The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, September 7, 1989, 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: C. W. "Chick" Gregg, Chairman; Don Bailey; Richard Swartz; Thomas J. Windram; and Michael J. Bakich. Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Robert K. McKee, Chief Deputy Clerk; Al Thelen, County Manager; Ava Kronz, Assistant to the County Manager: James C. Schuster, Finance Director; Donald Smalt, Budget Analyst; and Sandra
Carter, Deputy Clerk.
Commr. Gregg gave opening remarks, stating that this meeting would be a continuation of the Budget Meeting held September 5 1989, at 5:05 p.m., and that those present in the audience could give input, if they so desired.
Mrs. Massey, a resident of Eustis, appeared before the Board complimenting them for the fine job they are doing and questioning the reason for the increase in the millage rate.
A brief discussion occurred regarding this issue, at which time Commr. Gregg explained the reason for the increase.
BUDGETS
Mr. Al Thelen, County Manager, reviewed with the Board an information sheet (which had been distributed prior to the start of the meeting) titled "Current Year Projections Which Affect Cash Carry Forward", indicating adjustments which were made recognizing expenditures that will not have to be made during this fiscal year. He stated that, in addition, the County received revenue, in the amount of $67,000.00, from an insurance rebate, which was also reflected on said sheet.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved to increase the County's 1989-90 fiscal year's budget, under Cash Carry Forward, in the amount of $138,293.00, as stipulated by the information sheet alluded to above.
At this time, Commr. Gregg stated that the Board would review each department, individually, indicating changes which were made, at which time department heads could give input, if they so chose.
Sheriff's Department - It was noted that the Board was cutting the Sheriff's budget by $716,000.00 (taken out of Personal Services). The Sheriff stated that he had no comments at this time, as he would like to review the changes which had been made, before doing so.
County Attorney - Cut by $100,000.00.
Elections Office - Cut by $16,166.00 plus cost of one (1) reader, in the amount of $2,000.00, totaling $18,166.00.
State Attorney - Cut by $14,000.00
Planning & Development - Cut $150,477.00 from Personal Services Building & Code Enforcement - Cut $17,311.00 from Personal Services
Mental Health - Cut by $15,300.00
Animal Control - Cut by $68,375.00 (2 positions and $30,000.00 taken from Animal Control's Building Construction Fund)
E-911 - Cut $33,600.00 from Personal Services
Veterans Services - Cut $22,735.00 from Personal Services Pollution Control - Cut $63,322.00 from Personal Services
Building Maintenance - Cut $14,400.00 from Personal Services At this time, Commr. Gregg informed those present that, during the workshop review, discussion occurred regarding Library funding, however, no changes were made at this time.
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, the Board approved amendments to the budget, as stipulated above (with exception to the Sheriff's budget, which will be discussed later this date), in the amount of $517,520.00.
Revenues - Animal Control - Increased $18,900.00, due to increased fees.
On a motion by Commr. Bakich, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved an increase in Revenues, in the amount of $18,900.00, due to increased fees in Animal Control.
Personal Services - Considerable discussion occurred regarding Personal Services, and ways in which it could possibly be cut, and as to whether this County was staying within the pay scale recommended by the Cody Study. Commr. Gregg stated that he would like to see said services cut by 1 3/4%, and requested Mr. Dennis Dorsey , Assistant Personnel Director, to figure out the amount of savings to the County said cut would generate and come back to the Board with said figures as soon as possible.
Mr. Al Thelen, County Manager, informed the Board that he would provide them with a copy of the Cody Study, for their perusal, before the Board Meeting scheduled for September 19, 1989.
Commr. Gregg requested Mr. Thelen to look at present County positions and come back to the Board, at a later date, with recommendations for possible cuts.
Sheriff's Department (cont'd.) - Sheriff Knupp appeared before the Board stating that he would like some additional time to further look at the changes before making any comments. He did, however, state that he noticed the Board had transferred medical costs, in the amount of $150,000.00, from Health and General Services, to his department and stated that it would be insufficient, as their medical costs are presently running approximately $26,000.00 per month.
