The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on July 23, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. in the Government Center Florida Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida. Present were: Chairman Helen Voltz, Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Randy O?Brien, Nancy Higgs, and Mark Cook, County Manager Tom Jenkins, and County Attorney Scott Knox.

Commissioner Scarborough stated Orange County is in the process of settling its lawsuit with the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC); they are having a luncheon tomorrow; and suggested Planner Mel Scott attend the luncheon. He advised Orange County won the lawsuit; Brevard County may want to reverse its position and start becoming involved; there may be some dynamics occurring; and if a proposal is brought back from Orange County, Commissioner Cook and he may need to attend the next Council meeting.

Chairman Voltz stated one issue that was discussed is what the Council is going to do; and the discussion on June 5, 1998 included that the Council would be a storehouse of information which may reduce the Board?s dues drastically.

Planner Mel Scott stated the meeting Friday will be between Orange County and three individuals on the RPC?s administration; it is anticipated that the RPC will come to Orange County stating that it is giving into all of Orange County?s demands, it will not proceed with its lawsuit, it will waive the right to appeal, and it recognizes that Orange County may pursue in the future a legislative initiative to make participation voluntary, but if RPC backs off and proposes to become the RPC Orange County wanted it to be, if it is going to work on regional products, then in return, Orange County would agree to pay RPC back dues and for the upcoming budget year. Mr. Scott stated the Orange County Commission will discuss this on its agenda for the following Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.; if Orange County does pay, it wants to make it very clear that it is paying voluntarily; and it would also start to articulate a scope of services it would desire.

Chairman Voltz inquired if Mr. Scott will attend the meeting tomorrow afternoon; with Mr. Scott responding affirmatively. Commissioner Scarborough stated the Board may want to send Mr. Scott to the meeting next Tuesday as well. Chairman Voltz stated if the Board?s meeting does not last long on Tuesday, she will also attend the meeting with Mr. Scott.

Commissioner O?Brien stated he has yet to find if the RPC has any real purpose to Brevard County; paying any amount of dues to the RPC is an enormous waste of taxpayers dollars in his opinion; the County has thrown over $500,000 away on this already; and it is time to cut bait, stop fishing, and go home.

DISCUSSION, RE: EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (CONTINUED)

Commissioner Scarborough stated he is very interested in the dynamics of what happens with Orange County; if such County is going to fundamentally change the nature of the beast, he wants to know what is happening and be a part of it; and recommended Chairman Voltz and Mr. Scott attend the meeting next Tuesday to see what type of beast it is going to become as it could be something the County finds very attractive.

Court Administrator Mark Van Bever stated the Judicial Branch submits a status quo budget despite the rising work load; there is one funded program change for expenses associated with a 20th judge which is expected in July, 1999; and there is now a child support enforcement hearing officer in the Melbourne Courthouse.

Commissioner O?Brien stated a lot of the people receiving child support were complaining about the special master and the way he was not getting sufficient child support from those people required to pay; and inquired are there any psychological or legal changes to affect those people not paying their child support and make the system more dynamic.

Judge Moxley responded Brevard County has a 16% collection rate which is probably one of the highest in Florida; anytime there is a complaint about a court official, he reviews it and talks to both individuals; there is a Domestic Task Force for child support which Mr. Van Bever is on; they are trying to address it; and it is in the eyes of the beholder.

Commissioner O?Brien stated he is hoping the Chief Judge can find mechanisms to make those irresponsible fathers pay their child support. Judge Moxley stated it is an area that can be improved; and mechanisms are under way to do that.

Discussion ensued concerning the purchase of copiers versus leasing, maintenance costs, Family Civil Division, family support and child custody issues, criminal justice cases, unavailable space at the Justice Center, case management system, jury districts, census data, operating expenses, additional capital expenditures for replacement and renovation, Family Mediation Program, General Master for Melbourne, new computers and furniture for Viera Complex, charges for services, court facilities, compensation and benefits, contractual expenses, and capital outlay.

Budget Analyst Neil Boynton stated the County is required by Florida Statutes to provide certain support services to the Public Defender?s Office; additionally, the Public Defender receives a budget supplement from the County for the funding of a portion of the Witness Coordination Program which enhances the efficiency and prevents increased costs in the operations of the courts; and the total

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

County budget for the Public Defender of $493,862 represents 11.06% of the total cost of operations of the Public Defender?s Office for 1998-99; and the Public Defender?s County budget increases 5.11% from 1997-98 due to a funded program change which provides an additional Witness Coordinator. He advised the total State budget for the Public Defender?s Office is $3,971,636.

