MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

 

July 20, 2006

 

 

 

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on July 20, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in the Government Center Florida Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida.  Present were: Chair Helen Voltz, Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Ron Pritchard, Susan Carlson, and Jackie Colon, County Manager Peggy Busacca, and Assistant County Attorney Shannon Wilson.

 

 

 

Court Administrator Mark VanBever stated three new judges will arrive in January and they are working to provide space for those judges.  He stated there are positions that are necessary to support those judges; and the position he wants to discuss is currently listed as an unfunded program change.  He advised the position would provide customer service, handle a large volume of phone calls and enable the Judge’s Judicial Assistant to look at the criminal cases in which the defendant is in jail, and schedule those first so that they can get individuals out of the jail.  Mr. VanBever noted if they can reduce the jail population by one person, it would pay for the part time position.  

 

The Board discussed the clerical position being money well spent and the fact that it may impact operations at the Government Center if they have to bring civil matters to the County Facilities.

 

 

 

County Manager Peggy Busacca acknowledged the services of Fire Rescue and the rest of the Emergency Community in dealing with the Crown Princess.  She stated Chief William Farmer advised her they had transported over one hundred people in about an hour; it was a community and regional effort; and she would like to congratulate them and they should feel proud that they have an excellent group that knows how to do this. 

 

 

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated the Board is compelled to do cash carry forward, which is a key element in understanding the budget; and County Manager Peggy Busacca brought forward the idea that there may be some of the cash carry forward that has actually been allocated. 

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated the allocated cash carry forward is generally project-related, which further confuses the issue of whether they are really bringing cash carry forward, or are they not completing a project.

 

REPORT, RE: BUDGET – (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Scarborough requested information from Ms. Busacca to give them an idea as to where they have departmental growth and where they do not.  He stated the general revenue transfer is another indicator of growth, and that is important because it is indicative of non-grant transfer, because grants are non-recurring; and the problem with a department is that it is only the recurring revenue that they can look to the growth of the department.   

 

Commissioner Carlson commented on growth in departments from General Fund.

 

 

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated he wanted to add to the accolades for how Public Safety, as a whole, operated with the cruise ship incident.  He noted with Public Safety it is inherent in their operation to have mutual aid, to see it come to fruition was good, and he appreciates Orange and Volusia Counties being present, and the job was done effectively. 

 

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated he would like to read a portion of an article from the St. Petersburg Times regarding Title Insurance; the article discussed the cost of Title Insurance, consumers forced to pay inflated rates, industry profits increasing by 368% from 1995 to 2004, and companies only offering a Title after they know a property is clean.  He commented that the Commission may want to bring up the issue to the Legislative Delegation, have them look into Title Insurance, and ask them to add that to their list of insurance and why they need to have insurance reform.        

 

 

REPORT, RE:  FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM AND PURCHASE OF RHODES PARK    

 

Chair Voltz stated she has a letter from Susan O’Hara regarding the Family Literacy Program, asking the Board to keep it going; it is a grant-funded position, so when it is over, it is over. 

 

 

Chair Voltz advised she received a letter from the City Clerk of West Melbourne asking the Commission to allow them to purchase the Minton Road property, which is Rhodes Park.  

 

 

 

 

 

Richard LeAndro requested that the Commission support his efforts to put catwalks underneath the Max Brewer Bridge; and commented that seniors in the area have nowhere to go in the daytime to be around the water; and he was upset with the Commission in  1998  when it set  aside $4.5 million to make temporary repairs to the

bridge.  He stated that in 2000, he designed catwalks to be put underneath the new bridge; and Parks and Recreation and Commissioner Scarborough accepted his designs and went forward with meetings.  He asked the Board to adopt a resolution supporting their efforts for the catwalks under the bridge for the protection of seniors.

 

Commissioner Scarborough commented the State, without the County’s consent, designated it as a County bridge.  He noted the Commission asked the State to take over the bridge again and in the interim they have spent money to maintain it, but not to rebuild.  He noted last year FDOT wanted the County to deposit $1 million for the catwalks when the State had not even designed the bridge.  He advised the County will have to commit to some funding when they get closer to construction.  He stated a resolution from the Commission would be helpful. 

 

Transportation Director John Denninghoff commented the bridge is ahead of the catwalks in terms of permitting and design; and the objective would be to have the catwalks incorporated into the whole bridge so it can be constructed in the most economical manner possible.  He advised they have gone from the County having to pay all of the cost for the catwalks to the County having to pay as little as a quarter of the catwalks with the State paying the rest, and by December the catwalks should be back in sync with the bridge.  He advised the early start date for the design of the bridge is January to May, 2007.

 

Commissioner Pritchard asked Mr. Denninghoff to describe the catwalks.  Mr. Denninghoff explained the concept is a single catwalk, at water level, with the surface of the catwalk about five feet above the water surface; and DOT does not want the catwalks under the bridge because of cost, maintenance and potential vandalism. 

 

Commissioner Scarborough suggested Mr. Denninghoff prepare a resolution of support.

