Okaloosa County BOCC — August 6, 2013 — August 8 Budget Workshop — reading text

Million to $16 Million. Non-BCC Entities Mr. Amunds acknowledged receipt of many letters from various groups requesting funding from the BCC. (Copies of these letters were not provided to BCC Records.) Mr. Steve Czonstka, Vice-Chair for Finance for the Heritage Museum, thanked the Board for its past support. He said like the commissioners, the Museum’s Board of Trustees has had to make difficult decision on ways to reduce spending. Over the past years, county allocations have been reduced from $50,000 to $13,500 and computer support has been cut. Mr. Czonstka said to compensate, the Museum has ramped up fundraising activities. He requested funding at the same level as last year. Mr. Amunds said he believes the funding for all three Museums (Heritage Museum, Baker Block Museum, Destin History and Fishing Museum) should be the exact same amount. Mr. Harris said he does not disagree but asked about a funding allocation for the Carver Hill Museum, the only African-American Museum in the county. He said the Board should consider doing something for all museums. Mr. Parisot called attention to the Indian Temple Mound Museum. Mr. Amunds stated a letter from the Destin History and Fishing Museum is requesting $6,480 and continued support. He said he also received a letter from the Judge Ben Gordon Visitation Center requesting an allocation and another one from Elder Services. . Mr. Jerry Melvin, President of the Board for Elder Services, thanked the Board for continuing to offer office space in the old Fort Walton Beach Hospital for Elder Services. He listed the expenses associated with remodeling and repairs. Mr. Melvin August 8, 2013 -~6- Minute Book 69, Page 290 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners requested not only continued monetary support but an extension of their lease for ten years. Mr. Amunds commented that most businesses which had a $1.00-per-year lease would not care if they had a ten-year lease extension. He said the Board has been very generous. Mr. Parisot added the Board also leases the two assisted living facilities in Crestview and Niceville for $1.00 per year. Mr. Windes questioned putting money into’ the repairs/renovations if you are not going to stay for a while. Mr. Boyles said this organization has done as much good as any other to provide services that would force citizens to seek from the government in some way. He felt the Board’s investment has generated return. Mr. Nathan Sparks, Economic Development Council (EDC) Director, said he is present to follow up on Interim Director Kay Rasmussen’s request for funding. He referred to the EDC ‘and Board’s partnership over the years. Mr. Sparks reported there are 24 projects in various stages and they project 595 new jobs. He continued with his presentation. Mr. Harris agreed with the plan for diversification rather than reliance upon the Department of Defense (DOD). He stated the county is the largest contributor and asked for a plan to show how the county as the largest stakeholder will benefit. Mr. Boyles stated he is interested in giving Mr. Sparks a year to see what he can do at his new post as EDC Director. Mr. Parisot referred to projects given tax exemptions and asked how many have moved forward and created jobs. Mr. Sparks responded those are still in process. Mr. Parisot expressed concern about slowness in “closing the deal” on these tax abatements. Mr. Sparks replied the closing of the deal is outside of the EDC’s control. When Mr. Parisot spoke of cutting the allocation to $60,000, Mr. Sparks questioned the ability to stay viable. Mr. Harris pointed out Okaloosa County must compete with South Alabama and Georgia. He agreed with Mr. Boyles’ suggestion to give Mr. Sparks a year. Mr. Windes said he is not in favor of welcoming Mr. Sparks by cutting the funding this year. (NOTE: Mr. Parisot left at this time—9:05 p.m.) August 8, 2013 -7- Minute Book 69, Page 29] Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners RECESS - The meeting was recessed at 9:05 p.m. and reconvened at 9:15 p.m. Mr. Amunds opened the floor for comments. Ms. Shirley Parker, Holt, stated she wanted to address the raising of gas taxes and the millage rate. She said many senior citizens are living within their means and they are on a fixed income. Ms. Parker asked the Board why it can’t live within its means. She felt this to be double taxing seniors. Mr. David Sherry, Okaloosa Island, again addressed the issue of amending the Unincorporated Parks MSTU by majority vote of the Board and called it a slippery slope. He said perhaps the MSTU is the way to fund stormwater but the Board should go through the front door, not the back door. At Mr. Harris’ request, Mr. Hofstad provided additional commentary on establishing this MSTU. He said the MSTU is the result of a settlement agreement because of a lawsuit in the 1980s. Originally, the MSTU dealt with law enforcement services and roads in addition to parks. Mr. Hofstad said sometime in the 1990s the reference to law enforcement and roads was removed. He advised they are trying to come up with a suitable funding source for stormwater. He stated the MSTU for Unincorporated Parks is an existing assessment and they felt it to be a suitable revenue source for stormwater. Mr. Sherry responded that he is not against stormwater but he is concerned about “letting the genie out of the bottle.” Mr, Boyles remarked that he is sensitive to the concerns which have been voiced and it will be considered in greater detail at the public hearing. Mr. Sherry again stated he is not against stormwater or drawing down the reserves in this account but concerned about the “slippery slope” of the commissioners changing the MSTU based on what the voters agreed to. Mr. Wendell Batey, Crestview, said he appreciates what the department heads and the Board have done. He stated finite dollar amounts have been assigned to needs. Mr. Batey said government is not easy and