County Manager Tom Jenkins stated last year the Public Defender voluntarily reduced his budget by $45,000.

Public Defender James Russo stated his Office has held off on the additional Witness Coordinator position for a long time and cannot do it any more.

Commissioners O?Brien and Cook stated Mr. Russo has done a lot to keep his budget down; and the Board appreciates it.

Budget Analyst Neil Boynton stated the County is required by Florida Statutes to provide certain support services to the State Attorney?s Office; additionally, the State Attorney supervises the operations of Witness Coordination and Sexual Assault Victims Services Programs; the State Attorney?s County budget for 1998-99 of $1,084,193 represents 8.9% of the combined budgets of the State and County budget for the State Attorney; the State budget for the State Attorney is $11,064, 527; and the County budget represents a maintenance of the status quo with the full-year funding of pay increases approved during 1997-98 being offset by employee turnover and decreases in capital outlay expenditures. He advised there are no program changes in the State Attorney?s County budget for 1998-99. Mr. Boynton stated the transfer of the general revenues is anticipated to decrease 2.9% due to anticipated increases in the money coming out of the Criminal Justice Trust Fund.

Commissioner Scarborough inquired is Seminole County contributing funding; with Finance Director Patty Green responding yes, but she does not have the exact figure.

Mr. Jenkins stated a couple of the programs used to be operated by the County, but they were transferred to the State Attorney.

Commissioner O?Brien inquired what has caused the $40,000 increase in operating expenses; with Supervisor of Elections Fred Galey responding continued growth and the things his Office has to do as it continues to expand, including the expansion of polling places, increased employee

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

salaries, equipment, and contract for maintenance. Commissioner O?Brien stated the Board may want to get a breakdown on operating expenses for all department budgets; and take a close look at what they call an operating expense.

Budget Director Kathy Wall advised she can provide the Board with such information.

Mr. Galey stated his Office gets paid for doing the operation; and it has been very efficient. Commissioner O?Brien stated Mr. Galey has done a very good job with his budget every year; he is not under scrutiny; and he has asked the same question concerning operating expenses for each department.

Discussion proceeded concerning picture identification to vote at the polls, verification of residence address, additional software, precinct management, and safety of the ballots.

Mr. Galey stated the ballots would be counted before they are transported; there would be precinct results at the precinct; finishing early is not a main concern, although the perception of the public and the press is an early finish is a good finish and a late finish is a bad finish, and why was it finished late; and that is due to the many cards that have to be counted.

Chairman Voltz stated beginning next year she would like the County to try to go to something else if it is possible as it is too late this year. Mr. Galey advised there are new machines coming out all the time. Commissioner Cook stated he would like to look at all the options.

Nancy Fazio, IAFF Representative, stated the Public Safety Department is recommending that 10 additional firefighters be approved to increase three stations to the three-person engines; while the IAFF strongly concurs with the importance of the three-person engine staffing, it believes it is more important that all areas of the unincorporated Brevard County be brought to the same level of service; and that would include the areas of Grant, Valkaria and Scottsmoor. She advised it would give those areas full-time paid immediate response engines; it is realized that efforts should be made to prevent the FY 1999 Fire MSTU millage from increasing; and they recommend increasing by two additional firefighters to the 10 currently requested for a total of 12. Ms. Fazio advised six of the 12 firefighters will be assigned to the Scottsmoor station and six of the 12 would be assigned to the Grant/Valkaria station; the additional cost would be $72,494; six of the 12 firefighters would be upgraded to lieutenants which would cost $54,068; two temporary fire stations with additional property would be purchased which would cost $152,000; and the additional cost total would be $278,562. She stated to achieve this without creating an MSTU, they recommend the two Pierce engines that were asked for budgeted at $280,000 be removed from the budget which will create two additional and much needed fire stations without an increase to the MSTU; it would bring three stations on line next year, including Station 47 in Viera, Scottsmoor, and Grant/Valkaria; and it would give everyone Countywide in the unincorporated area 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week coverage.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Commissioner O?Brien stated Mims and Scottsmoor have a volunteer station now; with Ms. Fazio responding this would not be to discard that station or close it and would be in conjunction with it which is done in other portions of the County. Ms. Fazio stated Scottsmoor is solely a volunteer organization at this time. Commissioner O?Brien inquired can Mims respond to a fire in Scottsmoor in the six-minute window; with Ms. Fazio responding negatively. Ms. Fazio stated the area they are looking at would be around the Hog Valley area which is very much needed.

Commissioner Higgs inquired about coverage in the south part of the County in terms of paid firefighters; with Chief Farmer responding basically there are none and Palm Bay has the last career, 24 hours a day, seven days a week firefighters. Chief Farmer stated all the Valkaria/Grant area to Micco is covered by two firefighters who are answering 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Commissioner Scarborough stated this would not affect the volunteers and they would still be there; and this would be in addition. Ms. Fazio stated it would give those citizens the same response as a paid professional immediate response and support of the volunteer organizations working in conjunction with each other as it is done on Merritt Island, Suntree, Viera, Lake Washington, South Beaches, and Four Communities; and it will give the people in Scottsmoor and Grant/Valkaria exactly the same response.

Commissioner O?Brien stated if this is approved today, he would like reassurance that the union firefighters are given some sensitivity training about the volunteers before the new stations are set up. Ms. Fazio stated there is not a division, and the firefighters work together; and everyone has to understand there is one bottom line goal--to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Brevard County in both the unincorporated and incorporated areas, and to do it fairly and equally.

Commissioner Scarborough suggested the Board not take any final action concerning the Scottsmoor proposal until after the meeting is held with the community in North Brevard on August 13, 1998; and staff can proceed with the overall dialogue and come back to the Board for a subsequent decision.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Higgs, to approve recommendation to add two additional firefighters to the 10 currently requested for a total of 12, upgrade six of the 12 firefighters to lieutenants (six will be assigned to Scottsmoor and six will be assigned to Grant/Valkaria), purchase two temporary fire stations, with property, and remove the two Pierce engine refurbishments from the budget proposal; and direct staff to work with the community concerning the Scottsmoor proposal and report back to the Board. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Discussion resumed concerning a referendum to improve the level of service, third person staffing per engine north to south, creating ALS engines Countywide, increasing field supervision, purchasing four new engines per year, funding station construction and renovation, floater program, mutual aid agreements, citizens and firefighters safety, and recurring capital expenses.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner O?Brien, to approve placing a referendum on the November 3, 1998 ballot concerning third person staffing per engine, creating ALS engines Countywide, increasing field supervision, purchasing four new engines per year, and funding station construction/renovation. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Public Safety Director Jack Parker stated the Department is going to purchase two new fire engines which may be allotted to Scottsmoor and Grant without further increase to the budget; it is also going to renovate Stations 24 and 41, refurbish two rescue units and a HazMat truck, and try to purchase two Cavaliers or small economy vehicles with radios for the probation unit. He noted Harbor City has decided to leave the South Beaches ambulance where it is; once the funding runs out in the amount of $379,000 lump sum payment, it will not be requesting from the Board any additional recurring expenses toward the ambulance; it puts a new light on the Viera ambulance in which it is asking for $180,000 which is the funding used for the South Beaches ambulance; so the County will be able to move that funding to fund the Viera ambulance without an increase in the EMS assessment. He stated the City requested the County try to find the money for $62,000 annual contract amendments so it can give its employees increases as their salaries have been frozen for two years, and the purchase of two ambulances from the County?s reserves; and the total impact on the reserves would be approximately $245,000.

Discussion proceeded concerning increase in operating expenses, step plan, and program changes.

Mr. Parker stated the Fire Chiefs Association requested approval of the Phase 2 of the First Responder Program; the Chiefs would like to have a larger reimbursement and believe they are entitled to a piece of the EMS assessment as they provide a vital EMS service with their First Response engines; and if approved by the Board, the EMS assessments Countywide would be increased by $3.00, the ambulance billing for the north end of the County would be increased by $15.00, and there would be an increase in mileage from $4.00 to $5.00 per mile.

Commissioner Cook stated up until last year the City received no reimbursement; with Chairman Voltz responding it should have been receiving it all along. Commissioner Cook stated the City should have received something, but the increase from $250,000 to $850,000 is too big of a jump all at once; and he cannot support it.

Commissioner O?Brien stated an MSTU is a tax; the County has to find a way to get this budget down; and he cannot support this.

Commissioner Scarborough stated they are trying to reach a fundamental fairness. Commissioner Higgs stated what everyone will have in the long run is a better system that provides equal coverage across the County serving geographic boundaries; and that is what all this is getting to.

Chairman Voltz stated the citizens within the cities have indicated they have been paying the same assessment for years and the County has never given them anything back until last year.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Commissioner Scarborough stated the Board has been outstanding in holding the line on taxes and not increasing them.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Higgs, to approve advertising EMS assessment Countywide to be increased by a maximum of $3.00, staff schedule it on the agenda, and provide options on implementation. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioners O?Brien and Cook voted nay.

The meeting recessed at 12:15 p.m. and reconvened at 1:20 p.m.

Budget Analyst Shai Francis stated overall the Animal Services and Enforcement Department has an increase of 27% from the current fiscal year; the Department is not requesting additional General Fund support; and the increase is due to the expended revenue collection through the rabies tag sales and proposed new fees for animal transport and bite investigations.

Community Services Administrator Don Lusk explained discussions with the veterinarians concerning the sale of license tags for animals.

Discussion ensued concerning public education officer, rabies shots, identification tags, lower fees for license tags, neutered and non-neutered animals, and charges for trapping animals.

Commissioner Scarborough stated the veterinarians want to have a low fee for license tags so they do not impact their customers and they want to make it easy for them.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner O?Brien, to approve license fees of $5.00 for non-neutered animals and $3.00 for neutered animals. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Budget Director Kathy Wall stated Code Compliance Department has seven programs; it has the Site Plan and Subdivision Review Program, Central Cashier Program, Contractors Licensing, Environmental Health, Building Code, Address Assignment, and Code Enforcement. Ms. Wall explained each of the aforementioned Programs.

Commissioner Higgs inquired when was the last time the County had an impact fee study; with Planner Steve Swanke responding 1991.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to direct staff to provide a report on a study to update impact fees, projected cost of the study, and an impact fee for recreation. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioners Cook and Voltz voted nay.

Discussion continued regarding fines and forfeitures, licenses and permits, historical collections, decrease in capital outlay, central cashier, increase in operating expenditures, new automated phone system, user fees, compensation and benefits, internal support, and travel expenses.

Chairman Voltz requested staff provide a breakdown to the Board on all County departments? operating expenses.

Commissioner O?Brien stated on street naming and renaming, the cost has increased over 30% in less than two years; and inquired what is the reason for the increase.

Sheila Johns, Code Compliance Department, stated the street namings and renamings include having a survey of the property owners to get their permission to change or rename the street; and the process involved in it is time consuming as staff has to send letters to all property owners. Commissioner O?Brien inquired was it being done two years ago; with Ms. Johns responding affirmatively. Mr. Jenkins inquired why has the cost increased; with Ms. Johns responding the overall number the County is naming or renaming is staying constant, but the number they have to survey for has increased. Ms. Johns stated sometimes there are more people per street, but there are more streets being renamed or need to be surveyed than there were previously. Commissioner Cook requested staff provide a breakdown to the Board; and Mr. Jenkins advised staff will provide a report documenting how staff calculates the cost.

Commissioner O?Brien inquired do all Code Enforcement officers report to Viera first at 8:00 a.m.; with Mr. Osborne responding affirmatively. Commissioner O?Brien inquired would it be appropriate for an officer who resides in Titusville to not report to Viera and go ahead to his first case. Code Enforcement Director Bobby Bowen responded the officers are currently leaving their vehicles either at Viera, depending on the District they work in, or the closest County facility; they schedule their work every day; and if they have a particular appointment or place to go to in the early morning, they will get in their vehicles at the County facility and drive directly to that appointment without coming into the office first.

Mr. Jenkins stated the County has a procedure in place where it looks at the cost effectiveness of an employee taking the car either home or to a drop-off point, such as the Merritt Island Service Complex; if it is financially in the County?s best interest, it allows the employee to do that; it has criteria that have to be complied with; and then the County does it on a case-by-case basis. He advised cost and service response are the driving considerations.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Budget Analyst Dennis Rogero stated the Growth Management Department comprises two programs, the Planning and Zoning Implementation Program and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); the FY 1998-99 preliminary budget reflects an increase of over $423,000 or 22.31%; the Planning and Zoning Implementation Program indicates revenue increases of $232,298 due to a stronger local building market, impact fee administration operations, and a projected increase in the site plan and subdivision review fees; and these funding increases are offset somewhat by a program change request, decreasing the General Fund by $14,000 for the transfer of Capital Improvement Projects administration to the Budget Office. He noted the site plan increase request and the CIP Program transfer constitute the program changes in Planning and Zoning. Mr. Rogero stated the MPO Program requests a revenue increase of $191,383 primarily due to grant and State funding to update the long-range transportation plan; and there are no program changes.

Commissioner Scarborough inquired when reviewing the MPO budget, is it the County?s money or MPO money and the County?s money together; with Mr. Jenkins responding it is all federal money. Ms. Wall advised it has a local match also from the Local Option Gas Tax.

Budget Analyst Shai Francis stated the Housing and Human Services Department?s preliminary budget has a decrease of 5.5% from the current fiscal year. She noted Family and Children Services Program is 98% funded by General Fund; and currently, the Vietnam Veterans Transitional Living Facility is still listed as an unfunded program change.

Commissioner O?Brien suggested the Vietnam Veterans Transitional Living Facility item be added to the County?s Legislative Package to see if funding is available from Tallahassee.

Motion by Commissioner O?Brien, seconded by Commissioner Cook, to direct the County Manager to add request for funding for the Vietnam Veterans Transitional Living Facility to the Legislative Package, and contact County Lobbyist Guy Spearman. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Ms. Francis stated the Medical Examiner?s Office has a reduction of 3.82% due to the decrease in internal support.

Commissioner Cook stated he was on the Selection Committee for a new Medical Examiner; despite knowing what the previous Medical Examiner received and what the budget was that the Committee was prepared to give, the new Medical Examiner came in significantly under that in terms of contracting with the County; and the new Medical Examiner has kept his budget in line.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Ms. Francis stated Country Acres staff has identified a funding source for the group replacement for Country Acres Parental Homes; and $40,000 is from Facilities Management and $10,000 is from Country Acres.

Commissioner Cook inquired is there any other funding source or would requesting additional funding from other sources be a worthy endeavor.

Housing and Human Services Director Bernice Jackson stated it was included in the Legislative Package for last year; with Chairman Voltz responding the County can put it in the Package again. Commissioner Higgs stated the County may want to look at investigation of a contract with a grants specialist to go after foundation money for this; it might be a good investment; the County invested in marketing year before last with golf courses; and perhaps it needs to invest some money to go after private foundation money for Country Acres. Commissioner O?Brien stated Brevard County has done the right thing by creating Country Acres; and there are other counties that have not done this at all.

Warren Bennett, representing Country Acres, stated the Country Acres Advisory Board met Monday; one of the things that was discussed was funding issues and the grant specialist; and they are looking to see if someone would be willing to do it through their contacts with Parrish Medical Center, Wuesthoff Hospital, and Health First. He noted it is getting more difficult for solely private enterprises to run shelters; Hacienda Girls Ranch is no longer under private ownership and has been transferred to Children?s Home Society with a life expectancy of a minimum of two years before it has the right under the transfer to decide not to continue to fund it as its current operation.

Commissioner O?Brien requested the County Manager contact Wuesthoff, Parrish and Health First Hospitals to see if they would be interested in taking over the day-to-day operations of it. Commissioner Cook inquired what is the individual cost per child at Country Acres compared to other similar agencies; with Mr. Bennett responding the cost for the Children?s Home Society six-bed shelter several years ago that they closed was approximately $107 a day and Country Acres runs a little bit under that.

Ms. Francis stated the Housing and Community Development Program has a total reduction of 7.35% which is due to a lower estimate of grant revenue and grant carry forward for the next fiscal year, as well as the deletion of one full-time position and the transfer of one full-time position. She stated Veterans Service Office is funded 100% by the General Fund; the 3.85% increase is due to the health insurance and merit increases approved for the current fiscal year.

Chairman Voltz inquired does the County get any federal funds to do it; with Mr. Jenkins responding it is a County function and always has been. Commissioner O?Brien requested a breakdown of the cost per request and percentage of clients assisted in the years 1996-1998.

The meeting recessed at 2:35 p.m. and reconvened at 2:50 p.m.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Budget Analyst Neil Boynton stated the preliminary budget for Office of Human Resources has an increase of 4.42%; personnel services and employment and compensation programs which are funded by the General Fund increased less than 1%; the Risk Management Program has an increase of 4.48% due to increases in self-insurance charges, claims paid, and related reserves, especially in the health insurance fund; and there are no significant changes anticipated in the operations of the office for 1998-1999.

Commissioner Cook noted there is no increase in the operational budget and the increase is due to insurance.

Human Resources Director Frank Abbate stated it is a decrease in the personnel side and a slight increase in the Risk Management side. Commissioner Higgs noted she thought Aetna was going to go up 6% this year, and inquired how does the County get to the 9.88%. Mr. Abbate responded last year there was an 18% increase in the PPO; it was an unfunded increase it utilized; it drew down on reserves to pay for that last year; and it has the 18% it is paying in addition to this.

Budget Analyst Dennis Rogero stated the Information/Communications Systems Department is comprised of Applications, Cable Television Administration, Client Server and Communications Systems Programs; the Applications Program has a status quo budget and there are no program changes; the Cable Television Administration Program has a slight increase in the General Fund to support approved merit increases in this fiscal year; and the Client Server Program indicates a reduction of nearly $694,000 or 32.61% due primarily to the reductions in balance forward associated with capital equipment purchases in the current fiscal year and the transfer of two full-time positions and one part-time position to the Applications Program.

Commissioner O?Brien referred staff to Page 12.5 and commended the Information/Communications Systems Department on performance measurements and bringing the costs down.

Mr. Rogero stated the Information/Communications Systems Department is requesting a decrease in funding of $636,734 or 11.45% due mainly to reductions in balance forward; and there are a number of funded program changes, including the development of a geo-mapping data base and installation of T-1 circuits in various locations.

Commissioner O?Brien inquired about the internal phone system; with Mr. Jenkins responding the County has the most cost-effective phone system it can have. Information/Communications System Director Gino Butto responded it is not only the phone system that is driving on this, and each one of the facilities has its own phone system. Commissioner O?Brien inquired how many phones does the County have; with Mr. Butto responding 3,000. Commissioner O?Brien inquired could the County go to BellSouth and ask it to issue 3,000 phone numbers; with Mr. Butto responding that is what the County did initially and had the block that allows it to stay with the numbering plan it has right now.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Joe Lamers, representing Information/Communications Systems Department, stated they were allocated when the system was initially installed 7? years ago; the County was given a block of 5,000 numbers; and it has a limited number of direct in-dial and out-dial numbers.

Commissioner Cook inquired how much is the cost to go to the five-digits; with Mr. Lamers responding $17,000 for the additional equipment and software reprogramming that has to go in the switch to handle that.

Discussion ensued concerning automatic call directory assistance, additional charges, new lines, fax machines, modems, transfer capability, conference calls, programming switches, maintenance cost, operating expenses, enhanced geo-mapping data base, cellular phones, overlay grids, and 911 surcharge.

Mr. Jenkins stated the Law Library has reduced its budget; and the County is going to pick up the bookkeeping function. Ms. Wall stated the Law Library has eliminated a part-time position.

Commissioner Scarborough inquired is the Law Library open in the evenings or weekends for the public; with Law Library Director Susan Szymula responding negatively as the hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Commissioner O?Brien inquired what is the attendance at the Law Library per month; with Ms. Szymula responding approximately 8,000. Commissioner O?Brien inquired what is the public library attendance per month; with Library Services representative Kathy Schweinsberg responding it is approximately 20,000 at Cocoa Beach Library. Commissioner Scarborough inquired is the Law Library doing the library lending as it is done in the public libraries; with Ms. Szymula responding negatively. Commissioner Scarborough requested Ms. Szymula review it; stated the County is funding it with General Revenue funds; the Law Library needs to consider making those books available through the whole library system; the Law Library Board is made up of attorneys; and perhaps the County Library Board needs to appoint one of its members to sit on the Law Library Board. Ms. Szymula stated the setup of the Law Library Board is from the Legislation that established such Board. Library Services Director Kathryn Stewart stated they will work with Ms. Szymula concerning the Legislation. Ms. Stewart stated many of the books are reference books and have to be kept at the Law Library; those that are for the general public, the public library has them, and Ms. Szymula can call and they can get them for her. Commissioner Scarborough stated if the books are at the public library, then there is not a problem.

Budget Analyst Shai Francis stated overall the Library Services Department?s budget has a decrease of 3.8%; the Department is proposing no tax increase for the coming fiscal year; and the preliminary

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

budget does not reflect the most recent personnel change which was approved by the Board on July 7, 1998 for two director?s positions at Suntree/Viera and Mims/Scottsmoor Libraries and one librarian position for Palm Bay Public Library. She advised due to the approval of such positions, Library Services is able to eliminate five funded program change requests related to part-time positions at Suntree/Viera, Mims/Scottsmoor and Palm Bay Public Libraries for next fiscal year.

Commissioner Cook noted the Library Services Department is eliminating part-time positions; with Mr. Jenkins responding it is because the County is adding a full-time position.