 

Commissioner Carlson inquired if there are catwalks in Melbourne; with Mr. Denninghoff responding Brevard County does not have any catwalks.  He clarified that in Melbourne there are old draw bridges, which were not designed as recreational facilities, and they are expensive to maintain, and they deteriorate.  He noted the funds the County is spending on the Max Brewer Bridge are necessary in order to keep it open to the public; recently, repairs have been made and some of the concrete on the deck was less than two inches thick, and it was originally eight inches thick.  He advised that closing the bridge would prevent anyone from going to the park, the Wildlife Refuge and the National Seashore. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chair Voltz stated the EDC would like to address the Board.

 

Mason Blake, representing the EDC, commented that the EDC faces economical challenges and opportunities; and they need to enhance the Space Initiative Program they have undertaken as a result of the funding by the Commission.  He advised the EDC has a need to develop a high-tech Industry Development Program, and they need a specialist.  He advised the EDC needs an in-bound consultant that specializes in helping companies make decisions.  He stated the EDC has  needed  and  has asked for

an additional $580,000 in funding; and the money will be well spent and would pay off for Brevard County.

 

Dan Evans, representing the EDC, stated the EDC is facing a risk in terms of the transition in the space program and the construction industry, both of which are related to jobs.  He advised the EDC is evaluated by their ability to retain good jobs and attract new jobs; this is a critical time for the EDC not to have a lower funding level; and Brevard County is losing people in the age range of which they are trying to attract jobs.

 

Neal Johnson, representing the EDC, asked the Board to trust them to continue to return the investment and continue to make Brevard County a better place to work, live and play; he thanked the Board for their past support.  He stated he appreciates any support the Board can give the EDC in the future.

 

Commissioner Colon stated the EDC has proven the money is well spent and she thinks it is about transition; the space shuttle catastrophe opened their eyes to the need to be diversified; and there are opportunities they cannot miss.

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated the next generation of shuttle is coming and it may not be coming here unless they take proactive action.  He commented Space Commerce Park needs to be developed and the EDC plays an important role in getting tenants to come; and they need to keep people here and keep people happy.  He added the EDC always give them a good return on their investment and he thinks it is money well spent.

 

Commissioner Scarborough asked Lee Solid to give the Board an update on what he and Marshall Heard are doing.

 

Lee Solid commented the EDC convinced the bidders of the Crew Exploration Vehicle to assemble their hardware here, which will produce hundreds of jobs.  He commented if the Orbital Transportation Services Project is successful, NASA will turn it over to private industry and the EDC will pursue them to launch, assemble hardware, and get sub-assemblies procured and manufactured in Brevard County.  He noted the EDC is helping companies pursue Systems Engineering and Integration, which is a big task, and

 

 

 

 

 

 

thousands of jobs could be created if it is located here.  He added the EDC is identifying specific items on the cargo vehicle that could be assembled and built here, while most of the hardware will be built elsewhere.

 

Commissioner Carlson stated the thought process so far has been for the County to give the EDC part of the money now, and the other part of it next year.  She asked if they were saying that they want all of the money now.

 

Mr. Blake answered what they think they need to be doing now is what they asked for; and if they only get half of the money now, then they will prioritize.

 

Commissioner Pritchard asked County Manager Peggy Busacca if the Board already allocated $100,000; with Ms. Busacca responding yes.  Commissioner Pritchard asked if the $589,000 is exclusive of the $100,000; with Ms. Busacca responding it would be $489,000 additional.

 

 

 

Maurice Meisner, Chairman, Veterans Memorial Center, stated nine years ago, the Commission voted to expand the Veterans Memorial Center museum, and nine years later, nothing has been done.  He commented in the six years he has been involved in the Veterans Center, he has helped put up helicopters, and is now working on a Veterans Memorial Park and has been working for a number of years to expand the museum.  He stated last year they repaired a leaky wall due to faulty material design; and there is nothing in the budget to repair the building and keep it from falling down.  He commented they keep a log of visitors and they have come from 39 states, nine countries, and 514 visitors have registered to date.  He added they need additional parking, as they have plans to put a tank on the property and more displays.

 

Commissioner Pritchard commented parking is a problem; and two acres have been set aside to add to the museum grounds with a memorial walk.  He stated the Center has State and National significance, as it commemorates Veterans, and a lot of them live in Brevard County.  He advised they need a new plan showing the memorial walk, the tank, and the size of the expansion; and after they do that, they can decide how to fund it.  He stated they are doing an injustice by talking about it every year and not doing anything; and it is time to move forward with the project.

 

Chair Voltz stated the Board has no figures, but maybe someone can get back to it. Commissioner Carlson commented she agrees with Commissioner Pritchard in that they need to focus on it and start with a viable plan.  She added they need to show the veterans of Brevard County respect.

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT, RE:  VETERANS MEMORIAL CENTER – (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Scarborough commented the demographics show that over one-third of the population is going to be over 65, and are at the peak of their health.  He stated there are museums struggling in South Brevard and the Veterans are typical of their failure to understand the capital and operating needs of the groups.

