The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Wednesday, July 26, 1989, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board County Commissioner's Meeting Room, Lake County Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: C. W. "Chick" Gregg, Chairman; Thomas J. Windram; Richard Swartz; Michael J. Bakich; and Don Bailey. Others present were: James C. Watkins Clerk and Acting County Manager; Robert K. McKee, Chief Deputy Clerk: James C. Schuster, Finance Director; Don Smalt, Budget Analyst; and Toni M. Austin, Deputy Clerk.
BUDGETS
Discussion occurred regarding status quo budgets, which were to be prepared by the different County offices.
Sheriff's Department
Sheriff George E. Knupp, Jr. addressed the Board on the additional information requested by the Board.
Mr. Steve Hall, Consultant, discussed the survey, which provided salary schedules of the six surrounding counties. Mr. Hall said they also took into consideration the entry level in which a new recruit is hired.
Commr. Swartz stated that Lake County will be 5-10% lower than Orange and Seminole Counties, even though the Board will approve an increase to the budget. He stated that he would support a 20% increase, but if a choice has to be made, he would suggest giving the increase to the staff the Sheriff has at the present, with the Board considering in the future, the need for additional personnel, but stated that the Board is in no position to fund a 20% increase.
Commr. Gregg offered a possibility of funding a 5% increase, 5% cost of living, with 5% in Contingency, and talk more of 15%, dealing strictly with salaries, and not new positions. He further suggested that the employees he has proposed a 20% increase to, and including the 16.09% increase for Administrative staff, be lowered to 15%, with the other employees being left at lo%, and reducing the new positions, which are budgeted, at 5%.
Commr. Swartz stated that he felt the School Board should assist in the funding of the School Crossing Guards, with Commr. Gregg concurring with the suggestion.
Commr. Gregg stated that, with the adjustments, as suggested, the difference in Law Enforcement and Corrections would be approximately $240,000.00 in Salaries, not including the fringe benefits.
After considerable discussion, the Sheriff stated that he would like to put the figures together before indicating to the Board that he is in agreement.
Commr. Bakich suggested an overall 12% increase for all of the Sheriff's employees.
PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION
County Maintenance
Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Works, and Mr. Bob McKee, Chief Deputy Clerk, addressed the Board to review the line items within the County Maintenance budget. Discussion occurred regarding the line item Contractual Services, with Mr. McKee stating that this account has been reduced from $30,800.00, to $8,800.00.
Mr. Stivender stated the following changes: Contractual Services, $13,000.00; and Repair and Maintenance, $234,000.00. After some discussion, the Board decided to place $30,000.00 from Repair and Maintenance into the Contingency Fund.
Discussion occurred regarding the need for a vehicle, with the Board deciding on the transfer of a vehicle from Public Works, and reducing Machinery and Equipment from $2O,OOO.OO to $5,000.00.
County Custodian
Mr. Frank Woodson, Maintenance Supervisor, discussed the proposed budget for County Custodian.
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved at status quo.
Boating Improvement
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved at status quo.
Old Courthouse Renovations
Mr. McKee informed the Board that $75,000.00 was removed from this account, which was added to the County Maintenance Fund, with $30,000.00 moved to the Contingency Fund, which made this account no longer in existence.
Airport (CTT)
After some discussion, the Board tentatively approved the proposed budget at status quo.
Operations (Public Works)
Mr. Stivender discussed the proposed salaries, which included four funded positions in the status quo budget.
Discussion occurred regarding the line items, with Mr. Stivender presenting an explanation for each. Mr. Stivender stated that the increase in Communications was to upgrade the radio system, and the increase in Machinery and Equipment included three fascimile machines, and a computer and software. The status quo figure did not include funding for the fascimile machines, and a computer and software. At this time, the Board tentatively approved the amount of $130,000.00, in Machinery and Equipment.
With the Board having no further questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved as shown in the budget request, rather than status quo.
Road Repair and Construction
Mr. Stivender discussed the line items, and informed the Board of the new line item, Buildings, in the amount of $250,000.00, with the four fueling facilities not, as yet, meeting the new regulations set by the Department of Environmental Regulations.
Mr. Stivender discussed vehicles used by this department, stating that there are three dump trucks to be replaced, and five pickup trucks, which are about to meet the 100,000 mile mark, and which will need to be replaced sometime next year. Therefore, the budget request was in the amount of $450,000.00.