Budget Analyst Shai Francis stated overall the preliminary budget for Parks and Recreation Department reflects a decrease of 3.78% mainly due to the increase in estimated grant revenue for the EELS Program; the Department is recommending a tax increase for Recreation District 1 MSTU to provide funding for the operation and maintenance costs at Corto Road Community Center and athletic fields at the Off-Road Vehicle Park; and the preliminary budget also reflects a decrease in General Fund Support and includes proposed fee increases in North, Central and South areas to provide funding for several funded program changes.

Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Nelson stated the Department revised some fees in 1996; and most of them were new facilities that had not had fees established for them.

Chairman Voltz inquired if Mr. Nelson is referring to rentals; with Mr. Nelson responding affirmatively.

Discussion proceeded concerning user fees, capital expenses, children?s programs, operating expenses, day care programs, new parks coming on line, and the EELS Program.

Budget Analyst Dennis Rogero stated the Road and Bridge Program includes a $51,884 reduction to transfer a position; various capital equipment purchases include a $250,000 proposed increase in inspection fees; and this is not included as a part of the summary, but if it is implemented, there would be a total General Fund reduction of over $570,000. He noted Traffic Engineering includes two program changes, the aforementioned transfer from the Road and Bridge Program of $51,884 and an MPO offset payment for the Traffic Analysis Program. He stated Road Construction includes two program changes totaling $24,000 from the Local Option Gas Tax.

Public Works Director Henry Minneboo stated the residential lot drainage fees are $25; staff is recommending the fees be increased to $85; and the County is going to have significant sizeable charges for the work BellSouth does within the public right-of-way. He stated another fee increase would be in commercial driveways; the County will not be in line with DOT, but its minimum cost is $250 and runs up to $4,000; and staff is looking at $465.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Mr. Rogero stated Surface Water Management includes one program change request totaling approximately $16,000 for the purchase of a monitoring program; it will be funded from Surface Water assessments; and Building Services has a status quo budget and no program change is requested.

Commissioner Scarborough requested Public Works Director Henry Minneboo comment on the reduction for Road and Bridge District 1, the trade off of the North Brevard MSTU park increase and delay of dirt road paving. Mr. Minneboo responded there is a sizeable Road and Bridge District 1 MSTU in North Brevard and it does a great job; and the County could decrease the MSTU and compensate for parks and recreation. Commissioner Higgs stated there is a lot of balance forward in the District 1 MSTU; with Mr. Minneboo responding there are projects presently that have not been completed yet. Commissioner Higgs stated the funds will be expended in the next fiscal year, so the ability to go any further than $100,000 is not there; with Mr. Minneboo responding the $100,000 should not be a problem, but going over $100,000 would be a significant impact. Commissioner Scarborough inquired if it is all right to reduce the millage on the Road and Bridge District 1 MSTU; with Mr. Minneboo responding affirmatively.

Mr. Rogero advised there are no program changes for Engineering Services.

Budget Director Kathy Wall stated the Office of Tourism Development is basically a status quo budget.

Discussion ensued regarding overhead costs, administrative costs, how they are being paid, and fair allocation to the General Fund.

Commissioner Higgs stated the County needs to look at the allocation of appropriate overhead costs based on a realistic figure for the TDC. Commissioner Cook stated he wants to make sure it is within the language of the original referendum.

Budget Director Kathy Wall stated the Solid Waste Management Department has two programs; the Solid Waste Disposal Program has three program changes; and the most significant program change is the reduction of the Solid Waste Disposal by $3.00. She noted the Solid Waste Collection and Recycling Program includes a funded program change which reduces the collection assessment by 4% which equates to approximately $4.05 reduction for residential properties within Brevard County.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Commissioner O?Brien stated Western Waste came before the Board at one of its meetings with a graph showing a reduced cost from $111 per household to $97; and inquired has the $13 reduction been handed back to the homeowners.

Solid Waste Management Director Richard Rabon stated there are two things impacting the budget that will not allow that; the County lost $500,000 in recycling revenue this year; to get back to square one, it has to make up that revenue from somewhere; and that is why the entire amount is not going back to the customer. He noted it is a State requirement to recycle and it is still a law; Brevard County must do it; there are interlocal agreements with the cities also; and there is a contract with the haulers.

Commissioner O?Brien inquired is the State paying the County to do recycling; with Mr. Rabon responding it has provided grants which initially were approximately $750,000, and with the $500,000 reduction, it is approximately $250,000. Mr. Rabon stated it never amounted to a majority of the money; the Program is costing the County $21 per home per year; the assessment was $15; and $6 came from grant revenue and whatever the County received from the sale of the materials.

