MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

 

January 9, 2008

 

 

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on January 9, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the Government Center Florida Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida.  Present were: Chairman Truman Scarborough, Commissioners Chuck Nelson, Helen Voltz, and Mary Bolin, County Manager Peggy Busacca, and County Attorney Scott Knox.  Absent was:  Commissioner Colon.

 

 

The Invocation was given by Commissioner Helen Voltz, District 3

 

Commissioner Bolin led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

 

 

Assistant County Manager Stockton Whitten advised the reason for the meeting is a renotice of the millage rates that were adopted by the Board in its final millage and were presented to citizens on their final tax bill in November 2007.  He noted each July, the Board proposes certain millage rates; in August, citizens receive a notice of proposed tax rates; and in September the Board has two separate budget hearings to either adopt the tax rates as proposed or adopt lower tax rates.  He advised the Board is meeting now because the notice citizens received in August was incorrect in regard to the six voted debt millages; and there are different arrangements of millages on the notice citizens received.  He noted those millage rates that were in the notice were not the rates that were approved by the Board in July; but they were the correct rates on the tax bills; and State law requires the Board to have another hearing to ratify those rates because the notice citizens received did not match their tax bill, even though the correct rates were on the tax bill.  He stated this hearing is simply to ratify those rates that were on the tax bills; the rates are not going up; and there is no difference between the rates on the tax bills and the rates that the Board will ratify tonight.

 

Chairman Scarborough inquired why that happened; with Mr. Whitten responding there are a number of contributing factors in regards to why it happened; there were a number of staff changes in the Property Appraiser’s Office; and there were a number of changes in law in regards to how the TRIM notice process is to occur.  He stated a number of those factors combined with a procedural change in regards to how staff submitted that information to the Property Appraiser’s Office is the reason the error occurred.

 

 

 

Don Brintle stated he protested his taxes, but it did not seem to do any good; and he does not believe he should have been taxed on $181,000.  Chairman Scarborough inquired if Mr. Brintle has  had anyone from the outside look directly at that with him; with Mr. Brintle responding no.  Chairman Scarborough inquired if the Board could have someone visit with Mr. Brintle right now; and if Mr. Brintle still has questions, the Board will invite him back up.

 

Mr. Brintle stated it has taken three years to get a streetlight put in the backyard of his house; homeless people have moved in behind his house; they watch everything he does; and he thinks it should be stopped.  County Manager Peggy Busacca stated staff can talk to the homeless people and see if they would be willing to accept some assistance.  She noted she has Mr. Brintle’s address and she will ask staff to go to his house and talk to those individuals to see what can be done to help him. 

 

Commissioner Nelson stated there has been an ongoing problem in Mr. Brintle’s neighborhood with homeless people and prostitution issues that the Sheriff has been working on; and he would also encourage that besides County staff, that the Sheriff’s Office be involved.  

 

Chairman Scarborough inquired who will be helping Mr. Brintle with his tax concerns; with Mr. Whitten advising there are budget analysts in the lobby ready to assist anyone.

 

 

 

Marco Loffredo stated he represents the Eau Gallie-Melbourne Bowling Palace, Inc.; and the owner asked him to come to the hearing to read the parcels into the record.  He advised the parcels are account numbers 2728025, 2728059, and 2728044; there was a bowling alley on Babcock Street years ago, and those account numbers are the vacant land where the bowling alley was located; and he understands there was a mistake in the notice; but the owner asked him to specifically come and let the Board know that she is against all increases of taxes. 

 

Chairman Scarborough stated he understands the property owner is concerned about raises in taxes over a period of time, but no action taken this evening will increase the taxes. 

 

 

 

Edna Johnson stated when she first arrived she did not understand the reason for the hearing; but after Mr. Whitten explained, she understands better.  She stated this year her taxes were higher, but the value of her house is lower, and she does not understand.  Chairman Scarborough inquired if any of the Budget Analysts in the lobby have looked at Ms. Johnson’s tax bill; with Ms. Johnson responding she did not bring her tax bill with her.  County Manager Peggy Busacca advised staff can get a copy of Ms. Johnson’s tax bill and meet with her.