The Board discussed continuing to contract out 99% of the County's new construction, and tentatively approved the proposed budget, at the budget request figures, rather than status quo..Sheriff's Department Sheriff George E. Knupp Jr. addressed the Board on his proposed budget and stated that there is approximately $240,000.00 difference between his figures and the Board's figures. It was noted that the dispatchers were hired at a salary of $14,710.00, with the Sheriff asking for a 10% increase in salary.
Mrs. Linda Marusca, Finance Director for the Sheriff's Department, stated that, if you deduct 5% off of the new positions, and then 5% off of anything 20%, it would be a total of $397,000.00, which included benefits.
At this time, the Sheriff stated that he would review the offer made by the Board for a 15% increase, and return later in the day.
Mr. Watkins stated that the Board has until the end of the budget cycle to send a formal letter to the Sheriff of the budget approval made by the Board for his office, and that the Sheriff has 30 days afterwards to appeal the decision.
Special Assessment Projects
Mr. Stivender stated that the budget request for the Special Assessment Projects is the same as the status quo.
With the Board having no questions, the Board tentatively approved the proposed budget at status quo.
Unmaintained Roads
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved at status quo.
CTT Contingency
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved at status quo.
Road Impact Fee (Districts l-6)
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budgets were tentatively approved at status quo.
Road Impact Fee - Continqency & Cash Carried Forward (Dis. l-6)
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budgets were tentatively approved at status quo.
Landfill (Disposal Operation)
Mr. Stivender discussed the number of existing employees, stating that there are no new employees, with this being a new account. Mr. Watkins stated that the supervision was divided between Environmental Services, to oversee the long-range planning managerial side, and the heavy equipment operation being located under Mr. Stivender.
Discussion occurred regarding the line item Machinery and Equipment, with Mr. Stivender stating that he would like to increase the amount of funding for the transfer trailer from $40,000.00 to $65,000.00, with the Board being in agreement.
With the Board having no further questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved at status quo, with the change in Machinery and Equipment.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 12:10 p.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess until 1:30 p.m. Animal Control.
Ms. Frankie Thorpe, Director of Animal Control, appeared before the Board to discuss the survey of fees from the surrounding counties. She stated that the survey consisted of the current rates being charged by Lake County, and her recommendations, which the Board discussed with her, at this time.
Ms. Thorpe discussed the need for additional personnel, which would include two officers and a clerical attendant, with the status quo amount not including the additional salaries. She further stated that she was in need of the additional amount of $2,500.00 to $3,000.00 for Machinery and Equipment for the trailer to transport large animals, which would mean an increase from $25,000.00 to $28,000.00. Ms. Thorpe stated that the clerical attendant was needed more at this time, but did not feel that one officer could handle the additional services and calls relinquished from the Sheriff's Office, in regards to the animal complaints.
Ms. Thorpe informed the Board that the Sheriff's Office stated that she could have the 4-wheel drive, which was discussed earlier. With the Board having no further questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved at status quo, with the $28,000.00 in Machinery and Equipment.
After discussion with the Sheriff, the Board reduced Machinery and Equipment back to $25,000.00, due to the Sheriff having a trailer, which Animal Control can use.
Captain Claude Gnann addressed the Board on the animal complaints received in the Sheriff's Office, and stated that he felt Ms. Thorpe's request was legitimate and recommended approval of the request.
Salaries
Mr. Dennis Dorsey, Assistant Personnel Director, addressed the Board on salaries, with information being presented to the Board regarding current year positions and salaries, positions vacant, and information on new positions requested in the next budget year.
Mr. Watkins recommended the County Manager and Executive Secretary positions be approved, which would be in the amount of $80,000.00 for the Executive Salaries, and $99,000.00 for Regular Salaries.
Commr. Gregg suggested increasing the Executive Salaries from $80,000.00 to $84,000.00, and decreasing Regular Salaries from $99,000.00, to $85,000.00. With the Board having no further questions, the Board tentatively approved the proposed County Manager's budget, with the changes in salaries.
County Attorney
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved at status quo.