Discussion continued concerning recycling newspaper, aluminum, plastic and glass, landfills, cost per ton basis versus disposal, State requirements, loss of natural resources, waste contractors, impact to the average household, recycling revenue, reserves, and unfunded mandates by the State.

Chairman Voltz stated the County needs to work with the State and advise it needs to continue funding this if it wants Brevard County to do it.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to approve a reduction of 5% or $5.07 to the County Residential Collection/Recycling Assessment. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Mr. Rabon stated staff will put the 5% reduction in the rate resolution which will come back to the Board on August 25, 1998.

Budget Director Kathy Wall stated Transit Services has a status quo budget; and there is one program change to change a temporary part-time payroll clerk to permanent part-time.

Ms. Wall stated the Brevard Cultural Alliance budget reflects the current service level funding that the General Fund has been providing; the Agency has two unfunded program changes; and it is requesting $25,000 for Art in Public Places and $25,000 for County Unity Cultural Grants Program.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)

Kay Burke, representing Brevard Cultural Alliance, stated in 1997, estimated revenue from all sources of the Brevard County arts industry, private non-profit groups, is $5 million; and that comes from State and local grants, private contributions, and Harley Davidson motorcycle efforts. She stated the non-profit arts organizations added more than $14,000 in State income taxes that can be used to build schools and develop innovative educational programs for Florida?s youth; the impact to the non-profit arts industry employment expenditures in Brevard County in 1997 approached $400,000 and supplied over 110 full and part-time jobs; more than 1,500 volunteers worked to support the non-profit arts industry; and for every dollar of investment in the non-profits arts industry, $3.00 in income in generated by the industry within the Brevard County community. Ms. Burke stated overall the economic impact to the non-profit arts industry in Brevard County based on total expenditures is $11 million; and when private and non-profit arts industries and cultural agencies expenditures are analyzed, the total economic impact of the arts industry in Brevard County exceeds $32 million annually.

Al Pennell, Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District Manager, stated when the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District?s budget was prepared for this year it was done during the transition between the previous Manager and himself; it has come to his attention that last year the District?s staff made a commitment that the 10% increase would be a one-time request; he was of the understanding it would be for a three-year program; and pending his board?s approval of his recommendation, they are going to withdrawn the 7%. He noted he discussed it with St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD).

Commissioner O?Brien stated last year the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) doubled its rates; and inquired is the Board interested in sending a letter to the District requesting it not raise the rate again and go back to its original rate. He inquired if the Board would also be interested in sending a letter to SJRWMD stating it does not concur with the District raising its taxes. Commissioner Higgs expressed concern with the County having to advertise it and putting it on the agenda as the Board has a lot to do with its own budget.

Commissioner Higgs inquired is Melbourne-Tillman receiving funds from SJRWMD committed to the project; with Mr. Pennell responding affirmatively.

Commissioner Higgs stated the County may get some savings if it looked at a program that instead of giving employees a salary increase, it came up with a proportional program to allow for annual leave or a reduction of work week, such as an hour reduction in the work week or so many days annual leave rather than perhaps a 2 1/2% salary increase. She noted it does not cost the County any more money; and for some employees it might be a real value because they need some additional time.

DISCUSSION, RE: ANNUAL LEAVE (CONTINUED)

Mr. Jenkins stated the time would have to be used during the 12 months they earned it. Commissioner Higgs stated it would be totally optional and nobody would be forced to take it; and there may be employees who would want that.

Commissioner O?Brien stated it would create havoc in some departments, create a record-keeping nightmare, and open the door for abuse. Commissioner Cook expressed concern with the productivity. Commissioner Higgs stated she sees it as a family friendly alternative. Commissioner Scarborough stated if he is an employee and it is just another option for him to choose from, he does not have a problem with having another option there.

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, to move the option of having additional annual leave time or a salary increase. Motion died for lack of a second.

Motion by Commissioner O?Brien, seconded by Commissioner Cook, to eliminate the County?s funding of $100,000 for East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioners Scarborough and Higgs voted nay.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner O?Brien, to reallocate proposed Parks and Recreation fee increases in the North Area Parks Operation program to the operation and maintenance of the two newly constructed recreation facilities in the amount of $45,000; Parks and Recreation Department will allocate an additional $50,000; and direct the County Manager to try to find an additional $50,000. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

ATTEST: _________________________________

HELEN VOLTZ, CHAIRMAN

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

_________________________

SANDY CRAWFORD, CLERK

(S E A L)