 

Peter Brooks inquired if the Board approves Item A.1. tonight, when are the rates approved; and are they approved as of today or are they approved at the end of the month.  He stated the reason he is asking is because on January 29, 2008 there is a referendum and he would like to know if there is any conflict between the referendum and what the Board is doing tonight. 

 

County Attorney Scott Knox advised the referendum on the cap has nothing to do with what the Board is doing tonight; and the referendum will not take effect until some time in the future.  Mr. Brooks inquired if Attorney Knox has a date; with Attorney Knox responding it will require a Charter Amendment, which the County does not have yet.  Mr. Brooks inquired if it would be retroactive; with Attorney Knox responding no.  Mr. Brooks inquired if it could be before the end of the year; with Attorney Knox responding it is possible.  Mr. Brooks stated he has been trying to find out the history on Bill 1577; he knows it was put through the State by a Congressman in the southern part of the State; and inquired if the Board agrees with the bill.  Attorney Knox advised the bill was passed by the Legislature. 

 

Commissioner Voltz stated several years ago there was a referendum passed in Brevard County in which taxes would be capped at three percent every year; that referendum was overwhelmingly supported by 85 percent of the voters; however, there was some issue with some language in the ballot that was determined to be illegal.  She advised the State told the County it still needed to live with the three percent tax cap; and that cap is on top of what the State is already doing to limit the County’s ability.  Mr. Brooks stated it is his concern that there is a double whammy with the election coming up on January 29, 2008 and whether there will be some considerable impact with both of them together.  Commissioner Voltz stated there will be some impact.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated the Board had more budget meetings last year than it ever had before; this year, the Board understands there is going to be a lot of information that needs to be shared after January 29, 2008; and even if the referendum passes, there are going to be some unique issues.  He stated there are things such as the FPL franchise fees that are going to drop to 1.7 percent; new construction is down; there is less sales tax; and it is not just at the local government, the State is also going to have to cut $2 billion.  He advised the Board is going to have a discussion on revenue; and that meeting will be on February 14, 2008.   County Manager Peggy Busacca noted that meeting will be at 1:00 p.m. on February 14, 2008, in the Florida Room.

 

 

 

Derek Walls inquired if there are going to be any issues in the future with regards to the proposed Waste Management Contract; he is a business owner on Merritt Island; and he wants to be involved in those discussions.  Chairman Scarborough stated the Board took action on the issue on Tuesday; but commercial property is a separate issue.   County Manager Peggy Busacca stated the commercial rates are not included in the assessment; but she would be happy to have someone contact Mr. Walls about what could happen to commercial rates that he pays based on what kind of trash he generates and the quantity.  She  stated  the Board  is holding  a meeting  to discuss the assessment; the Board has said it wants  to  move forward  with  the same level of service and extend the existing contract; but the Board is required to hold a separate meeting, which will be January 31, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.  Ms. Busacca stated she will get Mr. Walls’ phone number and have someone from Solid Waste contact him and answer all of his questions.  Mr. Walls inquired if the proposed increase from Waste Management is because of the fuel charge; with Ms. Busacca responding affirmatively.  Mr. Walls stated he owns two businesses on Merritt Island and he is hoping to expand to another business soon; and the fuel charges and other increases are difficult on him too. 

 

Commissioner Nelson stated it was his understanding that the extension of the Waste Management Contract was an across-the-board percent over the life of the contract; and if that is not true he would like to know that.  Mr. Walls inquired if there is anything the voters can do; with Commissioner Nelson responding the Board has an option in effect; the Board’s contract is up in October 2008; the Board can go to bid, negotiate, or extend the existing Contract; and at this point in time it has the best rate, and with the four percent increase it will still be the best rate.   Mr. Walls commented on the rise in taxes and the fact that a lot of businesses have had to close. 

 

 

 

Ernest Johnson stated his fire assessment is over $200.00; he has the extra homestead exemption; he heard Chairman Scarborough at a meeting ask Fire Rescue Chief Bill Farmer if that was going to be taken into consideration for an adjustment on the fire fee; and everybody agreed and said yes.  He noted he called the Property Appraiser’s Office and was told it was not in effect and that he had to call Chief Farmer; as far as he is concerned Chief Farmer is not an elected official; and he would like an answer to that.

