The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, July 26, 1988, 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: Glenn C. Burhans, Chairman; Thomas J. Windram; Claude E. Smoak, Jr.; James R. Carson, Jr.; and Don Bailey. Others present were: Michael C. Willett, County Administrator; Katherine A. McDonald, Assistant County Administrator; Ava Kronz, Assistant to the County Administrator; Robert K. McKee, Executive Assistant to the Clerk; and Toni M. Austin, Deputy Clerk.
BUDGETS
Building Department
Mr. Jack Bragg, Building Official, presented a survey of building and permitting fees, from the surrounding counties, and the cities within Lake County.
Mr. Rudy Marchese, Director of Planning and Development, reviewed the synopsis of the Fiscal Year 1988-89 budget request, for the Building Department, and stated that the recommended increases included a request for two additional building inspectors, and additional vehicles, making a total budget request in the amount of $818,463.00.
Planning and Development Departments
Mr. Rudy Marchese reviewed the synopsis of the Fiscal Year 1988-89 budget request, for the Planning and Development Coordination Departments, and stated that the recommended increases included a request for three new positions, two Planner III positions and one Addressing Specialist. Mr. Marchese stated that the first Planner III position is required, if Lake County is to develop a computer model of its road network; the second Planner III position is requested to support development of the nine cities' Comprehensive Plans: and the Addressing Specialist is required to support the County's Addressing Project.
Mr. Marchese discussed the County being funded under contract with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), to prepare initial draft versions of Comprehensive Plan Elements. He further discussed the deletion of part-time employees, with the hiring of full-time personnel, and the need for a budgeted overtime expense.
Discussion occurred regarding the definition of performance zoning, with Commr. Smoak suggesting that this subject be brought to the attention of the Board at a separate date and time. He stated that he would prefer this not to be included in the budget, at this time, without additional information, because the subject might require a policy decision by the Board.
Mr. Marchese stated that the request has been made for $l0,000.00 to be set aside, for consultants to formulate a Unified Code of Performance Standards that are applicable to the DRI area, with Commr. Smoak suggesting that the monies be placed in the Contingency Fund, subject to Board approval.
Commr. Smoak clarifed, for the record, that performance zoning is not an approved issue, and the money is not in the budget for this, but it is being transferred to Contingency, subject to approval by the Board.
Mosquito Management
Mr. Don Findell, Director of Environmental Services, appeared before the Board to discuss the proposed Mosquito Management budget.
Mr. Eric Cotsenmoyer, Mosquito/Aquatic Plant Control Manager, appeared before the Board to discuss the equipment being leased from Volusia County, and the reasons for the increase in the line item, Rentals and Leases.
Aquatic Plant Management
Mr. Don Findell brought the Board's attention to the fact that the proposed budget request reflects continuation of the existing Aquatic Plant Management program. Should the Board of County Commissioners desire to assume responsibility for hydrilla control, or should Water Authority refuse to contract for responsibility for hydrilla control, the Aquatic Plant Management budget would have to be increased by approximately $170,000.00. However, a large percentage, if not all of the cost of hydrilla control, would be reimbursed by the State.
Mr. Will Davis, Executive Director of the Lake County Water Authority, appeared before the Board to discuss the Federal Government funding, in relation to hydrilla control. He also discussed the hydrilla situation in Lake County.
Commr. Smoak addressed the issue of hydrilla, and suggested that the program continue in the present direction.
Mr. Davis stated that he would inform the Water Authority Board, Wednesday night, of the recommendation by the Board, to continue the program in its present form.
Lake Soil and Water Conservation District
Mr. Findell discussed the proposed budget for the Lake Soil and Water Conservation District, and reasons for the proposed increase in Operating Supplies and Rentals and Leases.
Environmental Services/Pollution Control
Mr. Findell discussed the proposed budget for Pollution Control, and reasons for the proposed increase in Professional Services. He also directed the Board's attention to the original budget request for funds to initiate a Water and Sewer Master Plan and a Stormwater Management System Master Plan. It was noted that the two plans were eliminated from the budget request.
Emergency Medical Services
Mr. Bill Compton, Director of Emergency Medical Services, presented to the Board a proposed capital budget for the Fiscal Year 1988-89, for review.
Library Coordinator's Office
Ms. Mary McMahon, Library Coordinator, appeared before the Board to discuss the proposed budget for the Library Coordinator's Office, and reasons for the increase in Personal Services, for a Children's Library Specialist. She also directed the Board's attention to the notation regarding Accounting and Auditing, indicating that the auditing fees are projected to be higher, in the next fiscal year. The budget was amended with State Aid money, to $3,300.00, due to additional hours spent by the auditing firm. It was noted that the State Aid has been reduced for next year.
Ms. McMahon discussed the reasons for the increase in Machinery and Equipment, which included installation of an automated library system, and presented the Board with a letter, from the City of Umatilla, regarding its support for the automation system. She stated that the request for $103,558.00 would provide one complete set up unit for each library, and reviewed the justifications for the request, as listed on her budget information sheet.
Mr. Michael C. Willett, County Administrator, informed the Board that the funds, in the amount of $103,000.00, had been a proposed cut in the budget, in order to help bring the County budget down to its present level.
Commr. Burhans read the letter from the City of Umatilla and recommended, along with Commr. Bailey, to add the request for funds, in relation to the library automation system, back into the Library Coordinator's Office proposed budget.
On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved to add back into the Library Coordinator's Office proposed budget, the amount of $103,000.00, in the line item Machinery and Equipment.
Fee Schedule for the Lake County Pollution Control Department
Mr. Findell discussed the existing Fee Schedule, including DER permitting and funding.
