The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Monday April 27, 1998 at 9:00 a.m., at the Highlander Hut in Clermont, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: G. Richard Swartz, Jr., Chairman; Welton G. Cadwell, Vice Chairman; Catherine C. Hanson; William "Bill" H. Good, and Rhonda H. Gerber. Others present were: Sanford A. Minkoff, County Attorney; Sue Whittle, County Manager; Ava K. Kronz, Director, Continuous Quality Improvement; Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, Finance Department; Sarah LaMarche, Director of Budget; Sharon Farrell, Senior Director of Growth Management; Don Post, Senior Director of Solid Waste Management Services; Jim Stivender, Senior Director of Public Works; Fletcher Smith, Senior Director of Community Services; Alvin Jackson, Jr., Deputy County Manager; Mike Anderson, Senior Director of Facilities and Capital Improvements; and Toni M. Riggs, Deputy Clerk.

OVERVIEW

Commr. Swartz opened the meeting and stated that Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, would be presenting the opening comments.

Ms. Whittle, County Manager, stated that this meeting was the annual Fiscal Advance where the Board needs to look forward to the next five years. She stated that the Board has before it information regarding the Capital Improvement Program, which has been reviewed by the Board several times. She further stated that, during the month of May, she reviews all of the departmental budgets. Staff does not see the Constitutional budgets until later in the year, so real figures cannot be put together until July. At this time, she turned the meeting over to Mr. Mike Anderson, Senior Director, Facilities and Capital Improvements, and Ms. Sarah LaMarche, Director of Budget, to review the figures being projected for he Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN

Community Services

Mr. Anderson reviewed the projected figures for the Community Services Division and noted that, once the lab facility is moved out of the old post office, the building will be renovated, and Library Services and Records Management will take over the entire building. The capital amount would be $50,000. He stated that there has been a lot of discussion as to where the lab will be located, and he now had prices from Space Masters for a modular facility to be located in Astatula, which would be the least expensive way to go. Mr. Anderson stated that a permanent metal building could be built for a little bit more than what Space Masters would charge the County for a modular building. It was noted that the lab spends 75% of its time doing sampling.

Commr. Cadwell questioned whether there were any buildings across from the landfill for sale or lease.

Mr. Don Post, Senior Director, Solid Waste Management Services, stated that the old Fleet Line facility, including the 17 acres, was approximately $900,000, but they were considering a lower price, because they have no use for it.

Mr. Anderson noted the figure of $630,000 for the Medical Examiner-Morgue, which has been carried over for several years for the renovation of the old morgue and stated that Leesburg Regional Hospital has brought forward an offer for consideration. He noted that the County was in the process of getting an appraisal of the County property.

Mr. Anderson addressed the Health Department Space Needs and noted that Dr. Pelosie has noted that there are 239 employees, and he has applied the State space standards to demonstrate what he would like to see developed, if the County should consolidate all of the services into one location.

Mr. Smith, Senior Director of Community Services, addressed his Memorandum dated April 25, 1998, which speaks specifically about the LCHD Administration Building and the LCHD Environmental Health Services Building, both of which are located on Main Street, Tavares. There are a total of 66 people in both of the buildings, and the buildings total 10,700 square feet. He noted that on September 3, 1996, the Board conducted a Facilities Workshop regarding the Lake County Health Department, and the possible scenarios were listed on Page 2, which he reviewed with the Board. With the problems at the two buildings on Main Street, staff talked to the owner of the Grove Square Shopping Center in Eustis, which would be a ideal place to locate the health departments. He noted that there was a letter attached to his memorandum from M. A. Grondin, Trustee, which included a couple of options for consideration. Mr. Anderson reviewed these with the Board and stated that Dr. Pelosie could consolidate some of the positions, and he was in favor of the Grove Square Shopping Center proposal.

Commr. Cadwell questioned where any one has talked to the City of Eustis to see whether it was interested in having this type of facility inside the City, and if not, he felt that someone should approach the City about the proposal.

Commr. Hanson stated that she has discussed the health department situation with some of the physicians in the area, and some of the responses she has gotten from them has been that the County is providing more care than what has been the traditional role of the health department, and some of the physicians are upset, because they are in competition with the physicians who are being subsidized.