 

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Pritchard for County Manager Peggy Busacca to report to the Board on how other counties in the State of Florida are responding to the changing of demographics and the needs of seniors, and having not necessarily leisure services, but services that meet their intellectual and active needs.  

 

 

 

Commissioner Colon commented on getting public feedback and having taxes appropriated for seniors and children. 

 

The Board discussed historical and cultural issues and the multi-generational way of thinking.

 

Chair Voltz called for  a vote  on  the motion.  Motion  carried  and   ordered unanimously.

 

 

Commissioner Pritchard commented he thinks they need to convene a Representative Group from the memorial center, along with the appropriate staff, to come up with an idea as to what the center could become.

 

Ms. Peggy Busacca stated Facilities should be of some assistance.

 

 

 

Robert Gamin, representing Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association, stated they greatly appreciate the Commission’s support in partially initiating the results of the Cody Pay Study; and he would like to ask the Board to finish the job and fully implement the pay study findings.  He stated they are asking to receive salaries comparable to surrounding law enforcement agencies.  He noted the Board faces challenges in balancing the budget and keeping taxes fair, but they are also asked to remember there is no higher priority than ensuring the safety of the residents of Brevard County; they put their lives on the line everyday to make the community a safer place to live; and he thanked the Board for their support. 

 

 

 

Bob Wille stated he has advocated the critical need for transportation funding in front of the Board before, and if they do not properly fund needed projects, gridlock will continue

to plague the community; he implored the Board to find the means to show the priority transportation has, as it is a long process to get road projects done. 

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT, RE:  TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND SAVE OUR HOMES –

 

Bob Wille commented the Save Our Homes dilemma is restricting people from moving from their homes for fear of losing the Save Our Homes tax break and it is already having a dramatic effect on the real estate market.  He advised the State is studying the situation, but it is a severe dislocate between those who are paying taxes in this community and those who are not and are still getting the same services.

 

Commissioner Colon inquired what the economic effect will be on the community and if Mr. Wille has any suggestions of what they can be doing.

 

Bob Wille responded he has been in business in Brevard County for 25 years and he has never experienced anything like what they are experiencing now.  He commented they have a great deal of inventory that needs to be absorbed; and they need to find residents for the empty homes.  He noted as a result of that, they will experience building permit applications beginning to slow down significantly; and impact fees cannot be counted upon to fund transportation because the market is irregular.  He advised that the County will get through it, but will experience a slow down that will relate to jobs.

 

Commissioner Carlson inquired if Mr. Wille participated in the Transportation Steering Committee that was formed by the Melbourne/Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce, in March, 2006.  Mr. responded he does participate.

 

Commissioner Carlson stated the Steering Committee has determined the only way to identify sufficient resources to complete the essential transportation projects is to raise impact fees to 100%, dedicate more of the General Fund to transportation, increase the gas tax, and increase sales tax.  She commented they need to approach the gas tax issue and the people who use the roads are the ones who need to pay.

 

Bob Wille commented transportation is expensive and it will take all of the financing means.  He advised the gas tax is a difficult thing to discuss in any framework, but the only ones paying the gas tax are the ones putting gas in their tanks.  He stated it will be important to see that the Commission recognizes, in its budget process, that transportation has to hold a priority; and after justifying it in the budget and they are still short, then they can go to the people to discuss other funding mechanisms, and show they have exhausted other means.

 

Commissioner Carlson stated more money is being put into transit and people have to have incentives to want to take the bus; and inquired if Mr. Wille viewed that as a feasible alternative in the construction world.

 

Bob Wille responded it is more a question of how they get people to get rid of their car.   Commissioner Carlson stated it is more a question of how they are going to get people to take the bus.  Mr. Wille discussed densities not being reached and the fact that Brevard is not an Orlando metropolitan area that has a clear core which a transit system can operate under.  Commissioner Carlson advised it is an evolutionary process and eventually it will happen.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT, RE:  TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND SAVE OUR HOMES –

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated as long as people can park, they will drive; and real estate right now is in a cooling off period.  He commented on the inflated prices of homes.

 

Chair Voltz stated the $1.6 million local gas tax option could generate $20.8 million; and the Board could keep the budget at 3% and still have plenty of money to do everything.  She stated originally they were going to put $2 million into reserves; and currently there is 7% or more in reserves.  She commented roads are a number one priority and they can either reduce the $2 million to $1 million, which will bring them to the 3% rollback rate.  She commented they could reduce the insurance they pay from 11 ½% to 7% and that would give them $800,000.  She noted that with the Cody Study, 60% of employees will not get a raise; if they bring employees up to the minimum standards of what Cody indicated they will still have $1 million plus leftover; and $500,000 would be leftover for County Departments to give their employees true merit raises. 

