A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SEPTEMBER
20, 2005
The
Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday,
September 20, 2005, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting
Room, Lake County Administration Building, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners
present at the meeting were: Jennifer Hill, Chairman; Catherine C. Hanson, Vice
Chairman; Debbie Stivender; Welton G. Cadwell; and Robert A. Pool. Others present were: Sanford A. “Sandy”
Minkoff, County Attorney; Cindy Hall, County Manager; Wendy Taylor, Executive
Office Manager, Board of County Commissioners’ Office; Barbara Lehman, Chief
Deputy Clerk, County Finance; and Sandra Carter, Deputy Clerk.
INVOCATION
AND PLEDGE
Commr.
Hill gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION
Commr.
Hill recognized Sheriff Chris Daniels, who was present in the audience.
Sheriff
Daniels addressed the Board stating that he had sent a team of thirteen Deputy
Sheriffs to the Gulf Coast and Mississippi, to help with the Hurricane Katrina
relief efforts. He stated that last year
he sent a team of Deputy Sheriffs to south Florida, to help with their
hurricane relief efforts, as well, and had expended all the overtime, salaries,
fuel costs, etc., associated with that relief effort, out of the General Fund
budget from last year. He stated that he
knew the County had been working very hard, over the last few weeks, to try to
come up with enough money to fund the anniversary date pay raises and thought
this might be a good time to let the Board know that his office had requested
reimbursement from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and that he was
present to present a check to the Board for $310,305.00, which represents
reimbursement for the expenditures that they had last year out of the General
Fund budget.
It
was noted that the County’s Budget Office anticipated that said money would be
coming in and had already included it in the fund balance.
Sheriff
Daniels interjected that it was money that was budgeted in the Sheriff’s
General Fund budget last year and expended from said budget last year – that it
was not part of the excess money that was returned at the end of the fiscal
year.
AGENDA
UPDATE
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, informed the Board that there was an Addendum No. 1
to the Agenda, containing a request from Employee Services for approval to
process a payment to Blount Honda of Leesburg, for repair of a vehicle that was
involved in an accident. She stated that
the request was listed under the County Manager’s Departmental Business,
however, noted that it should be under the County Manager’s Consent Agenda; and
that, under Tab 7 of the County Manager’s Consent Agenda, the figure of
$7,200.00 that is contained within the request should be changed to $8,200.00.
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that his office had received from the
Public Works Department a Non-Exclusive Easement Deed between Lake County
Gateway, LLC and Lake County, for additional right of way for the South Lake
Trail Project, however, noted that his office did not receive it in time to get
it on the Agenda, for acceptance by the Board.
He asked that it be added to the Agenda, so that it could be accepted and
the County could continue on with the trail project.
On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded
by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to
place said item on the Agenda.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board
approved the Minutes of August 2, 2005 (Regular Meeting), as presented.
CLERK OF COURTS’ CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy
Clerk, County Finance, informed the Board that Tab 4, under the Clerk of
Courts’ Consent Agenda, should be an Approval of Contract item, rather
than an Acknowledge Receipt item.
On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded
by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved
the following requests:
Bonds – Contractor
Request for approval of Contractor
Bonds – New, Renewal, and Cancellations, as follows:
New
1176-07 Abraham Johnson d/b/a Johnson & Montgomery Masonry
5836-06 Tony Clark d/b/a Clark’s Roofing, Inc.
6182-06 Clermont Electrical Services, Inc.
6408-06 James V. Tritto d/b/a Aastro Electrical
6409-06 Ochard L. Davis d/b/a Finesse Electrical Installation, LLC
Renewal
5887-06 Ken Abrehamsen d/b/a Pro Delta, LLC
Cancellations
5685-05 Edward Mueller d/b/a Pike General Contracting
6154-05 Al Geluso d/b/a United Mechanical Services, Inc.
6213-05 All Star Contractor
6392-05 Eryk Hardwick d/b/a Craftsmanship Construction, Inc.
List of Warrants
Request
to acknowledge receipt of list of warrants paid prior to this meeting, pursuant
to Chapter 136 of the Florida Statutes, which shall be incorporated into the
Minutes as attached Exhibit A and filed in the Board Support Division of the
Clerk’s Office.
City
of Leesburg Ordinance
Request
to acknowledge receipt of City of Leesburg Ordinance No. 05-66, annexing
certain real property, consisting of approximately 192 acres, based upon the
petition of A. A. Moukhtara Company, for property, as described. Passed and adopted on the 22nd day
of August, 2005.
Engagement
Letter from Ernst & Young
Request
to approve Engagement Letter from Ernst & Young, to perform arbitrage
rebate computations for the current computation period on the following debt:
$51,515,196.33, Resource Recovery Industrial Development Refunding Revenue
Bonds (Covanta Lake II, Inc. Project) Series 2004 - $3,000.00; and
$4,400,000.00, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds (Pari-Mutuel Revenues Replacement
Program) Series 2000 - $3,000.00.
Ordinances
from City of Clermont
Request
to acknowledge receipt of Ordinances from the City of Clermont, as follows:
Ordinance
No. 499-M, providing for annexation of a certain parcel of land contiguous to
the present city boundaries, for property, as described. Passed the 23rd day of August,
2005.
Ordinance
No. 528-M, providing for annexation of a certain parcel of land contiguous to
the present city boundaries, for property, as described. Passed the 23rd day of August,
2005.
Ordinances from City of Mascotte
Request
to acknowledge receipt of Ordinances from the City of Mascotte, as follows:
Ordinance
No. 2005-05-382, annexing certain property, as described, BL Land Investments,
LLC, owners. Passed and adopted the 22nd
day of August, 2005.
Ordinance
No. 2005-07-384, annexing certain property, as described, RJ Whidden, for
Langley/Crittenden Partnership; Gene Langley and Duke Crittenden, owners. Passed and adopted the 22nd
day of August, 2005.
Ordinance
No. 2005-07-385, annexing certain property, as described, Ellis Trustees; Dean
and Karen Ellis, Trustees, owners.
Passed and adopted the 22nd day of August, 2005.
Ordinance
No. 2005-07-386, annexing certain property, as described, Gene Langley,
owner. Passed and adopted the 22nd
day of August, 2005.
Lake
County Water Authority’s DRAFT Tentative Budget for FY 2005/2006
Request
to acknowledge receipt of Lake County Water Authority’s DRAFT Tentative Budget
for FY 2005/2006.
City
of Eustis’ Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Request
to acknowledge receipt of City of Eustis’ Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Public
Meeting Notice from St. Johns River Water Management District
Request
to acknowledge receipt of Public Meeting Notice from the St. Johns River Water
Management District to All Interested Parties, to discuss the 2005 District
Water Supply Plan (draft), new legislative requirements affecting local
governments, and the Florida Water Protection and Sustainability Program. The following times are scheduled:
·
Tuesday,
Oct. 4, 2005, 10 a.m. to noon, Sanford City Commission Chambers, 300 N. Park
St., Sanford
·
Thursday,
Oct. 6, 2005, 10 a.m. to noon, Price Martin Center, 220 North 11th
St., Palatka
The
draft plan is available on the District’s web site; CD or paper copy of the
draft plan is also available; and written and e-mail comments on the draft plan can be submitted, as
explained in the notice.
COUNTY
MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA
Commr.
Hanson commented about Tab 8, a request from Community Services for approval of
agreements for hospital services relating to inpatient hospital care for
inmates at the Lake County Jail, noting that, in looking at the backup
material, she saw that the cost for the health care for the inmates was over $2
million and questioned whether the Jail was looking at ways to keep those
dollars down.
Mr.
Fletcher Smith, Community Services Director, addressed the Board stating that
the County has several things going on, with regard to the matter, noting that
Mr. Phil Hoelscher, President, Alliance Medical Management, a consultant that
works with the Sheriff’s Office, has revamped the entire medical services
program that the Jail is providing. He
stated that they are trying to do a lot more things inhouse, rather than take
the inmates to outside physicians, which is saving the County some money, and
the contract before the Board this date, in the long run, is going to save the
County some money, as well. He stated
that the County previously had a contract with Florida Hospital Waterman for
inpatient services and received the prevailing Medicaid rate, however, noted
that this contract incorporates outpatient services and inpatient services in
the same contract, but the County pays 50% of what the bill is. He stated that it is a little bit higher than
the Medicaid rate, but, because of the inclusion of the outpatient services,
the County is going to get a much better price on those, which will realize
some savings for the County. He stated
that the County is also looking at purchasing a catastrophic insurance policy,
in case there are inmates that exceed a certain level, noting that the insurance
will pick up any additional costs on those.
He stated that the Sheriff’s Office is looking at ways to keep those
costs down, however, noted that it is very expensive, with the growing costs of
healthcare for inmates and for the public in general.
It
was noted that inmate health care costs is getting to be a major problem for
everybody statewide.
Commr.
Cadwell requested that Tab 30, a request from Public Works that the remaining
funds from the 2005 Summer Middle School Program go to the 2004/2005 Youth
Recreation Assistance Program, be pulled for discussion.
Commr.
Hanson requested that Tab 33, a request from Public Works for approval of the
Agreement between Lake County and Florida Central Railroad Company, Inc.,
relating to Fairview Avenue, Grande Oak Estates Subdivision, be pulled for
discussion, as well, noting that she would be abstaining from the vote
regarding said request, due to the fact that the request would inure to the
special gain of a business associate, Mr. Jack Nelson, who sits with her on the
Board of Directors of the United Southern Bank, which loaned the developer of
the Grande Oak Estates Subdivision some money.
On
a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried
unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the following requests:
Budget
Office
Budget
Transfer – Village Green Street Lighting Fund, Office of Budget, Assessments
Division. Transfer $150.00 from Special Reserve to Utility Services. Additional
funds are required in Utility Services to pay the remaining utility invoices
for Fiscal Year 2005, for the Village Green Street Lighting Subdivision. The
electric rate increase by Progress Energy was more than anticipated. Funds
available in Special Reserve.
Budget
Transfer – Valencia Terrace Street Lighting Fund, Office of Budget, Assessments
Division. Transfer $422.00 from Special Reserve to Utility Services. Additional
funds are required in Utility Services to pay the remaining utility invoices
for Fiscal Year 2005, for the Valencia Terrace Street Lighting Subdivision. The
electric rate increase by the City of Leesburg was more than anticipated. Funds
available in Special Reserve.
Budget
Transfer – Fleet Maintenance Fund, Department of Public Works, Special Services
Division, Fleet Maintenance section. Transfer $50,000.00 from Special Reserve
to Operating Supplies. More funds are needed to cover fuel purchases for the
remainder of the fiscal year, due to the escalating price of fuel. Funds
available in Special Reserve. Balance remaining after this transfer will be
$29,466.00.
Budget
Transfer – Transportation Disadvantaged Fund, Department of Community Services,
Transportation Disadvantaged Division. Transfer $160,000.00 from Special
Reserve to Contractual Services. At mid-year, additional funds were transferred
from the General Fund into the Transportation Disadvantaged Fund, to supplement
funding for the new transportation contract. Some of this funding was put into
Reserves, until the final contract negotiations were complete. At this time,
funds need to be transferred to Contractual Services, for payment to the
transit provider, through September 30, 2005. Funds available in Special
Reserve. Balance remaining after this transfer will be $16,540.00. Also, approval of the change order, for the
Purchase Order to complete the contract for Fiscal Year 2005.
Resolution
No. 2005-142, amending the Fleet
Maintenance Fund, in order to receive unanticipated revenue for Fiscal Year
2004/2005, in the amount of $75,000.00, deposited into Fuel/Oil ($50,000.00)
and Parts ($25,000.00); and provide appropriations for the disbursement for
Operating Supplies. Funds have been received from the Transportation
Disadvantaged Program, for the repair and maintenance of vehicles and fuel
costs for April, May, and June, 2005.
Resolution
No. 2005-143, amending the
Transportation Disadvantaged Fund, in order to receive unanticipated revenue
for Fiscal Year 2004/2005, in the amount of $258,141.00, deposited into
Reimbursements, and to provide appropriations for the disbursement for Contractual
Services. Reimbursement funding has been received for bus repair, maintenance,
and operating supplies.
Community
Services
Request
for approval and signature of
grant agreement; and authorization for the Chairman to sign documents and
report forms related to the Public Library Construction Grant award for Citrus
Ridge Library.
Request
for approval and signature authorization to amend the State Housing Initiative
Partnership (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP), effective Fiscal Year
2005/2006.
Request
for approval and signature on the Fiscal Year 2005/2006 State Aid to Libraries
Grant Application and Agreement.
Request
for approval to accept grant funding, in the amount of $7,200.00, for the
Operation Step Up Fall 2005 Disaster Volunteer Management initiative from
Volunteer Florida, the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community
Services; and approval of associated Resolution No. 2005-144, amending the Lake
County General Fund, in order to receive funding as unanticipated revenue.
Request
for approval of Agreements between Lake County and Adventist Health
System/Sunbelt, Inc.; and Business Associate Agreement for hospital services,
relating to inpatient hospital care for inmates at the Lake County Jail.
Economic
Development and Tourism
Request
for approval to extend the two year requirement to begin construction for one
additional year for Britt Construction, upon the purchase of Lot 16, in the
Christopher C. Ford Commerce Park; and to extend the construction period to
November 16, 2006.
Employee
Services
Request
for approval to accept the Contract Renewal for Health Insurance Third Party
Administrator Services from WebTPA for medical claims, including adding access
to Health-e Outlook (Wellness website), and extending the eligible claims
period for Flexible Spending Accounts, as allowed by the recently updated IRS
guidelines.
Request
for approval and signature of the plan amendment from MetLife, the provider of
the Basic and Additional Life insurance for the group health plan, to clarify
the purchase and benefit award of additional life insurance.
Request
for approval to accept the Agreement for Inpatient Services, Inpatient
Stop-Loss, Obstetrical Care, and Outpatient Services provided by Florida
Hospital Waterman Healthcare Systems, Inc. (FHWHS), when charges are incurred
for Lake County employees in the FHHS/Waterman CPO.
Growth
Management
Request
for approval and execution of a Satisfaction and Release of Fine, for property
owned by George A. Gillis, CEB No.
2004020015.
Request
for approval and execution of a Satisfaction and Release of Fine, for property
owned by Kevin T. and June Montgomery, CEB No. 2000100279.
Request
for approval to advertise Ordinance amending Section 11.01.04 of the Lake
County Land Development Regulations, concerning Exempt Signs.
Request
for approval to advertise Ordinance amending Section 3.01.03 of the Land
Development Regulations, concerning Schedule of Permitted and Conditional Uses.
Procurement
Services
Request
for approval to authorize the Procurement Services Director to advertise for
Lake County's Bids and Proposals; award the contracts and issue the appropriate
contract documents for all capital equipment approved in the budget processes
throughout Fiscal Year 2005/2006, provided the total award amount for each item
is less than ten percent (10%) above the approved estimated budgeted amount,
and appropriately budgeted funds are available; and award and renew all annual
term and supply contracts – each action
shall be in accordance with the Procurement Policies and Procedures.
Request
for approval to declare items on submitted lists surplus to County needs;
authorize the removal of all items on said lists from the County's official
fixed asset inventory system records; and authorize the Interim Procurement
Services Director to sign the vehicle titles.
Public
Safety
Request
for approval for Lake County to increase their participation in the Region 5
Florida Domestic Homeland Security Task Force, Community Oriented Policing
Services (COPS) matching grant program, for funding communications
interoperability – Lake County's
increased funding match will be $195,261.00.
Public
Works
Request
for approval and authorization for the Chairman to execute the Agreement of an
extension, until February 1, 2006, for the 2004/2005 Capital Improvement Grant
for the Town of Lady Lake.
Request
for approval and authorization for the Chairman to execute the Agreement of an
extension, until September 30, 2006, for the 2004/2005 Capital Improvement
Grant for the City of Mascotte.
Request
for approval and authorization for the Chairman to execute the Agreement for an
extension, until September 30, 2006, for two Capital Improvement Grants for the
City of Umatilla.
Request
by The Cove at Lady Lake Partners, LTD, for approval of Transportation Impact
Fee payment deferral for Edwards Road, until they request a Certificate of
Occupancy (C.O.) for their buildings on the site, which will allow them to
utilize the Impact Fee Credits available, per a previous Agreement.
Request
for approval of a contract Change Order for the Hooks Street Phase II and
Citrus Tower Boulevard Project (Citrus Tower Boulevard and State Road 50), in
the amount of $20,981.00.
Request
for approval and authorization of Resolution No. 2005-145, to advertise Public
Hearing for Vacation Petition No. 1060, by Robert M. Aicken, Representative
Leslie Campione, to vacate right of way in the Plat of Dream Lake Poultry
Ranches, located in Section 5, Township 18 East, Range 26 South, Umatilla area
– Commission District 5.
Request
for approval and signature on Resolution No. 2005-146, to advertise Public Hearing for Vacation Petition No. 1061, by Ali
Manji, Representative Donna Hall, to vacate an easement in the Plat of
Groveland Farms, located in Section 31, Township 22 South, Range 25 East,
Groveland area – Commission District 2.
Request
for approval and authorization of Resolution No. 2005-147, to advertise Public
Hearing for Vacation Petition No. 1062, by Dennis A. Mulholland, Representative
Noelle Phillips, to vacate drainage and utility easement in the Plat of
Picciola Harbors, located in Section 1, Township 19 South, Range 24 East,
Fruitland Park area – Commission District 1.
Request
for approval and authorization to accept the final plat for Sweet Iron Estates
and all areas dedicated to the public, as shown on the Sweet Iron Estates plat.
Sweet Iron Estates consists of nine lots – Commission District 5.
Request
for approval to accept two Drainage Easements, three Statutory Warranty Deeds,
and three Temporary Non-Exclusive Construction Easement Deeds and Perpetual
Grading Easements that have been secured, in conjunction with roadway and/or
stormwater projects, as follows:
Drainage Easements
Estates at Cherry Lake, LLP
Groveland Connector/Cherry Lake Road
Road Project
America’s First Home, LLP
Groveland Connector/Cherry Lake Road
Road Project
Statutory Warranty Deeds
Central Florida Council Boy Scouts
of America, Inc.
Boy Scouts Road
Maintenance Project
Estates at Cherry Lake, LLP
Cherry Lake Road
Road Project
America’s First Home, LLP
Groveland Connector/Cherry Lake
Road Project
Temporary Non-Exclusive
Construction Easement Deed and
Perpetual Grading Easement
Allen, Homer
Steve’s Road
Road Project
KMH Limited Liability Company
Steve’s Road
Road Project
First Christian Church of Clermont
Steve’s Road
Road Project
Request
for approval and authorization to accept the final plat for Thrill Hill Farms
and all areas dedicated to the public, as shown on the Thrill Hill Farms plat;
accept a Maintenance Bond, in the amount of $9,776.00; execute a Developer's
Agreement for Maintenance of Improvements between Lake County and Olifa
Development, Inc.; and execute Resolution No. 2005-148, accepting the following
road into the County Road Maintenance System: Pony Trail Court (County Road No.