Facilities and Capital Improvements - Parks and Recreation Division

Mr. Anderson stated that both the annual grants for recreation development and the regional grants are programs that have been funded out of infrastructure sales tax, and it grandfathers out in 1998.

Commr. Swartz stated that the County ought to bond the parimutuel wagering and start using that for the County's recreation needs. In December, 2002, infrastructure sales tax ends.

Ms. Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance, stated that the bonds are due in 2001. The race track revenues are about $300,000 a year, with one-half of it going for the bonds, and some of it going into the General Fund. She stated that there have been several projections of what the County could get, if they were extended out a ten year period, or a 15 year period, and these projections were made six to 12 months ago, so there could be some changes.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Cadwell and carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to look at bonding the parimutuel funds and putting the money into Parks and Recreation.

Commr. Swartz noted that all of the specifics of the grants have not been decided by the Board, and those will be coming to the Board through recommendations.

Facilities and Capital Improvements - Capital Outlay Fund

Mr. Anderson discussed the $4,360,000 figure designated for the Conference Center/Fairgrounds and explained the site plan, which consisted of the 100 acres at the industrial park. He stated that the concept is based on the original study for a multi-purpose building.

Commr. Cadwell stated that the City of Eustis had to take back the RV Park, and he questioned whether the Board would want to talk to them about this property.

Mr. Smith explained that a lot of the physicians and physician groups are accepting Medicaid clients now, because the Medicaid reimbursement has increased, and traditionally those were the clients that were using the health departments, because a lot of the physicians would not accept Medicaid patients.

Discussion occurred regarding the condition of the buildings at the Grove Square Shopping Center, and the renovation that would be necessary to make it workable.

Ms. Whittle explained that staff was really being pushed on the courthouse space issue, because the judges want another courtroom and additional judges' suites.

Commr. Cadwell addressed the issue of transportation for those people who need to get to the health departments and, if they were located at the proposed shopping center, and stated that he would like to know how many people are currently using Transportation Disadvantaged.

Commr. Swartz stated that the County was being pressed for buildings for court mediation and other Clerk's functions.

Ms. Whittle stated that the County was evaluating the need to build another building downtown, or looking for alterative space for those operations that could move out of downtown and exist effectively somewhere else. With the parking problems and constraints in downtown Tavares, she felt it made a lot of sense to look at alternative space.

Commr. Cadwell stated that the Board needed to keep in mind that, if the County decides to consolidate the existing buildings, they should be offered to the municipality where they area located first.

Commr. Swartz felt that there was agreement by the Board that it does not want to consider doing anything with the clinics, until the study is done, and it wants to look at moving those people out of the two buildings, probably keeping some of the ones that are related to permitting and moving the others, and that the Board does not want to build a new building, and for staff to come back with some alternatives.

Discussion occurred regarding removing the $630,000 from the capital amount for the Medical Examiner - Morgue, with Ms. Whittle indicating that she would be uncomfortable taking the figure out at this time when the morgue has to be done. It was noted that a comment regarding the Leesburg Regional Medical Center's contract would be added to the Funding Sources/Comments column.

Discussion continued regarding the projected amounts for the capital projects listed for Community Services, with Commr. Swartz stating that, it was being unrealistic to continue with $550,000 for this line item, with no funding source being identified and no organizational scheme. It was noted that this item was part of the consultant's recommendation. After further discussion, it was noted that $550,000 was scratched from the list, until a plan is developed and a funding source is identified. It was further noted that $4,550,000 for the Central Library System was scratched from the list.

Discussion occurred regarding the $750,000 for the Astor Branch Library, with Commr. Hanson stating that the County needs to start with a branch library and a kiosk in one of the outlying areas, and it could come out of the General Fund.

Commr. Hanson made a motion, which was seconded by Commr. Good, to bring back information on at least one kiosk to be located strategically within the County where it would do the most good, with the intent of funding at least one this year.

Under discussion, Commr. Cadwell questioned whether this meeting was advertised to where the Board could make motions. He stated that this may involve system dollars, and it may be cost prohibited to have just one, so he did not want to support Commr. Hanson's motion, until the Board knew what was involved.

Mr. Smith stated that he can bring back a plan about how the kiosk works and if it is a system requirement, or if it is something that operates in conjunction with the system in place.

The Chairman called for a vote on the motion, which was carried by a 3-2 vote, with Commr. Gerber and Commr. Swartz voting "no".