 

Human Resources Director Frank Abbate explained if the Board wanted to look at another option other than Cody, they could raise the job classifications that the Cody Study recommended to the full implementation and then provide employees who are below the minimum of those classifications, up to the minimum.  He noted if the Board did that, it would cost approximately $600,000, which would leave approximately $1 million left; if the $1 million were split in half, there would be a $500,000 savings to the Board; and if they divided out the other $500,000, based on full time equivalents to the Departments, they would be giving them the equivalent of $250 per employee to distribute on a merit/equity basis. 

 

Chair Voltz inquired if the 60% of employees who would not get any increase would then be equitable with the rest.  Mr. Abbate responded all employees would be eligible for the merit/equity adjustment on a department-by-department basis. 

 

County Manager Peggy Busacca stated the Budget currently includes a 1 ½% COLA and a 1% merit, and inquired if the Cody study is above that; with Chair Voltz responding yes.  Chair Voltz commented under the Cody Study, 60% of employees would not get a raise, and if the Board implemented the other option they will get a raise.  She noted she has included $1 million from Tax Collector Rod Northcutt and if they put $500,000 from salaries and $800,000 from insurance, that would equal $2.3 million; with SCAT funded at $428,000; EDC at $580,000; BCA at $100,000; Clerk for three new judges at $40,000; the Veterans wall at $80,000; FEMA person for $67,000; and Brevard Tomorrow at $50,000; and the Board could do all of those things and still have $1 million leftover.  She noted the Sheriff’s Department will receive the full implementation of Cody. 

 

 

 

 

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION, RE: CODY PAY STUDY (CONTINUED)

 

Finance Director Steve Burdett advised the $2.6 million would generate approximately $34 million for capital capacity.  He stated it takes time to build roads and the $47 million they have today would not be used for another two or three years.  He suggested that

instead of bonding, there are credit facilities available that could give the County access to $50 million or $60 million to draw as needed. 

 

Ms. Busacca stated she believes the Board’s highest priority is Palm Bay Parkway;      Mr. Denninghoff  noted  they  could  spend  $27  million  within  the  next  year  on land

acquisition from the north City limits of Palm Bay Road to Ellis Road; and it is believed the land acquisition could be accomplished in one year.  

 

Mr. Burdett advised the Board can have access to both; and it can bond part of it or get a credit facility on the other part.

 

Chair Voltz stated there are also funds in the FPL Franchise Fees which is $4 million; and inquired if that is on top of what they already calculated.  Mr. Burdett responded part of the funds management has carried over are actually being generated from excess franchise fees that are being collected in unincorporated areas, as well as the communications tax.  He noted his suggestion was to provide information on a quarterly basis to the Commission as to the revenue situations so they could do some things during the year instead of during the budget.

 

Ms. Busacca commented Transportation Engineering has run out of striping money, so the Board allocated a percentage of the FPL Franchise Fees to continue to allow striping to occur through the rest of the year. 

 

Chair Voltz stated it still gives them the possibility to do a lot of roads, and inquired if anyone would be short-changed under the current scenario.  Mr. Burdett responded that they would not be implementing the step portion of Cody, which is about $1 million; the 48% of the employees who would not be getting money because of their years of service and classification; and bring them to the full implementation would not be occurring.  He noted instead, the money would be allocated by the Board as it sees fit; if there was a 50-50 split it would equal about $250 per employee and it would be distributed on a department-by-department basis.  Ms. Busacca noted there would be no guarantee that any given employee would get $250. 

 

Mr. Burdett commented instead of giving the money to employees based on longevity, it would be based on merit or equity adjustments made between employees. 

 

Chair Voltz commented because roads are such a high priority of theirs they can take the $1 million and still come up with the $2.3 million they have and keep the 3% increase in taxes and fund all of the things they have funded and have $2.6 million for the roads.

 

Commissioner Pritchard requested Mr. Abbate explain the reduction in insurance from 11.5% to 7%.  Mrs. Abbate responded last November they put in numbers to the Board and indicated they believed that the rate of increase for this year is 11.5%; and through this past month, they have accumulated and gotten the reserves to where they need to be.  He advised they collected $2.7 million more than what they have spent from

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION, RE: CODY PAY STUDY (CONTINUED)

 

October 1^st to the current date.  He stated when they look at that and the $600,000 anticipated savings and administrative costs for changing to Cigna  and  Blue Cross Blue

Shield, staff felt they could safely go with a 7% increase and they would not have a problem going into next year, and could maintain the same level of reserves as they have currently. 

 

Commissioner Pritchard inquired if Mr. Abbate is comfortable with that; with Mr. Abbate responding it is as low as they could comfortably go to still be able to maintain a balance

for next year.  Commissioner Pritchard inquired if staff would be more comfortable with 9%; with Mr. Abbate responding he would be comfortable with any higher number.  Commissioner Pritchard noted if they go to 9%, they could have $400,000.  Mr. Abbate stated it would depend on the Board’s feelings on what they want to do on the employee/dependent side; if the Board did not want to go to 7% on the employee or retiree side, and they gave them 9%, they could leave the retiree rate where it is and they could leave the dependent rates where they are; and if the Board wanted to do that, they are providing an additional level of comfort to the employees by moving it to 9% rather than 7%.