5880A). Thrill Hill Farms consists of four lots – Commission District 4.
Request
for approval and authorization to accept the final plat for Grand Island Ridge
and all areas dedicated to the public, as shown on the Grand Island Ridge final
plat; accept a Letter of Credit, in the amount of $319,000.00; and execute a
Developer's Agreement for Construction of Improvements between Lake County and Palmer
Homes. Grand Island Ridge consists of 68 lots – Commission District 5.
Request
for approval and signature on Resolution No. 2005-149, authorizing the posting
of speed limit signs on the following roads in the Spring Valley Subdivision,
in the Clermont area:
Brandiwine Court WillowGrove
Lane StillMeadow
Drive Baybrook
Lane Pinyon
Drive Foxglove
Drive Caspian
Drive Woodglen
Circle |
0946A 1045B 1045C 1045D 1046 1046A 1047 1047A |
Goldenstar Lane Copperleaf Way Silver Leaf Circle Windflower Court Roper Boulevard Sunshine Drive SunshineView Court Sunshine Circle |
1047B 1047C 1047D 1048 1048A 1145B 1145C 1145D |
ADDENDUM
NO. 1
COUNTY
MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA (CONT’D.)
Employee
Services
Request from Employee Services for approval
to process payment to Blount Honda of Leesburg, for repair of Jacob Burciaga’s
vehicle (Medical Examiner accident of August 29, 2005), subject to the County
Attorney’s review and approval.
PUBLIC
WORKS
2004/2005
YOUTH RECREATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Commr.
Cadwell stated that the dollars involved with this request were unspent dollars
from the Summer Middle School Program, which the Parks and Recreation Board
would like to transfer over to the Youth Recreation Assistance Program,
however, pointed out the fact that they would like to make sure that those
dollars are earmarked just for the cities.
He stated that the program was set up by the County to pay for county
residents to use city facilities, but several years ago non-profits started
dipping into that fund, which was never its intent. He stated that, before any more of those
funds are expended in that way, the policy needs to be clarified, as to what
the intent was for said funds. He stated
that the County did not budget a per head amount, but a grand amount, and then,
however many children participated, it was divided back out. He stated that, in the beginning, the fund
may have paid $15 to $16 per head, but now may be down to $2 to $3 per head,
because of other groups dipping into the fund.
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by
a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from Public Works that the remaining
funds from the 2005 Summer Middle School program go to the 2004/2005 Youth
Recreation Assistance Program, and that language be included stating that the
additional dollars going to the Youth Recreation Assistance Program be spent
just with the cities.
PUBLIC
WORKS
AGREEMENT BETWEEN LAKE COUNTY AND
FLORIDA CENTRAL RAILROAD
COMPANY
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried
unanimously, by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved a request from Public Works for
approval and signature on the Agreement between Lake County and the Florida
Central Railroad Company, Inc., relating to Fairview Avenue, in the Grande Oak
Estates Subdivision.
Commr.
Hanson declared a conflict of interest, therefore, abstained from the vote.
COUNTY
MANAGER’S DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS
ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES
PRESENTATION
REGARDING HOME HEATING OIL RECOVERY PROGRAM
Ms.
Blanche Hardy, Environmental Services Director, addressed the Board and
introduced Mr. Mike Bowers, Environmental Program Supervisor, and Mr. Charlie
Cox, Environmental Specialist/Lead Storage Tank Inspector, with the County’s
Division of Water Resources Management, Department of Environmental Services,
noting that they would be giving the Board a brief presentation regarding the
County’s Home Heating Oil Recovery Program, which they were instrumental in
implementing. She stated that said program
has been reported in the press and has been very favorably received by the
citizens of Lake County.
Mr.
Bowers addressed the Board stating that the Home Heating Oil Recovery Program’s
inception was established to reduce the potential of groundwater contamination
from unregulated residential heating oil tanks, noting that the existing
storage tank program does not regulate residential, it is only for commercial
and agriculture. He stated that the
program was introduced to the general public in April of this year at the
County Fair, where pamphlets and newspaper articles about the program were
distributed, however, noted that the best way the word got out to the public
was by word of mouth. He stated that the
program was the brain child of Mr. Cox, the Environmental Specialist, who
contacted Sarasota and Volusia counties, which had similar programs that were
great successes, did all the research, got the program set up, and contacted
the companies to perform the pump outs.
He stated that the program only includes the cleaning out of the tanks –
it does not include the removal of the tanks, which is strictly up to the
residents. He stated that the County’s
main concern is that any product that is left in the old heating oil tanks is
removed, to keep it from getting into the environment. He stated that the program is funded through
the Pollution Recovery Trust Fund, which receives its funding from fines
received from environmental violators.
Mr.
Bowers stated that they allocated $25,000 for the program for the first year
and are going to take it on a year by year basis and, if it needs more, they
will provide more, and, if not, they will scale it back. He stated that the County is currently contracted
with a company called Permafix Environmental Services, who performs the pump
outs, and they recycle all the used oil that is taken out of the tanks. He stated that Lake County’s cost for the
pump outs is 48 cents per gallon. He
stated that staff tries to get the pump outs done in batches of four or more,
at which time he noted that the first pump outs were done May 31st
and June 31st of this year, with a second pump out being in August
and the next pump out scheduled for some time in October.
Commr.
Cadwell questioned how the County identifies the tanks and was informed that
residents call the County stating that they have such a tank. He stated that the County then sends them an
application, which they fill out and send back to the County, at which time Mr.
Cox goes through the process of contacting said individuals, to let them know
that the County is going to come out and take a reading of how much fuel is in
each tank. He stated that, when they get
enough fuel compiled, they call Permafix Environmental Services and set up a
date to go to the resident’s home and remove the fuel.
Mr.
Bowers stated that some other programs that the County is working on are the
Mining Program, the Industrial Waste Program, and the Wellhead Protection
Program and they have recently added an Environmental Compliance Enforcement
position to their department, which handles everything from tree removal to
development without a permit, golf course management, the Home Heating Oil
Recovery Program, and the sludge application programs.
Commr.
Hanson questioned how the Golf Course Management Program was doing and was
informed by Mr. Allan Hewitt, Water Resources Director, Environmental Services,
that the program was doing well. She
suggested that staff might want to bring a report regarding it to the Board in
the near future, noting that it has been quite a while since the Board approved
the program.
