The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, June 20, 1996, at 9 a.m., in the Conference Room at the Lake County Boys Ranch, Altoona, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Welton G. Cadwell, Chairman; William "Bill" H. Good, Vice Chairman; Rhonda G. Gerber; G. Richard Swartz, Jr.; and Catherine C. Hanson. Staff members present were: Sanford A. Minkoff, County Attorney; Sue Whittle, County Manager; Ava Kronz, BCC Office Manager; Sarah LaMarche, Director of Budget; Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance; Fletcher Smith, Director of Community Services; Don Post, Director of Solid Waste Management Services; Craig Haun, Senior Director of Fire and Emergency Services; Jim Stivender, Senior Director of Public Services; Alvin Jackson, Deputy County Manager; Sharon Farrell, Senior Director of the Department of Growth Management; and Toni M. Riggs, Deputy Clerk.

Commr. Cadwell stated that the Board would be discussing its FY 96/97 Focus Areas, Goals and Action Steps, and the FY 95/96 Successes, but first Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, would be reviewing the report prepared by Ms. Marilyn Crotty, Director, Florida Institute of Government, which was developed from the Board Retreat Strategic Planning Session held on January 30, 1996.

Ms. Whittle reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the County and its Government, as reported by Ms. Crotty, in the areas of Financial Resources, Physical Resources, Human Resources, Pattern of Organization, Technical Systems, and noted the Opportunities and Constraints listed in the report.

Ms. Whittle began the discussion of the Draft of the Board's FY 96/97 Focus Areas, Goals and Action Steps, and FY 95/96 Successes, and noted that a chart had been prepared consisting of the following Focus Areas: Environmental Conservation; Economic Stability; Strengthen Communities; and Excellence in Government Process and Service.

I. DISCUSSION OF FOCUS AREAS AND GOALS

Focus Area: To Build a Sustainable Environment Which Will Afford Quality Recreation and Tranquility in the Lives of Current and Future Generations in Lake County

The Board decided to change the Focus Area to read, as follows: To Build a Sustainable Environment for Current and Future Generations in Lake County.

The Board reviewed the FY 97 Goals and Action Steps, as listed under the first Focus Area and, after an in depth discussion with staff, the Board made changes in several areas of the language. The FY 95/96 Successes were highlighted by the individual staff members.

RECESS & REASSEMBLY

At 10:25 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would take a 15 minute recess.

Focus Area: To develop an Economic Base Which Will Allow Our Citizens to Enjoy Optimum Employment, Varied Cultural Opportunities, and a Quality Standard of Living.

The Board reviewed the FY 97 Goals and Action Steps, as listed under the second Focus Area, and, after an in depth discussion with staff, the Board made changes in several areas of the language. The FY 95/96 Successes were highlighted by the individual staff members.

Focus Area: To Nourish Our Communities Enabling All Residents the Enjoyment a Safe, Abundant and Healthy Lifestyle.

The Board reviewed the FY 97 Goals and Action Steps, as listed under the third Focus Area, and, after an in depth discussion with staff, the Board made changes in several areas of the language. The FY 95/96 Successes were highlighted by the individual staff members.

Ms. Whittle explained that the document before the Board was a Draft, and the proposed Action Steps, as listed under each Focus Area, would be coming forward to the Board with the budget, and if the Board chooses not to fund certain areas, the steps would be deleted from the budget. Once it was finalized, along with the budget, it would be published as part of the proposed budget.

II. FUNDING OPTIONS

A. Solid Waste Line of Credit

Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, informed the Board that the issue involving Public Financial Management (PFM), and the solid waste line of credit, was discussed in-house, and staff felt that, for the next year or two, the only alternative would be to extend the current line of credit just enough to go to long-term financing, until the litigation was resolved. Mr. Minkoff stated that he would be meeting next week at the Florida Association of Counties' with Mr. Tom Giblin, Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, to review the proposed plan.

Mr. Minkoff informed the Board that staff had received an Order from the Supreme Court authorizing the County to file a brief on the merits in the Dryden V. Madison County case, which pertained to special assessments.

B. Fire

Mr. Minkoff stated that the County would continue with its current plan for the fire assessment, but should the County continue with the current program, and the Supreme Court decides not to take the County's case, or a decision was made against the County, the County could very well face a refund issue for the 1996/97 year. One of the risks would be, if the County lost the special assessments and had to go ad valorem, the cities may choose not to participate with the County, but the County may still be forced to refund the money that had been collected. Mr. Minkoff stated that, unless there was a major shift in the law by the Supreme Court, the Fifth District Case should be overruled. His plan was to proceed with the assessments and fight in court, but come August or September, the County could receive a request for an injunction to stop it from assessing next year, and then it would be too late to go back for an ad valorem tax. Therefore, the County would have to cover the shortfall out of reserves for the 1996/97 year.

RECESS & REASSEMBLY

At 12 noon, the Chairman announced that the Board would recess for lunch and reconvene at 1 p.m.

Focus Area: To Increase Citizen Confidence in Lake County Government

The Board reviewed the FY 97 Goals and Action Steps, as listed under the fourth Focus Area, and, after an in depth discussion with staff, the Board made changes in several areas of the language. The FY 95/96 Successes were highlighted by the individual staff members.

COMMISSIONERS

At 1:25 p.m., Commr. Good excused himself from the meeting, due to prior commitments.

MAGIC REPORT RECOMMENDATION -

DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Ms. Sharon Farrell, Senior Director, Department of Growth Management, presented the Board with information pertaining to the MAGIC Report Recommendations for the Division of Environmental Management. Ms. Farrell noted that all of the transfers had been accomplished with some modifications. She explained that seven positions had been transferred and five had been eliminated. Ms. Farrell reviewed the chart of positions and discussed the recommendations in much detail.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK

TMR\BOARDMIN\6-20-96\6-24-96