A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

SEPTEMBER 23, 1986

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, September 23, 1986, at 5:05 p.m. in the Board of County Commissioner's Meeting Room, Lake County Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Thomas J. Windram, acting as Chairman; Glenn C. Burhans; Claude E. Smoak, Jr.; and C. A. "Lex" Deems. Others present were: Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; James C. Watkins, Clerk; Michael C. Willett, County Administrator: Chris Giachetti, Administrative Services Division Director; Robert Wilson, Finance Director: William LeHeup, Budget Analyst; and Linda Barnett, Secretary.

BUDGETS

FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING

Commr . Windram announced to the public that the discussion will be related to the Federal Revenue Sharing budget and that the amount of the Total Revenue Sharing is $2,713,858.00, which is allocated as follows: $1,610,000.00 for Public Safety, which is designated for the new jail construction; and $1,103,858.00 for Road and Street Facilities.

No one present wished to discuss this item with the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board approved the recommendation to adopt the Federal Revenue Sharing Budget, as listed, and subject to the receipt of funds from the Federal Government.

LAKE COUNTY'S 1986-1987 BUDGET

Commr. Windram announced that there are two amendments to the 1986-1987 budget, which is the Self Insurance Claims Amendment and the Sheriff's Budget Amendment.

SELF INSURANCE CLAIMS AMENDMENT

Commr. Windram read the amendment to the 1986-1987 Tentative Budget, which removes fund number 199 "Self Insurance Claims" from the adopted budget and reports the "Self Insurance Claims Fund" as an expendable trust fund instead of a special review fund, decreasing the total County budget by $428,750.00.

No one present wished to discuss this item with the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the amendment to the 1986-1987, budget which removes the number 199 "Self Insurance Claims from the adopted budget and now reports the "Self Insurance ms Fund" as an expendable trust fund instead of a special revenue fund.

SHERIFF'S BUDGET AMENDMENT

Commr. Windram informed the Board of a letter from Sheriff Griffin, which was accepted on July 15, 1986, for increases as of October 1, 1986, but was not acted He stated that it is an increase of Sheriff Griffi n's original budget request, in the amount of $23,910.00, as a ment increases. retirement on at that time result of retire

No one present wished to discuss this item with the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Smoak and carried unanimously, the Board approved the amendment to the 1986-1987 budget for retirement increases for the Sheriff's Budget.

LIBRARY FUND AMENDMENT

Mr. Michael Willett, County Administrator, discussed with the Board a need to put an additional $5.000.00, into the Library Fund, for salary and benefits. He stated that if it is done now it could be matched by the State.

Mr. Robert Wilson, Finance Director, stated that this would be an amendment to the General Fund Transfer to the Countywide Library Fund, taking $5,000.00 from the General Fund Contingency and placing it as a transfer to the Countywide Library.

No one present wished to discuss this item with the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Library Fund amendment of $5,000.00.

TOTAL COUNTY MILLAGE

Commr. Windram informed the Board that the total County budget tentative millage is set at 3.400 mills, which is a 3.2 increase over the rolled back millage, making a total budget of $49,755,024.00.

Commr . Windram read Resolution 1986-54 stating the final millage rate of 3.400 mills is hereby levied on all property in Lake County to be used for the Lake County budget, which increases the rollback millage rate by 3.2 percent, and that 3.2 is the percentage increase in property taxes adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, for the Lake County budget.

Mrs. Olbrooks of Mt. Dora, Mr. H. A. Hartman, Mrs. Joy H. Thompson of Groveland, and Mr. Steven Turner of Grand Island appeared before the Board in opposition to the 3.2 percent increase in property taxes.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board approved the adoption of the Resolution 1986-54 stating that the total County budget millage is set at 3.400 mills, which is a 3.2 percent increase over the rolled back millage.

NORTHEAST HOSPITAL DISTRICT

Commr . Windram informed the Board that the tenative millage rate is set at 1.00 mills, which represents a 6.3 increase over the rolled back millage, making a total budget of $1,115,385.00, for the Northeast Hospital District.

Commr. Windram read Resolution 1986-55 stating that a final millage rate of 1.00 mills is hereby levied on all property in the Northeast Lake County Hospital District to be used for the Northeast Lake County Hospital District budget, which increases the rollback rate millage by 6.3 percent, and that 6.3 percent is the percentage increase in property taxes adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, for the Northeast Lake County Hospital District budget.

No one present wished to discuss this item with the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Northeast Hospital District millage set at 1.00 mills, which is a 6.3 increase over the rolled back millage, making a total budget of $1,115,385.00.

NORTHEAST AMBULANCE DISTRICT

Commr. Windram informed the Board that the tentative millage rate is set at 0.190 mills, which represents a (-10.8) decrease over the rolled back millage, making a total budget of $211,976.00, for the Northeast Ambulance District.

Commr . Windram read Resolution 1986-56 stating that a final millage rate of 0.190 mills is hereby levied on all property in the Northeast Ambulance District to be used for the Northeast Ambulance District budget, which decreases the rollback millage by (-10.8) percent, and that (- 10.8) percent is the percentage decrease in property taxes adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, for the Northeast Ambulance District budget.

No one present wished to discuss this item with the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Smoak and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Northeast Ambulance District millage set at 0.190 mills, which is a (- 0.8) decrease over the rolled back millage, making a total budget of $211,976.00.

NORTHWEST AMBULANCE DISTRICT

Commr. Windram informed the Board that the tentative millage rate is set at 0.190 mills, which represents a (-11.2) decrease over the rolled back millage, making a total budget of $172,876.00.

Commr. Windram read Resolution 1986-57 stating that a final millage rate of 0.190 mills is hereby levied on all property in the Northwest Ambulance District to be used for the Northwest Ambulance District budget, which decreases the rollback rate millage by (-11.2) percent, and that (-11.2) percent is the percentage decrease in property taxes adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, for the Northwest Ambulance District budget.

