A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

JULY 21, 1983

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, July 21, 1983, at 1:30 p.m. in the Board of County Commissioners' Meeting Room, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Thomas J. Windram, Chairman: James R. Carson, Jr.; Claude Smoak; C. A. "Lex" Deems; and Glenn C. Burhans. Others present were: Donald W. Smalt, Administrative Services Director; Robert Wilson, Finance Director; Bill LeHeup, Senior Clerk: Michael C. Willett, Director of Development & Public Works; and Mary C. Grover, Secretary.

BUDGETS

Commr. Windram read a memorandum to the Board and to the audience from Mr. Robert Wilson, Finance Director, regarding the 1983-84 tentative budget. Commr. Carson informed the Board that there might be a significant increase in the insurance for employees next year.

Health Department

Dr. June Atkinson, Director of the Lake County Health Department, addressed the Board to discuss the tentative budget request for the Health Department. She stated that there should be no changes to the Health Department budget until 1984-85 budget year. The Board discussed the letter received from the Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services requesting Dr. Atkinson to serve as acting director to the Sumter County Health Department. Dr. Atkinson stated that she did not expect to spend any significant time in Sumter County and that her duties there would be strictly administrative.

North Central Florida Health Planning Council

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board denied the request from the North Central Florida Health Planning Council for funding for 1983-84.

Discussion occurred regarding items that were not in the present budget which needed to be included:.South Lake Courthouse Annex Commr . Smoak stated that the Board had previously approved $25,000 for the South Lake Courthouse Annex.

Jail Exercise Area & Consulting Firm for the Jail

Commr . Deems informed the Board that the interested consulting firms would be interviewed by the Building Committee on August 11, 1983. It was noted that these two items could be funded out of the $1 million reserved for the jail construction.

Sheriff's Department

Commr. Carson informed the Board he had met with Sheriff Griffin regarding his budget request. He stated that the Sheriff did not feel he could reduce his budget with the exception of deleting new personnel. The Board also discussed the vehicle fleet and the salary line item for the Sheriff's Department. The Board postponed any further discussion until members from the Sheriff's Department could be present.

Water Authority/Aquatic Weed Control

Commr. Smoak informed the Board he had met with the Water Authority Board regarding the aquatic weed program. Be stated the Water Authority Board has agreed to contract with the Board as the lead agency in aquatic weed control in Lake County. Be explained they have agreed to make a substantial increase in their budgetary considerations for the application for chemical weed control in the County. Be further stated that their budget also included the purchase of an air boat, a pickup truck, and a sprayer.

Commr. Smoak stated that the Water Authority Board was requesting the Board adopt a resolution authorizing the Water Authority to represent the Board in pass through funds. He further stated that the County would designate as an Emergency Contingency Fund, in the Water Authority Budget, $117,000 from the Fisherman's Funds. He recommended the Board contract with Water Authority for one year. It was noted that the Fisherman's Funds could be used for this purpose contingent upon the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission's approval.

Sheriff's Department Continued

Mr. Chris Giachetti, Sheriff's Department, was present to discuss the Sheriff's proposed budget with the Board. The Board discussed the vehicle line item and the salary line item.

The Board also discussed the line items budgeted for the Lake County Jail. Mr. Giachetti explained that the additional personnel in the Jail would allow an increase in the visitation program and start a recreational program.

Water Authority/Aquatic Weed Control

Discussion continued regarding the aquatic weed program. It was noted that should the Board designate the Water Authority as the lead agency in the program, it would reduce the Aquatic Weed Control budget $80,000.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the proposal as presented and authorized Commr. Smoak to work out a legal, contractual agreement with the Water Authority Board to present to the Board for final adoption and approval.

At 3:00 p.m. Mr. Robert Wilson, Finance Director, excused himself from the meeting.

Aquatic Weed Control/Mosquito Control

Discussion occurred regarding the following reductions that could be made to the Aquatic Weed Control/Mosquito Control budgets as a result of the previous action taken:

Reduce Contingency Reserve - $80,000

(Aquatic Weed - $30,000 (Equipment)

$50,000 (Chemical)

Reduce Chemical Line Item - $1,000

(Aquatic Weed)

Reduce Chemical Line Item - $15,000

(Mosquito Control, Local)

Eliminate the purchase of 1 truck and 1 sprayer (Mosquito Control, Local)

Sheriff's Department

Discussion continued regarding the salary line item in the Sheriff's Department Budget. Mr. Chris Giachetti, Sheriff's Department, was present to answer any questions the Board might have.

Commr . Smoak made a motion that the Sheriff's Department budget be amended to a $750,000 increase. He then withdrew his motion.

Commr. Burhans made a motion to amend the Sheriff's Depart- ent budget to a $650,000 increase. The motion died for a lack of a second.

Commr. Carson made a motion to postpone any action until Sheriff Griffin could be present. The motion died for a lack of a second.

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board rescinded the previous approval of the Sheriff's Department budget in the amount of $900,000 and tentatively approved the budget in the amount of a $750,000 increase.

Division of Development & Public Works Budget

Mr. Mike Willett, Director of Development & Public Works, addressed the Board to discuss various reductions that could be made to his budgets. He stated that Line Item #670, Roads, could be reduced $225,000 and further recommended the remaining $25,000 be placed into Materials in the Road & Bridge, Repair/Construction budget.

Water Authority

Discussion continued regarding the action taken earlier authorizing Commr. Smoak to draft an agreement designating Water Authority as lead agency in the aquatic weed program. Commr. Smoak informed the Board that the written work plan has to be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources by August 1, 1983. The Board discussed authorizing the Water Authority to expend the $117,000 from the Fisherman's Funds, as an emergency fund, without oversight authority from the Board for the program. Commr. Carson stated he felt the Board should have oversight authority in the expenditure of the funds.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried, the Board authorized, if a contract is concluded with the Water Authority, the expenditure of $117,000 from the Fisherman's Fund to the Water Authority for emergency aquatic weed control with no oversight authority from the Board, subject to the approval of the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission.

Commr. Carson voted "No".

Mr. Heppberger was present and expressed concern that the use of these funds needed Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission's approval.

BONDS

Commr. Windram informed the Board he had received a telephone call from Hesco Sales. He stated the Company has an up- to-date audited statement. The Board reconfirmed the action taken by the Board in that a letter of commitment from a qualified financial institution should be submitted prior to any further consideration.

BUDGETS

The Board scheduled a budget workshop for Thursday, July 28, 1983, at 1:30 p.m.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Thomas J Windram, Chairman

James C. Watkins, Clerk

MCG/7-26-83