A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

SEPTEMBER 13, 1983

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, September 13, 1983, at 5:05 p.m. in the Board of County Commissioners' Meeting Room, Lake County Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Thomas J. Windram, Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr.; Claude E. Smoak, Jr.: and Glenn C. Burhans. Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; Robert L. Wilson, Finance Director; Don Smalt, Director of Administrative Services, Michael C. Willett, Director of Development and Public Works; and Toni M. Austin, Secretary.

BUDGETS

At 5:05 p.m. the Chairman announced the advertised time had arrived for the Public Hearing to tentatively approve the 1983-84 Lake County Budget.

Commr. Windram informed the public of two items, Federal Revenue Sharing and the 1983-84 County Budget, to be discussed. Commr. Windram further stated that the Congress of the United States has not renewed Revenue Sharing for the 1983-84 budget year.

Commr. Windram stated the following allocations of Revenue Sharing funds carried over from the 1982-83 budget year:

$1,053,500 Public Works

70,000 Professional Services

1,000,000 Construction

No one appeared before the Board in opposition of the allocations of the 1983-84 Federal Revenue Sharing funds.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board tentatively approved the following allocations of the 1982-83 Federal Revenue Sharing funds for the 1983-84 budget:

$1,053,500 Public Works

1,070,000 Jail Construction and

Architectual Services

Commr. Windram informed the public that the 1983-84 tentative budget is in the amount of $26,078,978 as opposed to the 1982-83 budget in the amount of $26,682,712. Commr. Windram further informed the public that this was a 2% decrease over last years budget.

Quinton Bowstread, Mt. Dora, addressed the Board in oppostion of the tax increases. Mr. Bowstread stated he was in agreement with the property assessment.

At this time the Board discussed with the public the different taxing boards and how taxes are levied. The Board also discussed the passing of the State amendment for a $25,000 homestead exemption and the impact it has had on the taxpayers.

Mr. Hubert Hartman, Mt. Dora, addressed the Board and stated statistics he had recieved in a report from Tallahassee. Mr. Hartman stated that 30% of all homesteads in Lake County pay no taxes because of the $25,000 homestead exemption. Mr. Hartman further stated that he felt the Board of County Commissioners have done a good job keeping the taxes down for the County, but the people are in need of a tax relief. At this time Mr. Hartman reviewed the list of Human Services listed in the telephone book with the Board. Mr. Hartman requested the Board to help get the 30% of the people who are off the tax roll back on it.

Mr. Dick Jelsma, Mt. Dora, addressed the Board to discuss policy, conceptional matters and long range postures in the County's budget. Mr. Jelsma stated his concern regarding the exemptions becoming greater than the taxable base and urged the Board to contact the legislation to rectify this program. Mr. Jelsma stated that it was his feelings that the tax rollback will create a tremendous burden. At this time Mr. Jelsma discussed the overall budget comparing the yearly amounts as reported to the Board on several line items. Mr. Jelsma stated the most confusing item was Contractual Services with 176% increase over last year.

At this time Mr. Jelsma asked if the Board was responsible for the increases, and if so, he wanted an overall explanation.

Commr. Carson responded to Mr. Jelsma's comments regarding the County insurance. Commr. Carson stated that the County has had the same insurance carrier from 1978-1982 and has had no increases over those years. Commr . Carson further stated the increase in funds has been budgeted for 1983-84, but a contract has not been negotiated.

Commr . Smoak responded to Mr. Jelsma's comments about the County-Wide Library System, Aquatic Weed Control and the Water Authority.

Mr. Fred Meinhoff appeared before the Board to discuss the situation with Southwest Water Management regarding the Green Swamp area being taken by eminant domain.

Mr. Bob Palmer, Mt. Dora, appeared before the Board and stated that he felt the tax relief has to come from the County budget. Mr. Palmer called the Board's attention to the Sheriff's budget. Mr. Palmer stated that he had not noticed a vast

improvement in law enforcement in this county over the past few years.

Commr. Windram responded to Mr. Palmer's comments regarding the Sheriff's budget stating that this was a controversial area in the 1983-84 budget. Commr. Windram stated that it was his feelings that the department was more effective and more professional and had been upgraded over the years. At this time Commr. Windram gave an explanation of the appropriated monies for the Sheriff's Department and how, by law, those monies can be utilized.

Mr. Roy Miller, Leesburg, appeared before the Board to discuss the school board tax increase and if the County has influence over their decision.

Commr. Carson. responded to Mr. Miller's questions stating the Board of County Commissioners is a separate board from the School Board, and they do not influence each other in any way.

Mr. Miller stated that the people in Western Shores by Bassville Park are dissatisfied with the way their taxes are increasing while they still have to drive on the dirt roads and have sewer problems which never seem to be corrected.

Mr. Heppberger, Leesburg, appeared before the Board and pleaded for the elimination of the Homestead Exemption. Mr. Heppberger recommended to the Board that they combine the Lake County Mosquito Control and the Aquatic Weed Control.

Mr. Heppberger also discussed the additional fee collected for the Fish Trust Fund to be used for the seining of fish.

At this time Commr. Windram took the opportunity to express the Board's appreciation for Mr. Heppberger's enthusiastic attendance at the Board's meetings, along with his attendance at the Water Authority and Fish and Game Commission meetings.

Mr. Elmer Jones, Leesburg, appeared before the Board to

discuss Lake County's taxes as compared to Orange County.

Mr. D. Van Landham, Mt. Dora, appeared before the Board and stated how proud he was to have such a fine Commission in Lake County. At this time Mr. Van Landham stated this was the first time in twenty years that his taxes were higher in Lake County than they were in Michigan.

Commr. Windram informed the Board of the following proposed millage rates:

General Revenue 1.228

Fine & Forfeiture 1.532

County Transportation .371

County Health .141

TOTAL 3.273

Discussion occurred regarding the funding of the Economic Development Council by the County. It was the feeling of the Board to have $25,000, or a portion thereof, budgeted for the Economic Development Council and funding to be from Contingency.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the funding of the Economic Development Council in the amount of $10,000 from the proposed 1983-84 Contingency Fund.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Smoak and carried unanimously, the Board adopted the county wide millage rate of 3.273 as listed:

General Revenue 1.228

Fine & Forfeiture 1.532

County Transportation .371

County Health .141

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried, the Board adopted one mill for the Northeast Hospital District for the fiscal year 1983-84. Commr. Smoak voted no.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board adopted .326 mills for the Northeast Ambulance District for the fiscal year 1983-84.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board adopted .422 mills for the Northwest Ambulance District for the fiscal year 1983-84.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

Thomas J Windram, Chairman

James C. Watkins, Clerk

tma/9-30-83

9/13/83