BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA

SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

 

 The following is a non-verbatim transcript of the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA, held at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, in Room 1028 of the SEMINOLE COUNTY SERVICES BUILDING at SANFORD, FLORIDA, the usual place of meeting of said Board.

     Present:

     Chairman John Horan (District 2) 

     Vice Chairman Brenda Carey (District 5) Commissioner Robert Dallari (District 1)

     Commissioner Lee Constantine (District 3)

     Commissioner Carlton Henley (District 4)

     County Manager Nicole Guillet

     County Bryant Applegate

     Deputy Clerk Kyla Spencer

 

PUBLIC HEARING

FY 2016/17 FINAL BUDGET

 Proofs of publication calling for a public hearing to consider the Seminole County FY 2016/17 Final Budget, received and filed.

 Chairman Horan announced that this is the second public hearing regarding the budget.  He advised that the Board of County Commissioners does not have any control over the tax levies or budgets of the School Board, the Water Management

District, or any of the seven cities in Seminole County.  Questions regarding property assessed valuations should be addressed to the Property Appraiser, David Johnson, who is present.  The Board of County Commissioners has limited authority over the budgets of the Constitutional Officers of the

 

DATE COMPLETED: 10/14/16_ DATE APPROVED:   10/25/16

 

County which include the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Property Appraiser, the Sheriff, the Supervisor of Elections and the Tax Collector.  Chairman Horan described how the budgets for the Constitutional Officers are reviewed and approved.  He pointed out that the purpose of this public hearing is to receive comments regarding the tentative millage rates and budget, any amendments to the budget as desired by the Board, and to adopt the final millage rates and County budget for Fiscal Year 2016/17 as required by Florida law.  Chairman Horan announced that this budget hearing and Seminole County’s intent to adopt the final millage rates and budget for FY 2017 were advertised on September 22, 2016.  

 Edward Bass, Resource Management Director, addressed the Board and displayed a PowerPoint presentation (received and filed) for the Second Public Hearing FY 2016/17 Final Budget.  He advised at the first budget hearing to approve Seminole County’s FY 2016/17 tentative budget and millage rates, the Board approved a tentative budget of $747.9 million based on maintaining the current property tax rates.  Tonight the FY 2016/17 proposed final budget includes increases to the tentatively approved budget totaling $666,236, which is shown on page 27 of the Second Public Hearing booklet (received and filed).  He explained the only significant change in the adjustment is the School Resource Officer Program.  The Sheriff’s Office had applied for grants for a portion of that funding; and the County has not heard about the grant yet, but they have included the full $530,000 as an adjustment in this hearing.  If they do not receive the award, staff will bring an adjustment to the Board to reduce that transfer.

 Mr. Bass stated based on the Board’s approval of the 17-92 CRA budget during the morning meeting, staff has earmarked $200,000 of the 17-92 CRA Reserve for affordable housing. 

Mr. Bass stated by Florida law, the first issue required to be discussed at the budget hearing is the percentage of increase in the millage rate over the rolled-back rate necessary to fund the budget and the reason for the increase.  He advised that the FY 2016/17 tentative budget, as amended tonight for final adoption, is based on maintaining the current year property tax rates.  Mr. Bass displayed the Millage Rate Summary and reviewed millage rates for the Adopted 2015/16 Budget; Tentative 2016/17 Budget; Rolled-Back Property Tax Rates; and the Percentage

Change in the Proposed Millage Rates over the Rolled-Back Millage Rates for Countywide, the Fire Services District, and the Roads District.   He discussed the 2016 Change in Taxable Property Values.

Mr. Bass stated the tentative aggregate millage rate for all BCC taxing districts is 6.6176 mills, which represents a 5.47% increase over the current year aggregate rolled-back rate of 6.2742 mills.  Mr. Bass stated that because the BCC millage rates are unchanged from the prior fiscal year, the increases above the rolled-back property tax rates are attributed to the 2016 change in taxable property values.  He then discussed the 2016 Change in Taxable Property Values slide. 

 Mr. Bass reviewed the Property Tax Revenue slide and advised that growth in taxable valuation increased ad valorem revenue by $7 million for the General Fund.  Mr. Bass concluded his presentation by reviewing the Tentative Budget Summary by Fund Type and stated the total countywide budget for FY 2016/17 is $748,613,521 (that is detailed on pages 22 through 24 of the Second Public Hearing book).  

