MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

 

June 25, 2007

 

 

 

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on June 25, 2007, at 9:05 a.m. in the Brevard County Government Center Florida Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida.  Present were:  Chairperson Jackie Colon, Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Chuck Nelson, Helen Voltz, and Mary Bolin, County Manager Peggy Busacca, and County Attorney Scott Knox.

 

 

Chairperson Colon and Commissioner Bolin read two passages from the Bible.  Chairperson Colon stated this morning the Board asks the Lord to protect the community and County employees, and to give the Board guidance and wisdom.  She stated there are some very hard decisions that are going to have to be made by the Board; at times like this people go to their faith to be able to get the kind of strength they need; and it is very important for the Board to lead.  She noted God is good; He gave her a team that will be compassionate and knows there is a job that needs to be done; and that is what is going to be happening from here on.  She noted there are some serious cuts that are going to have to take place; Brevard County is not the only County; communities throughout the State of Florida are dealing with this; there are thousands of elected officials that are in the same shoes; and she is proud of the Board. 

 

 

 

Chairperson Colon stated there are people in the community who do not know how they are going to be able to pay their tax bills; and advised of different testimonies from people she has talked to throughout the community concerning their tax bills.  She stated the Board realizes the kind of burden that the community is going through; the numbers are quite high; and the Board will also be criticized for the fact that it is going to be cutting too much.  She reiterated there are some hard decisions that are going to have to be made; stated the Board is prepared to do that; this is very difficult because County employees are not a number; and they are human beings with families, mortgages, and responsibilities.  She noted County employees have been dealing with this now for several months, not knowing what is going to happen to their future; and she is sorry they have had to deal with that.  Chairperson Colon stated she is willing to take a 25% cut in her salary; it starts at the top; and that is a recommendation that she has for the Board.  She expressed appreciation to the Budget staff, who have been working very hard.  She noted the Board knows the pain that the community is going through; Commissioners have worked very hard over the years to give the quality of life that the community has; and it is difficult to look at the cuts that have to take place.

 

Commissioner Voltz expressed appreciation to County staff; stated some staff worked all weekend; and they have done a wonderful job in the fact that they gave up a lot of their own personal time.

 

 

 

 

REPORTS, RE:  BUDGET (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Bolin stated she wants to make sure if the County has a service that it is able to provide the service adequately and keeping it staffed; and her idea is to look at the total concept

of the service and make sure it is totally staffed, or the Board should look at it and see if it really needs to have the service at all.

 

 

Commissioner Bolin stated her mother is here and her sister is coming in today because she and her husband are celebrating their 25^th wedding anniversary.

 

 

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to execute Agreement with Absolute Marine Towing & Salvage, Inc. for implementation of the Derelict Vessel Removal Project.  Motion carried and ordered; Commissioner Colon voted nay.  (See page                       for Agreement.)

 

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Bolin, to approve the cost of advertising for, and the scheduling of a private executive session on July 19, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. or as soon thereafter as possible, pursuant to Section 286.011(8), Florida Statute, in the case of James F. Russo, Public Defender for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit v. Brevard County, Case No. 05-2007-CA-025421-XXXX-XX, for the purpose of discussing settlement negotiations or strategy related to litigation expenditures.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously. 

 

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Bolin, to approve the cost of advertising for, and the scheduling of an executive session on July 10, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. or as soon thereafter as possible, pursuant to Section 286.011(8), Florida Statute, in the case of Brevard County v. National Union Fire Insurance Company and Palmer and Cay (now known as Wachovia Insurance Services, Inc.), Case No. 05-2002-CA-011250-XXXX-XX.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

Janice Kershaw, representing VSA Arts of Florida – Brevard, stated the Organization is a recipient of the County Cultural Grant monies; what astounded her is that people think they can have  their  property taxes cut and not see any reduction in services to the County; she believes

what they are really saying is they do not want to see cuts to the services in the County; with the County Cultural Grant Program, that money just does not get sucked into a black hole; and it is a matching program so the dollars expended through the County Cultural Grant Program are matched and those matching dollars are brought back to the County.  She requested the Board look to fairness in the cuts it is making and consider the fact that these dollars do bring in additional dollars for the County; and stated even though the Board is making a small investment, it does get that back in the matching funds.  She stated she speaks for a lot of people in the arts arena that want to maintain a livable community here in Brevard County, one that is going to be attractive for new people moving in and businesses; certainly everyone needs their taxes lower, but they also come here because there is a quality of life; requested the Board not zero out the Program; and stated if the Organization has to take its cuts, it is understandable.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated one of the things the Board is going to run into throughout the process is the loss of matching dollars and other revenues; for instance, in recreation programs the County collects fees; when the position is cut, the County also loses the fees that come with it; and he would like to see the County track that throughout the process because the collateral damage that is going to be done by what the Board is going to go through needs to be known as well.

 

Chairperson Colon stated whatever cuts need to take place, they really need to take place immediately; prolonging the inevitable she believes would not be wise; and this is the kind of feedback she has been hearing from County employees.

 

 

County Manager Peggy Busacca reviewed the overhead presentation that will be given to the Board; stated the list of service reductions are really not what she would consider a recommended list; and they are simply a proposed list.

 

Chairperson Colon stated the Board is going to be getting an overview of the Legislation; and inquired what is the number right now that the Board is looking at.  Ms. Busacca responded County staff does not know; they have been told by the Legislative staff that it is $31 million; Assistant County Manager Stockton Whitten has spent untold number of hours communicating with both the State and other communities to see if anyone can figure out the calculations that were provided; but County staff cannot.  She stated staff will not have a final number until on or before July 13, 2007.  Chairperson Colon noted it could be anywhere between $17 million to $31 million.  Ms. Busacca stated that is the ballpark and only because of County staff making some assumptions, not because anyone has told them those numbers are correct.

 

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Assistant County Manager Stockton Whitten stated on Friday staff received the population projections to be used to determine the reduction tier that Brevard County is going to be placed in; the population projections are a part of the formula that is going to be used to determine the reduction  tier; sometime  late today staff will be told by the Department of Revenue (DOR) what

the revenues and the property tax revenues are; and what has been presented to it in terms of the revenues that will be used to get to the County’s per capita spending calculation.  He advised the County’s reduction for next year is based on a per capita spending figure from the Fiscal Year 2002 budget as compared to a per capita spending figure from the current Fiscal Year; and population and the numbers that the State is using to determine the per capita spending calculations are very important.  He stated sometime during the day DOR will say to the County these are the revenues from 2002 that it is using to project out the County’s per capita expenditures in 2002; the Board has until July 2, 2007 to either agree or disagree with those numbers; all of this information and all of this discussion occurs between the County and DOR; on or before July 13, 2007, DOR will say it either agrees or disagrees with the County’s numbers, and provide Brevard County with its reduction cap, anywhere from 3% to 9% of the current revenues; and two days before, the County Manager is actually required by law to provide the Board with a balanced budget proposal.  He advised the County will be getting the final percentage reduction that it needs to apply to its revenues.

 

Discussion ensued concerning new construction numbers, referendum approved, per capita projections, tourism, population as determined by the census; request for extension of deadline from DOR, if necessary; final revenue caps, setting the tentative millage on July 24, 2007, judicial review provisions, and TRIM notices.

 

  

Supervisor of Elections Fred Galey stated the Ballot on Demand System will print a ballot at the moment it is needed; it will save Brevard County money in the long run; if the County opts in now, it is eligible for State funding; but if it opts out, then it is never going to be eligible for the funding.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated Brevard County is going to be required to have those new machines.  Mr. Galey advised the touch screens can still be used for the Presidential Preference Primary; but in 2012, they are gone and the County can no longer use them, unless the State changes its mind.

 

Chairperson Colon inquired are there dollars involved; with Mr. Galey responding there are dollars involved if the County opts in.

 

County Manager Peggy Busacca inquired is there any match required for this; with Mr. Galey responding 15%, which is $15,000.  Mr. Galey stated if the County opts in then it can change its mind later.  Ms. Busacca inquired will the Board have another chance to decide whether it wants to spend that matching money; with Mr. Galey responding affirmatively. 

