Okaloosa County BOCC — January 30, 2013 — reading text

pointing out the first workshop meeting is not until July 18 and to reschedule the workshops would put four or five workshops in the last two weeks of July. Mr. Curry said the Board can lower the tentative rate. Mr. Amunds commented that he does not see the rate going down. Mr. Curry stated the Board could provide direction to the County Administrator at the Budget Policy Workshop. He advised the Board can tentatively set the millage rate at a higher level and adjust it downward. Mr. Amunds referred to a comment made by Mr. Parisot about the new County Administrator coming on board and suggested this may not be the year to push it (the schedule). Mr. Boyles stated the new County Administrator may want to change the schedule. He said that he does not see the ad valorem tax rate going up and he is comfortable with the proposed schedule. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Windes, to approve the meeting and workshop calendar for the fourth quarter as presented. 5 yeas. VISITOR – MARTIN WHITE, COMMENTARY ON CONFIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER 12-231 Mr. Martin White, Niceville, asked the Board if they are aware of the Governor’s (Confidential) Executive Order 12-231 dated October 11, 2012. He said the order is for the FDLE to begin a criminal investigation of Sheriff Larry Ashley. Mr. White said two commissioners are listed as witnesses but there is no indication anything was done. Mr. Harris stated he was aware of the investigation but not aware of the executive order. It was Mr. White’s contention Sheriff Ashley divulged information about findings against former Commissioner James Campbell. He said Mr. Campbell then amended his financial April 2, 2013 -23- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners disclosure forms before being arrested. Mr. White said this damaged the State Attorney’s case. He then stated that Undersheriff Adams asked the FDLE not to arrest Mr. Campbell until after the vote on the Sheriff’s budget. Mr. White continued with his allegations of wrong doing in the Sheriff’s Department, including claims of an additional individual involved in the kickback scheme of former Sheriff Charlie Morris. Mr. Amunds asked if the document Mr. White is referring to is public record. Mr. White replied it is EO 12-231. He was asked to provide a copy of his speech and the order to the Clerk. Mr. White did provide a copy of the order but not his written/oral comments to the Clerk. RECESS – The meeting was recessed at 12:12 p.m. and retired into Executive Session. The commissioners returned to the meeting and adjourned without comment. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m. _____________________________ _______________________________ DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) **** April 2, 2013 -24- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  April 2, 2013 Executive Session The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 12:12 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview to discuss litigation strategy concerning Zimmerman v. Okaloosa County and Okaloosa County v. Meigs Family Trust. The only individuals permitted in the Executive Session were Chairman Don Amunds; Vice Chairman Dave Parisot; Commissioner Wayne Harris; Commissioner Nathan Boyles; Commissioner Kelly Windes; County Administrator James Curry; County Attorney John Dowd; Special Counsel Greg Stewart; and a certified court reporter. The commissioners returned to the Chambers at 1:55 p.m. and Chairman Amunds adjourned the meeting. ADJOURNMENT This Executive Session was adjourned at 1:55 p.m. _____________________________ _______________________________ DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) **** April 2, 2013 -1- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  April 9, 2013 Special Called Meeting A Special Called Meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 5:35 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Administrative Building in Fort Walton Beach. Members present were Don Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Nathan Boyles; and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; John Dowd, County Attorney; Jim Curry, County Administrator; and members of the press. Mr. Amunds stated the purpose of this called meeting is to consider the proposed employment agreement with Ernest (Ernie) Padgett for the position of County Administrator. Mrs. Kay Godwin, Human Resources Director, stated a copy of the agreement negotiated with Mr. Padgett has been distributed to each commissioner for review. Upon inquiry by Mr. Dowd, Mrs. Godwin said Mr. Padgett has signed the document. Mr. Harris requested clarification on the vehicle allowance. He read from the agreement: In addition, County shall pay employee a vehicle allow- ance in the amount of $400 per month for local travel. The County shall provide employee with a vehicle for out of county travel while it is used for official business, or may reimburse employee for mileage. He said he wants to verify the County Administrator will not receive a $400 monthly travel allowance and the use of a county vehicle. Mrs. Godwin confirmed that is correct, saying it is either one or the other. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve the employment agreement with Mr. Padgett and to authorize the Chairman to execute same. 5 yeas. (NOTE: Mr. Padgett was not in attendance.) April 9, 2013 -1- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m. _____________________________ _______________________________ DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) **** April 9, 2013 -2- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  April 9, 2013 Budget Policy Workshop The Budget Policy Workshop for the Fiscal Year 2013-14 Budget was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. Members present were Don R. Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Nathan Boyles; and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary J. Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office, and James Curry, County Administrator. Constitutional Officers present were Don W. Howard, Clerk of Circuit Court, and Paul Lux, Supervisor of Elections. Mr. Curry stated this process actually began in the January/ February timeframe with discussions and adoption of a Strategic Plan. He advised budget development will accelerate after this workshop. Mr. Curry said staff has been working on the Budget Policy Document for several months and his PowerPoint presentation will address key points. He pointed out this document is available on line for public review. Mr. Curry said the information provided for the Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget at this stage is a best guess scenario. The key policy issues, as itemized on the agenda, were quickly listed by Mr. Curry before he began his presentation. Mr. Curry displayed the organizational chart for Okaloosa County government. The next series of slides gave the statutory fiscal responsibilities of each Constitutional Office. He highlighted the fact that the budgets for the Tax Collector and the Property Appraiser are approved by the Department of Revenue (DOR) and the DOR does accept input from the Board of County Commissioners. The Clerk’s budget is primarily court-related but the BCC does have oversight over the BCC functions: Clerk to the BCC and County Accountant. The Sheriff submits his budget to the Board and it may be amended or modified. The Sheriff may appeal the final decision of the BCC to the Governor and Cabinet. Mr. Curry stated the Supervisor of Elections also submits his budget to the Board. The statutory reference for fiscal responsibilities for each Constitutional Office is listed below: • Property Appraiser: Chapter 195.087 • Tax Collector: Chapters 129.03(2) and 195.087(2) • Board of County Commissioners: Chapters 129 and 200.065 April 9, 2013 -1- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  • Clerk of Courts: Chapters 129.03(2), 128.12, and 128.36 • Sheriff: Chapters 129.03(2) and 130.49 • Supervisor of Elections: Chapters 129.03(2) and 129.201 Economic Information – Charts and graphs showed the county’s population from 1990 through 2012; a comparison of unemployment rates at the county, state, and national levels from 2010 through 2012; and consumer and employment indices from 2003 through 2012. Revenue & Policies – A chart showing the county’s countywide millage history and rolled-back (or rolled-up) rates from 2004 through 2013 was shown. Other charts showing the millage history since the last increase (1992) to present and the ad valorem tax history since 2004 were given. The last set of charts on this topic gave the Tax Collector’s and Clerk’s excess fees since 2001. Mr. Curry enumerated revenue options and recommendations: • Ad valorem/millage increase; an increase to the countywide assessment is recommended • 1 to 5 cent fuel tax increase; the county’s portion would be $547,025 for each penny (this revenue is shared with the municipalities) • Recommendation for Board to continue to consider additional revenue sources available to them, including the Second Local Option Fuel Tax which is not currently levied • Stormwater Utility assessment; consideration recommended Mr. Parisot pointed out the second five cents must be imposed by January 1st and the county would only receive revenue from this source for nine months the first year. Mr. Curry concurred, saying you could only budget that revenue for nine months. Expenditures and Policies – Mr. Curry addressed employees’ salaries and benefits. He stated there have been several years with no salary adjustments and this has resulted in employees having 10% less due to inflation. He felt an increase is necessary not only for morale of the employees but for the county to remain competitive with entities trying to recruit staff away. Mr. Curry stressed that when you get so far behind, it is difficult to catch up and asked for consideration of a 3% salary increase across the board. April 9, 2013 -2- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Curry said he wants to give some good news and reported health insurance costs are anticipated to decrease by 10%. A substantial benefit is expected from the ProShare but will not be available until FY 2014. Mr. Amunds said receipt of the ProShare could allow the county to assist employees with their premiums rather than go into the General Fund. Mr. Curry responded the Board is trying to build a budget, advising the ProShare would automatically be realized not only in the General Fund but enterprise