MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

 

August 14, 2008

 

 

 

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on August 14, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in the Brevard County Government Center Florida Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida.  Present were:  Chairman Truman Scarborough, Commissioners Chuck Nelson, Helen Voltz, Mary Bolin, and Jackie Colon, County Manager Peggy Busacca, and Deputy County Attorney Shannon Wilson.

 

 

Commissioner Bolin advised her husband Bob is doing well and recovering.

Commissioner Colon stated she attended an event this weekend for the veterans; the Association did an incredible job; the Board is always so grateful for the job the veterans do; and the event was mostly to honor the veterans that are coming back from Iraq.  She thanked all of the organizations that made the event possible.

 

 

Chairman Scarborough stated the Board needs to get a report on mosquitoes; it is one of the worst years; and there needs to be a fuller discussion.

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Bolin, to approve changing the beginning time of the September 4, 2008 Zoning Meeting to 4:00 p.m. to allow regular items to be added to the Agenda for discussion.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Bolin, to direct the Utility Services Director to provide a report to the Board regarding the City of Cocoa increasing its water rates by 15 percent, and exploring to what extent its Enterprise Water Fund may subsidize its bottom line general revenue.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

Chairman Scarborough stated an event was held last night in Titusville; Bill Parsons, Congressman Tom Feeney, Steve Kolar, Marshall Heard, and Frank DiBello were present; the level of the questions and the comments was wonderful; and the County co-sponsored the event.  He noted it was public questions; and they were related to the Space Program;

 

 

Commissioner Colon advised that Governor Charlie Crist was in town this week.

 

 

Commissioner Nelson stated it was his pleasure to attend the press conference at Brevard Community College at the Planetarium, with the announcement of the cooperation between the Air Force; and it has been a long time coming.

 

Chairman Scarborough advised that is fantastic.

 

 

Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to authorize the Chairman to execute a Letter to Brigadier General Susan Helms thanking her for her assistance regarding licensing of Launch Complex 36 to Space Florida for infrastructure improvements, making Florida more competitive for commercial launches.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

Samuel Lopez introduced Sherman Jackson, Third Vice President of the United Third Bridge.

 

Sherman Jackson requested the Board’s support in memorializing one of the most significant moments in this continent’s history; stated in five short year’s, they are going to mark the 500^th Anniversary of the discovery of America, the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon; and it is urgent that Brevard County take its rightful place in the history of America.  He requested the Board call on its Governor, State representatives, Congressional Delegation, and Senators to bring to the attention of all Americans and the world the historical fact that it was not Columbus who discovered America, rather it was Ponce de Leon; and stated Ponce de Leon discovered America on the beaches of Melbourne in the heart of Brevard County.  He stated historians have recently revised earlier claims that Ponce de Leon and his crew actually first set foot near St. Augustine, and contrary to that long-held belief, the first landing, has now been established as being on Melbourne Beach.  Mr. Jackson requested the Board take up the torch to continue to assist him and his colleagues, who, for the past five years, have actively sought to mark this historic site by erecting a monument, a statute of Ponce de Leon, along with an information center to serve as an education vehicle and museum devoted to the discovery of America on the  beaches  of Melbourne in Brevard County; and urged the Board to take all measures to see

 

 

to it that the State of Florida and the United States Department of Interior join the Board and appropriate the land and the funds to complete a national monument and an information center dedicated to the discovery of America.

 

Motion by Commissioner Bolin, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to authorize Commissioner Bolin to travel to Washington, D.C. with Senator Mel Martinez to meet with the Department of Interior to bring attention to the approaching 500^th Anniversary of the landing of Ponce de Leon on Melbourne Beach.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

Janis Walters stated she is here to explain why there is no recommendation from the Valkaria Airport Advisory Board (VAAB) for the Valkaria Airport budget; there were some concerns about the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); the CIP includes three projects that are requesting FAA Airport Improvement Grant funds for the first time; and as she recalls, during the Master Plan approval process the Board had no particular wish for Valkaria to become an FAA obligated Airport.  She noted it is unnecessary because this Airport has no great profit motive and it is just meant to be self-sustaining and non-commercial; regardless of what is said, there are differences between the FAA Deed obligations, the FDOT Grant obligations, and the FAA Grant obligations; and these differences are acknowledged in various FAA orders and advisory circulars.  She stated there is no need for the Board to lose any measure of local control over the Airport and its direction in terms of development and use; the CIP also includes projects that were slated for second and third party development; it was her impression during the discussion that those second and third party development projects were removed by the Board during the approval process; however, the projects are still there, just slated for FAA, FDOT, and local funding instead. 