It was noted that the numbers would be taken off of the sheet, until real numbers could be provided.

Commr. Cadwell explained that, if the County does not centralize the library system, then it will have to deal with the cities as the County's provider for library services.

Commr. Swartz explained that $4,550,000 was a number that came out of the consultant's report, and the Board never endorsed it, and it does not need to be on the sheet, until there is a plan.

Commr. Gerber stated that she will be doing an internship through Stetson, and she was considering doing an overview of the library system and developing a survey. She will develop a questionnaire, with assistance from Ms. Wendy Breeden, Library Services Manager, and present it to the Board for review.

Ms. Whittle referred to the Engineering Camera and noted that the funding source would be from the General Fund.

Facilities and Capital Improvements - Parks and Recreation Division

Mr. Anderson stated that the annual and regional grants are programs that have been funded out of infrastructure sales tax, which grandfathers out in 1998. Staff had been asked to extend those out, but it has not received formal Board approval.

Commr. Swartz stated that the Board ought to bond the parimutuel wagering and begin to start using it for the recreation needs. In December, 2002, the infrastructure sales tax ends.

Ms. Lehman stated that the bonds are due in 2001, and the County receives about $300,000 a year from race track revenues. She stated that half of it goes for the bonds and some goes to the General Fund. She stated that several projections have been made to determine what the County can receive, if it was extended out for a ten year period and a 15 year period, and those projections were made six to 12 months ago, so there could be some changes, because the interest rates have gone down. She stated that the County could bond $150,000 very easily, because that is what the County is currently paying out.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Cadwell and carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to look at bonding that and putting the money into Parks and Recreation.

Commr. Swartz stated that staff will be bringing back numbers for the Board to review.

He asked that staff put IST/Parimutuel Funds as the funding source.

Discussion continued regarding the Parks and Recreation Division, with Commr. Swartz noting that all of the specifics of the grants have not been actually decided by the Board, and they will be coming to the Board with recommendations.

Facilities and Capital Improvements - General Fund

Mr. Anderson explained that the Board had asked staff to level off the building maintenance rather than coming to the Board every three years or so with a big dollar item, in order to have a fund build up. He stated that, in reality, the work will not be done every year, but it will be done every three or four years as needed, but the money will be in place.

Facilities and Capital Improvements - Capital Outlay Fund

Mr. Anderson stated that this was the year that the County had designated to work on the fairgrounds. He presented a site plan and explained, in detail, what would be involved with the development of the concept.

Commr. Cadwell explained that the City of Eustis had to take back the RV park next door and across the street, and he questioned whether there was any willingness by the Board to talk to City of Eustis about getting this additional property and leaving the fairgrounds at its present location.

After some discussion, it was noted that the members of the Board were not interested in Commr. Cadwell's suggestion.

Mr. Anderson stated that he would be putting out a RFP for architectural services.

Discussion occurred regarding the renovation of the old fairgrounds, with Commr. Swartz suggesting that the County keep maintaining the existing Farmer's Market, which has been very successful.

Commr. Cadwell stated that there is enough regional interest to have some type of joint use facility for athletics to include tennis courts, a soccer field, and a baseball field on that site.

Mr. Anderson discussed the BCC Complex - 11,250 square feet, in the amount of $650,500, which was in response for additional square footage in the Judicial Building. He stated that the State Attorney's Office is asking for an additional 11,250 square feet, and the County would either have to add to the building, or come up with an additional 11,250 square feet on the same grounds. He stated that buildings G and H, which are the public health building, are located on the north and south side of Main Street, and staff was estimating $500,00 for their renovation. He stated that these buildings can be modified and increased in size, and they have been designed for two story structures.

Commr. Swartz questioned the cost for renovation and noted that the County has already reached, or surpassed the growth factors from the original space study.

Mr. Anderson stated that he would get back with the Board on the $650,500 that had been indicated for the BCC Complex.

Discussion occurred regarding the $720,000 figure that had been presented for the South Lake Annex for the Sheriff.

Ms. Whittle stated that the figure of $720,000 is a three year projected figure, as determined by the Sheriff. She noted that the South Lake Annex would include work space for the Building Division of Growth Management, the Property Appraiser, Community Services (Environmental Health) and a substation for the Sheriff.