 

Ms. Busacca advised the Board has used the insurance reserves as a bank account; they have gone to the insurance reserve and used it for immediate sand on the beach, and then paid it back with FEMA; and during other emergencies they have been grateful to have the money in the bank.  She commented that was the rationale for the current budget showing at 11%. 

 

Chair Voltz inquired how much money is in the insurance reserves; with Mr. Abbate responding approximately $7.8 million, which is what the State says the counties should have.

 

Commissioner Colon stated Commissioner Voltz feels adamant about the 3% and she has been working hard to try to identify other needs that are also important.  She commented if the taxpayer is currently paying $1,200 a year for taxes, she would like to be able to stay at that point; and it is premature for the media to take it to the community yet.  She added she is comfortable of making sure they are at a level where the roads are being met; the community is growing and the needs keep growing; and the hard decisions need to be made this year in regards to the budget.

 

Ms. Peggy Busacca commented if the Board goes to the full 10% cap, it is an additional $40 per home, for an average home of $224,000; it is still a reduction of $119 to $168 per home; and it is additional over the proposed budget. 

 

Chair Voltz stated the Board’s decisions on millage only affects the unincorporated areas of  Brevard County, and  each  municipality  goes to  its  full 10%.  She noted the County

has been conservative and careful and have had the same millage since 1996.  Commissioner Colon explained the formula for millages. 

 

Chair Voltz stated she would like to see the people get more of their money back, and she could not vote in favor or against the budget without coming up with something that

 

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION, RE: CODY PAY STUDY (CONTINUED)

 

would keep the budget at 3%.  She commented they can look at a sales tax of one penny for five years, but the problem is that they cannot even do the design work in five

years, and people will be paying for five years but no roads will be done, and there will be a major trust problem.  She noted she has no problem leaving the Cody Salary Study as it is, and if they do that and do not put any money in reserves, they still have $2.6 million left to spend on roads, plus fund the other things. 

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated one thing that scares him is that there are County employees on food stamps; and the Board never wanted the employee contribution insurance to result in a net decrease in their take-home check.  He stated that on Tuesday they will set a number and that number will go to every taxpayer; and if they reduce a tax bill by $130 or $110, it may not be as relevant to the community as whether or not they do their jobs as Commissioners.  He stated he wants to proceed with a tax notice that allows them the fullest opportunity to look at Commissioner Voltz’s suggestions; and if they begin to limit themselves they are doing a disservice to the entire community.  He noted he met with Lynda Weatherman and there are some things in her budget that he is convinced needs to be there. He advised he is going to have a community that will collapse if jobs are lost, and yet the Commission is throwing away $100,000.  He commented he has no problem in supporting what Ms. Busacca suggested, allowing them to come back with a full analysis and then begin their discussion. 

 

Commissioner Scarborough noted he does not get calls asking how much is in the reserves, but he does get calls wanting to know when the roads will be repaired; there is a capital commitment to take care of the infrastructure and that is also the wealth of the County; and people will not move into Brevard County if it remains in the state it is in.

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated the Cody Study is not being taken off the table and it was not designed to give something to everyone; it was designed to compare and to make sure the employees are paid appropriately; and that is what the Board has done.

 

Discussion ensued on the Cody Study.  Chair Voltz stated she does not want anyone to get short changed.  Commissioner Pritchard stated everyone is getting a raise, but some people may get more because the compensation was not comparable to the other jurisdictions.  Mr. Abbate stated they will look at a way to revise the merit system.  Commissioner Pritchard commented on the need to have a merit system that is based on performance.

Chair Voltz inquired of the 9% on the insurance.  Mr. Abbate responded he is hearing the Board say they would like to leave retirees, dependents and employee rates where they are and 9% would be a comfortable level if the Board reduced it from 11 ½% to 9%; and the reduction for the Board would be approximately $550,000 savings to the Board. 

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated if they take $1 million from the reserves, $1 million from Rod Northcutt and $550,000 from insurance, the County ends up with $2.5 million. 

 

Budget Director Dennis Rogero commented if they reduce the reserves by $1 million and their intention is to get to the 3% above rollback, that is a revenue expense neutrality and they will not have that $1 million to allocate.  Ms. Busacca stated they have to

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION, RE: CODY PAY STUDY (CONTINUED)

 

subtract $1 million before they get to the 3%.  Chair Voltz  stated that would then leave them at $1.5 million. 

 

Commissioner Pritchard inquired if the FPL Franchise Fee is a General Fund surplus of $2.7 to $3.3 million and if the Communication Service Tax is a General Fund surplus of $1 million, what is meant by surplus.  Mr. Burdett responded when the Board adopted the budget for this year, FPL was at $12.6 million, and the number he gave the Board was above that; they are not going to spend what they do not budget for, and that is how it ends up being a surplus. 