 

 

 

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated for every $15.00, the County gets $85.00 from the State; with Mr. Galey responding that is the way it looks right now.

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to approve the option to Opt-In to State funding of a Ballot on Demand System.  Motion carried and ordered; Commissioner Colon voted nay.  (See page                      for County Certification.)

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

Assistant County Manager Stockton Whitten advised of the budget discussion topics, including overview of the Property Tax Reform Legislation, legal issues; policy direction in regard to Charter Officers, salaries, and benefits; informational requests, and service reductions. 

 

                       Overview of Legislation

 

Mr. Whitten stated the Summary of Legislation includes House Bill 1-B, which is the Property Tax Reduction and Reform; Senate Joint Resolution 4-B, which is the Constitutional Property Tax Reform; House Bill 5-B is setting a special election to implement 4-B; and House Bill 1577 is the Brevard County Property Tax Revenue Cap.  He advised House Bill 1-B in regard to Fiscal Year 2007/2008, primarily says most local governments will have to reduce property taxes to the FY 2006/2007 level and then reduce that amount from 3% to 9%, depending on the past five years’ per capita increases as compared to Statewide averages; reductions do not affect voted property taxes to repay bonds; and MSTU’s and dependent special districts whose primary function is Fire/EMS are in the 3% reduction tier and are excluded from County calculations.  He stated right now Brevard County is able to levy 93% of the FY 2006/2007 revenues, plus whatever it gets from new construction; and an override of the millage and revenue limitation is allowed.

 

The Board discussed budget reductions, affect on the quality of life in Brevard County, cutting or eliminating programs and positions, priority of services, numbers that go into the calculation from the State, morale of County employees being vitally important, and receiving additional definitive information before the Board makes cuts.

 

Mr. Whitten stated a simple majority gets the County 93% of its current revenues, minus a 7% reduction, plus the new construction revenues; a supermajority vote gets the County the current revenues, plus new construction; and a unanimous vote of the Board gets the County the FY 2006/2007 millage rate, plus new construction revenues.  He noted if the Board wants to go greater than its FY 2006/2007 millage, it would have to go to a referendum; the FY 2006/2007 millage rate is actually lower than the roll forward millage rate; because the property values have decreased, the roll forward millage rate is a couple of decimal points above the current millage rate; and House Bill 1-B for Fiscal Year 2008/2009 includes there will be further tax cuts and millage rate limitations.  He advised the millage rate limitation is the rolled-back rate plus growth in per capita Florida personal income, except that the prior year revenues used in calculation of the limitation must be reduced by any amount collected from a millage rate approved by a supermajority vote in excess of the maximum rate.

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Mr. Whitten stated the House Bill 1-B FY 2008/2009 overrides includes a supermajority, which is up to 10% above the adjusted rolled back rate; and a unanimous or referendum approval is above a 10% rate above the rolled back rate.  He noted House Bill 1-B Fiscal Year 2008/2009 (Constitutional Amendments) includes if the Constitutional Amendments contained in Senate Joint Resolution 4-B are approved by the voters, there will be further tax cuts and millage rate limitations; counties, cities, and special districts may not increase tax rates to offset reductions in the tax base without an extraordinary vote; House Bill 1-B FY 2008/2009 overrides include a supermajority, which allows to recover up to 2/3 of the revenue lost due to the reductions in the tax base; and unanimous or referendum approval allows to recover greater than 2/3 of the revenue lost due to reductions to the tax base.  He advised House Bill 1-B for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 and after includes property taxes may grow by the taxes levied on new construction and the growth of per capita Florida personal income increase; and House Bill 1-B for FY 2009/2010 and after overrides include supermajority, which is up to 10% above the rolled back rate, adjusted for growth in per capita Florida personal income, plus new construction revenues, and unanimous vote or referendum approval, which is over 10% above the rolled back rate, adjusted for growth in per capita Florida personal income, plus new construction revenues.

 

Mr. Whitten advised Senate Joint Resolution 4-B Property Tax Reform Constitutional Amendment increases homestead exemption to 75% of the first $200,000 in just value; it is an additional 15% for the next $300,000 in just value; and it adjusts the upper limit in per capita Florida personal income and allows it to be increased by 2/3 vote of the Legislature.  He stated all homesteads established after the effective date of the Amendment are eligible for the higher homestead exemption, but will not be subject to Save Our Homes limitation; SJR 4-B Property Tax Reform continues the existing Save Our Homes assessment limitation for any person entitled to homestead exemption as of January 1, 2008; it allows any existing homesteaded property owner as of January 1, 2008 to convert to higher homestead exemption without the Save Our Homes assessment cap in any year after the amendment is adopted; and it applies a tangible personal property tax exemption of no less than $25,000 for business.  He advised it allows for affordable housing, subject to rent restrictions imposed by the governmental agencies; it allows working waterfronts to be assessed as provided by general law; it provides minimum exemption of $50,000, increased to $100,000 for low-income seniors; and the Legislature will have the ability to limit, by general law, the authority and ability of county governments, with the exception of school boards, to increase property taxes. 

 

Mr. Whitten stated House Bill 5-B Special Election, the Statewide Election on January 29, 2008 would implement, if approved by the voters, Senate Joint Resolution 4-B; House Bill 1577 Brevard County Property Tax Revenue Cap, would implement a Charter provision, if approved by Brevard County voters; and it would restrict the growth in tax revenues to the lesser of 3% or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.  He noted that cap only applies to Brevard County, not the Cities or Independent Special Districts in the County; and the cap can be overridden by a finding of necessity due to emergency or critical needs, as determined by a supermajority of the Board. 

 

County Manager Peggy Busacca advised property tax reform is the reality; the County needs to rethink its funding priorities and needs to be cautious of one-time savings; and they are very real savings, but they will not address recurring revenue reductions.

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

                        Legal Issues

County Manager Peggy Busacca stated concerning legal issues, two questions have been asked about an appeal process for Charter Offices and budgets, and about the budget adoption process; and County Attorney Scott Knox is prepared to discuss those.

 

County Attorney Scott Knox stated he has provided the Opinion before; in terms of the budget approval process, specifically talking about Constitutional Officers, the Sheriff’s Office is approved by the County Commission; the Sheriff has a right to appeal that to the Governor and Cabinet; the Governor and Cabinet have the final say on what is approved for the Sheriff, should the Board disagree with it; and the Property Appraiser has a mechanism that allows the County to appeal a budget that is approved for the Property Appraiser if the Board disagrees with what the State approves.  He stated the Tax Collector has approval by the Department of Revenue, but there is no formal appeal mechanism set up to challenge that particular budget, so the County would have to invent one if it wanted to do something with that; the Supervisor of Elections and the Clerk are both subject to the County Commission’s reasonable discretion; the Board has to provide a reasonable budget to work their offices; and if they do not like what the Board approves, they can take it to Court.  He noted the Clerk’s budget is not funded particularly heavily by the County Commission any more; it is mostly State now; it is primarily the Supervisor of Elections that the Board has the final say on; and if the Supervisor of Elections does not like what the Board approves, then they go to court over it.  He advised in terms of the approval of a budget, in view of the new legislation, he will provide the Board with a memorandum on it before the end of the week so it has a better handle on it.

 

                        Charter Officers

County Manager Peggy Busacca advised the Clerk of the Courts has requested an additional $47,708, or a two percent increase; the Property Appraiser has requested a four percent decrease; the Sheriff has requested a 4.85% increase; and this includes both General Fund and MSTU. 

 

Discussion ensued regarding Union and Non-union employees, Medical/Mental Health Facility, increased jail population, compensation and benefits, and health and safety issues.

 

 

The meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m. and reconvened at 11:55 a.m.

 

 

                        Salaries

County Manager Peggy Busacca reviewed the total numbers staff has estimated for what the existing Contracts would provide for salary increases; and stated those include the LIU, the IAFF Rank and File, and the IAFF Supervisory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to approve opening discussions concerning the Laborers International Union (LIU), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Rank and File, and IAFF Supervisory existing Contracts.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

Ms. Busacca advised the salary information is broken out, including the Sheriff’s request for his sworn officers, and increases for the Non-union employees; staff wrote unknown for the Property Appraiser because Jim Ford said he would either follow the State guidelines, which is $1,000 per person, or the County guidelines; staff is uncertain as to which that would be; and also included is the Sheriff’s civilian amount.  She stated other information includes the salary increases that are not budgeted, but what it would cost for the same 3% COLA, plus 1% merit that is currently contained in the LIU.

 

Discussion continued concerning salaries and benefits, General Revenue, MSTU funding, property insurance, and group health insurance.

 

                        Benefits

Ms. Busacca stated the next issue is benefits; these are different programs that could be reduced; the question is does the Board want to look at employee benefits; and the first one is the STIPP Program, short-term disability.  She noted it is a fairly minimal impact when the County has to cut millions, although this is something that each person then would purchase their own short-term disability.  She noted the next benefit is to increase the employee/dependent/retiree contributions; the current increase in the premium is 9.5%; and the Board could double that.

 

The Board discussed increase in co-payments and deductibles, plan design scenarios; HMO, PPO, and EPO Plans; prescription costs, co-insurance, and Enterprise Funds.

 

                        Service Reductions

 

Ms. Busacca stated staff gave the Board several months ago a listing of a 30% reduction; they sat down with all of the Department Directors and said if they have to cut 10%, what will the numbers be, and if they have to cut 20%, what programs would they cut; based on those priorities, staff has given the Board a listing of $22 million; and it is not a magic number.  She noted more than one Commissioner has said they would like a selection; staff came up with $22 million in reductions and specific programs; Page 14 of the list includes some general government expenditures, which include the Beach Renourishment Program for $3 million, the LOGT debt service for road improvements for $2.5 million, the $1.2 million set aside for Courthouse funding; outside agency funding is listed as the current year funding for these outside agencies; in total, this is about $31 million, which could be exactly the number the County has to meet if the Legislative staff is correct; and it could be over if staff’s initial assumption of $17 million is correct.  She stated these are simply amounts that are here for the Board’s consideration; there is no percentage across-the-board; some Departments have a higher  percentage  than  others; and  in  some  Departments, 18% out of their budget is a huge

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

amount of their budget.  She noted the only non-specific cuts the Board sees are related to the County Attorney’s Office; and staff said it would be reducing the budget by 10%.

Chairperson Colon stated she is willing to eliminate the $22 million; she does not want to prolong the inevitable; in January 2008, the County is looking at more cuts; and she supports looking at privatizing the South Brevard Adoption Center.  She noted the quality of life in Brevard County is going to be affected tremendously, including the elimination of positions in County Departments.

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated he wants to be sure the County does not do a whole bunch of things that a month later it has one group after another come in and berate the Board because it did not talk about something well enough; and requested each Commissioner inquire with the Departments.

 

Chairperson Colon stated she has spoken to several organizations who were under the impression they were not going to be affected by the cuts; the advertisement was to inform the community that the cuts were real; it was not a scare tactic; and the County is dealing with the information that was given to it by the State.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated the County should not be funding School Crossing Guards; it should go to the school system; and the majority of the municipalities are in agreement with that as well.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated the list includes some landmines that everyone is going to be looking at, such as Mosquito Control not purchasing impoundments and passing it off to EELS; it was a huge issue; and he does not know if it is practical in that perspective.  He noted the Board will get to the required cut; that is not a question; there are some practical questions he would like to get some answers to; and while a four-day service may sound good, he does not believe it will fly.  He stated at face value, he is not sure all of these things can be implemented or should be; and it is a discussion the Board needs to have.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated everything that is on the entire list somebody has their favorites; the Board has to look beyond that and has to almost look at the list with blinders on and say it is not going to look at what everybody else is screaming at when it comes to cutting their budgets; and the Board needs to look at every single Department.

Commissioner Scarborough stated the Board needs to scrutinize on behalf of the citizens to make sure the things that are being cut are as benign as possible with the impact of the quality of life in Brevard County, and keep programs going forward.

 

Chairperson Colon stated the budget is not an easy decision; it was not a decision that the Board made for the community; it was a decision that was made for it; and it has no choice. 

 

 

 

 

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Bolin stated the concept she is trying to relay and how she wants to look at the budget is she wants to have a service, but she wants to have it a good service; and she does not want to cut it to where it is not useful to anyone because it is not worth having it.

