consultant is " currently in the air " and noted that he was scheduled on today ' s agenda at 12 : 30 p . m. She proceeded with the presentation in his absence . Mrs . McVay stated in May staff embarked on a market study , using sixty benchmark positions . She said the data received from that study was not surprising . Mrs . McVay told the Board a 2 % market adjustment was given to employees in 2008 but no merit increases have been provided since that time . In subsequent years the county has given employees increases of $1400 , $500 , $500 and plans are to give them $800 this year. She advised the commissioners that the minimum starting salary in Okaloosa County is 10 % below the minimum starting salary across the state . Mrs. McVay explained that it is very difficult to find July 18 , 2016 -7- Minute Book 75 , Page 32 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners people to fill positions and employees are leaving for a variety of reasons , including higher wages . She emphasized that the county cannot compete with governmental contractors . Mrs . McVay said the present turnover rate is 15 %. She stated the county hires at entry level , trains the people , and then they leave for higher paying jobs elsewhere . She reported that 33 % of first - year employees leave the county . When posting for job vacancies , Mrs . Mcvay said they typically only get five or fewer applicants . Mrs . McVay stated the county has a tremendous staff which does a great job , day in and day out but they are struggling . They are asked to do more than previously ; they are becoming exhausted and they are leaving . Next , Mrs . McVay addressed the applicant pool for the younger generation . She said they are more interested in the monetary side than benefits . Mrs . McVay said if the younger applicants are asked if they would prefer $1 , 000 more for salary or benefits to assist with retirement , they will choose the money . Mr. Boyles posed questions about COLA and said information provided by the HR Director is different than data given to him . He referred to the money previously given to employees ($1400 , $500 and $500) and said we need to make sure the employees understand they are being given an increase . Mr . Boyles reiterated the need " to tell the proper story ." He said the county must find a way to be competitive and explain to potential employees why they need benefits . Upon inquiry by Mr . Harris , Mrs . McVay stated 25 % of the county ' s workforce are below the federal poverty level (for a family of four) . PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr . Dave Parisot , Shalimar , stated looking at the performance- based budget documents does not tell much about the financial state of the departments . He provided his opinions on the rolled-back rate , property tax increases , problems with stormwater and roads , the General Fund , the Sheriff ' s budget , and School Resource Officers . In closing , Mr . Windes expressed concern regarding General Fund Reserves and asked Mr . Hofstad to look into it . July 18 , 2016 -8- Minute Book 75 , Page 33 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board , the meeting was adjourned at 10 : 45 a . m. J . D. PEACOCK II CHARLES K. WINDES , JR ., CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward . ) July 18 , 2016 -9- Minute Book 75 , Page 34 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners