May 8, 1997

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on May 7, 1997, at 10:02 a.m. in the Government Center Florida Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, Florida. Present were: Chairman Randy O?Brien, Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Nancy Higgs, Mark Cook and Helen Voltz, County Manager Tom Jenkins, and County Attorney Scott Knox.

County Manager Tom Jenkins advised staff has met with each Commissioner; if any Commissioner has an item he or she wishes to discuss, that can be done; and if not, the Board can move to the issue of balancing the budget.

Mr. Jenkins advised the projected revenues do not match requested expenses; explained the two categories of expenses; and stated he will be submitting a proposed budget later in the budget process. He noted the level of detail in the current budget; stated several budget workshops are scheduled for the summer; and the Board will make formal cuts or additions at that time.

Mr. Jenkins advised the increased costs of Court Services are pass-through costs which are not controlled by the Clerk or Court Administration; and outlined things included in the increases. He advised the numbers are based on the history and projected activities. He outlined the requests of the Sheriff, other Board agencies, Court Administration, Public Defender, State Attorney, Cultural Alliance, and the Economic Development Commission. He advised the EDC is currently funded through occupational license revenues, and even if the license fees are raised by the allowed 5%, they will only generate $19,000.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Higgs, to direct staff to place an item on the Agenda in a timely manner for the Board to address the issue of a graduated scale for occupational licenses.

Budget Director Kathy Wall advised the Statute allowed the Board to address the rate structure two years ago; but that flat fee rate structure must now stay in place, although it can be raised up to 5%. Discussion ensued on whether the rate structure can be addressed.

Commissioner Scarborough amended the motion to include direction to the County Attorney to research whether the Board can address a graduated scale for occupational licenses, and if possible, place the issue on the Agenda in a timely manner; with Chairman Higgs accepting the amendment.

Mr. Jenkins advised the EDC will have to come to the Board for any increase in economic development funding.

Discussion ensued on the issue coming to the Board and reasons for the flat rate.

Chairman O?Brien called for a vote on the motion, as amended. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Mr. Jenkins stated the Clerk of Courts shows a $354,000 increase. He advised the Property Appraiser is not required to submit his budget until June 1, but an estimate is provided.

Commissioner Higgs inquired if the Property Appraiser was advised that the Board is meeting today; with Mr. Jenkins responding yes. Mr. Jenkins noted the deadline for the Tax Collector is August 1.

Discussion ensued on asking the Legislative Delegation to change the law to require the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector to submit their budgets by May 1. Senior Budget Analyst Neil Boynton explained the Tax Collector?s budget is a percentage of the tax levy; and it is necessary to know those numbers before the budget can be set. Discussion proceeded on the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser?s budgets, need to plan for the funds, and including an item in the Legislative Package.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to include in the Legislative Package a request to address the submittal date of the budgets of the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser.

Commissioner Voltz requested a copy of the law.

Commissioner Cook withdrew the motion; and requested staff research whether there is anything that would prohibit moving up the budget submittal date for the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser, and report to the Board by the second meeting in July.

Mr. Jenkins advised increases of approximately $900,000 in the Sheriff?s budget; and stated the Sheriff is asking for an additional $4,056,830.

Commissioner Scarborough suggested inviting the Sheriff to the next Board meeting to discuss a possible referendum. Discussion ensued on meeting with the Sheriff, referendum, increase to fully fund the Sheriff?s request, and following through on previous commitments.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to direct the County Manager to invite the Sheriff and Supervisor of Elections to attend the Board meeting on May 13, 1997 to discuss a possible referendum.

Discussion proceeded on time frame, starting a dialogue with Sheriff, the 3% cap, increasing revenue stream, tax increase by referendum, utilities tax, Law Enforcement MSTU, raising the MSTU cap by Ordinance, multiple referendum questions, inability to fully fund the Sheriff, previous funding of Sheriff?s budget, and need for additional information.

Commissioner Cook advised the Board underutilizes its ability to go to referendum. Commissioner Scarborough stated when the people voted on the 3% cap, they anticipated going to referendum more frequently.

Chairman O?Brien advised $2.1 million are mandatory increases; all the other numbers are not mandatory; and explained how the budget could be balanced by only doing what is mandatory. Commissioner Higgs advised of the need to make the decision to set priorities for a quality community.

Discussion proceeded on keeping the budget in balance, responsibility to hear all ideas, freezing budgets, responding to changes, increases balanced against cuts, need for a global picture of programs prior to setting the millage, and developing a budget approach.

Chairman O?Brien called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioner Higgs voted nay.

Commissioner Scarborough inquired about the timeframe for the referendum. Mr. Jenkins responded it would have to be done before the June vacation period.

Mr. Jenkins advised the $251,000 in the Supervisor of Elections budget represents a multi-year plan to finance acquisition of new voting equipment; and his general budget came in about the same.

Discussion ensued on the Board?s position concerning purchase of new voting equipment.

Mr. Jenkins advised of the Tax Collector?s estimate.

Mr. Jenkins explained the proposed merit increases for County employees where the General Fund would fund 75% of the increase, and the Departments will be asked to find the other 25%. He advised of additional background information on the 9th cent gas tax, and using an additional Road and Bridge construction crew to generate revenue.

Commissioner Cook inquired about using the construction crew versus jobbing out to a private contractor; with Mr. Jenkins advising he will provide a memo on that.

Mr. Jenkins provided additional information on impact of increasing permit and user fees and refinancing the existing Local Option Gas Tax long-term debt. Ms. Wall explained the advantages of refinancing. Commissioner Higgs inquired about the long-term cost; with Mr. Jenkins responding he will get that information. Commissioner Scarborough expressed concern about moving quickly because this is an interest-sensitive issue; and requested a meeting with the Financial Advisor before the vacation period begins.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Higgs, to authorize scheduling a workshop at the end of the regular May 13, 1997 meeting to meet with Financial Advisor Tom Holley. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Commissioner Scarborough inquired if there is any other source of funds to be discussed; with Mr. Jenkins advising the Board can discuss the COP issue. Commissioner Higgs indicated willingness to look at the COP issue; and inquired about the financial impacts of decreasing ad valorem taxes and increasing sales tax.

Chairman O?Brien inquired about State revenue sharing figures; with Ms. Wall explaining the figures from the Department of Revenue which led to the projection. Discussion ensued on intangible taxes, refinancing of mortgages, revenues from fuel tax, TDC tax revenues, and concerns about projections. Mr. Jenkins advised each of the taxes should be looked at on an individual basis. Discussion resumed on accuracy of estimates and restrictions on use of TDC dollars.

Commissioner Scarborough inquired if there is anything else that is time sensitive to be acted on. Mr. Jenkins advised of the need to cut $9 to $10 million from the budget and associated policy issues. Commissioner Higgs advised until the Board looks at the individual budgets, it cannot determine priorities. Mr. Jenkins inquired about Board interest in considering an increase in ad valorem taxes; with Commissioners Voltz and Cook responding no. Commissioner Scarborough advised he does not want to start out saying the Board wants to increase taxes before the budgetary needs are determined. Discussion ensued on cutting budgets to balance the budget, need for essential health and safety services, crime statistics, lack of savings from transfer of GIS system, saving for capital expenditures, and whether state-of-the-art computers are necessary.

Commissioner Cook requested information on purchase of computers and vehicles in 1996-1997 and 1997-98. Chairman O?Brien inquired about use of Internet by the public, public demand and cost.

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 11:14 a.m.

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ATTEST: RANDY O?BRIEN, CHAIRMAN

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

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SANDY CRAWFORD, CLERK

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