PROCUREMENT
SERVICES
CONTRACT
FOR PURCHASE OF INTEGRATED FINANCIAL SYSTEM
Ms.
Regina Frazier, Budget Director/Interim Procurement Director, addressed the
Board stating that this request was for approval of the integrated financial
software, which is the culmination of a long process. She stated that the Clerk’s Office issued the
RFP (Request for Proposal) last year and, after a long process, the selection
team selected Munis, which staff was bringing before the Board this date for
approval.
It
was noted that the software will be utilized by the Clerk’s Office, the County,
and the Sheriff’s Office, who were all involved in the process.
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by
a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from Procurement Services for approval
of the contract for the purchase of an integrated financial system to Tyler
Technologies, Inc. – Munis Division; approval of the submitted budget transfer,
to move funds from the designated Reserve line for this purchase; and approval
of the initial payment due, upon execution of the contract.
PROCUREMENT
SERVICES
RESOLUTION
ADOPTING FEE SCHEDULES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2005/2006
Ms.
Regina Frazier, Budget Director/Interim Procurement Director, informed the
Board that this request was for approval of the annual Fee Schedules
Resolution, which covers all the fees that are charged by the various
departments for the various services of the County.
Commr.
Hill questioned why, under the health care screening for new clients, the fee
went up considerably for those people age 18 to 39, but went down for people
age 40 and over.
Mr. Fletcher Smith,
Community Services Director, addressed the Board stating that a lot of the fee
schedules for the Health Department are established through the State. He noted that he would present the question
to Dr. Pellosie, Director of the Lake County Health Department, and have him
give Commr. Hill a call, to see if he can better answer the question.
Commr.
Stivender stated that a majority of the fee schedules did not increase this
year and she wanted the general public to know that.
On
a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by
a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from Procurement Services for approval
of Resolution No. 2005-150, adopting the Fee Schedules for Fiscal Year
2005/2006.
OTHER
BUSINESS
2005
WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
On a
motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously,
by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the ratification of Ms. Emogene Stegall as
the 2005 Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, as selected by the Women’s Hall of Fame
Committee.
It
was noted that the Board felt the honor of Ms. Stegall being selected as the
Women’s Hall of Fame inductee was well deserved and that the Women’s Hall of
Fame Committee was created for somebody exactly like Ms. Stegall.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
RENEWAL
OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR CLERK’S OFFICE IN CLERMONT
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this request was for approval to
renew the Lease Agreement for the office that is used by the Clerk of the
Circuit Court in Clermont. He stated
that the rent is $1,250.00 per month and the Clerk was requesting that the
agreement be renewed. He stated that
staff was recommending approval of the request.
On
a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by
a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Attorney for approval
of a letter of renewal for the Lease Agreement for the Clerk's Office, located
at 1206 Bowman Street, Sunnyside Plaza, in Clermont.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
AMENDMENT
TO LEASE AGREEMENT FOR PROPERTY APPRAISER’S
OFFICE
IN THE VILLAGES
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this request was for renewal of the
Lease Agreement with the Village Center Community Development District for
property that is used by the Lake County Property Appraiser, currently expected
to expire October 31, 2005. He stated
that the Property Appraiser has asked that the lease be renewed, at which time
he pointed out the fact that the monthly rent increases to $324.82 per
month. He stated that staff was
recommending approval of the request.
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by
a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Attorney for approval
and execution of an Amendment to the Lease Agreement between the Village Center
Community Development District and Lake County for the Property Appraiser’s
space, located at 914 Avenida Central, in The Villages.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
ADVERTISING
OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9, LAKE COUNTY CODE, REGARDING COURT COSTS
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this request was for approval to
advertise an Ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Lake County Code, noting that
it implements the changes that were made in the Legislation last year for teen
court funding and allows the County to impose an additional fee for said
funding and the Law Library. He stated
that staff was recommending approval of the request.
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously,
by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Attorney for
approval to advertise the Ordinance amending Chapter 9, Lake County Code,
regarding Court Costs.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT WITH BRUCE
DUNCAN FOR OUTSIDE LEGAL SERVICES FOR BOARD OF BUILDING
EXAMINERS
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this request was for approval to
renew the Agreement with Mr. Bruce Duncan, who serves as the Attorney for the
Board of Building Examiners. He stated
that there is no change in the computation rate and staff was recommending
approval of the request.
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously,
by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Attorney for approval
of outside legal services with Bruce Duncan, relating to the renewal of an
Agreement for the Board of Building Examiners.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LAKE
COUNTY AND LAKE AGRICULTURE AND YOUTH FAIR ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR USE
OF
LAKE COUNTY EXPO CENTER/FAIRGROUNDS
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this request was for approval of
the annual renewal of the Lease Agreement for use of the Lake County Expo
Center/Fairgrounds by the Lake Agriculture and Youth Fair Association,
Inc. He stated that the Fair is
scheduled to be held April 6 through April 15, 2005, with the lease running
from March 24 through April 23, 2006. He
stated that staff was recommending approval of the request.
On
a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried
unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County
Attorney for approval and execution of the Lease Agreement between Lake County
and the Lake Agriculture and Youth Fair Association, Inc., for use of the Lake
County Expo Center/Fairgrounds and buildings, from March 24 through April 23,
2006.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
AGREEMENT WITH STENSTROM,
MCINTOSH, COLBERT, WHIGHAM,
REISCHMANN
& PARTLOW, P.A. FOR EMINENT DOMAIN COUNSEL
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this request was for approval of an
agreement with Stenstrom, McIntosh, Colbert, Whigham, Reischmann & Partlow,
P.A., a firm located in Sanford that the County will use as outside counsel for
eminent domain work. He stated that the
County sent out a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and received thirteen
responses back, with some of the other firms being highly recommended, however,
noted that there were conflict issues with some of them, in that they
represented Lake County property owners.
He stated that the County is going to try to use said firm as a
resource, however, noted that they may totally take over some of the
complicated cases, but to the extent that the County can, staff is going to try
to do the work in-house. He stated that
staff was recommending approval of the request.
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously,
by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Attorney for
approval of an Agreement with Stenstrom, McIntosh, Colbert, Whigham, Reischmann
& Partlow, P.A., for eminent domain counsel.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
LIST
OF RATES FOR OUTSIDE COUNSEL
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this request pertained to a list of
all the outside counsel that the County utilizes. He stated that he would like to bring said
list to the Board annually for approval, so that they can see what firms are on
the list. He stated that the only change
in fees was for Mr. Jeff Mandel, the County’s labor attorney, who has requested
that his rate be increased from $150.00 to $190.00 per hour. He stated that staff was recommending
approval to use the list of outside counsel at the fee rates reflected on said
list.