Division of Environmental Services
Mr. Dorsey discussed the new positions that have been requested in this department, which included an Assistant Division Director, and an additional Environmental Specialist I, with direction being given to Mr. Smalt and Mr. Schuster to budget $60,200.00, plus any 5% increases due to the completed salary study.
Further discussion occurred regarding an open position for an Assistant Director, which would be a new position, with the Board not feeling a need to budget for this position at this time.
The Board then discussed an open position as the Environmental Resource Management Specialist, with the Board making the decision to leave the position within the budget, at a salary of $30,000.00. Two vacant Environmental Engineer positions were discussed, with the Board eliminating one of the positions, and including the budget amount of $38,000.00 for one Environmental Engineer.
Mr. Dorsey stated that there had also been a request for a third Environmental Specialist I, with the Board making the decision not to include this position at this time.
Mr. Dorsey discussed the request for a Parts Room and Servicing Technician, which was vacated in July, with Eric Cotsenmoyer not filling this position at this time, in order to save money. It was the decision of the Board to leave this position in for funding.
Soil and Conservation
Mr. Dorsey informed the Board of a new position, Public Information Specialist, which was being requested, with the Board making the decision to not include this position.
Animal Control
Mr. Dorsey informed the Board of four positions being requested by Ms. Thorpe, as follows: two officers, one clerical attendant, and one secretary, with the clerical attendant already being approved. It was the consensus of the Board to fund all four positions, and tentatively approved the proposed budget.
Agriculture Center
Mr. Dorsey stated that the position being requested was a Maintenence Supervisor, with the proposed budget being approved at status quo.
Solid Waste
Mr. Dorsey stated that there is one vacant position, Traffic Guide Attendant, and three vacant positions as landfill attendants, which Ms. Bartlett has deleted. He further stated that she has requested two landfill attendants, one Secretary II, and one Environmental Specialist I.
It was the consensus of the Board to approve the two landfill attendants, and the one Secretary II.
Planning and Development
Mr. Dorsey informed the Board of three vacant positions, Director of Development Coordination, one Chief Building Inspector, and one Certified Building Inspector, with the Board making the decision to continue these positions.
Mr. Dorsey further informed the Board of new positions that were requested for one Planner III, one Drafting Technician II, one Zoning Technician, which the Board stated they had already approved.
Mr. Dorsey stated that Mr. Bragg, Building Official, had requested one Secretary III, one Clerical Assistant III, one Certified Building Inspector, and the upgrading of one Building Inspector to Certified, with the Board only approving the position of Building Inspector, and the upgrading of one Building Inspector to Certified.
Division of Health and General Services
Mr. Dorsey stated that, excluding the Fire Departments, there is only one vacancy, the County Library Coordinator. He further stated that Mr. Strickland has asked for a Public Safety Director, a Secretary III, and a Communications Coordinator, with the Board approving the Public Safety Director. Under Administration, he had requested an Executive Secretary and a Computer Programmer Operator, with the Board approving the Executive Secretary, with the responsibilities being split between Mr. Strickland and the Public Safety Director.
Welfare Department
Mr. Dorsey stated that there are two Health Certification Specialists, which are new positions, being requested in the Welfare Department, with these positions not being approved.
Veteran Services
Mr. Dorsey discussed the position of Veterans Service Specialist, with the Board previously appoving the proposed budget at status quo. At this time, the Board decided to include the position, and approve the funding, as reflected in the budget request.
Public Works
Mr. Dorsey informed the Board of the vacate positions, one Engineer Coordinator, and one Engineer. He further stated that Mr. Stivender has requested a total of six new positions, as follows: three Equipment Operator I's; one Equipment Operator II; one Heavy Equipment Mechanic; and one Engineer Technician I. It was noted that all of the positions requested had been approved, with the three Equipment Operator I's being paid out of CTT funding.
Administrative Services
Mr. Dorsey discussed the division and stated that there are no vacancies, but asked for a replacement Clerical Assistant III for the position transferred to Risk Management from Personnel. The Board did not approve the position. He further stated that, as in the previous year, they asked to be allowed to hire temporary part-time help, and suggested placing the $2,500.00, to be split between Regular Salaries and Social Security, with the Board approving this suggestion.
Court Bailiffs
It was noted that the Board had tentatively approved the proposed budget, as requested.