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated they can average it at $3 million, plus the $1 million, which gives them $4 million; and inquired if that money has been allocated toward any expense.  Mr. Rogero stated it has been included in the balance forward figure for next year.  Commissioner Pritchard inquired how much of the $4 million was for striping; with Mr. Rogero responding approximately $250,000.  Commissioner Pritchard stated there is still $4 million that is not accounted for any expenditure that they could earmark for roads.  Mr. Burdett stated it has been anticipated and carried forward for the next year, but his point was that they know it is there today, and if they wish to make a decision during the middle of the year, as opposed to waiting until the following year on how to use the funds, they can do that. 

 

Discussion ensued on cash carry forward operating, cash carry forward capital, cash carry forward restricted, and additional road projects.    

 

Chair Voltz commented that they do not know yet what they will be getting for Fiscal Year 2006 – 2007.  Mr. Rogero stated, for example, the FPL Franchise Fee estimates have been made in conjunction with the Finance Department as to what they think they are going to collect next year from FPL.  He noted the Board could amend the budget in the current year to recognize the funding and allocate a purpose, or they could leave it in the tentative budget and let the tentative budget play its course. 

 

Ms. Busacca advised if the Board allocates it in the 2005 – 2006 budget, it will not be available and they will have to find $4 million out of the proposed budget.  Chair Voltz commented they can earmark it, but they do not have to spend it.  She stated in 2006- 2007 they are going to be getting dollars but they do not know what they are yet, so they have not allocated and they have not accounted for that in the budget. 

 

Mr. Rogero stated of the $29 million in General Government balance forward, approximately $3 million is for Facilities Maintenance that is being carried forward next year.  He noted the $3 million, with the $29 million, will be carried forward to next year,

but it is spent next year; and it is the same situation with any additional revenue they collect this year with the FPL or Communication Services Tax.  He noted if the Board chose to allocate it sooner, in the current year, they would have to amend next year’s tentative budget by the same amount.

 

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION, RE: CODY PAY STUDY (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Pritchard asked Mr. Rogero if he meant that it has been allocated in the general sense; with Mr. Rogero answering yes.  Mr. Rogero noted that throughout the budget development process they continue to do projections; and the primary reason is that the further the County advances in the year it is in, the better chance it has of making a correct guess as to what it will carry forward to the coming year.  He commented if the budget increases, staff will bring it to the Board’s attention for allocation before the public hearings; and if the budget decreases, they will regroup and decide a point of action. 

 

Assistant County Manager Stockton Whitten commented the largest component of the $30 million figure are the reserves that are carried forward from the previous year.  Commissioner Pritchard asked if any of the franchise fees are bondable; with Mr. Burdett replying they are all bondable.  Commissioner Pritchard inquired if there is an anticipation that if they had this $4 million surplus, they would have a $4 million surplus next year and the following year or perhaps a slight increase above the $4 million.  Mr. Burdett replied the estimates he gave to Mr. Rogero are what they feel is reasonable at this time as to what will be collected next year and he would second Mr. Rogero’s suggestion that as they get after the first three or six months of next year, they can consider revising depending on what is actually happening with the revenues. 

 

Discussion ensued on the Board’s long term debt and additional revenues to pay back whatever they borrow. 

 

Chair Voltz stated they have enough to fund all of the issues that were brought to them; and if they have half a million left, they can add that to $1.6 million and still have $2.1 million for roads.  She stated SCAT is at $428,000, EDC is $480,000, and it will include the BCA at $100,000, $40,000 for the judges clerk, $60,000 for the Vietnam Wall, $67,000 for a FEMA person, and $50,000 for Brevard Tomorrow.  Ms. Busacca stated also $43,000 for the Staff Specialist II, and $47,000 for the Historical Commission. 

 

Commissioner Carlson stated when they set the tentative millage, the Board can always go down, but cannot go up; she would like to go with 10% of the Cody Study; and the Board needs to do it in the most fair and equitable way.  She commented she has always been a proponent of keeping a buffer because of emergencies, and she has been a proponent of transportation for as long as she has been in office; and the community wants the Board to take a stance and show them what they can do within the budget.  She noted someone asked her if they could cut the budget without cutting staff or services, and the answer is no, they have been doing the cutting for years by not keeping up with inflation.  She stated she thinks they are past the point of diminishing returns in their efforts to do more with less, and now they are doing less with less; and if the problem continues it will lead to more degraded and congested roads. 

 

Commissioner Carlson advised she is not an advocate for reducing insurance but she is interested in listening more about how they can engineer a more effective use of the tax dollars.  She commented she is supportive of the other things because they reflect the Board’s interests and concerns about what the community wants; transportation is a big

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION, RE: CODY PAY STUDY (CONTINUED)

 

Issue; and it is a critical piece to make them operate and be able to attract good companies and have people want to stay here and live here. 

 

Commissioner Scarborough commented a lot of the problems they were having was with Save Our Homes.  Commissioner Carlson stated they can do something responsible and still provide a reduction in taxes. 

 

Commissioner Pritchard asked if the Board has ever stayed at rollback; with Mr. Rogero stating it has been some time since the Board has adopted a budget at the rollback rate.  Commissioner Pritchard commented the rate this year is 3.58% above rollback, excluding voter millages, and he does not recall ever having a budget at rollback, as it has always been three points above rollback. 