Mr. Anderson suggested that the amount indicated for the South Lake Annex Land, in the amount of $250,000, be added to the South Lake Annex in the amount of $720,000.

Mr. Stivender suggested that the Board look at the property that has been annexed into the City of Clermont and, when the County looks at property, he wanted the Board to know that there is property that can be found for the right price, perhaps 60 to 80 acres. He stated that staff has been working with Clermont on its road network.

Discussion occurred regarding the County radio system, in the amount of $3,000,000, and Commr. Swartz requested that staff look into this issue, because there must be some way to raise money for the system.

Ms. Whittle stated that a portion of the radio system would have to come from Transportation Trust, and a portion would have to come from the General Fund.

Mr. Anderson addressed the parking garage, in the amount of $2,300,000, and stated that the space study and traffic study are due in two weeks, and he felt that one of the options will include structure parking. It was noted that IST would be indicated under funding source.

Discussion occurred regarding the Stegall property, with Commr. Swartz noting that Ms. Stegall was not interested in selling the property. He suggested that the amount of $250,000 be scratched from the list.

Mr. Anderson addressed the 11,250 square feet of additional space and noted that the Clerk was looking at an additional 50 people.

RECESS & REASSEMBLY

At 10:38 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess.

Agricultural Education Services

Mr. Anderson discussed the exterior elevation/expansion, in the amount of $650,000, and noted that $175,000 was being carried forward.

Discussion occurred regarding the exterior elevation/expansion, with the Board directing that the $650,000 be changed to $175,000.

Communication Services

Discussion occurred regarding the Direct Connect to Comcast, in the amount of $150,000, with the Board directing that this be scratched from the list.

Computer Services

Mr. Jackson discussed the Digital Orthophotography and stated that, as long as the County keeps pulling in the cities, the amount of $300,000 needed to be corrected to $100,000.

Fire and Emergency Services

Commr. Swartz suggested that, other than Animal Control, until the Board has determined the direction it was going to take for fire protection, this area did not need to be addressed at this time.

Public Works

Discussion occurred regarding South Lake Rails/Trails, in the amount of $126,400, with Ms. Whittle noting that the funding source can be designated as CTT/Reimbursed Grant.

Mr. Stivender addressed each line item and requested the following changes:

Gradeall (Used) Add'l - Scratch $125,000

Countywide Resurfacing - Change FY 98/99 $500,000 to $400,000

Special Services - Road Improv. - Change 2,500,000 to $1,500,000 for all five years

Special Assmts. - Roads - Change $700,000 to $400,000

S. Tavares Vehicle Maint. - Scratch $360,000

Mosquito Control, New Office/relocated bldg's. - Scratch $270,000

Road construction (5 cent local option) - Scratch $10,000,000

Solid Waste Management

Mr. Don Post explained that the D6H Bulldozer Replace D7, in the amount of $250,000, was not put into the budget, and the Wing Addition, in the amount of $95,000, was no put into the budget, and therefore, these figures needed to be pushed back until next year. He noted that everything else was funded on the list.

Chris Ford Central Industrial Park

Discussion occurred regarding the Chris Ford Central Industrial Park, and Commr. Hanson stated that there needs to be a resolution, for the Board to recognize that the money from the property is owed back to the Tourist Development Council (TDC) fund, and so far there has been no recognition that this money is actually owed.

Ms. Whittle explained that scenarios were brought to the Board, which had the original costs plus interest, and there was never a written agreement.

Mr. Minkoff stated that there could not be an agreement, because it would be an agreement with the County, and the TDC is only an advisory body and it does not own anything. The County owns all of the land, and the TDC tax money is restricted to be used for purposes allowed by the Act. Originally the TDC money was used to purchase the site, because the facility that was going to be built would have met the requirements of the Act. It was intended that the fairgrounds/convention center would be built and those funds would be used.

Commr. Hanson stated that people who raised the dollars did not raise the dollars to go into the industrial park.

It was noted that some money will need to be transferred back into the TDC fund, or the County will expend monies to put in place something that will be equivalent to those dollars.

Judicial/Constitutional - Clerk of Courts

Discussion occurred regarding the list of Capital Projects for the Clerk of Courts, with Ms. Lehman being directed to check the funding source, because there were items that Commr. Swartz felt could come from the Clerk's Fees.

