The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Monday, July 8, 1991, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioner's Meeting Room, Lake County Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Donald B. Bailey, Chairman; C. W. "Chick" Gregg; Richard Swartz; Catherine Hanson; and Michael J. Bakich. Others present were: Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney; Alan A. Thelen, County Manager; Ava Kronz, Assistant to the County Manager; and Marlene S. Foran, Deputy Clerk.
BUDGETS/ELECTIONS
Ms. Emogene Stegall, Supervisor of Elections, opened the budget workshop by reviewing the budgets of the Office of Supervisor of Elections for inclusion in the general County budget.
Ms. Stegall stated there was an increase in the budget due to the Presidential Preference Primary, First Primary, and Second Primary elections being held during F/Y 1991-92. She stated that the three elections will result in an increase in the number of poll workers needed.
Ms. Stegall reviewed appropriations for Personal Services, Operating Expenses, Capital Outlay, and Debt Service for the Supervisor of Elections F/Y 1991-92 recommended budget, in the amount of $608,638.00.
Ms. Stegall reviewed the appropriations for Personal Services, Operating Expenses, Capital Outlay and Debt Service for the Registration Division F/Y 1991-92 budget, in the amount of $382,647.00.
Ms. Stegall stated, under the Elections Program, there is an increase in personal services for poll workers for the three (3) elections, and an increase in printing and binding for the elections.
Ms. Stegall reviewed the appropriations for Personal Services, Operating Expenses, and Capital Outlay for the Elections Program F/Y 1991-92 budget, in the amount of $225,991.00.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Works, reviewed and addressed the Board on the Department of Public Works budget, consisting of the following functional areas: Special Services, Engineering, Road Operations, and Parks and Facilities.
Mr. Stivender stated that there has been a decline in the Special Services Division due to the reduction of cash carried forward, because of spending more on road construction than in the past. He stated there was a slight increase in the Engineering Division; an increase in Road Operations, due to rotation of construction equipment; and an increase in Parks and Facilities, due to a transfer of $536,000.00 into the account for utilities for the "round" courthouse, the old courthouse and the anticipated utilities for the new jail.
Mr. Stivender presented a slide presentation, which addressed the many functions of the Public Works Department. During the presentation, Mr. Stivender reviewed the sources of funding to support the various functions for which the Department is responsible.
Discussion occurred regarding the reinstatement of a Mower Operator, Maintenance I, for the purpose of operating a mower in the Leesburg area; the need for a Traffic Engineer, which would include the supervision of traffic signals, the sign shop, and designing of intersections, road construction, subdivisions, and correlating with the Department of Transportation (DOT); the need for a Parks Maintenance Supervisor, an Energy Manager, and a Parks and Facilities Director.
Mr. Stivender stated that the Parks Maintenance Supervisor position can be funded with CTT Funds, maintaining the $50,000.00 General Fund commitment to that area.
Discussion occurred regarding Contractual Services under Operating Expenses, with staff stating they will prepare a memo identifying line items, and offsets.
Mr. Stivender reviewed the responsibilities of the Parks Maintenance Supervisor position and stated this position would be responsible for two (2) Crew Leader II positions, six (6) Maintenance Worker I positions and one (1) Part time Maintenance Worker I.
Discussion occurred regarding the purchase of a Wood/Brush Chipper, at which time, staff was directed to look into the cost comparison of hiring a Chipper and crew, by the day, in lieu of purchasing a Wood/Brush Chipper.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Ms. Eleanor Anderson, Executive Director of Management/Budget, addressed the Board and reviewed the budget for Administrative Services, consisting of Personnel, Purchasing, Risk Management and the Office of Management & Budget.
Discussion occurred regarding the Risk Management budget, at which time, Ms. Anderson stated that two actuarial studies have been completed on the Comprehensive Plan, the Life Plan and the Group Health Plan. Ms. Anderson stated a transfer of $1,100,000.00 from the Self Insurance Fund to the General Fund has been proposed for F/Y 1991-92, leaving a reserve for the Comprehensive portion, in the amount of $1,116,684.00.