 

Discussion ensued concerning County libraries, the Automatically Yours Program, Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC), daycare centers, Parks and Recreation programs, Teen Fest, 4-H Program, construction projects, operating costs, debt service, self-funding, charging for use of meeting rooms, community centers, park usages, salaries, compensation and benefits, reserves, and State unfunded mandates.

 

Chairperson Colon stated tomorrow’s workshop is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.  County Manager Peggy Busacca stated staff is asking all of the Charter Officers to be present.

 

Commissioner Scarborough inquired if County Departments are frugal in carry cash forward, are those unencumbered funds that could be available; noted not hiring and not buying will allow some degree of moving cash forward; and inquired would that cash forward give the County some more latitude or not.

 

Ms. Busacca responded to that extent that is true; but some of the Department Directors have been a little nervous about doing that because they said they are reducing services to the public, and the Board has not told them to do that or which services it wants to reduce.

 

Commissioner Voltz inquired how much money is in reserves; with Ms. Busacca responding $16 million.

 

Ms. Busacca stated there was a question asked about what happened for the procedures for electing for homestead; she has provided copies of the law to the Board; and the summation is the Legislature will provide procedures.

Commissioner Bolin inquired can the Board create a Countywide MSTU for Emergency Management.  Ms. Busacca responded there is no exemption for that under the Bill as far as the 3%, which is the only reason she had suggested the EMS; there is a 3% cap if there is an MSTU or Special District related to either Fire or EMS; but there does not seem to be any other exemptions.  Commissioner Bolin inquired is there any way to make a Countywide funding source; with Ms. Busacca responding the County can, but it does not change the limitations under the Statute.

 

Commissioner Scarborough inquired as the County begins to eliminate services, can it create methodologies where people can elect into the enhanced services, and are there any legal or procedural concerns with doing something like that.  Parks and Recreation Director Don Lusk responded negatively.  Commissioner Scarborough inquired is there a methodology for a fee basis that would pay for the additional cost if the County is thinking of eliminating enhanced services.  Mr. Lusk responded his staff has already talked about it; and there are some opportunities to do that.  Chairperson Colon advised there are some municipalities that are already doing that.

 

 

 

 

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION (CONTINUED)

 

Ms. Busacca stated there was a question about scheduling an additional workshop; and the date that has been acceptable to everyone’s calendar is July 25, 2007 in the morning.  She noted she is required by the Statute to provide a proposed budget to the Board; she can do that and it will meet the Statutory requirement for the amount of money that is the cap; the Board can then move anything it wants around under that; and the Board has answered one question, which is do not plan for salary increases.  She stated the Board has not provided any input necessarily on benefits, so until told otherwise, she will assume that benefits are as they stand.

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated he is inclined to have a further discussion of the co-pay maybe increasing so the County does not take from employees checks; he would like to know what other municipalities and other counties are doing, and if Brevard County’s benefits are superior; and staff can look at Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Harris also.  He noted he does not want to hurt County employees, but by the same token, the County should be sort of within the framework what everybody else is.

 

Ms. Busacca stated staff will do its best to get the information about other agencies by tomorrow; she will put together something and make some assumptions; the Board can look at the reductions or whatever between now and September 18, 2007; the Board has answered the question about reopening the Contracts; but that is not an easily solved problem; and the IAFF Supervisory Contract does not have a re-opener, so those people will be getting step increases.  She noted there are 16 people that will be getting set increases; the Board has told the Rank and File, and the LIU to go back; and the Sheriff has not yet negotiated his Contract.  She stated the Board can go methodically through these service reductions without having to worry about the July 15, 2007 deadline because she will move forward; then the Board can massage that from there; the preliminary budget is not required to be the final document; and she knows the Board has a lot to think about.

 

Chairperson Colon stated the Board will hold another budget workshop tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.

 

 

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

 

 

 

ATTEST:

                                                                            __________________________________

                                                                            JACKIE COLON, CHAIRPERSON

                                                                            BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                            BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

___________________

SCOTT ELLIS, CLERK

 

 

 

            (S E A L)