Tax Collector

It was noted that there were no changes or corrections to be made to the figures.

Supervisor of Elections

It was noted that there were no changes or corrections to be made to the figures.

Fifth Circuit Court - Judicial

Mr. Anderson noted that the amount of $300,000 was based on what was spent on the other seven courtrooms.

Commr. Swartz suggested that the amount of money be pushed out, until some of the other questions regarding space can be answered.

State Attorney and Public Defender

Mr. Minkoff explained that there are currently seven judges, and there are eight offices, and in the next three years, there will be eight or nine judges. It is the judiciary and the Clerk that are really driving the new building, and the Public Defender and State Attorney could go a long time without getting expansions. He stated that, if one of the judges runs for the Chief Judge of the Circuit, there will be five or six new positions.

Ms. Whittle stated that the State Attorney has informed staff that his current space is absolutely full, and that he needs an additional 12,194 square feet in about two years.

Mr. Minkoff stated that the Board has a lot more latitude with the State Attorneys than the judges, because the judges will enter an order, and the County will end up in a hearing over the space. The State Attorney really has no significant recourse against the Board.

Ms. Whittle stated that it will be less expensive to move the State Attorney and Public Defender somewhere else, because they do not require the very expensive actual courthouse space.

Commr. Swartz stated that he will be meeting with the Clerk and Chief Judge to review all of the items being discussed.

Judicial/Constitutional - Sheriff

Ms. Whittle stated that this was the second time that the Board has seen the requests before them from the Sheriff, and all of the other Constitutional Officers.

Discussion occurred regarding Pod Modifications Prelude A, with Mr. Anderson explaining that the Sheriff was going to start putting the general population in it, with minimum security, because he needs the space. Mr. Anderson stated that this is the first year that the Sheriff has come back and asked for Pod E money, but that would be in the year 2000-2001.

Commr. Swartz stated that he thought there was no intention to ever build Pod E, but if more space was needed, the County would go to some type of lower cost work camp.

Mr. Anderson stated that this has always been the idea of the Sheriff, until the realization that the infrastructure sales tax was going to grandfather out, so he went back and is requesting the $5 million for Pod E.

Summary of Costs - Funding to be Determined

Ms. LaMarche noted that the items listed were discussed by the Board and was a summary sheet for funding sources to be determined.

Office of Facilities and Capital Improvements - Infrastructure Sales Tax Projections

1999 to 2002

Ms. LaMarche explained that the figures reflect what will happen when the infrastructure sales tax expires in the year 2002. She noted that the County currently receives about five percent sales tax a year. She stated that in 2001 and 2002, the County will be accumulating dollars in a reserve to make the final payment for the debt service. She noted that the County currently has a total of $18,703,575 for capital projects.

SOLID WASTE LINE OF CREDIT

Mr. Don Post presented the Board members with information pertaining to Financing the Solid Waste Enterprise System, which consisted of Expanded Costs, Recovery of Lost Revenue Sources, and Options. He directed the Board's attention to the Solid Waste Stream Analysis graph, which shows that the County was projected to lose approximately 20,000 tons of solid waste this year from two years ago. He presented detailed information on the following:

I. Expanded Costs

A. Decrease in Solid Waste and Revenue

Increased recycling (Orlando Waste - Southeast County)

Solid waste diversion (Class III, C&D, Commercial)

High tipping fee, no flow control, excess capacity Central Florida

Annexation by municipalities

B. Expanded Cost of Ogden Martin Contract

1993 Series A Bond increase of $2,079,421 by 2001

O&M increase of $2,213,568 by 2001

Clean Air Act Amendment (Nox), $2,300,000 by 2000

Increase of O&M and pass through cost of $325,000 by 2000

C. Repayment of $17.5 million Line of Credit

II. Recovery of Lost Revenue Sources

(To be presented to Solid Waste Study Committee May 14, 1998)

A. Commercial Container Service Fee

Establish a minimum container charge

Collection on all commercial businesses (quarterly or annually)

Still allows for commercial recycling

B. New Construction Container Fee

Paid when permit is obtained in Growth Management

Based on size or type of construction

III. Options

A. Raise Tipping Fee and Assessment

B. Privatization

C. Re-look at Ogden Martin Waste-to-Energy Contract/Ownership

D. Regional Disposal Options

E. Refinance Bonds

F. Use Millage to pay Debt

G. Alternate Revenue Source (i.e. Utility Service Fee)

Mr. Minkoff addressed the Ogden Martin contract and stated that, in the year 2013, they will be free to burn whatever they want in the plant. He stated that the County cannot operate the plant and meet the $25 a ton rate that some of the counties are getting.