 

Discussion ensued on rollback rates in the past years and agencies that function at rollback. 

 

Commissioner Pritchard inquired where are they going to be with regard to rollback; with Ms. Busacca stated it is approximately .9 mills, but she is not sure what percentage above rollback that is. 

 

Mr. Rogero commented if they only manipulate millages that are voted, it will not move the 3.58%.  Ms. Busacca stated the overall figure is 1.285 mill.  Chair Voltz stated that is what they will be spending, but they will also potentially be bringing in an extra 1.5 mill. 

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated he would be comfortable proceeding with the millage that will allow the Commission flexibility to talk about specifics; he will not be prepared at Tuesday’s meeting to endorse or not endorse; and advised it is easier to have a higher millage, where it can be discussed, rather than getting to the point that they cannot go back and readvertise.  

 

Commissioner Colon advised there are different options they have been given and she thinks the community needs to have an opportunity to realize what those dollars can do.  She commented on the Palm Bay Parkway funds and other road improvements.  She asked Mr. Whitten if the non-profit organizations could have contracts renewed for next year, and then hold the dollars. 

 

Mr. Whitten stated he understands that for those agencies, the years are July to June, but for the County the years are from October to September; if they are setting their budget in October, they are either going to fund them nine months or fifteen months; and they can have nine-month contracts, but it makes the budgeting a little difficult, because they are going to be budgeting for 75% of the fiscal year. 

 

Commissioner Colon asked Mr. Whitten to give the Board some feedback, and if it is not feasible, then they cannot do it. 

 

 

DISCUSSION AND BOARD DIRECTION, RE: CODY PAY STUDY (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated he is concerned that when the citizens receive their tax bill they may be in for a bit of a surprise, whereas the millages for certain things have allowed their tax bill to decrease by $158; and there are going to be some entities that have never been charged, that will be charged now.  He commented they need to talk about the proposed increase/decrease to Fire Services Special Assessment as well as what the EMS may be; and if it will be detrimental, the citizens need to know up front so they are not surprised.

 

Commissioner Colon asked if there is a deadline for the tentative millage; with Mr. Whitten responding affirmative, and stating it is on the agenda for Tuesday. 

 

Chair Voltz stated she thought that last year they increased by $1 million Housing and Human Services; and this year it is up to $1,088,772.00, so it has already gone over the $1 million cap. 

 

Mr. Whitten stated the Board made an adjustment to that funding during the current fiscal year.  Chair Voltz commented they need to keep a watch on it, and asked Ms. Busacca to find out how the extra money came about.

 

Commissioner Carlson stated it is her understanding there is not a ranking process for the CDBG/CBO dollars and she asked for commentary in the near future from staff regarding the issue.  She noted it needs to be a ranked scenario and not purely subjective, and she would like to make sure it is clear as to the process and when it was instituted. 

 

Chair Voltz showed the Board the potential Fire Assessment letter that will be going out to everybody, and stated the letter mentions a new assessment.  Ms. Busacca stated there is a deadline for sending out the letter and it is two days late being mailed out.  Chair Voltz advised she is still in the process of working with them.  Commissioner Carlson stated they need to make sure the citizens understand the letter.  Ms. Busacca commented the letter was to be at the printer on July 17^th.  Chair Voltz stated she just received it yesterday.  Ms. Busacca responded it actually went out last week and everyone may not have received it on email. 

 

 

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated his problem with Cody is that there are some issues in the way it was put together and how it was implemented; whether they fully fund it or not, there are questions that go beyond implementation.  He asked if they could have a brief presentation of what the Clerk’s Office has identified.

 

Commissioner Pritchard stated he met with the auditor who did the analysis and he is familiar with the criticisms; and he does not support the criticism and thinks the Cody Study was done accurately and the way it should have been done. 

*Commissioner Pritchard left the meeting due to a previous appointment.

 

Chair Voltz called for a ten minute break.

 

Commissioner Scarborough noted the Clerk’s Office spent some time going over the Cody Study and they visited him with their comments; and the issue is how the methodology was utilized in different places. 

 

Carie Exline stated she is an Internal Auditor for Clerk of Courts Scott Ellis and did the review of the Cody Study; and will discuss three of the seven findings.  She stated the first finding was the positions by pay grade; and the Study recommended a number of positions be increased from two to five pay grades.  She gave the Board some examples of positions that were increased by pay grades.  She noted a lot of positions did not increase at all, which meant there was no increase in the minimum salary; and there were also a number of positions that increased only one pay grade.  She advised the Clerk’s Office recommends that any position that went up more than one pay grade needs to have written justification of why those positions went up that many pay grades, and why they were underpaid 20% and 25% all these years; and the Board may find that maybe they should not have gone up four and five pay grades.  She stated the second finding regards individual employee positions; and once they have positions, they have each individual at that position.  She stated the Cody Study did not go back and look at

the job descriptions before they implemented the first half of the Cody Study, and the job descriptions were not delivered to Human Resources until the middle, or end of May.  She advised that the Board needs to look at each individual and compare the position to the job description and see if they are functioning at that position or a lesser position.  