he does not believe it was meant to be. He stated highest costs are associated with personnel and asked if the Board has explored contracting out services for Mosquito Control or Parks Management. August 8, 2013 -8- Minute Book 69, Page 292 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Amunds replied some areas have been explored, such as lifeguard services but found the Board was held hostage by privatizing the lifeguard program. He told Mr. Batey his point is a valid one. Mr. Batey stated before a millage rate or gas tax is passed, he expects the Board to turn over every leaf. He asked how the lobbyists are helping the county. Mr. Harris said he spoke with Mr. Stanford about unfunded mandates from the State. He pointed out the county has inherited $35 Million in unfunded mandates over the last four years, saying that is more than 10% of the county budget. Mr. Windes referred to the question about contracting out services. He said that he has looked at what the departments do and they save money doing things themselves. Mr. Windes stated we have good quality people. Mrs. Rebecca Sherry, Okaloosa Island, stated the Board paying health insurance premiums for its employees has always been an issue for her. She said private business has zeroed out that contribution. Mr. Amunds replied we have different plans and the coverage has been reduced. Mr. Boyles commented that the overall compensation package should be taken into account. Mr. Rob English, Laurel Hill, believed there are efficiencies yet to be considered. He also found the budget to be difficult to understand and lacked transparency. Mr. English stated that everyone in government can’t have everything and went on to list increased fees for EMS, increased taxes by the School Board, and the federal government charging more as examples. He told the commissioners they needed to buckle down and say no or find out where to cut this budget. Mr. English continued, saying it is “way out of line” for the County Attorney to make $170,000 a year. Mr. Amunds replied the attorney has been in government for forty years and pays his two staff members. He noted that Mr. Dowd did not become a county employee until about 14 or 15 years ago. Mr. Boyles added the county does not provide office space or supplies for the County Attorney. Mr. Amunds advised Mr. English that staff is willing to go line- by-line through the budget with him but he should be prepared to set aside several hours for such a review. August 8, 2013 -9- Minute Book 69, Page 293 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. English asked why it is necessary for the county to purchase a crane for bridge:work and asked why Walton, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties cannot share the equipment. Mr. Amunds asked how you would decide who would get to use the crane if there was only one and all three counties were hit with a flood event which destroyed bridges. He said when you need a crane, you need a crane. Mr. Amunds pointed out the Public Works Department for the-.last few years has weighed the option of leasing equipment versus outright purchase. Mr. Harris asked Mr. English if he understands this is a policy setting board. A manager (administrator) is hired to carry out those policies. Mr. English countered by saying “The buck stops here. I hold you accountable.” Mr. English again insisted there are cuts which could be made. Mr. Harris asked him how deeply he has looked at this budget. He added the Board hoids honorable people accountable, noting they are taxpayers in this county too. Mr. Windes stressed the importance of looking at the big picture. He said $60 Million has been cut out of the budget over the last six years, the fleet is depleted, and the infrastructure is crumbling. Mr. Windes stated the commissioners must figure out how to carry out their fiduciary responsibility. He continued, saying the Board must provide certain services and for the past six years “we have picked the low hanging fruit” to cut the budget. Mr. Steve Menchel, Destin, said he has been championing the issue of changing how bed tax revenues can be used. He asked for the commissioners to continue to work this issue. Mr. Menchel told them they should be offended when the Legislature does not respond to a request for help. Mr. Jamie Smith, Laurel Hill, said now is the opportunity to turn this back on the Legislature and to put pressure on the legislators. Mr. Ed Winkelseth, Panhandle Patriots Tea Party, stated there are three Tea Party organizations in the area and Mr. Harris should be more careful when choosing his words and lumping all groups together. He referred to statements made by Mr. Harris during an interview. Mr. Winkelseth questioned why Mr. Harris bad mouthed people he had no discussion with and told him to get his act together. He asked him to know who he is dealing with and not lump everyone together. August 8, 2013 -10- Minute Book 69, Page 294 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Ms. Shirley Parker, Holt, stated she is not a Tea Party person but she was outside holding up a sign. She expressed her anger to Mr. Harris at his use of certain words ‘bastard throwoffs,” “conspiracy theorists and malcontents.” Ms. Parker called Mr. Harris a tyrant and asked for his resignation. Mr. Harris replied that when faced with a fool, you never argue with a fool. He told Ms. Parker, “Biess your heart.” Ms. Parker looked at the Chairman and began “If you don’t fire him” at which point Mr. Amunds said he does not have that authority. Mr. Harris asked if he does not also have a Constitutional right to express himself. Mr. Boyles stated there are complicated issues and challenges which provide opportunities for us to disagree. He said sometimes in the heat of the moment, we say things we regret. Mr. Boyles said as a commissioner he works with the other four gentlemen on the Board and you will find each tries to stay out of any disagreement between a commissioner and his constituents. Mr. Boyles said the