After further discussion regarding the issue of the Sheriff's budget, a motion was made by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, to approve a reduction in the Sheriff's tentative budget (which is presently $10,536,615.00), in the amount of $716,000.00, under Personal Services.
Budgets (cont'd.) - Mr. Jim Schuster, Finance Director, reviewed the figures for the General Fund Account and stated that said account had been reduced by approximately $6,000,000.00, giving a newly revised total in the amount of $16,348,630.00. He also reviewed the Fine & Forfeiture Account, stating that the newly revised total for said account was $15,579,067.00, which amounts to an increase of approximately $1.45 million over the 1988-89 budget. He further stated that the Board needed to approve the tentative budgets for the Northeast Hospital District, in the amount of $1,463,439.00; the Northeast Ambulance District, in the amount of $338,430.00; the Northwest Ambulance District, in the amount of $309,213.00; and the total tentative budget for the County, in the amount of $123,361,186.00, as well as approve millage rates for the County and each district.
Mr. Watkins injected that the Board needs to recognize that said figures, with respect to salaries, would be revisited at the Final Budget Meeting, on September 19, 1989.
On a motion by Commr. Bakich, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Tentative Budget, for the County, for FY 1989-90, in the amount of $123,361,186.00.
Board of County Commissioner's Millage Rate
Mr. Don Smalt, Budget Analyst, informed the Board that the required millage for the County, for FY 1989-90, was 4.971 mills, which was an increase of 37.3% over the rollback millage rate.
It was noted that no one present in the audience wished to discuss the millage or millage rate.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved to set the countywide millage, for FY 1989-90, at 4.971 mills.
On a motion by Commr. Bakich, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved to set the countywide millage rate, for FY 1989-90, at 37.3% over the rollback rate.
Northeast Hospital District
Mr. Don Smalt, Budget Analyst, informed the Board of the budget, as well as the millage and millage rate for the Northeast Hospital District, for FY 1989-90.
It was noted that no one present in the audience wished to discuss the Northeast Hospital District figures with the Board.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bakich and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved the budget for the Northeast Hospital District, for FY 1989-90, in the amount of $1,463,439.00..On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved to set the millage for the Northeast Hospital District, for FY 1989-90, at 1.000 mills.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved to set the millage rate for the Northeast Hospital District, for FY 1989-90, at 9.170% over the rollback rate.
Northeast Ambulance District
Mr. Don Smalt, Budget Analyst, informed the Board of the budget, as well as the millage and millage rate for the Northeast Ambulance District.
It was noted that no one present in the audience wished to discuss the Northeast Ambulance District figures with the Board.
On a motion by Commr. Bakich, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved the budget for the Northeast Ambulance District, for FY 1989-90, in the amount of $338,430.00.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved to set the millage for the Northeast Ambulance District, for FY 1989-90, at .223 mills.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved to set the millage rate for the Northeast Ambulance District, for FY 1989-90, at 9.314% over the rollback rate.
Northwest Ambulance District
Mr. Don Smalt, Budget Analyst, informed the Board of the budget, as well as the millage and millage rate for the Northwest Ambulance District, for FY 1989-90.
It was noted that no one present in the audience wished to discuss the Northwest Ambulance District figures with the Board.
On a motion by Commr. Bakich, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved the budget for the Northwest Ambulance District, for FY 1989-90, in the amount of $309,213.00.
On a motion by Commr. Bakich, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved to set the millage for the Northwest Ambulance District, for FY 1989-90, at .223 mills.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved to set the millage rate for the Northwest Ambulance District, for FY 1989-90, at 8.780% over the rollback rate.
At this time, Mr. James Watkins, Clerk, injected that the above stated figures are correct to the best of staff's ability and knowledge, noting that, when calculating the figures, should a calculation error have occurred, said error would be brought back before the Board, at a later date, for correction. He also noted that the increases and percentages expressed reflect the actions of the Board this date.
Commr. Swartz expressed appreciation to the Finance staff for their cooperation in obtaining figures which were requested by the Board at the afternoon workshop session, in a timely and efficient manner.
It was noted that the next meeting regarding final budget approval would be held on Tuesday, September 19, 1989, at 6:30 p.m., at the Agricultural Center.
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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