Mr. Post stated that there was nothing that would be beneficial monetarily for Ogden Martin to renegotiate the contract at this time. He stated that this is the only plant that Ogden Martin actually owns and operates. All other municipalities own the facility that Ogden Martin operates for them.

Mr. Minkoff stated that, in looking at the realm of possibilities, one of the things that the County wants the consultants to explore is default. Even though this is not a suggestion that the County is actually thinking about, but in analyzing all of the pros and cons, this is one of the things that has to be analyzed.

Mr. Post requested that the Board consider and authorize staff to go forward with a much larger process of looking at solid waste enterprise system, as outlined by the letter from William R. Hough. He stated that, financially, staff feels the County would have to raise its fees by the year 2001, but based on the glut coming into the system, the County was going to lose more waste and it will actually be able to raise the capital, but unfortunately, the bond covenants allow the mortgage holders to request that the County use millage to pay off the debt.

It was noted that staff will proceed to explore all options.

Mr. Post recommended to the Board that the County take an extension on the line of credit, and go into a permanent financial arrangement, which is what was being recommended by the consultant.

RECESS & REASSEMBLY

At 12:15 p.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess for lunch.

FISCAL GOALS

Ms. Whittle presented projections for the coming fiscal year, as well as pro formas, with the assumptions through 2000/01.

Ms. LaMarche reviewed the projections, as well as the assumptions on Page 3, and she stated that the Clerk's projection was fairly high for the coming year, because he is asking for more people. She noted that the deficit would be approximately $4 million. It was noted that one mill equaled about $5 million.

Ms. Whittle stated that her goal was to keep operations as efficient as possible, and day to day operations should not incrementally increase every year, but programs that are important should be adopted and put in place very year.

Discussion occurred regarding the Board transfers, as compared to the constitutional officers' transfers, with Commr. Hanson stating that she would liked to see the historic percentages of the total and the growth.

Commr. Swartz stated that, in regards to rollback, he had stated last year in that process that, if the Board wants to stay at the current millage and take that extra money and put it into some type of reserve for future capital needs, or future program needs, he would have supported that, but all it was doing was taking the additional money and transferring it.

Commr. Hanson felt that the Board should ask the constitutional officers to live within the five to six percent, because it was unfair to ask them to live at the 3.3% when the Board has done a rollback.

Ms. Whittle stated that she has some major concerns with continuing to go to rollback, because of some of the issues that will be coming up in the next four to five years. She hoped that the Board could settle on a level millage and continue it on an annual basis, and then look at instituting some of the programs that the Board has not been able to consider.

Commr. Good stated that he has a problem establishing the fees, which will increase by five to six percent, because it does not take into account the program needs that change from year to year.

Commr. Swartz questioned whether the Board would support taking the difference between rollback and maintaining the existing millage and placing it a special fund to then use it for those identified needs. He stated that, as the Board goes through the budget process, it may identify some specific things this year, to the extent that there is more money than those, then the Board puts it into a reserve, if for nothing else, to pay down debt service. He stated that there was not enough infrastructure sales tax for the things that the Board has left on the list today.

Ms. Whittle stated that the Board is dealing with the fire issue and there has to be an increase for fire. She stated that there is $2 million budgeted for the Central Park for the fairgrounds, and the Board has to develop a long range plan for the south County facilities that the County will be needing, as well as working out the Tavares area facilities, in terms of health care. She asked the Board to identify its priorities for next year.

Commr. Swartz stated that he would like to see the Board continue to wean itself from the infrastructure sales tax, whether it be through bonding the parimutuel money, or whether the Board takes some of the money that is not at rollback and start trying to supplant some of those things than what the Board has been doing. It was difficult to look at the items on the list that the Board is trying to pay for with infrastructure sales tax when it is simply not there.

Ms. Whittle explained that the County is spending approximately three to four million dollars a year for capital projects, and about a mill will cover the capital projects and all of the rest of the money has been bonded and gone to debt service, but the capital needs are not going away, so the County needs to start building toward this reality.