Mr. Gerry Jacobs, Risk Management Director, appeared before the Board and stated that the claims experience per employee this year has been approximately $240.00 per employee.
At this time, Ms. Anderson briefly reviewed the Private Industry Council budget and the Telecommunications Budget.
Commr. Swartz stated that there are no 1989 or 1990 actuals in the Public Works' budget and no year-to-date actual expenditures throughout the budget. He questioned staff if year-to-date or year-end estimates, based on year-to-date, were available, providing a comparison of what is being budgeted and what is actually being spent. Mr. Thelen responded that monthly printouts will be provided for the Board's review.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/HEALTH AND GENERAL SERVICES
Mr. Lonnie Strickland, Executive Director of Health and General Services, reviewed budgets for Health and General Services, consisting of Department Administration, Public Safety, E 9-1-1, Health & Human Services, Veteran's Service and Fairgrounds.
Mr. Strickland stated that the Department Administration budget reflects the transfer of an existing position of Computer Operator/Programmer from the E 9-1-1 budget to the Department Administration budget. This transfer is requested in order to better allocate the costs and duties of this position.
Mr. Strickland stated that the decrease in the F/Y 1991-92 budget request is due to moving E 9-1-1, consolidation of Fire Funds, and program reductions in fire budgets.
Mr. Strickland briefly reviewed the budgets for E 9-1-1, and Health & Human Services, stating that the increase in the Health & Human Services budget is due to the State's requirement that a financial contribution from the County, in accordance with the respective Florida Statutes, be made to the State mandated health care programs, Medicaid hospital, Medicaid nursing home, and Health Care Responsibility Act.
At this time, Mr. Strickland briefly reviewed the budget for the Veteran's Service Office, Animal Control, Emergency Management, North Lake Ambulance and Fairgrounds Operations.
Discussion occurred regarding operations cost at the Fairgrounds. Mr. Strickland stated the budget includes an increase of $1.00 per space in all areas, excluding food locations, at the Farmer's Market; an additional Farmer's Market day; and an increase in staffing for a second Farmer's Market day.
Mr. Strickland reviewed the amended budget for the Fire/Rescue program for F/Y 1991-92, at which time, discussion occurred regarding each appropriation.
No action was taken at this time.
RECESS AND REASSEMBLY
At 11:45 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess and reconvene at 1:00 p.m.
BUDGETS/COUNTY MANAGER
Mr. Al Thelen, County Manager, reviewed his budget with the Board, stating that the budget reflects a reduction over last year's budget, in the amount of $4,456.00, by reducing travel, office supplies, repair and maintenance, operating supplies and equipment not budgeted. Mr. Thelen stated the F/Y 1991-92 recommended budget for the office of County Manager is, in the amount of $151,776.00.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/SPECIAL REVENUE
Ms. Terry King, Special Revenue Coordinator, reviewed the budget for the Special Revenue office, which was established in March of 1991 to facilitate the use of non-ad valorem assessments for public safety and solid waste.
Discussion occurred regarding the various appropriations, at which time, with Commr. Gregg questioning the amount of $249,000.00 for Contractual Services. Ms. King presented a breakdown of the Contractual Services, stating that the contract for the Constitutional Officers is $224,000.00; programming is $15,000.00; and $10,000.00 is for contract management services.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/SUPPORT SERVICES
Ms. Ava Krontz, Administrative Assistant to the County Manager, reviewed the budget for Administrative Support, stating that the major change in the F/Y 1991-92 budget is the removal of the utilities for County buildings, the Plant Maintenance Contract, court reporting fees, and leases of buildings for the Tax Collector from her budget.
Ms. Krontz stated that the F/Y 1991-92 recommended budget for Administrative Support is, in the amount of $250,655.00, for a reduction of $21,434.00 from the amended budget.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/COUNTY ATTORNEY
Ms. Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney, reviewed the budget for the Office of the County Attorney stating that her office consists of the County Attorney, two (2) Assistant County Attorneys, one (1) Legal Secretary and one (1) Secretary II.
Ms. Lustgarten reviewed appropriations for Personal Services, Operating Expenses and Capital Outlay, at which time, questions were presented by the Board.
Ms. Lustgarten stated that the F/Y 1991-92 recommended budget for the Office of the County Attorney is, in the amount of $395,200.00, for a reduction of $41,039.00 from the amended budget.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION
Mr. Al Thelen, County Manager, reviewed the Board of County Commission budget, with discussion from the Board regarding the salary increase for each Board member, which is set by Florida Statute.
Mr. Thelen stated that the F/Y 1991-92 recommended budget for the County Commission is, in the amount of $259,366.00, for a reduction of $2,220.00 from the amended budget.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Dave Warren, Tourist Development Director, reviewed the budget for the Tourist Development Council, consisting of the Resort Tax Fund, Tax Collection, Trade Shows, 800 Information Line, Publication Advertisements, Brochure/Distribution, Billboards and the Welcome Center.
Mr. Warren stated that the F/Y 1991-92 recommended budget for Tourist Development is in the amount of $1,342,000.00.
No action taken at this time.
BUDGETS/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. Mike Anderson, Capital Improvements Director, reviewed the budget for Capital Improvements, which is primarily funded through the Infrastructure Sales Tax Funds.
Mr. Anderson gave a brief review of the Revenue Fund, Debt Service Fund and Bond Construction Fund, and reviewed new projects that are planned for the various funds.
Discussion occurred regarding the Lake County Space Study, which is being prepared by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc., for the purpose of establishing space standards to be used for future planning of office space in all new construction and renovation work, and to provide recommendations for reassignment of existing office space resulting from the completion of the new Criminal Justice Facility.
Mr. Anderson stated that the F/Y 1991-92 recommended budget for Capital Improvements is in the amount of $31,005,801.00.
No action was taken at this time.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 2:45 p.m. the Chairman announced that the Board would take a five minute recess.
BUDGETS/PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Mr. John Swanson, Executive Director of Planning & Development, addressed the Board and reviewed the budgets for the various departments within the Planning & Development Department, which consists of Comprehensive Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, and the Public Housing Agency.
Mr. Swanson answered questions presented by the Board regarding Grants and Aid dollars for the East Central Florida Planning Council, Economic Development Commission, Transportation/Disadvantaged and Section 8 Housing, and the need for various personnel changes within his staff.
Mr. Swanson stated that the funds received from the government for Section 8 Housing are based on a percentage of the rent payments received. At this time, the County provides rental assistance to two-hundred and twenty-seven (227) very low income families in Lake County, for a total of one-hundred and ninety-one (191) Certificates and thirty-six (36) Voucher Certificates. He stated that the office is a very busy, fast growing office, and there is a need for a Housing Specialist position to assist with the handling of the Certificates and Vouchers.
Commr. Swartz suggested staff provide a breakdown of the program, showing the increase in the number of vouchers over the last few years and how the program has grown.
Discussion occurred regarding the Code Enforcement Division, and possible ways of cutting down on the number of calls and complaints received in the Code Enforcement Division.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Mr. Don Findell, Executive Director, Environmental Services Department, addressed the Board and reviewed the budget for Environmental Services, as well as the various budgets for the divisions within his department, which consists of Soil & Water Conservation, County Extension Service, Mosquito/Aquatic Plant Pollution Control, and Parks & Facilities. Mr. Findell stated that the Solid & Hazardous Waste budget would be reviewed in a meeting on July 9, 1991.
A brief discussion occurred regarding the various budgets, with Mr. Findell stating that the F/Y 1991-92 recommended budget for his department is in the amount of $16,108,017.00.
No action was taken at this time.
BUDGETS/PROPERTY APPRAISER
At this time, discussion occurred regarding the Property Appraiser's budget, which includes one additional employee and a cost of living increase for his employees.
At the suggestion of the Board, the Chairman stated that he would contact the Property Appraiser and extend an invitation to meet with the Board, for the purpose of discussing the two issues alluded to above.
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
______________________________
DONALD B. BAILEY
ATTEST:
____________________________
JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK
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