 

County Attorney Scott Knox stated the fire assessment is not tied to property values at all; it is an assessment based upon a formula that staff came to a conclusion on based on a benefit to one’s property; and the Board is aware of the fact that the way that it came out was not equitable to certain homeowners.  He stated the Board is wrestling with that problem and is going to the Legislature to try to get a change in the legislation so that issue can be addressed; but for right now the issue is still pending with the Legislature; and the Board cannot do anything about it until the Legislature does something to change it.

 

Mr. Johnson stated he has never gotten an answer from any elected official; he has had plate glass windows knocked out, doors torn off the hinges, and holes cut into his roof, and there has never been an arrest made.  He commented on calling Chairman Scarborough’s Office in 2005 and speaking to Rene who told him there was no way he was going to get a meeting with Chairman Scarborough.  Chairman Scarborough stated it was Rene Davis, and he is no longer with the office.  Mr. Johnson stated his property was bulldozed.  Chairman Scarborough inquired who bulldozed his property; with Mr. Johnson responding it was contractors who built a house on Sonya Drive.  Mr. Johnson stated he called the Sheriff in 2005 and he is still waiting for the Sheriff to return his call; and he ran a business for over 35 years before he closed it down because he could not get any help with the crime. 

 

Chairman Scarborough stated he would like to have Mr. Johnson’s phone number because he would like to look into the bulldozing issue; and requested staff notify Mr. Johnson when the issue of the fire assessment comes back to the Board.

 

 

 

Ken Hendrickson stated on Zillow.com, the value of his house has gone down 26 percent in the last year or so; due to the housing market if he had to sell it, he would have to lower the price another 10 to 15 percent in order to sell it; and he expects his property taxes to go down by 30 percent next year.  He stated if his property taxes do not go down by 30 percent, then they will have not gone down enough; it is time for the Board to reduce its budget, cut its programs, and live on less because that is what the citizens have to do; and it is time for government to be smaller and time for property taxes to go down a lot.

 

Chairman Scarborough advised it is the Property Appraiser who sets the taxes and the Board of County Commissioners sets the millage; over the last five years, the County’s aggregate millage went from 7.4 to 5.4; and the County’s overall millage has been reduced, but it has been the increase in values that have run up the numbers.  Mr. Hendrickson stated the bottom line is that all of the property taxes need to go down significantly.

 

 

 

Don Daley stated the only way to reduce taxes is to stop the spending; when groups come to the Board asking for money, the Board needs to say no; the Board has the power to tell the County Manager to reduce the fat; and there is too much fat and waste in the County.  He inquired why every time an ambulance is dispatched, a pumper truck is dispatched; and stated there is no reason unless there is an auto accident or a fire. 

 

 

 

Robert Chisholm stated the notices that were mailed out say, “This action does not result in any increase in your current property taxes.”  He stated the current property taxes were listed in tax bills sent out in August; his concern is the current taxes, which he did not see, reflected a large increase percentage wise; and inquired how many others were the same way.  He stated the Voted Debt South Brevard Recreation is a 110 percent increase; he either was not notified of it or he did not see it, but now he is getting the impression that the taxpayers got an increase and now the Board is going to go back and validate the increase after the fact.

 

County Manager Peggy Busacca stated the voter approved millage approved a certain amount; it was in two different areas; it was in operating and in debt; and what happened last year was the operating went down and the debt went up; therefore the total amount was the same and there was no increase.  Mr. Chisholm stated his taxes last year in that particular line item were $97.09; his current taxes for this year’s tax bill is $197.90; and that is a 107 percent increase.  Ms. Busacca stated the 107 percent increase was offset by a decrease in another operating millage.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated in 2006 there was a Parks and Recreation millage to use the money from the growth in the district to bond that again; but the voters approved that.  Chairman Scarborough stated looking at one item does not make sense; but looking at another item seems like taxes were reduced.  Mr. Chisholm stated overall, his bill increased.  Commissioner Nelson noted his home value went down, but his assessed value went up because of Save Our Homes; and his savings that the County Commission created was offset by increases in the School Board.  He advised Mr. Chisholm looked at his total tax bill; the Board controls about 50 percent of the tax bill; and the rest is in agencies it does not control.