Mr. Findell discussed the Proposed Fees, including proposed fees for Sewage Treatment Plant Compliance Monitoring Inspections, for routine inspections and non-compliance/violation reinspections, and Sludge/Septage Applications (including in-County generated sludge/septage).
Commr. Smoak stated that he did not feel that the County should charge the cities the inspection fees, with Commr. Burhans concurring, and that he would like to see a reduction in inspection fees and sludge/septage application fees, and the deletion of Compliance Monitoring.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 12:00 noon, the Chairman announced that the Board would recess for lunch and reconvene at 1:30 p.m.
Fee Schedule for the Lake County Pollution Control
Department (Cont'd.)
Discussion continued regarding the Proposed Fees for the Pollution Control Department.
Commr. Smoak stated that he did not feel that the County should charge the cities for sludge/septage application fees. At this time, he suggested a fee of $100.00 plus $1.00 per acre over five acres and $500.00 maximum, excluding the Lake County plants that have already been accepted.
Lake County E911 Department
Mr. Bruce Thorburn, E911 Coordinator, appeared before the Board to discuss the proposed budget for the E911 Department.
Mr. Thorburn stated that he has reviewed all of the present maps being used by the County and United Telephone of Florida, and discovered an additional 3,000 streets. Therefore, he anticipates a major addressing street manual being developed by September 1, 1988.
Mr. Thorburn discussed the revenue being accumulated by the E911 fifty-cent charge; the estimated cost of the voice and data lines and the subscriber records: and the estimated costs for the location for the E911 equipment.
Mr. Thorburn informed the Board that $60,000.00 will be transferred into the Sheriff's budget, to be utilized for the data equipment for his office.
Mr. Thorburn stated that five cities have already agreed to the PSAP program, in the amount of $36,000.00 each, for a total amount of $180,000.00.
Ms. Kathy McDonald, Assistant County Administrator, informed the Board that the contracts with the cities will be brought before the Board next week.
On a motion by Commr. Smoak, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board reaffirmed the previous action taken by the Board, for any city who wants to be a PSAP, be required to purchase the equipment up front, in total.
County Administrator's Budget
Mr. Willett discused each line item with the Board, in relation to the County Administrator's budget.
Lake County Extension Service Agricultural Center
Mr. Willett discussed the budget synopsis for the Agricultural Center, as presented to the Board.
At this time, it was noted that a proposed cut had been made in the Agricultural budget, in the amount of $25,330.00, for the Lake County Horticultural Learning Center. Commr. Smoak suggested that the request for the maintenance person be removed from the budget, since the person was to be placed within the program being cut.
Resort Tax/Development Council
Mr. Willett discussed the proposed budget for the Resort Tax/Development Council. He stated that a request had been made for a Public Relations Specialist, with Commr. Burhans suggesting that the County hire a County person, to be placed on the County payroll, to be paid out of the resort tax.
Commr. Burhans had suggested, to the Tourist Development Council, that the County increase the resort tax to three-cents after three years, with one-half of the third cent to be used in the program and the other one-half cent to be used for land acquisition.
Discussion occurred regarding the placement of a sign on Highway 27, announcing the future development of the Convention/Expo Center.
Commr. Smoak stated that he would donate a sign to the County, and suggested that Ms. McDonald and Ms. Kronz research the matter.
Mr. Willett stated that he has not yet received the budgets from the Clerk and the County Attorney.
Mr. Willett reviewed the list of cuts that have been proposed, in order to bring the budget down to its present level, which is short $1,300,000.00 in the General Fund and Fine and Forfeiture Fund.
Mr. Willett discussed the Sheriff's budget, with the Sheriff indicating that he has not budgeted for food supplies, for the temporary jail.
Commr. Smoak suggested that the County staff review the Sheriff's budget, along with the entire County's budget, cut the overall budget two-percent (2%), and report back to the Board. He stated that he would not take the two-percent (2%) out of Personnel salaries, but from other funds.
Mr. Willett stated that the ad valorem increase is mostly in the Fine and Forfeiture Fund.
Discussion occurred regarding the amount of funds estimated to be turned back over by the Sheriff, and the budgeted funds already approved for 38 employees.
Mr. McKee stated that, in 85 days, the Sheriff will be in the Temporary Jail.
Mr. Willett stated that the estimated amount to be turned back over by the Sheriff is $450,000.00.
Commr. Carson presented an explanation of the Revenue and Fine and Forfeiture Funds, in relation to the ad valorem taxes.
The Board directed Mr. Willett, to prepare for review, a two-percent (2%) overall cut of the entire County budget, including all County departments, in order to reduce the increase in ad valorem taxes, and to report back to the Board.
Commr. Burhans stated that the Board will review the Clerk's budget on Tuesday.
CONTRACTS LEASES AND AGREEMENTS/LANDFILLS
Commr. Smoak discussed the motion that he made on July 25, 1988, at the Special Board Meeting, in relation to the NRG project. He stated that the intent of the motion was to follow the recommendation of Mr. Sledge, to allow him to work with the Board secretaries, to see that the language met the legal requirements, but it was clearly the intent to cease negotiations, and in doing so, that the intent was also not to hold the meeting on August 4, 1988, because of the action taken.
At this time, the Board discussed the previous action taken, with agreement from all of the Board members, as far as to the ceasing of negotiations.
Commr. Smoak requested that the record reflect, that he had been asked to clarify his motion, as presented by the Board secretary, and that it be forwarded to Mr. Sledge, for legal review.
There being no further business to be brought to the attention to the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
GLENN C. BURHANS, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK
TMA/8-10-88