The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on July 30, 1996, at 9:35 a.m. in the Government Center, Florida Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, Florida. Present were: Chairman Mark Cook, Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Randy O?Brien, Nancy Higgs, and Scott Ellis, County Manager Tom Jenkins, and County Attorney Scott Knox.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997

Economic Development of East Central Florida
Chas Hoyman, Marilyn Waters, and Gil Russell, representing Economic Development of East Central Florida, gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997.

The Board discussed a comprehensive County economic profile, demographic areas, creation of new jobs, the Census Bureau, industrial outreaches, manufacturing technical jobs in Brevard County, competing on the international scale, cash forward, investment in the future, ad valorem rebates, abolition of impact fees, tax abatement, average wages, limited resources, targeting efforts, community needs, and restructuring occupational license fees.

The Board requested the Economic Development Commission target more emphasis on local businesses and coordination with Greg Lugar?s office.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner O?Brien, to direct the County Manager to review restructuring Greg Lugar?s activities to become more integrated as a part of the EDC and have that shifted out of the County operation, and look at restructuring occupational licenses. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioner Ellis voted nay.

The meeting recessed at 10:35 a.m.

The meeting reconvened at 10:55 a.m.

Parks and Recreation Department
Jack Masson, Parks and Recreation Department, gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997.

The Board discussed marketing budgets, revenues on golf course rounds, operating costs, capital improvements, marketing strategies, joint use agreement with the School Board and use of school facilities, recreational needs, and park improvements.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner O?Brien, to approve expending $50,000 on marketing and adding $50,000 to revenue for golf course operations in Parks and Recreation Department. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

The Board directed staff to look at alternatives for mowing soccer, football, and Little League fields, including assistance from the School Board, municipalities and volunteer support.

The Board directed the Parks and Recreation Department staff to look at their individual budgets and find $13,000 for capital improvements.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner O?Brien, to direct the County Manager to look at the possibility of repairing the leaky roofs as a capital improvement with commercial paper or some other means of financing, and bring it back to the Board. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioner Ellis voted nay.

Public Works Department
Mike Miller, Public Works Department, gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997.

Budget Analyst Neil Boynton explained calculation of effect retention or elimination of Bond Reserve Sales Tax Bonds, Series 1994.

The Board discussed MSTU districts, general fund, drainage ditches, Road and Bridge, canals, capital outlay, drainage and road projects, capital reserve, and surety insurance.

The meeting recessed at 12:10 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 1:15 p.m.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Cook, to approve substituting the surety insurance for $2 million and having subsequent discussion on how to make park improvements with that balance. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioner Ellis voted nay.

Mosquito Control Department
Mosquito Control Director Jim Hunt gave his budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997.

The Board discussed expenses per year on the mosquito impoundment purchasing program, reduced budget for Mosquito Control Department, reviewing the County?s purchase of over $1 million in cars and trucks year to date, and lease versus purchase.

Court Alternatives Department
Court Alternatives Director Pat Bean gave her budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997.

The Board discussed the use of volunteers, operating expenses, clients served, Pre-trial Diversion, misdemeanor and probation, rehabilitation, general fund transfers, and compensation and benefits.

The Board directed Court Alternatives Department to provide information on how many clients it serves, including a breakdown of the users involved with alcohol, marijuana, and all other drugs; a breakdown of the numbers and what is driving the increase in operating expenses for next year, including Pre-trial Diversion; and a line item analysis.

The Board directed the County Manager to provide each Commissioner with the list of all the job reclassifications and new positions.

Growth Management Department
Growth Management Director Sue Hann gave her budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997.

The Board discussed bikepaths and pedways, FDOT and gas tax funds, bicycle safety, computers and GIS, zoning fees, notification to property owners, and advertising costs.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner O?Brien, to authorize the Chairman to meet with Benjamin Watts of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding equitable distribution of transportation funds. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 2:50 p.m.

Office of Natural Resources Management
Stephen Peffer, Assistant to the County Manager, gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997 for the Office of Natural Resources.

The Board discussed environmental permitting, operating expenses, general revenue requests, GIS, St. Johns River Water Management District, and fee increases.

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to approve travel for Commissioner O?Brien to address a Senate Subcommittee in Washington at the end of August, 1996 concerning funding for the beaches. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES

Office of Tourism Development
Budget Director Kathy Wall gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997 for the Office of Tourism Development.

The Board discussed the Marlins Stadium, TDC monies, general revenue, and the tourist industry.

Titusville Airport Authority
Budget Director Kathy Wall gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997 for Titusville Airport Authority.

The Board expressed its appreciation to Titusville Airport Authority for its efforts.

State Attorney
Budget Analyst Neil Boynton gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997 for the State Attorney.

The Board discussed increase in the amount of general revenue, Witness Coordination Program, and compensation.

Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District
Budget Analyst Neil Boynton gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997 for Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District.

Gary Garrison, Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, summarized the user fees for residential, commercial, and agricultural properties.

The Board discussed billing units, 2% increase, additional employees, canals, June Park, and capital expenditures for next year.

The Board requested Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District to provide a breakdown on the billings units and dollar amounts, and any other information the District will be handing out at the meeting on August 21, 1996, prior to such meeting; and what would be accomplished with a 2% increase as opposed to a 5% increase.

Public Defender
The Board expressed its appreciation to the Public Defender for his efforts in cutting his budget request dramatically.

Property Appraiser
Budget Analyst Neil Boynton gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997 for the Property Appraiser.

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to direct staff to bring the Property Appraiser?s budget to the Board earlier next year so that the opportunity to protest it before it gets to the Department of Revenue is preserved. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

The Board directed the County Manager to review all travel costs for Constitutional Officers and County Departments.

Tax Collector
Budget Analyst Neil Boynton gave a budget presentation to the Board for Fiscal Year 1997 for the Tax Collector.

The Board discussed the return of excess fees.

DISCUSSION, RE: FY 1997 BUDGET ISSUES

The Board discussed the law library, reducing budgets, court administration, tax bills, operating expenses, salaries, court facilities filing fees, administrative costs, capital reserve, general fund, allocation of resources, judicial functions, and the budgetary process.

DISCUSSION, RE: MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

The Board directed staff to schedule the Court Administration budget on the agenda for August 1, 1996 and provide the costs for County newsletters.

The Board discussed child care centers, salary increases for employees, PPO insurance plan, Solid Waste enterprise funds, reserves, and vacant positions.

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

MARK COOK, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

ATTEST:
SANDY CRAWFORD, CLERK
(S E A L)