 

 

 

Richard Cohen inquired if the lady and gentleman sitting next to the Board are new property appraisers; with Chairman Scarborough responding the individuals are with the County’s Budget Office; and no one is present from the Property Appraiser’s Office.  Mr. Cohen stated he feels property appraisers should be fired because in order to speak to them in person one has to pay money; and after money is paid, they do not to their job.  He stated that happened to him three years ago, and his issue was never straightened out; he did not go before the Value Adjustment Board because they would not speak to him; and he did not sue because it is expensive.  He stated the only way he can straighten out his situation is if the real estate values keep dropping. 

 

Chairman Scarborough stated under Florida law there is a division of who does what; the people who do the appraising are the Property Appraiser’s Office; the Property Appraiser is separately elected; and the Budget Office helps the Board design the budget.  He stated there are so many profound problems with the whole taxing methodology in Florida; what the Board is charged with is trying to reduce the amount of revenue and make sense of it; and the Board tries to make it less painful for the people of Brevard County.  Mr. Cohen commented on the Property Appraiser’s Office and speaking with Mr. Lance Larsen, who took time to talk to him and was very helpful. 

 

Don Brintle stated he moved into his house in 1999; he got his value lowered to $65,000 and it came back up $50,000 on top of that; and he would like to sit down with someone from the Property Appraiser’s Office and talk about his taxes and value.  Chairman Scarborough stated Ms. Busacca can convey Mr. Brintle’s concerns to the Property Appraiser’s Office.

Chairman Scarborough called for the public hearing to consider millages and Resolution establishing final millages for FY 2007-2008 for debt service millages.

 

            Environmentally Endangered Land Debt (1991)

 

The Budget staff advised the Environmentally Endangered Land Debt (1991) millage for FY 2006-2007 is 0.1665 mill; the FY 2007-2008 tentative millage is 0.1679 mill; and the millage generates $6,880,605, and the budget is not applicable.

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Bolin, to approve the millage for Environmentally Endangered Land Debt (1991) at 0.1679 mill for FY 2007-2008.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

            Environmentally Endangered Land Debt (2004)

 

The Budget staff advised the Environmentally Endangered Land Debt (2004) millage for FY 2006-2007 is 0.0980 mill; the FY 2007-2008 tentative millage is 0.0988 mill; and the millage generates $4,048,852, and the budget is not applicable.

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Bolin, to approve the millage for Environmentally Endangered Land Debt (2004) at 0.0988 mill for FY 2007-2008.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

            Port St. John/Canaveral Groves Recreation MSTU Debt

 

The Budget staff advised the Port St. John/Canaveral Groves Recreation MSTU Debt millage for FY 2006-2007 is 0.4054 mill; the FY 2007-2008 tentative millage is 0.4136 mill; and the millage generates $454,004, and the budget is not applicable.

 

Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Bolin, to approve the millage for Port St. John/Canaveral Groves Recreation MSTU Debt at 0.4136 mill for FY 2007-2008.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

            North Brevard Special Recreation District Debt

 

The Budget staff advised the North Brevard Special Recreation District Debt millage for FY 2006-2007 is 0.3551 mill; the FY 2007-2008 tentative millage is 0.5797 mill; and the millage generates $1,930,163, for a budget of $2,192,290.

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the millage for North Brevard Special Recreation District Debt at 0.5797 mill and budget at $2,192,290 for FY 2007-2008.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

            Merritt Island Recreation MSTU Debt

 

The Budget staff advised the Merritt Island Recreation MSTU Debt for FY 2006-2007 is 0.3286 mill; the FY 2007-2008 tentative millage is 0.5317 mill; and the millage generates $1,930,163 for a budget of $2,274,707.

 

Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to approve the millage for Merritt Island Recreation MSTU Debt at 0.5317 mill and budget at $2,274,707 for FY 200-2008.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

 

The Budget staff advised the South Brevard Special Recreation District Debt for FY 2006-2007 is 0.1812 mill; the FY 2007-2008 tentative millage is 0.3713; and the millage generates $8,635,461 for a budget of $10,868,258.

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the millage for South Brevard Special Recreation District Debt at 0.3713 mill and budget at $10,868,258 for FY 2007-2008.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously. 

