The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, September 17, 1996, at 6:00 p.m., in the Board Meeting Room, Administration Building, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Welton G. Cadwell, Chairman; William "Bill" H. Good, Vice Chairman; Rhonda H. 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; Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance; Sarah LaMarche, Budget Director; Tracy Zeller, Senior Budget Analyst; Kevin McDonald, Senior Budget Analyst; Julia Wilson, Budget Assistant; and Toni M. Riggs, Deputy Clerk.

OPENING REMARKS

Commr. Cadwell stated that the Board would reconvene the public hearing for the final budget adoption.

Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, stated that this was the second and final public hearing on the budget for the 1996-97 Fiscal Year. She stated that the first issue to be addressed was the percentage increase in millage over the rollback rate. As it was tentatively adopted at the September 5, 1996 Board meeting, the rollback was 4.909, and the tentative millage rate was 4.909. In the Ambulance District, the rollback millage was .221, and the tentative millage rate was .158, which was a 28.51% decrease over the rollback rate. The aggregate millage rate was 5.083, and the tentative millage rate at the aggregate was 5.033, which was a .984% decrease over the rollback rate.

Commr. Cadwell opened the public hearing portion of the budget hearing and called for public comment. There being none, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

Commr. Hanson stated that she was having a problem with one

issue in the rollback, which was the effect it had on the County's social services in the community. She was not sure that the Board actually was aware of what some of the cuts were doing to individuals in the community. She was not prepared to make any changes at this meeting, however, she asked that sometime during the next year, the Board have a needs assessment study, to determine not only the County's current needs, but focusing on where the dollars were going to be cut, both state and federal, in the community and making some projection of what the County's needs were going to be.

Commr. Cadwell stated that this would be a good item to discuss at a Board Retreat.

Commr. Hanson stated that some County money was being contributed to the Health Planning Council, and she felt that the County could investigate possibilities of staff putting together such an analysis, and the Retreat would also be appropriate.

Ms. Whittle informed the Board that staff was not required to read the resolutions this year.

RESOLUTIONS

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Resolution 1996-132 adopting Lake County's countywide millage at 4.909, which was equal to the rollback rate, and included the aggregate millage rate at 5.033, which was 0.984% less than the rollback rate.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Gerber and carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Resolution 1996-133 adopting the Lake County Ambulance District millage at .158, which was 28.51% less than the rollback rate.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Good and carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Resolution 1996-134 adopting the countywide budget at $147,136,061.

Commr. Cadwell extended his appreciation to the budget staff, and the County Manager's Office, for the budget process this year, which was done in an effective manner.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK

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