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried
unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County
Attorney for approval to use list of outside counsel, as submitted, at fee
rates reflected on said list.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
FIRST AMENDMENT TO HARVARD JOLLY
CLEES TOPPE ARCHITECT AGREEMENT
AND AGREEMENT WITH CAGAN
CROSSING,
LTD REGARDING CITRUS RIDGE LIBRARY
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, explained this request, stating that it was an
item that was split between Mr. Jim Bannon, Facilities Management and
Development Director, and himself, noting that it involved two agreements – one
being an amendment to the Harvard Jolly Clees Toppe Architect contract for the
Citrus Ridge Library, and the other being the Agreement with Cagan Crossing, LTD,
where they agreed to give the County $27,000.00 that they promised for design
and up to $275,000.00 for construction.
He stated that the County received the $27,000.00 and would recommend
approval of both of the agreements.
Commr.
Hanson questioned how it worked out, with regard to the name for the library,
and was informed by Mr. Minkoff that there is no commitment on the name, noting
that the Board could see on Page 2 of the Agreement that Cagan Crossing has
requested that the library, when constructed, use that name. He stated that the County has agreed to
consider it, but is under no obligation to give it that name.
On
a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by
a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Attorney for approval
of the First Amendment to the Harvard Jolly Clees Toppe Architect Agreement;
and approval of the Agreement with Cagan Crossing, LTD, for design
modification, in relation to the Citrus Ridge Library.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
SETTLEMENT
WITH CORPORATE EXPRESS
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this was a request for approval of
a settlement with Corporate Express, in the amount of $40,094.00, which
includes $34,662.00 that the County was overcharged, as well as $2,625.92 that
the Clerk’s Office was overcharged and $2,805.86 that the Sheriff’s Office was
overcharged, making it a total of $40,094.00.
He stated that staff has had a lot of help from the Clerk’s Office going
through every single invoice and these were the amounts that they
identified. He stated that the only
thing that the County has given in on is the issue of ink jet cartridges,
noting that the County did not get the full 65% discount on them, but the State
bid price instead. He stated that there
is no way to get 65% on Hewlett Packard ink jet cartridges. He stated that the County is still utilizing
Corporate Express, however, noted that Procurement Services has put in place
procedures to make sure that the County gets 65% on everything it purchases from
them. He stated that Procurement
Services is also following up and checking the invoices on a regular basis.
Commr.
Hill questioned how much Corporate Express owed the County, if the County had
been given the 65% discount for the ink jet cartridges, and was informed that
it amounted to approximately another $18,000.00. He stated that it amounted to just over
$60,000.00 total, if the County had been given the 65% discount on everything
it purchased, including the ink jet cartridges.
On
a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried
unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County
Attorney for approval of a Settlement with Corporate Express, in the amount of
$40,094.00.
REPORTS
– COUNTY ATTORNEY
NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT DEED
BETWEEN LAKE COUNTY GATEWAY, LLC AND LAKE COUNTY FOR RIGHT OF WAY
FOR
SOUTH LAKE TRAIL PROJECT
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that this was the request that he had
asked be added to the Agenda at the start of the meeting. He stated that it was a request for the Board
to accept a Non-Exclusive Easement Deed from Lake County Gateway, LLC to Lake
County for the South Lake Trail Project.
He stated that it involves property that is part of the Plaza Colina
development.
On
a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously,
by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Attorney for
approval and execution of a Non-Exclusive Easement Deed between Lake County
Gateway, LLC and Lake County, for additional right of way for the South Lake
Trail Project, located in Section 25, Township 22 South, Range 26 East, in the
Clermont area.
REPORTS
– COUNTY MANAGER
LAKE
COUNTY “BRANDING” PROGRAM
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, informed the Board that staff has met with the
consultants, regarding the ‘branding” program, who are helping them with the
composition of the focus groups. She
stated that they are asking that each of the Commissioners participate on a
separate focus group, so she will be getting together with each Commissioner,
to schedule said groups. She stated that
it is an exciting process, which will be moving forward fairly quickly.
REPORTS
– COUNTY MANAGER
SELECTION
PROCESS FOR COUNTY’S FINANCIAL SYSTEM
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, stated that she would like to comment on how well
the process went for the selection of the financial system, which she noted was
headed up by the Clerk’s Office. She
stated that people under the Board of County Commissioners participated, as
well as people from the Clerk’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. She stated that it was very well organized,
noting that everyone had ample opportunity to look at all the proposals. She stated that they traveled to different
sites, to actually see the implementation of different systems, which is a
process that can be extremely complex, but was handled very well. She stated that staff is very happy with the
new system, which will be implemented this Fall, and, as of the beginning of
the new calendar year, some of the elements will be implemented – perhaps the
General Ledger, Payroll, and Budget. She
noted that the Budget System this year did not work at all and staff had to do
it manually. She stated that it was a
very well done process and she is very grateful to the Clerk’s Office for
having spearheaded it.
REPORTS
– COUNTY MANAGER
TECHNOLOGY
BOARD MEETING IN TALLAHASSEE
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, informed the Board, for informational purposes,
that she would be in Tallahassee on Friday, September 23, 2005, attending the
Technology Board Meeting.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER HILL – CHAIRMAN AND DISTRICT 1
NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG
ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH
PROCLAMATION
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried
unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Proclamation No. 2005-151,
designating the month of September, 2005, as National Alcohol and Drug
Addiction Recovery Month.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER HILL – CHAIRMAN AND DISTRICT 1
SALARY
SURVEY FOR COUNTY MANAGER AND COUNTY ATTORNEY
Commr.
Hill stated that she felt the Board should have an open discussion regarding
the salary survey that was conducted for the County Manager and the County
Attorney, at which time she reminded the Board that they had already given
merit raises to both the County Manager and the County Attorney and questioned
whether said raises were included in the figures before the Board this
date. She was informed that they were.
Commr. Cadwell stated
that, in looking at the other counties and their populations and trying to find
a point where the County would be reasonable and competitive with the market,
he felt each position should be increased to somewhere between $145,000 to
$150,000. He stated that he felt Mr.
Minkoff’s longevity with the County should figure in his raise somehow, as
well.
Commr.
Pool stated that said raises would amount to an approximate 12% increase in
their salaries. He stated that he felt
the survey was a good one and that it told the Board that they were not
compensating the County Manager and the County Attorney adequately, when one
looks at the salaries for the same positions in the other counties in the
State.
Commr.
Hanson stated that there could be a little bit of a discrepancy between the
County Manager’s and the County Attorney’s salaries, considering the number of
years that the County Attorney has been with the County, however, she felt
that, due to the fact that the County Manager stepped right in and took over,
when the former County Manager, Mr. Bill Neron, resigned, and, considering the
responsibilities that the County Manager has, feels that her salary increase is
justified.
On
a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried
unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to increase the salaries for
both the County Manager and the County Attorney, including their merit
increases, to $145,000 per year, with their other benefits to remain the same.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER POOL – DISTRICT 2
WEST
ORANGE/SOUTH LAKE TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE
Commr.
Pool stated that the West Orange/South Lake Transportation Task Force will be
holding a meeting on Thursday, October 6, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., at the Ocoee
City Hall, and encouraged anyone interested in obtaining updates about funding
for the County’s transportation needs for the SR 50 corridor to attend the
meeting.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER STIVENDER – DISTRICT 3
COMMISSIONERS
Commr.
Stivender informed the Board that her fifth granddaughter, Maya Nicole Hall,
weighing 6 lbs. 13 ozs., was born at 3:00 a.m. today in Alabama. She noted that everybody was doing fine.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER HANSON – DISTRICT 4
WORKSHOP
ON BUILDING OF TOWN CENTERS
Commr.
Hanson stated that Canin Associates, out of Orlando, held a workshop on the
building of Town Centers at the Administration Building last week. She stated that it was a very interesting
workshop, with the outcome of it being that they have created a non-profit
foundation, and there is a possibility that the County might be able to get
them to help the County with the Town Center in Mt. Plymouth/Sorrento. She stated that it will be very exciting, if
the County can get Canin Associates to help put that together.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER STIVENDER – DISTRICT 3 (CONT’D.)
LOWNDES
REZONING CASE PUBLIC HEARING
Commr.
Stivender stated that she wanted to thank Mr. Gregg Welstead, Deputy County
Manager/Growth Management Director, and his staff, and Mr. Jim Stivender, Jr.,
Public Works Director, and his staff, for doing an excellent job in preparing
for the public hearing that was held in south Lake County, at Minneola City
Hall, for the purpose of discussing the
Lowndes rezoning case, with regard to property being proposed to be rezoned, in
order to allow the Lake County School Board to construct additional schools for
the Lake County School System. She
stated that, even though everyone may not have agreed on the outcome, staff did
an excellent job in preparing for said meeting.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER CADWELL – DISTRICT 5
STATEWIDE
IMPACT FEE TASK FORCE MEETING
Commr.
Cadwell reminded the Board that the Statewide Impact Fee Task Force, formed
under the Growth Management Law to look at the issue of impact fees, will be
meeting on Friday, September 23, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., in the Board Room,
located on the 3rd floor of the Orlando International Airport. He stated that it is the only meeting where
they are going to take public testimony.
He stated that they have allotted 45 minutes for the Florida Association
of Counties (FAC), after which time the League of Cities and the Lake County
School Board will have an opportunity to address them. He noted that everyone was welcome to attend.
CITIZEN
QUESTION AND COMMENT PERIOD
Mr.
Roy Hunter, representing the Northeast Lake Chamber of Commerce, addressed the
Board and discussed the price of fuel and gasoline and how it affects not only
the County, but the County’s residents, as well. He stated that he discussed the fact that it
was becoming very difficult for him, financially, to attend every meeting of
the Elder Affairs Advisory Board and the Library Advisory Board, of which he is
a member of both, with the County Manager, Ms. Cindy Hall, and that he would
like to skip some of the meetings. He
stated that Ms. Hall suggested that he only attend every other meeting, or that
he communicate with said committees by way of a conference call, if it is legal
under the Sunshine Law.
Mr.
Hunter then discussed the issue of “Family Day”, being September 26, 2005,
which he noted Commr. Stivender had brought to the attention of the Board, and
the fact that he felt it should be 365 days per year, rather than just one day.
He stated that he wanted to thank the Lake County staff for treating him like
family, in that they have been very kind and helpful to him. He discussed the Vial of Life Program that
the Sheriff’s Office has and the fact that he would like to see said vials put
in all the libraries in the County, so that they are available to everyone. He explained how the Vial of Life Program
works, at which time he noted that it all comes back to family. He stated that he felt everyone in the County
should adopt another family, noting that he did not mean to take care of them
financially and do everything for them, but to become friends with them. He stated that everyone might be surprised at
how friendly the other families will be to them.
Mr.
Hunter stated that he has heard that Fire Departments in counties throughout
the State will provide and install free smoke alarms in the homes of the
County’s residences. He stated that he
did not think it would take a lot of money for the Fire Department in Lake
County to do that, which would save the lives of a lot of the County’s
residents.
Commr.
Hill informed the Board that the County Manager, Ms. Cindy Hall, had addressed
the issue of fuel consumption, as far as the County’s employees are concerned,
noting that she had prepared a handout about the fuel consumption issue and had
included some suggestions for how the County and its employees can save fuel.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER STIVENDER – DISTRICT 3
HOLIDAY
SCHEDULE
Commr.
Stivender questioned whether Ms. Cindy Hall, County Manager, was working on a
holiday schedule for the Board Meetings to be held in November and December of
this year, at which time Ms. Hall stated that she was not, but would be glad to
do so and would bring said schedule back to the Board at a later date.
RECESS
AND REASSEMBLY
At
10:10 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess until 5:05 p.m.,
for the Final Budget Hearing.
PUBLIC
HEARING
FINAL
BUDGET HEARING
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, informed the Board that the tentatively approved
budget for the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year is $403,221,347.00, which is an 8.3%
increase over last year’s budget. She
stated that the changes from the first public hearing amount to a decrease of
$948,583.00, which include a $1 million reduction in the transfer from the
General Fund to the Solid Waste Fund and a $51,000.00 increase in the transfer
from the General Fund to the Library Fund, for the Literacy Coordinator
position. She stated that other
adjustments from the first public hearing include a $25,000.00 increase in the
Children’s Services Council budget; a $40,000.00 increase in the County’s
Public Health Unit, to begin an analysis of the South Lake County Health
Clinic; $710,000.00 placed in Reserves, for potential lease and improvements to
a new South Lake County Health Clinic; an increase of $50,000.00 for additional
School Resource Officers (SROs) at the Eustis 9th Grade Center; and
an increase of approximately $103,000.00 for the County’s new financial
software system in next year’s budget.
Ms.
Hall stated that all the changes she alluded to are listed on Page 4 of the
Final Budget handout (booklet) and a summary of all the funds, of which there
are 47, are contained in Exhibit A of the handout, on Pages 17 and 18. She stated that the General Fund millage is
tentatively set at 5.7970 mills, which is a decrease of .02 mills from last year;
the Lake County Ambulance and Emergency Services MSTU is .5289 mills, which is
the same as last year; and the Stormwater Management MSTU is .5000 mills, which
is also the same as last year. She
stated that, based on information that has been provided by the State, Lake
County’s General Fund millage for the past year was the 18th lowest
in the State and the 21st lowest in the State for all millages. She stated that the proposed millages for the
2005/2006 Fiscal Year were slightly lower than they were last year. She expressed appreciation to the Lake County
Board of County Commissioners, all of the Constitutional Officers, the
Department and Office Directors, and, particularly, the staff of the Budget
Office for their professional efforts in assisting and compiling the budget for
the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year.
The
Chairman stated that this public hearing was the final one for the purpose of
amending and adopting the Final Budget, recomputing the proposed millage rate,
if necessary, and publicly announcing the percentage by which the recomputed
proposed millage exceeds the rolled-back rate.
She stated that the County’s aggregate rolled-back rate is 5.8247 mills
and the aggregate tentative rate is 6.6092 mills, which results in an increase
over the aggregate rolled-back rate of 13.47%.
She then opened the public hearing.
Mr.
Travis Whigham, a resident of the Lake Mack area and President of the Forest
Hills Association, addressed the Board and thanked Commr. Cadwell and Mr. Gary
Kaiser, Public Safety Director, for attending a recent Forest Hills Association
Meeting and answering questions addressed to them by the residents of that
area. He stated that he felt the biggest
majority of the County’s tax increase has been to pay for all the new growth
that the County is experiencing and that, if the County was charging developers
the proper fees on new construction, the County should not have to be raising
taxes to pay for neighborhoods that the developers stand to gain from, but the
rest of the County’s citizens do not gain anything from, except further
congestion on the County’s roads and in its schools. He stated that he was aware that the Lake
County School Board is going to try to raise impact fees back up to $10,775.00
and he wanted the Board to take that into consideration. He stated that, according to a recent article
that he read in one of the local newspapers, there are 12,000 new homes coming
into an area that is already overcrowded and its schools are already
overcapacity. He stated that the
developers should be paying their fair share and not having other residents in
the County pay for it.
There
being no further individuals who wished to address the Board, the Chairman
closed the public hearing.
On
a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Cadwell and carried unanimously,
by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the following Resolutions:
Resolution
No. 2005-152, adopting a final millage rate of 5.7970 mills for the General
Fund for Lake County for Fiscal Year 2006.
Resolution No. 2005-153, adopting a
final millage rate of 0.5289 mills for the Lake County Municipal Service Taxing
Unit for Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services for the unincorporated and
incorporated area of the County for Fiscal Year 2006.
Resolution
No. 2005-154, adopting a final millage rate of 0.5000 mills for the Stormwater
Management Municipal Services Taxing Unit for the unincorporated area of Lake
County for Fiscal Year 2006.
The
Chairman stated that the Board would now consider any amendments to the Budget.
Commr.
Cadwell stated that the Board approved to add an additional $15,000.00 to the
2004/2005 Youth Recreation Assistance Program earlier in the meeting, however,
noted that he would like to put an additional $50,000.00 into the fund, as
well, understanding that the County will be redoing that policy. He stated that those funds were set aside by
the cities to pay for county residents using their facilities and any of them
that have taken capital improvement money from the County cannot charge a
differential fee, so this money would help with that.
A
brief discussion occurred regarding the matter, at which time Commr. Hill
questioned whether Commr. Cadwell planned to have the funding for the Summer
Middle School Program restored back to its original amount.
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, stated that Commr. Cadwell’s suggestion was for an
additional $50,000.00 to be added to the Youth Recreation Assistance Program,
clarifying the fact that the County currently has $50,000.00 in the proposed
budget for said program and will be adding another $50,000.00 to it. She stated that the $15,000.00 that was
approved earlier in the meeting will be applied to the current year’s
money. She noted that they were covering
two different years.
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried
unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to budget an additional
$50,000.00 towards the County’s 2005/2006 Youth Recreation Assistance Program,
to come from the General Fund Reserves account.
Commr.
Stivender stated that she had brought up the issue of fuel and how it has
skyrocketed at the last Board Meeting, at which time she noted the fact that
the Transportation Disadvantaged Program is allowed a specific amount of money
per gallon for their vehicles, according to their contract. She stated that the Budget Office has looked
at that contract and there is enough money in Reserves for the Board to address
the matter, once it becomes an issue.
Commr.
Cadwell questioned whether the Board would have any discussion about it, if the
Transportation Disadvantaged Program does run out of money and the County has
to look at trips, as opposed to taking money out of Reserves.
Ms.
Regina Frazier, Budget Director, informed the Board that there is a guaranteed
amount of trips that the County has to provide and a fuel adjustment is done
every six months.
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that the base amount was $1.80 to $1.90
at the time that they submitted their bids, which was December of 2004.
Commr.
Stivender stated that, if the Board sees an item come across their desk from
the County Manager, regarding the matter, they will know that an adjustment had
to be made and that it came out of Reserves.
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried
unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Resolution No. 2005-155,
adopting a Final Budget of $403,221,347 for Lake County for Fiscal Year 2006.
The
Board thanked staff for a job well done, noting that they had a clear
understanding of what was going on, as they went through the budget process,
which they appreciated.
Ms.
Frazier recognized her staff, being Ms. Julia Wilson, Senior Budget Analyst and
Assessments Manager; Ms. Mary Gillis, Senior Budget Analyst; Ms. Melissa
Maidhof, Senior Budget Analyst; and Mr. Jason Showe, Revenue Coordinator (not
present), for all their hard work, particularly this year, noting that they did
not have functioning budget software, so it was especially challenging for
them.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the
meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
__________________________
JENNIFER
HILL, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMES C. WATKINS,
CLERK