Okaloosa County BOCC — November 3, 2015 — Sept 15, 2015 final budget — reading text

September 15, 2015 Final Budget Hearing The Final Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Budget was called to order at 5:01 p.m. at the Shalimar Administration Building. Members present were Nathan D. Boyles, Chairman; Charles K. (Kelly) Windes, Jr., Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Carolyn Ketchel; and Trey Goodwin. Also present were John Hofstad, County Administrator; Gary Stanford, Finance Officer, Clerk’s Office; and Greg Stewart, County Attorney. Constitutional officers present were Clerk of Courts J. D. Peacock II and Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux. Mr. Hofstad recapped the steps of the budget process to arrive at the final hearing which included five workshops with the Board. The Tentative Budget Hearing was held on September 3 in Crestview. He stated the prepared spending plan for next year totals $331 Million. Mr. Hofstad reported a small increase in property values of 4.52% which will generate an additional $2.2 Million. This revenue combined with additional State Shared Revenues and State Sales Taxes will give the county an estimated $3.3 Million in new money. He then summarized how the new money was allocated, as well as explaining the costs of Legislative mandates. Mr. Hofstad’s review included details on additional provisions to the Sheriff’s Office and allocation of the BP settlement. He sald that some of the BP settlement dollars placed in General Fund Reserves could go to the Crestview Courthouse renovation project. Mr. Hofstad highlighted growth 1in the enterprise funds, projecting a 6.9% growth or $21 Million increase overall. Mr. Boyles opened the floor for public comment. Mr. Bryan Norback, Senior Attorney with Legal Services of North Florida, renewed a request made during the workshops for an increased allotment over and above what is prescribed through Florida Statutes for legal aid services. Upon inguiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Hofstad explained that certain court fees are divided equally between legal aid services, teen court, the Law Library, and Judicial Innovations. Mr. Hofstad stated any additional contribution could be made by a budget amendment after October 1. September 15, 2015 -1- Minute Book 73, Page 221 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Stanford stated the Board will be asked to adopt two resolutions regarding the ad valorem tax rate and a resclution for the final budget. The 1legal requirements for tonight’s hearing are: e Amend and adcocpt any changes to the Tentative Budget ¢ Re-compute any changes to the proposed millage rate ¢ Publicly announce the percent, if any, by which the re- computed millage exceeds the rolled-back rate Mr. Stanford stated the first resolution to be considered is adopticn of the final millage rate of 3.4308 mills for Okaloosa County for FY 2015-16. This rate 1s greater than the rolled- back rate of 3.3239 mills by 3.22%. Mr. Windes made motion, secocnded by Mr., Harris to adopt the resclution as presented. 5 yeas. RESOLUTION NO. 15-191 Mr. Stanford stated the second resolution is adoption of the final millage rate of 0.2920 mills for the County Parks Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for FY 2015-16. This rate is greater than the rolled-back rate of 0.2916 mills by 2.54%. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Goodwin, to adopt the resolution as presented. 5 yeas. RESOLUTION NO. 15-192 Mr. Stanford stated the third resolution is adoption of the final budget for FY 2015~16 in the amount of $331,339,247. Mrs. Ketchel made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris to adopt the resolution as presented. 5 yeas. RESOLUTION NO. 15-193 Mr. Boyles commented that he is proud of the good work by staff in development of the budget. He said tax rates have been held level, noting Okaloosa County’s rate is half the statewide rate. Mr. Peacock said he would be remiss if he did not mention the efforts by staff to save dollars by using the owner material purchase program which saved thousands of dollars by eliminating sales tax. He also thanked Mr. Stanford and his staff for their hard work, saying it does take a great deal of staff time to manage those purchases. In closing, Mr. Peacock stated he would like to tout the new financial transparency dashboard which went live yesterday. September 15, 2015 -2~ Minute Book 73, Page 222 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Boyles replied that on behalf of the Commission, they appreciate the growing partnership between the Clerk’s Office and the County to do the people’s business. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m. J. D. PEACOCK II NATHAN D. BOYLES, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) September 15, 2015 -3- Minute Book 73, Page 223 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners