A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

JUNE 30, 1983

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, June 30, 1983, at 1:30 p.m., in the County Commissioner's Meeting Room, Lake County Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, for a budget workshop. Present at the meeting were the following: Thomas J. Windram; Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr.: Claude E. Smoak, Jr.; C. A. "Lex" Deems; and Glenn C. Burhans. Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Donald Smalt, Director of Administrative Services; Robert Wilson, Finance Director; Bill LeHeup, Senior Clerk; and Cathy B. Roy, Secretary.

BUDGETS

The following proposed budgets (without salaries included) were discussed with the tentative results:

Northeast Hospital District

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved the budget (1 mil) for the Northeast Hospital District.

Mr. Carl Bender, Administrator of Waterman Memorial Hospital, addressed the Board and presented a letter requesting that the County Commissioners transfer control of $100,000 recently appropriated for the hospital care of Lake County indigent mothers and their newborn children to the trustees of the Northeast Lake County Hospital Company for distribution in the same manner as the Northeast Lake County Hospital District is currently using. Mr. Bender stated that this would allow the hospital to qualify more indigent obstetric patients for County funds.

The Board explained to Mr. Bender that the $100,000

appropriation was not only an allocation for indigent obstetric care but also for the care of Lake County residents being treated in out of county hospitals. The Board expressed concern that should the Board adjust the income guidelines for these general revenue funds that it would affect the entire County Welfare Program.

Discussion occurred regarding the proposed birthing center to be operated with grant funds to the West Orange Farmworkers Center.

Mr. Bender stated that the birthing center would alleviate the problem somewhat; however, there was concern that indigent patients from South Lake County as well as from Apopka would be utilizing the facility, as well as a concern regarding the limited number of persons the facility could accommodate.

The Board discussed the recent action of the Northwest Hospital Taxing District Board of Trustees in allocation of $100,000 to fund indigent obstetric patients delivered at Waterman Memorial Hospital. Mr. Bender stated that these funds were for the hospital only and could not be utilized for doctors.

Commr. Burhans expressed a need for the Board to allocate $50,000 for indigent obstetric care.

Commr . Smoak questioned what action was being taken by the hospital administrators and staff in meeting to resolve this problem from a Countywide standpoint. Mr. Bender stated that only on a long term basis regarding the operation of a birthing center was any planning being done and that very little was being done regarding a short term solution.

Mr. Bender stated it was his feeling that a birthing center to handle all of the deliveries for Lake County indigent residents would be appropriate in alleviating the problem in that all of the clinic indigent births would be handled in one facility by midwives and/or physicians. Mr. Bender stated that this was only a long term solution in that the facility would have to be planned and constructed to handle that type of a load. Mr. Bender stated the West Orange Farmworkers Center proposed birthing center had estimated a maximum of 400 to 500 deliveries per year, many coming from South Lake County or Orange County in that they would be migrant farm workers. Mr. Bender stated this would not alleviate the problem as they see it. Mr. Bender stated that Dr. June Atkinson, Lake County Health Department, had said an estimated 700-800 patients would be served by the clinic next year.

on a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the concept of

establishing a birthing center in Lake County for indigent obstetric care,.specifically designed to handle the obstetric patients served by the Lake County Health Department Clinic. The Board authorized Cnmmr . Burhans and Dr. Atkinson to pursue and present to the Board of County Commissioners a plan for implementation of such a birthing center as quickly as possible.

Discussion occurred regarding the tax funds received by the Northeast Hospital District and Mr. Zeb Osborne, Attorney, addressed the Board on behalf of the hopsital district. Mr. Osborne stated that the tax funds had traditionally been utilized only for repayment of a bond issue and capital improvements. Mr. Osborne stated none of the funds were used Eor the operations of the hospital. Mr. Osborne stated that although the tax funds were not used for indigent care that there is the tendency to equate the incoming tax dollars to the write off of indigent care.

COMMISSIONERS

At this time Commr. Windram turned the Chairmanship to Vice Chairman Deems.

Northeast Ambulance

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried, the Board tentatively approved the 1983-84 fiscal year budget for the Northeast Ambulance District in the amount of $275,000.

Commr. Windram was not present for the vote.

Lake County Association for Retarded Citizens

Nikki Sherwin, Director, addressed the Board regarding the request for $6,000 from the County Commission in order to qualify for a $98,000 grant. Mrs. Sherwin stated that the program served approximately 18-20 children with a total budget of $136,000. Mrs. Sherwin stated that 77% of the funding went directly for client services.

The Board informed Mrs. Sherwin that action on all new requests would not be formally considered until such time as the tax roll was approved and the Board was aware of the revenue for the up-coming budget year.

COMMISSIONERS

At this time Commr. Deems turned the Chairmanship to Commr. Windram.

Northwest Ambulance

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved the Northwest Ambulance budget in the amount of $251,026, for the 1983-84 fiscal year.

Mr. Ted Woodrell, Leesburg Regional Medical Center, addressed the Board to point out that this figure did not include any funds for the Leesburg Regional Medical Center to operate the communications console for the County.

COMMISSIONERS

At this time Commr. Windram turned the Chairmanship to Vice Chairman Deems.

Water Authority

Mr. Will Davis, Director, addressed the Board regarding the budget request of the Water Authority. Mr. Davis discussed with the Board the costs of phasing out the U.S.G.S. contracts. Mr. Davis stated it would cost $103,000 the first year and

approximately $10,000 - $14,000 thereafter. Mr. Davis stated he was going to recommend to the Water Authority that a few of the stations be taken over the first year and to continue one more year with U.S.G.S. and possibly pick up the rest of the stations in subsequent years.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried, the Board tentatively approved the 1983-84 budget in the amount of $11,850.

Commrs. Windram and Carson were not present for the vote. Commr. Smoak informed the Board he had requested time on the Water Authority Agenda for the July 6th meeting to discuss the aquatic weed problem in Lake County.

COMMISSIONERS

At this time Vice Chairman Deems turned the chairmanship to Commr. Windram.

Countywide Library System

Mary McMahon, Coordinator for the Countywide Library System, addressed the Board and submitted for their review and her presentation, information regarding the system and its progress in the past year. Mrs. McMahon informed the Board of the increase of non-residents using the City libraries and the benefits derived from the Countywide System. Mrs. McMahon explained the line items in the budget requests.

Commr. Carson expressed concern over the issue of double

taxation regarding the Countywide Library System and the fact that the budget request had risen from $20,000 to $40,000.

COMMISSIONERS

At this time Commr. Windram turned the chairmanship to Vice Chairman Deems.

Count-e Library System (Continued)

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried, the Board tentatively approved the budget request for the Countywide Library System in the amount of $40,000.

Commr. Carson voted "NO".

Commr. Windram was not present for the vote.

Commr. Carson moved that a properly worded question be placed on the March 1984 ballot to be voted on by those residents in the unincorporated areas of Lake County regarding whether or not they wished to tax themselves for their pro-rata share of the Countywide Library System. The motion was seconded by Commr. Burhans and failed on a two-two vote with Commrs. Smoak and Deems voting "NO".

Economic Development Council

Discussion occurred regarding the new request of the Lake County Economic Development Council in the amount of $25,000. This being a new request, the Board postponed action until such time as the tax roll is approved and the aoard is informed of the revenue for the upcoming year.

COMMISSIONERS

At this time Vice Chairman Deems turned the Chairmanship to Commr. Windram.

Sheriff's Department

Sheriff Noel E. Griffin, Jr., addressed the Board regarding

his budget request for 1983-84 fiscal year. Considerable discussion occurred regarding the budget request and Sheriff Griffin informed the Board that based on an increase of $900,000 rather than the original request of $1,400,000, would reflect in the budget as follows:

1 . Eighteen Corrections Personnel for the Lake County Jail.

2 . One Licensed Practical Nurse for the Lake County Jail.

3 . One Ranch and Grove Employee and necessary equipment.

4 . One Clerk for the Administration Office.

Sheriff Griffin stated on a request from Commr. Smoak that he would attempt to have the Department of Corrections agree in writiny to drop the lawsuit regarding the Lake County Jail should the above employees be hired.

Sheriff Griffin stated that included in the $900,000 increase was a 6% salary increase for employees and stated that benefits would be increased due to increases in the health insurance package of the Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff Griffin stated that the approximate figures would be divided into $313,000 for Corrections, $374,000 for payroll and the balance divided into the other categories.

Commr. Carson stated that the $900,000 increase figure had been discussed by Sheriff Griffin and himself, as liaison

Commissioner, earlier in the day. It was noted that the package received by Sheriff Griffin earlier had been based on a $1,400,000 increase and, therefore, none of those figures matched with the discussions today.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved an increase of $900,000 for the Sheriff's Department budget provided that Sheriff Griffin have his staff meet with Mr. Donald Smalt, Administrative Services Director, to submit to the Board a revised budget package based on the $900,00 increase for further review.

Fish Conservation Fund

Commr. Smoak reported to the Board that according to Florida Statute 67.1604, regarding the $1.00 fish improvement funds that the Statute specifically states that the funds shall be used only for the purpose of improving the fish life in Lake County by seining, chemical treatment, or any other procedure which shall be approved by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Commr. Smoak requested that the Board seriously consider earmarking this money for the aquatic weed program, inform Game and Fresh Water Fish of the Board's desire and find out the procedures of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.

There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

THOMAS J. WIDNRAM, CHAIRMAN

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK

CBR/7/5/83

6/30/83