Commr. Swartz stated that maybe a legitimate way of approaching it would be to take the additional money and actually supplant it in the money that is being used for recreation, and take the recreation money in facilities and keep it back in the sales tax fund.

Commr. Good stated that the suggestion being made by Commr. Swartz would be taking money out of the economy that would be used in the private sector by people in their lives, and putting it in a money making situation and an investment situation of government, and he could not support this.

Commr. Gerber stated that she would like to see more money placed in Mosquito Control, and Commr. Swartz stated that the County is going to have to, as a result of whatever discussions it has with the cities, map out some course for the libraries.

Ms. Whittle stated that one of things she is looking at for next year is an increase and improvement in the County's communications capability, in terms of how it communicates with the public.

Commr. Cadwell informed the Board that there will be a report made to the Board about the After School Program.

Commr. Hanson stated that she would like to get the Boys and Girls Club in some of the outlying areas of the County, such as Pine Lakes and Paisley, and she felt it was a goal that the Board should consider, perhaps not this year, but perhaps later, because she did not feel that those areas would be coming to the After School Program.

Commr. Cadwell hoped that, at the end of this year, or the end of next year, the County will be out of the industrial business, because that is one of the Board's goals.

Commr. Hanson stated that it seems the County needs more of a hi-tech industry in Lake County, and the Board needs to look at getting incentives for that very focus type of industry it wants in the County. She suggested that the County pay the impact fees just on that type of industry, or waive them, and leave them on the commercial and residential, because those are more service oriented, and to focus on hi-tech industry, and once you get the dollars here from that type of industry, you have more than raised the money, not only for the health care, but for the schools.

Discussion occurred regarding the library system, with the Board having to decide whether it wants to continue to work with the cities, or it wanted to try and create its own library, or libraries, and maybe have a central one at Lake Sumter Community College and still work with the cities.

DISCUSSION ON ROLE OF COMMITTEES

Discussion occurred regarding the lack of countywide enforcement, with Mr. Minkoff noting that staff was in the process of writing a new environmental code that will be presented to the Board as being countywide, and it would be one of the few ordinances that the Board has done which would have enforcement in the County and in the cities.

Ms. Whittle presented written information to the Board regarding BCC Boards and Committees, which included the annual department staff cost for each.

RECESS & REASSEMBLY

At 2:15 p.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would take a recess.

DISCUSSION ON ROLE OF COMMITTEES (Continued)

Ms. Whittle stated that there are a lot of committees, but she did not know if it would be effective to have all of them continue, because some of them are not active.

Commr. Swartz stated that the purpose for the information was to see if there were any changes to the role of the committees.

Commr. Good questioned what the role of a committee was when it comes to the actual spending of the dollars. He stated that, because they were advisory boards, he wanted to know if it meant that the Board should uphold their recommendation, or did the Board have the role of questioning the advisory committees, in some cases, about the way dollars get spent. He stated that the Board has recently run into situations, including the Haven grant, and the boat ramp grant, which were boating improvement funds, and he had a question about these committees serving to allocate funds and not being committees that the Board set up from time to time that were specifically grant review committees. He felt that the Board probably needed to have committees that review grants, and committees that do studies, and they ought not be the same committees. Commr. Good stated that he would like the study committee to be separate from the committee that makes recommendation for appropriations of money.

Commr. Swartz felt that, at large, the committees feel like they are appropriately making their recommendations, but the problem comes in where, if there was a unanimous approval for the recommendations, it worked fine, and it was not until there was a situation where something was different in the system that there was a problem. He stated that, at a minimum, the Board needs to, as the recommendations come forward, make sure that all of the Board members understand them, and they are comfortable with them, and if there are any that they do not feel comfortable with, then they need to be voiced at the meeting. Commr. Swartz suggested that staff needs to make sure that the Board has the established criteria from each of the committees.

COMMISSIONERS

It was noted that Commr. Hanson had to leave the meeting at 3 p.m.

FOCUS AREAS/GOALS FOR 98/99

Mr. Ava Kronz presented the Board with the Focus Areas and goals and asked if there were any changes. It was noted that there were none.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

G. RICHARD SWARTZ, JR, CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK

TMR\BOARDMIN\4-27-98\5-8-98