 

Ms. Exline continued that finding number three talks about years of experience at a position.  She noted the Study states employees will be paid the minimum, and for every year of experience with the County they will get 2 ½ % above the minimum for the first ten years of service, and after 15 years of service they could get up to 35%.  She commented the person hired with experience is sitting at zero, so most likely they did not receive a salary increase.  She commented these types of items were not evaluated, and when they implemented the Cody Study it was a pure mathematical formula.  She stated that the Cody Study also did not look at why people were leaving the County, and at the hard-to-fill positions.  She noted a lot of positions that received large increases are

not considered hard-to-fill and there are plenty of people applying for them when they become available.

 

Human Resources Director Frank Abbate commented a salary study is done to address two primary areas; internal equity and external equity.  He concurred with the assessment that the County did not give people increases on whether it was a difficult to fill position, or whether employees were leaving.  He noted there were a handful of positions that went up two to five pay grades and he would expect that would occur because during the analysis, they were out of line with comparable jurisdiction, or, when they looked at what they were paying, one position compared to another was out of line and an adjustment was made.  He noted Directors were invited to participate and provide information before they started the study, and every Director provided information to Cody and Associates on difficult to fill positions to make sure that the

 

classification for those positions was carefully looked at to make sure they were being paid appropriately.  He stated once that information was provided, position questionnaires were provided to all employees and that is the basis upon which Cody and Associates would make determinations on whether someone would be reclassified.  

 

Mr. Abbate noted that each Director and their senior staff discussed on a position by position basis their concerns; and once that input was provided, Cody and Associates were tasked with looking at the completed questionnaires and making sure they considered every position appropriately.  He stated in January, Directors were given a draft and asked to look at it on a position by position basis and to come back and report where they felt there were areas that needed adjustment. 

 

Mr. Abbate stated when there is a difficult position to fill in a department, it is Human Resources’ role to make further adjustments; Human Resources is not in the position to do an audit of their external independent consultant findings, to redo the salary study to justify why they recommended what they did.  He noted Human Resources did provide the recommendations to every Director and asked the consultant to make further adjustments based on input that they received from them.  He noted in terms of years of experience and minimum differentials, when they implemented the salary study they created minimum salary ranges for classifications and then people were given credit for up to 15 years of service; it was not based on experience and merit, it was based on

addressing the issue of compression, and because someone has been there for a number of years, are they at least a certain amount above the minimum; it was not meant to address all the areas of giving people additional dollars for experience or merit increases; and they want to establish a good base line to show a minimum differential bases on the years of experience.  He stated they are still using Cody and Associates to further revise the classifications based on the input they get from department directors, to make sure they are an accurate reflection of the duties that they feel are necessary for their positions.  He noted they have over 500 classifications and the bottom line is that they did not do any adjustment for 60% of the employees, and the overall adjustment was only 2.5% for half of an implementation and the second half is approximately 2.1%.  He noted it was not evenly divided among employees and he would not expect it to be under the methodology that they use.  He commented they would be making further adjustments as time goes by, but he feels good that department directors have had an opportunity into the process and continue to have that opportunity.  

 

Commissioner Scarborough stated the Board realized they had the potential for people not being happy; and he has had some employees contact him because they were not happy with the results.  He noted the Board needs to thank the Clerk’s Office for helping with the process and not look at it as adversarial, but as a team role because it is always good to ask questions.  He asked Mr. Abbate to look at it as a dynamic process and keep an open mind and work with everyone in the process.

 

Ms. Exline commented the questionnaires completed by the employees were not used because the information was not useful.  She added that the Clerk’s Office has been

 

saying that something needs to be done about the merit system; and she is glad that the County is going towards a recommendation the Clerk’s Office has made.  She noted that over half of the employees got nothing out of the Cody Study and those who did, received an increase to get them up to what the mathematical formula said was their market level, and then they got 1 ½% on top of that, so they got both increases and the other employees who got nothing only got 1 ½%; and the senior directors received 8% increase. 

 

Commissioner Colon stated they would be fooling themselves if they thought they were going to have a perfect study; and her intent was to make sure they were with the market.  She commented she appreciates the Clerk’s Office bringing it to their attention. 

 

Chair Voltz stated they plan to implement the second half of the Cody Study.  Ms. Busacca noted the discussion today was helpful for staff as far as looking at performance evaluations and merit in a different way, and it was invaluable. 

 

Roy Wariner stated he is on the Citizens Budget Review Committee and has supervised a lot of people with the Federal Government, and one thing he has not seen in the County is standards.  He noted it would be a lot of work for the County but he thinks in the end it would be well worth it to have those standards in order to grade employees. 

 

Upon motion and vote, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:30 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                        ____________________________

                                                                        HELEN VOLTZ, CHAIR

                                                                        BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ATTEST:                                                         BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

 

 

___________________

SCOTT ELLIS, CLERK 

 

            (SEAL)           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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