 

 

Budget Director Dennis Rogero read aloud the action paragraph of the resolution adopting final Debt Service Millages for FY 2007-2008 for Brevard County. 

 

Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to adopt Resolution for Final Debt Service Millages pursuant to Chapter 200, Florida Statutes, authorizing the Board of County Commissioners to adopt Final Debt Service millages for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 and providing for an effective date.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously. 

 

 

 

Chairman Scarborough called for the public hearing to consider adoption of the Final Millage Resolutions for FY 2007-2008 Dependent Special Taxing Districts.

 

The Budget staff advised of the final millages and ad valorem revenue for Dependent Special Taxing Districts for FY 2007-2008 as follows:

 

South Brevard Recreation Special District – Debt                 0.3713 mill       $8,635,461

North Brevard Recreation Special District – Debt                  0.5797 mill         $2,185,598

 

There being no objections heard, motion was made by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Nelson,  to  adopt  Resolution adopting final millage of 0.3713 mill, and ad valorem revenue of $8,635,461 for South Brevard Recreation Special District – Debt for FY 2007-2008.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously. 

 

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to adopt Resolution adopting final millage of 0.5797 mill, and ad valorem revenue of $2,185,598 for North Brevard Recreation Special District – Debt for FY 2007-2008.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously. 

 

 

 

Chairman Scarborough called for the public hearing to consider permission to execute TRIM compliance forms.

 

There being no comments heard, motion was made by Commissioner Bolin, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to execute the Florida Department of Revenue Form DR-487, “Certification of Compliance with Sections 200 and 218, Florida Statutes”; Forms DR-420, “Certification of Taxable Value”; Forms DR-420C, “County Maximum Millage Levy Calculation”; Forms DR-420TIF, “Tax Increment Adjustment Worksheet”; Form Dr-420I, “Independent Special District Maximum Millage Levy Calculation”; and Forms DR-422, “Certification of Final Taxable Value”.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

 

Chairman Scarborough stated when he spoke at the Florida TODAY forum, participants were challenged with the thought that reductions in revenue under the TRIM notice lead to an automatic roll forward in millage; and inquired if that is going to occur if it passes on January 29, 2008, and will it end up in a bounce in the roll forward of the millage.  Assistant County Manager Stockton Whitten stated staff asked that question of the Department of Revenue; and the Department of Revenue affirmed that the taxing authorities will have the ability to roll forward their tax rates.  Chairman Scarborough stated the roll forward, or rollback, is automatically under the TRIM calculation; that is where the Board starts with the millage and moves from the TRIM calculation; and so what happens is a roll forward millage.  Mr. Whitten stated he does not know if that is an automatic roll forward or rollback; he would have to clarify that; and he believes the answer that was given by the Department of Revenue was that the Board has the ability to recoup those.  Chairman Scarborough stated for example, if everyone’s property went up 10 percent and there was no new construction, there would be 10 percent more in revenue; the Truth in Millage Statute says the millage is automatically reduced 10 percent; and each year there would be exactly the same amount of revenue.  He stated that is why the Board went from 7.4 aggregate to 5.4 aggregate over a five year period; there was an increase in value dropping the millage; the problem was that certain peoples’ millages were being impacted differently; if one has rental property, he or she is not under Save Our Homes; and disparities were being created.  He stated if values go down  10  percent,  under  the  TRIM,  historically,  there  would  automatically  be  a  roll forward, or 10 percent increase in millage to maintain the same revenue; the TRIM notice is driving a lot of things; and the disparity of Save Our Homes on top of it is creating complexities. 