Public Health Unit
The Board discussed the request made by Dr. June Atkinson for $80,000.00, in the line item Buildings, and the future plans for the Tavares Public Health Unit. The Board also reviewed the information provided regarding salaries, with the Board approving the proposed budget at status quo.
At this time, Mr. Schuster reviewed the changes made in the different accounts with the Board.
County Attorney
Mr. Watkins discussed the issue of establishing a budget for the County Attorney and staff, which would consist of one senior attorney, one assistant, and clerical support. Mr. Watkins also discussed budgeting other legal services, which are not the County Attorney's services, and recommended that all of these services be supervised by the County Attorney, and not by the department heads.
Discussion occurred regarding the Personnel Selection Committee's recommendation for a County Attorney's budget in the amount of $285,000.00.
Mr. Schuster discussed the present status of the County Attorney's budget, with the account being over the budget, in the amount of $43,000.00, at this time.
Discussion occurred regarding the fees paid to the labor attorney, in the amount of $63,000.00, with Mr. Watkins directing Mr. Schuster to place any funds relating to attorney's fees in the County Attorney's budget.
At this time, the Board agreed upon placing $380,000.00 into the County Attorney's budget.
Law Library
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved.
Law Library (Contingency)
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved.
Federal Revenue Sharing - Parks and Recreation
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved.
Court Reporter
With the Board having no questions, the proposed budget was tentatively approved.
Self Insurance Claims Fund
The Board had no questions regarding this account, which reflected a budget request and status quo amount of zero.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 4:00 p.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess for five minutes.
State Attorney's Office
Discussion occurred regarding the request from the State Attorney's Office for the purchase of a vehicle for an investigator.
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Board approved to budget a vehicle in the State Attorney's budget, for the investigator.
Commr. Bakich and Commr. Swartz voted "no".
Planning Department
Mr. Mike Szunyog, Director of Planning, appeared before the Board and presented revised budget figures, which involved a correction in Life and Health Insurance.
At this time, Mr. Watkins directed Mr. Szunyog to present to Mr. Schuster any other changes that needed to be made to this budget.
Mr. Gregory Stubbs, Principal Planner, addressed the Board on his memorandum relating to a proposed fee schedule. At this time, Mr. Stubbs reviewed the existing fees, the time spent on processing applications, public hearings, and advertisements.
Mr. Szunyog stated that the changes to the fee schedule could be made in resolution form, and scheduled as an agenda item. At this time, the Board requested that all homebuilders and realtors be notified of the proposal, and the scheduled agenda time.
Mr. Stubbs was directed to review the proposed fees, in order to develop the possible increase in revenue.
Building Department
Mr. Jack Bragg, Building Official, addressed the Board on a proposed building fee schedule , estimating an increase in revenue in the amount of approximately $145,000.00.
The Board directed that all of the contractors be notified of the proposal, with this item being scheduled at the same time as the proposal of planning fees, with prepared resolutions.
Mr. Szunyog discussed the calculated overhead fees, with a total of excess revenue being $2,812.00.
Animal Control
At this time, Mr. Watkins stated that the proposed fees for Animal Control will be scheduled at the same time as the planning and building fees, as an agenda item.
Budgets - Salaries
Mr. Watkins suggested that the Board budget an additional 5% into Contingency, in order to fund the recommendations of the Cody Study, with respect to salaries.
Commr. Gregg recommended that the Board not budget anything in Contingency for the Cody Study, because the County is in no position to do so. He stated that the cost of living is running between five and six percent, and did not object to leaving 5% in the budget for merit increases, but felt that this would be to high.
Commr. Swartz suggested leaving the 5% merit increase in the budget, designating a portion for merit and possibly using another portion for selected areas, once the Cody Study has been completed.
Commr. Bakich suggested that the Board establish a percentage rate to use, in order to cut the budget across the Board.
At this time, Mr. Schuster calculated figures to reflect the savings that would be reflected, using different percentage rates, and stating how they would affect the budget.
Discussion occurred regarding the millage rate that could possibly be established, with an explanation being given as to how the County has constituted a 3.9 million dollar shortage. Under discussion, the Board also addressed the possibility of investigating the bonding of excess revenue. Mr. Schuster established a 5.69 millage rate for the budget being proposed today.
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
C.W. "CHICK" GREGG, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK
TMA/8-16-89/BCC