No one present wished to discuss this item with the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Northwest Ambulance District millage set at 0.190 mills, which is a (- 11.2) decrease over the rolled back millage, making a total budget of $172,876.00.

TOTAL COUNTY BUDGET

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Smoak and carried unanimously, the Board adopted a total County Budget of $49,755,024.00, with a tentative millage of 3.400 mills, which is a 3.2 increase over the rolled back millage.

COMMITTEES/COUNTY PROPERTY/CONTRACTS, LEASES & AGREEMENTS

Commr . Burhans, Chairman of the Lake County Tourist Development Council, recommended to the Board that they approve the contracts for the purchase of the Libby property located on U.S. Highway 19 and 27, and that Resolutions 1986-52 and 1986-53 be adopted, and that the County hire land planners to study the site and come back to the Board with a recommendation at a later date.

Mr. Chris Ford, County Attorney, informed the Board that the Resolutions were adopted at the September 16, 1986, Board meeting, and at this time he distributed copies of summary sheets of the appraisals from J. Fred Kurras, MA1 of Mount Dora and Pinel, Rex & Carpenter, Inc. of Orlando, on the Libby property.

Mr. Ford informed the Board that the contract will be for approximately 440 acres at a cost of $1,011,640.00.

Mr. Ford stated that for the purchase of property over $500,000.00 there must be two appraisals, and that the County has only paid for Mr. Kurras' appraisals, and had agreed with Libby's that the County would exchange appraisals, so both would get the benefits of each appraisal. The appraisals are to be kept in the Clerk's Office for anyone interested in reviewing them.

Mr. Ford stated that the summary sheet of the appraisals apply only to the Libby property. He further stated that Mr. Kurras' appraisal was $1,250,000.00, for the Libby lands; and Mr. Pinel's appraisal was $1,450,000.00, for the same lands.

Mr. Ford informed the Board that the drawback to the Contract is the County will only put $l,OOO.OO down, because if the County does not get the gift of 240 acres, the Board may want to reconsider the transaction. He stated that the average value between the two appraisers is $414,000.00 for the gift, and that the only requirement is that the project be approved in Tallahassee, at the present time, the paperwork is prepared and they are setting up appointments with County representatives to meet with the State of Florida, Secretary of Community Affairs for review. Mr. Ford informed the Board to be aware that there are some complications that could arise over the project as far as qualifying for the tax benefit program in Tallahassee.

Mr. Ford stated that with the gift and the purchase, the County would be paying an average of $1,515.00 per acre for the Libby's land, and Mr. Kurras' appraisal, which is approximately $140,000.00 for the other 20 acres. After it is completed another appraisal will be prepared by Mr. Kurras once the County actually owns the property. The 20 acres and the 160 acres that immediately adjoin will increase in value substantially. He stated that the County will be exceeding the appraised values of the actual land if the gift is acquired, and feels that Libby's has every intention of that gift being acquired.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Smoak and carried unanimously, the Board approved the purchase of the Libby property, from which a portion of the funds is to be out of the Tourist Development Tax.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Smoak and carried unanimously, the Board approved and authorized proper signatures on the contract for sale and purchase of the Libby property. Mr. Ford stated that the other part of the deal is the Thomas Hanson property, which is immediately on Highway 27 and is approximately 20-22 acres, for which the Board executed a contract in May, 1986, for purchase of the property. He requested from the Board authority to proceed to have the title work done, so they know that the County is proceeding to close the deal.

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved to proceed with the title work for the Hanson property.

Mr. Ford informed the Board that he requests authority to proceed to deal with the State of Florida, Department of Community Affairs and elected officials to get the Libby project approved. He stated that the only difficulty would be the problem of blighted areas, and feels that the intent of the Statute deals more with urban areas.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Smoak and carried unanimously, the Board approved the request by Mr. Ford to proceed to deal with the State of Florida, Department of Community Affairs and elected officials to get the Libby project approved.

DEEDS

Mr. Ford informed the Board of the deed that the Board authorized between Lake County and Barnett Banks for $800.00 for the 25 foot strip on the Maurice Day property and that all the advertising has been done and the notice of property owners has been completed, and requested that the Board authorize the Chairman to sign the Deed in favor of Barnett Banks Trust Company.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Smoak and carried unanimously, the Board approved and authorized the proper signatures on the Deed of the Maurice Day property in favor of Barnett Banks Trust Company.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved and authorized the proper signatures for the Emergency Medical Services application for funding of the defibrilators, which were brought up at the September 16, 1986, Board meeting.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Resolution authorizing application by Lake County, to include that the funding source and the Resolution be contingent upon each other.

ELECTIONS

Commr. Burhans informed the Board that Commr. Smoak is to be on the Election Board on October 1, 1986, at 9:OO a.m.

COUNTY PROPERTY/COMMITTEES

In the audience, Mr. Hartman questioned the Board on the location of the property that the County is purchasing from the Libby's. He felt that it was not centrally located, and that the public did not have any input regarding it.

Mr. Michael Willett, County Administrator, informed Mr. Hartman.that the site is closer to Venetian Gardens in time and miles, which represents 30-40 percent of the population than the present site of the Fairgrounds, which is in Eustis.

Commr . Burhans informed Mr. Hartman that it had been advertised in the paper and that 100-150 acres is what the Tourist Development Council recommended.

Mr. Willett informed Mr. Hartman that the County held four public hearings, which were held in Eustis, Tavares, Leesburg and Clermont, and had been advertised in the paper, and that they did have public input.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.





JAMES R. CARSON, J R. CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

C. WATKINS, CLERK

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9-23-86