 

County Attorney Scott Knox stated from the County’s point of view, in the coming year, the Board will have a maximum millage rate established by law, which says the Board can go to last year’s revenues and figure out what the millage rate is that is going to cover those revenues and it can add up to the increase in personal income index, which was three percent last year; and the Board can raise the same revenues it had last year plus three percent.  Chairman Scarborough stated Mr. Whitten said that the TRIM says the Board can go to the rollup millage and all of the other things do not apply; and the other things apply when there is a rollback scenario rather than the roll forward.  Attorney Knox stated in this case it will probably be roll forward because of depreciating property values.  Chairman Scarborough inquired if that is a starting point that is mandatory under Statute and if it is discretionary outside of the other provisions which mandate reductions.  Attorney Knox stated the TRIM notice only sets forth what the Board decides the budget is going to be.  Chairman Scarborough stated the Board starts with what the TRIM notice gives it; when there is a rollback, the Board has to start with the rolled back millage; and every action the Board takes is from the TRIM notice calculation.  Attorney Knox stated the rollback gets calculated automatically.  Chairman Scarborough stated the TRIM will start with a higher millage; and inquired how the other things apply, because they were basically put into effect not with a roll forward thought, but with a rollback thought.  Attorney Knox stated the TRIM calculation is going to determine how much the Board can raise.  Chairman Scarborough stated the TRIM calculation results in an increase in millage.  Mr. Whitten advised the TRIM requirement says the Board has to calculate a rollback or roll forward rate, whatever that is.  Chairman Scarborough stated the Board is going to have a roll forward because of a reduction in values; and inquired if that is outside of any restrictions of all the new parameters; with Mr. Whitten responding he does not think it is.   Mr. Whitten stated the Board does not have to be at the roll forward or rollback rate; a TRIM rollback or roll forward is established; the new maximum cap requirements kick in and they are placed on top of whatever the rollback or roll forward rate is; and next year if the Board is in a roll forward scenario, the cap is still going to be the family income and the CPI.  Chairman Scarborough stated the roll forward is capped by the other legislation.  Mr. Whitten stated that is correct because the legislation specifically says rollback and roll forward are the same rate because it is whatever rate that gives the Board the same amount of revenue.  Chairman Scarborough stated that is not true; the roll forward automatically increases the millage; and inquired if the millage is increased is there another Statute that trumps that calculation; with Attorney Knox responding no.  Attorney Knox stated the roll forward is an automatic calculation that is done every year.  Chairman Scarborough inquired if there is a roll forward that violates another provision of the law; with Attorney Knox responding it does not violate the law; and from that point forward the Board has options.  Chairman Scarborough stated whatever the roll forward is, the Board can take it and not be in violation of any other provision.  Attorney Knox stated whatever happens on January 29, 2008 the assessments get dropped and there is still roll forward to compensate to get the same revenue the Board had last year.  Chairman Scarborough stated that would give the Board the same amount of revenue so people could vote on the 29^th, doubling the Homestead Exemption; in looking at the TRIM  calculation and if the TRIM calculation  runs out a millage  increase or roll forward to give the Board the exact same amount of revenue, it is going to be a redistribution of the tax burden.  Attorney Knox stated that is correct.

 

Richard Cohen inquired if the Board has the option of accepting or not accepting the TRIM.  Chairman Scarborough stated the Board is compelled to have a calculation; if somebody’s property drops drastically and they have Save Our Homes, there is still going to be a three percent increase; and someone with Save Our Homes could have a double whammy. 

 

Clarence Coomer stated what concerns him about the double exemption if it is passed, is there are going to be quite a few houses that will no longer pay taxes.  Chairman Scarborough stated that will happen because there will be some people that will have homes under $50,000.  Mr. Coomer stated some of the people who live in those homes are in dire straits financially; and he thinks it is good to give relief to the poor.  He stated one thing that is not fair is the people who live out of state and keep a winter home in Brevard do not get an exemption; and snowbirds are a big part of Florida income.  He stated adjusting the millages will not help the snowbirds; and inquired if there is some way snowbirds can qualify for some kind of homestead.  Chairman Scarborough stated that would have to be a part of a constitutional change; and there is hope that there will be later changes.  Attorney Knox advised there is a committee working on putting together a constitutional amendment that will address some of the issues; there are also two lawsuits pending addressing out of state residents being treated differently than people inside the State. 

 

 

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Bolin, to grant permission for Commissioner Nelson to travel to Washington D.C. with Frank DiBello, Space Advisor to the EDC, to discuss issues facing NASA.   Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

 

Upon motion and vote, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:54 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                        _________________________________

                                                                        TRUMAN SCARBOROUGH, CHAIRMAN

                                                                        BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ATTEST:                                                         BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

 

 

___________________

SCOTT ELLIS, CLERK 

 

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