BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
The following is a non-verbatim transcript of the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF
SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA, held at 7:05 p.m., on Tuesday, September 9, 2009,
in the SEMINOLE COUNTY SERVICES BUILDING
at SANFORD, FLORIDA, the usual place
of meeting of said Board.
Present:
Chairman
Bob Dallari (District 1)
Vice
Chairman Mike McLean (District 2)
Commissioner
Dick Van Der Weide (District 3)
Commissioner
Carlton Henley (District 4)
Commissioner
Brenda Carey (District 5)
County
Manager Cindy Coto
County
Attorney Robert McMillan
Deputy
Clerk Eva Roach
TENTATIVE FY 2009/2010 BUDGET
Chairman Dallari gave his opening remarks as outlined on page 2
of the Budget Proposal Book (received and filed). He reminded everyone that the Board
does not have any control over the tax levies and budgets of the School Board,
the Water Management District, or any of the seven cities. Questions regarding property assessments should
be addressed to the Property Appraiser.
The BCC has limited authority over the budgets of the Constitutional
Officers of the Clerk of Court, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Supervisor of
Election and Tax Collector. The Property
Appraiser and Tax Collector budgets are reviewed and approved by the State
Department of Revenue. The Sheriff has
the right to appeal any decision regarding his budget to the Governor and
Cabinet. He stated the purpose of this
public hearing is to take public comment regarding the proposed millage rates
and budget, amend the budget as desired by the Board and tentatively adopt the
millage rate of the County budget for FY 2009/10. He asked the County Manager and staff to
discuss the proposed budget for FY 2009/10.
Cindy
Coto, County Manager, addressed the Board to present her proposed budget. She stated in the midst of the perfect storm
at the national, state and local levels, the magnitude of the challenge before
them is without precedence in local government service. The impacts of the economic recession and tax
reform will permanently shape all future budgets. As an organization, the County has dealt with
these realities for the past three years and with no expectation of strong
revenue growth for the next five years.
To achieve long-term operational sustainability, focus has been placed
on defining the levels of public service delivery critical to our community’s
wellbeing while protecting the public from volatility and local taxes and fees.
The loss of General Revenue is estimated
at $70 million per year. Despite $54
million of operating reductions already made, a deficit of operating revenues
to expenditures of $16 million for FY 2009/2010 still exists and it is
projected to escalate to over $30 million in FY 2010/2011. She stated six public meetings were conducted
since March in which available options were presented and discussed. She reviewed the strategies relating to
service level reductions and the results of the reductions. She continued by reviewing operational
efficiencies, the revenue stabilization, economic stabilization, major decline
in revenue sources. She stated addressing
the opportunities facing them requires a concentrated approach that focuses on
establishing a revised set of policies and priorities under which the County
operates. She stated she believes that
the proactive approach taken in reducing the County’s budget over the last
three years is a responsible means of protecting the community.
Lisa Spriggs,
Fiscal Services Director, addressed the Board to state pages 6 and 7 of the
first public hearing booklet shows a detailed fund summary of the budget. She stated the proposed budget total is
$714,428,947 and the total budget is inclusive of a proposed General Fund
budget totaling $258,548,383. The
adjustments column totaling $5,877,931 reflects certain adjustments to fund
revenues that are detailed on pages 9-14.
These are inclusive of a $6.8 million increase in the General Fund
beginning fund balance and this includes a $1 million decrease in FY09
estimated interest revenue which was offset by $6.4 million in additional FY09
savings based on estimated actual operating expenditures through the end of the
fiscal year, and an additional $1.4 million due to cancellation of certain
projects. She reviewed the additional
adjustments made to the budget. She also
reviewed page 5 on the summary table of millage rates. She stated based on the Board’s previous
action to not move forward with the stormwater assessment for FY 2010, staff
has submitted a revised first public hearing handout (received and filed)
reflecting the Countywide millage rate at the trim rate and eliminating the stormwater
assessment revenue, and providing for funding of stormwater through a General
Revenue transfer to the Stormwater Fund.
She displayed and reviewed the 5-year forecast and what that means. She displayed and reviewed the forecast
assumptions and what’s to be expected. The
County has a base reserve of $20 million in the General Revenue funds and an
economic stabilization reserve that sits at about $37.6 million. The economic stabilization reserve can be
used over the forecast period to offset the structural imbalance, but
eventually they will have to look at other reductions in order to bring the
County’s budget in line so that operating revenues can cover operating
expenditures. The millage rates and
budget set by the Board tonight will be adopted as the tentative millage rates
and tentative budget. The budget will be
advertised and a second public hearing to adopt the final millage levies and
budget will be held on September 22, 2009.
The millage rates set at this tentative hearing cannot exceed the
proposed trim rates. Millage rates set
at the final hearing cannot exceed the rates adopted tonight.
Ms. Coto
informed Commissioner Carey that there were no changes in the library hours as
staff did not receive consensus from the Board to go with any of the proposals
that staff presented or the offer from the Friends of the Library.
Colleen
Jarrell, 5769 Autumn Chase Circle, addressed the Board to state she is in
support of the budget and millage. She
stated she is thankful for the amenities and services provided and she doesn’t
want to see more services reduced or staff reduced. She said she wants to see the County stay the
same.
Mr.
Lambert was called to speak but was not in attendance.
Ron
Ligthart, 1036 Winding Waters Circle, addressed the Board to state he is in
opposition of the budget and millage rates.
He spoke with regard to the windfalls the County has had in previous
years and what has happened in the private sector over the last year.
Randy
Wright, 2063 Kimber Circle, addressed the Board to state he agrees with
everything that Mr. Ligthart said. He
said he moved to the rural area to get away from the city. He added his property tax went up 36% in
2004. He said he feels it is time for
government to slow down and stop using the citizens as an unlimited funding
source. He stated he is against raising
taxes and the County needs to go down about 25%.
Grady
Johnson, 3912 E. Osceola Road, addressed the Board to state he would like to
echo the sentiments of the last two speakers.
He said the citizens are being taxed for services that they have been
promised for 35 or more years. He stated
what he is asking for is consideration as the citizens in the rural area would
like to see services be brought to their area.
Linda
Radun, 1509 Heights Lane, addressed the Board to state she doesn’t understand
how the budget has been in the plus for last few years and now it is in the
negative. She asked if the County
foresees that there are troublesome spots in the economy to warrant a cutback
ahead of time. She stated Lake Mary has
beautified their city and trail bridges were built along 17-92 which hardly anyone
uses. She said she thinks the County
should foresee the lack of money coming in if the budget was done properly and
take precautions ahead of time. She
asked if the Board cut back on their cell phone usage, travel, and their
luncheons. She stated she can’t afford
internet services or cable, and she would like to know where the cutbacks are
if the citizens have to put out more money each year.
Ed
Dedelow, 622 Morgan St., addressed the Board to state 58,000 citizens are
moving out of Florida because of the low wages.
He discussed about the citizens being worried about not getting their
social security, a large move of voting out the incumbents, and taxing the
people.
Ann
Esterson, 1235 Myrtle St., addressed the Board to state she believes the Board
should hold the current millage rate and they should try to cut expenses. She stated she feels over time work should
not be going on when it is not needed as it could be done during regular
working hours. The medians are overly
planted and replanted and fertilized and these things add to the stormwater
runoff. She said she feels the benefits
of the County workers should be looked at.
She added she believes those using the libraries could pay an extra fee
for the library card. She also stated it
may be feasible to not invest $126 million to pump water from the St.
Johns. She suggested that the Board hold
the millage rate at 4.5153.
Gordon
Shaw, 5587 Whispering Woods Pt., addressed the Board to state he is in
opposition to the increase in millage rates.
He spoke with regard to the housing cost burden on Seminole County
citizens and the job and income loss.
Richard
Young, 221 Hamlin Drive, addressed the Board to speak with regard to fire
protection and culverts not being cleaned in his area.
Henry Stone,
15107 Plantation Lakes Circle, addressed the Board to state the County needs to
rewrite their budget. He spoke with
regard to property values and said this budget represents the high cost of free
parking.
J. D.
Daher, 7018 Winding Lake Circle, addressed the Board to state he is opposed to
the millage increase.
Ms.
Spriggs explained for Mr. Daher how the Save Our Homes law works.
Mr. Daher
stated the taxable value of his property went down and he should have a tax
decrease instead of an increase.
Shannon
Rininger, 1707 Mullet Lake Park Road, addressed the Board to state she believes
that if the County had to function as a private business they would be
bankrupt. She stated government needs to
be held responsible and accountable for not only what they collect but for what
they spend.
Bill
Saintemore (phonetic), 645 Milhen Road, addressed the Board to state he is not
going to say anything new that hasn’t been said but he just wants to echo the
sentiment. This country is going down
the tubes and it has to start with the smaller guy standing up and telling the
people in charge that they have to stop spending and do more cost-cutting
efforts. This goes across-the-board in
all phases. It is a lot easier to spend
other people’s money when it is not yours.
Ted
Wokovich, 558 W. Springtree Way, addressed the Board to state he moved from
Longwood to Lake Mary in February and his property taxes went up and the market
value went down by $30,000. He stated he
would like to know what kind of plan is being implemented to ensure that this
won’t happen again; to stop the wasteful spending.
Chairman
Dallari stated there may be savings with portability since Mr. Wokovich moved
from Longwood to Lake Mary. He
recommended that he speak to the Property Appraiser. He informed Mr. Wokovich that the County has
reduced the budget by $54 million. The
County is looking at the budget for the next five years, they have looked at
various cutting plans for two years, and they have looked at cutting operations
in different areas.
No one
else spoke in support or in opposition.
Speaker
and Written Comment Forms were received and filed. Copies of tax bills with comments written on
them were received and filed.
Commissioner
Henley stated the ad valorem millage rate has not increased since 1997 and it
has been reduced several times. He
stated the County has paved over 120 miles of dirt roads, they have improved
their libraries, they have bought park lands and conservation lands, and that
is what has happened with the money during those good times. The point is there have been significant
increases in costs over the years. The
people need to understand that the demands the County gets from the citizens
for improved services cost money.
Seminole County has been one of the most desirable places to live and
work. The County does not have control
over the School Board’s taxes and they did not have anything to do with raising
their millage. That was done by legislative
action. The Board is in this situation
because of the legislative action and the referendum that was passed not too
long ago. The Board is inundated
constantly with unfunded mandates from the Legislature and they are inundated
with regulations from Tallahassee as well as from the Federal government. The question is what other services do they
cut as they are down to the bone now.
Otherwise, this is going to become a less desirable place to live.
Commissioner
Van Der Weide stated the Board has not set the millage rate yet, and the Board
should set it at the right level and give staff the opportunity to put it in
concrete.
Chairman
Dallari said the County is trying to live well within their means and it is not
an easy task.
Commissioner
McLean stated this has been an unprecedented situation that local governments
have gone through. The local governments
have to deal with these issues. He
stated 235 positions were eliminated over the last two years. The County is attempting to give the high
quality of service that is expected and deserved.
Commissioner
Carey stated she agrees with a lot of things said this evening, but she doesn’t
agree that the way this government is run is the right way. She stated she was disappointed during the
work sessions that they didn’t spend more time looking closer at the expenses
of government. She said she doesn’t
think it is fair that they continue to have the best benefit plans for their
employees when there are citizens being laid off. She added she didn’t vote to trim this
millage rate at 5.118 because she didn’t agree with the philosophy they have
gone about in looking at this government.
She stated she feels this government is way too big as private
businesses have made cuts and sacrifices.
At the
request of Commissioner Carey, Ms. Spriggs reviewed what action will be taken
for the first public hearing tonight and what will take place at the second
public hearing.
Commissioner
McLean stated the Board has attempted to put away money in reserves to deal
with challenging situations, but they need to be careful that they don’t use
those reserves quicker than they anticipated.
Commissioner
Henley stated traditionally, they have always gone to the second public hearing
with the trim money and that is when the final decision is made. He stated he would like to know what the
impact will be if it is reduced.
Commissioner
Carey stated she doesn’t want to see the services to the citizens cut but to
look at how they run government and how they operate it. She stated she would like consensus of
adopting the millage rate at 4.5153.
Commissioner
McLean suggested moving the discussion in the direction of 4.9989. Chairman Dallari said the consensus of the
Board was 4 to 1 for the rate of 4.9989.
Commissioner
Carey stated the employees had sent a lot of great ideas as they are out in the
field seeing what needs to be taken care of.
At the
request of Chairman Dallari, Ms. Spriggs read the proposed tentative millage
rate as follows: General County Millage
5.1181; County Debt Service Millage .1451; Fire/Rescue MSTU 2.6629; and
Unincorporated Road MSTU .1256. The
proposed “aggregate” millage rate (exclusive of voted debt service millage) is
6.9684, which represents a .92% decrease from the current year “aggregate”
rolled-back millage rate of 7.0331.
At the
request of Chairman Dallari, Ms. Spriggs defined what the rolled-back millage
rate is.
Motion by Commissioner Van Der
Weide, seconded by Commissioner McLean to adopt the General County tentative millage
rate at 4.9989 for FY 2009/10.
Districts
1, 2, 3 and 4 voted AYE.
Commissioner
Carey voted NAY.
-
- -
Motion by Commissioner Van Der
Weide, seconded by Commissioner Henley to adopt the Fire MSTU tentative millage
rate at 2.6629 for FY 2009/10.
Districts
1, 2, 3 and 4 voted AYE.
Commissioner
Carey voted NAY.
-
- -
Motion by Commissioner Van Der
Weide, seconded by Commissioner Henley to adopt the Unincorporated Road MSTU
tentative millage rate at 0.1256 for FY 2009/10.
Districts
1, 2, 3 and 4 voted AYE.
Commissioner
Carey voted NAY.
-
- -
Motion by Commissioner Carey,
seconded by Commissioner McLean to adopt the Voted Debt Service tentative
millage rate at 0.1451 for FY 2009/10.
Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.
-
- -
Ms. Spriggs advised the total budget is $714,428,947.
Motion by
Commissioner Van Der Weide, seconded by Commissioner McLean to adopt the
tentative budget for FY 2009/10.
Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 voted AYE.
Commissioner Carey voted NAY.
-
- -
Motion by Commissioner Henley,
seconded by Commissioner Van Der Weide to authorize the scheduling of the second
public hearing to take final action on the millage rates and budget for FY
2009/10, scheduled for September 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 1028 BCC
Chambers, and authorize staff to advertise the public hearing pursuant to
Florida Statutes.
Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.
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There being no further business to come
before the Board, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m., this
same date.
ATTEST:______________________Clerk_____________________Chairman
er