A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

JUNE 20, 1985

The Board of County Commissioners met in special session for

a Budget Workshop June 20, 1985, at 10:30 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioner's Meeting Room, Lake County Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Glenn C. Burhans, Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr.; C. A. "Lex" Deems; Claude E. Smoak, Jr.; and Thomas J. Windram. Others present were: Michael C. Willett, County Administrator: Robert L. Wilson, Finance Director: Donald Smalt, Director of Administrative Services: Bill LeHeup, Budget Analyst, and Toni M. Austin, Secretary.

BUDGETS

Mr. Robert Wilson, Finance Director, explained to the Board members the figures presented in the computer printout and how the figures were projected for the Fiscal Year 1985/86.

Mr. Michael C. Willett, County Administrator, presented an overall review of the proposed budget, stating that the overall budget has increased approximately 13%. He stated that the increase would include impact fees, but does not include the new fire structure tax. Mr. Willett stated that the departments that have the most significant increases are Building and Zoning, which is planning on the addition of two and one-half people, and Landfills, with an approximate increase of $300,000. He stated that the proposed budget also included a 5% increase in salaries for employees, with a total of seven (7) requests for new employees.

Development Department

At this time the Board discussed with Mr. Willett the turnover of planners and the salary competition of surrounding counties and cities.

Commr. Smoak requested that Mr. Willett submit to the Board recommendations for adequately staffing the Development Department for the Board's consideration.

Elections

Mrs. Emogene Stegall, Supervisor of Elections, appeared before the Board to discuss her proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 1985/86. She stated that she was requesting a part-time employee to work full-time and discussed the requests made for a printer and terminals and similar equipment, all causing an overall budget increase of 32%.

Development Department

Discussion continued regarding the staffing of the Development Department.

Mr. Willett discussed the position of a receptionist to take information calls and give direction to the public. Commr. Smoak stated that the position mentioned had been previously discussed with Mr. Watkins, but was determined to be too costly. He stated that he felt the position was definitely needed.

On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board approved to include in the 1985/86 budget a position created and a station constructed on the main floor of the new courthouse for directional purposes and to assist the general public, and that the County Administrator bring back a proposal for the Board's consideration.

Soil Conservation

Discussion occurred regarding the budget requests made by the Soil Conservation Department. At this time Commr. Burhans recommended that the request for a four-wheel drive truck be denied and that the County continue to share radar equipment with Orange County. At this time Commr. Burhans recanmended that the budget remain the same as last year for Soil Conservation.

Commr. Smoak suggested that the request for the purchase of the ground penetrating radar equipment be discussed with Mr. Mark Burgess, Soil Conservation, to see if a fee schedule can be devised in order to acquire the equipment. Discussion occurred regarding the actual use and need for the equipment and the possibility of sharing it with other counties.

It was the feeling of the Board members that Mr. Burgess should be contacted for more details and affirmative figures obtained regarding the time of use and utilization of the equipment.

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Mr. Willett discussed the Clerk's Budget stating that there was a 2% increase in the overall budget proposal.

Mr. Don Smalt and Mr. Bob Wilson discussed several of the line items.

County Attorney

Commr. Deems discussed a request from Mr. Chris Ford, County

Attorney, for a proposed increase in the amount to $71 per hour with an average of 2,200 hours. Be stated that the increase would be in the approximate amount of $30,900. He further stated that there was approximately $70,000 carried over from last year's budget, which would substantiate the increase beginning July 1, 1985.

Discussion occurred regarding some of the legal aspects of the County now being handled by the County Administrator. The Board members concurred the need for an adjustment in the budget for the County Attorney. It was noted that no previous adjustment had been made during the past 10-11 years, and the request now causing a high percentage increase.

On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board approved the hourly rate of the County Attorney be increased to $70 per hour.

Commr. Deems made a motion for the hourly rate of $70 begin July 1, 1985. The motion died for a lack of a second.

BUDGETS

Discussion occurred regarding the format presented for the

review of the proposed budget.

Discussion occurred regarding millage figures and Mr. Wilson stated that the millage lies mostly in the General Fund and the Fine and Forfeiture Fund. Discussion continued regarding the cash carried over from last year's budget.

Public Works

Mr. Don Smalt discussed Mr. Ben Benedum, Engineering, having a problem locating a root rake. Mr. Smalt stated that Mr. Benedum was in the process of renting a front-end loader with a root rake for $4,500, plus insurance making the cost approximately $5,000.

Mr. Smalt stated that a root rake had been located and could be purchased in the amount of $5,000.

It was the feeling of the Board that the work needed to be performed could be contracted by the County without having to purchase the root rake.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 12:lO p.m.

Glenn C. Burhans, Chairman

ATTEST:

James C. Watkins, Clerk

TMA/6-21-85