Commissioner Carey commented that staff has done an excellent job this year of making sure the County has a structurally balanced budget without having to take any funds from Reserves and without raising the millage rate over the past years.  She explained that the County has gone through some rough times, and during those times they had to cut a lot of programs in order to continue to provide a high level of service for their citizens without raising their taxes.  Commissioner Carey stated at mid-year she would like to look at a couple of those programs, one being the Job Tuition Reimbursement Program that was cut in 2010.  She suggested they put at least $50,000 aside for tuition reimbursement and consider that as an amendment to the budget.  Commissioner Carey stated she would also like to have the County Manager look at adding some additional dollars for professional development of the leadership team because she thinks it would benefit the organization to provide that type of training for staff.  

Commissioner Dallari agreed with both of those items but thinks the policy needs to be revisited, especially the tuition reimbursement, before they have people sign up for it.  Commissioner Henley explained he would like for the Board to decide what is acceptable because the last time they had the Job Tuition Reimbursement Program, people were taking courses that had nothing to do with improving their performance.  He added he would like to see some rules developed for the program to make sure it is something the County needs.  Nicole Guillet, County Manager, stated if the Board decides to fund that program, staff can bring the Board some guidelines and make it part of the Administrative Code, and then the Board could approve whatever criteria is established.  Commissioner Dallari opined that that is the direction the Board should give the County Manager and they need to look at what her recommendations are.  The Board discussed possible policies and provisions.

Commissioner Dallari commended staff for all of their hard work on the budget this year and noted it is the first year the County hasn’t gone into Reserves. 

John Horvath, 1004 Bradford Drive, addressed the Board to discuss the population of Seminole County over the past years and noted the current enrollment population in Seminole County schools.  He pointed out that he has been coming to these budget hearings for over 30 years and has watched the County grow and change and evolve.  He stated he is glad to see the County begin to improve the infrastructure, add more employees, and open libraries seven days a week.  He discussed Fire Station 29 (Jamestown area) and the 2020 Census, which he offered some suggestions on.

With regard to public participation, no one else in the audience spoke in support or in opposition and public input was closed.

Speaker Request Form for John Horvath was received and filed.

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 Motion by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Constantine, to adopt the FY 2016/17 General Countywide ad valorem tax rate of 4.8751 mills.

     Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.

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Motion by Commissioner Dallari, seconded by Commissioner Carey, to adopt the FY 2016/17 Fire District MSTU ad valorem tax rate of 2.3299 mills.

Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.

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Motion by Commissioner Constantine, seconded by Commissioner Carey, to adopt the FY 2016/17 Unincorporated Road

District MSTU ad valorem tax rate of 0.1107 mills. District 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.

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 At the request of Chairman Horan, Mr. Bass read the established millage rates into the public record as follows:  The adopted Countywide General Fund tax rate of 4.8751 mills represents a 6.2% increase over the rolled-back millage rate of 4.5905 mills.  The adopted County Municipal Fire Services District property tax rate of 2.3299 mills represents a 4.35% increase over the rolled-back millage rate of 2.2328 mills.  The adopted Unincorporated Road District ad valorem tax rate of 0.1107 mills represents a 4.24% increase over the rolled-back rate of 0.1062 mills.  The adopted “aggregate” millage rate for all BCC taxing districts is 6.6176 mills, which represents a 5.47% increase over the current year “aggregate” rolled-back millage rate of 6.2742 mills.

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 Motion by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Constantine, to adopt appropriate Resolution #2016-R-155, Millage Levy Resolution for FY 2016/17 inclusive of the millage rates announced, as described in the proof of publication.

     Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.

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 Chairman Horan asked if they need approval of the $50,000.  Mr. Bass answered staff will earmark the $50,000 and clarified it is not an addition to the budget so no further adjustment is made. 

 Motion by Commissioner Dallari, seconded by Commissioner Carey, to approve budget adjustments to the FY 2016/17 Tentative Budget totaling $666,236, as described in the proof of publication.

     Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.

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 Motion by Commissioner Henley, seconded by Commissioner Carey, to adopt the appropriate Resolution #2016-R-156, Budget Resolution for FY 2016/17, as described in the proof of publication.

     Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.

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 Chairman Horan stated this is the first time he has had an opportunity to approve a budget that does not use Reserves and is structurally balanced.  He noted that is a notable achievement that highlights the County’s fiscal responsibility, the tremendous leadership of the Board, and their efforts in the area of economic development.  He stated it is an honor to serve on the Board and an honor to work with staff.

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 Ms. Guillet thanked the Board for their leadership and engagement in the budget process.  She thanked staff for all of their hard work and the thoughtful way in which they presented

their departmental budgets.

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 There being no further business to come before the Board, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m., this same date.  

 

ATTEST:_______________________Clerk_____________________Chairman ks