 

Ms. Walters noted that makes her suspect that somehow this Airport is tending toward commercial use because she cannot imagine a private party having the disposable income to rent a 3,600 square foot hangar for any length of time; another thing that concerned her personally was the fact that the Airport Manager is counting on revenue from the new hangar building as early as December 2008; however, ground has not even been broken yet.  She stated once those hangars are open, the Airport should not have an income generating problem; however, with this year’s budget, a concern is when is that new revenue from the hangar building going to kick in; and her approach would have been to be conservative.  She noted she remembers the Board authorized 20 nested T-hangars; she was surprised to learn very recently that the design has been changed for 18 T-hangars and two oversized hangars, which, in retrospect, well no wonder, it cost so much more than the original estimate; she was not aware at the time that the Board was informed that the building was going to cost more, that the design had been changed; and she is wondering if the Board was aware of that as well.

 

Curt Lorenc stated he appeared before the Board last year regarding the Airport budget; at that time he called for an audit and he thought there were many anomalies that needed to be audited  in  the budget; and once again, he believes Valkaria Airport needs an audit as this audit

 

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

has not been done.  He stated last year’s budget for the Airport never came before the VAAB for scrutiny; it was tabled; there was a vote by the Board to bring this budget back at the next meeting; this budget was never brought back; and staff is supposed to abide by what the VAAB wants to do.  He advised this year’s budget has a tremendous amount of lack of details; this year’s VAAB meeting regarding the budget, the Airport Manager spoke so softly that many people in the room could not hear what he was saying; he believes it was possibly an effort so that the people could not really hear what was in the budget or what was going on; and this type of tactic is not appropriate for government.  He stated when the Master Plan was approved, the Airport Manager said the County would be getting $150,000 each year from the FAA to make this budget and what he was proposing in the Master Plan feasible; it was Milo Zonka that did the accounting for this, who does not have a CPA to do public accounting; so the County has not seen that money from the FAA; and there have been two years, so there should be $300,000.  He noted everything in the Master Plan is subject to question; he does not believe the County can afford it; and there may have been misrepresentations made to the Board to pass the Master Plan.  Mr. Lorenc stated the County is not following the Master Plan; it is very disappointing to him; the County is in tough economic times; and on last year’s Airport budget, the spending for about $1,400 to go to a convention was never an item that was listed for last year’s spending.  He noted he believes it is excessive for the Airport Manager to be going an entire week to Palm Beach and to turn a bill in for $1,469; the five-year CIP was supposed to be brought back before the Board to decide on the projects; this has not been done; the Airport Manager has decided himself; and this is not the way the process was supposed to work.  He requested the Board reject the five-year CIP.

 

Gary Johnson stated so the public may have some perspective on County expenses, it would be helpful for each Department or Agency to provide the following information:  The percentage increase or decrease from last year’s budget figure; and to justify all increases, since the County is supposed to be cutting the budget, with a statement as to priority within the entire County budget.  He stated Brevard County ad valorem property taxes are still excessive; they need to be reduced to their previous realistic levels of 2004 plus three percent annual increases as the citizens had previously voted for; it is time for the Board to become responsible and come off of its out-of-control spending; and wake up to reality like everyone else has had to do.  He stated the citizens of Brevard County have to pay for it; they cannot afford it; he is tired of the monetary abuse; and excessive property value increases does not mean it should automatically cost considerably more to run a County government.  He noted golf courses need to be self-sustaining or sold; this is only an example; now it is time to pay the piper; and it is time to reduce the excessive spending on non-essential, nice to have projects, such as the Parks and Recreation Department empire continues to produce, and buying more swamp land for the EELS empire.  He stated it is time to develop a budget that the people of Brevard County can afford, developed according to appropriate priorities.

Assistant County Manager Stockton Whitten advised of the detailed listing of the positions that are being proposed to be eliminated for the FY 2008-2009 budget; the full-time equivalents equal  100.54  positions;  the  detail  is  provided  by  Departments; and  it  ranges  from  various

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

different position descriptions.  He stated 100 plus positions are proposed to be eliminated within the budget; the property tax revenue reductions, on the operating side the figure was about $15 million, with an additional $1.7 million on the debt service side; in total, on the property tax sheet, there is about $17 million in reductions; there is approximately $2 million to $3 million in State revenue losses; so combining the two figures, the County is right back at probably the $20 million or $21 million figure that the Board cut from the budget last year for the current fiscal year; and he does not know how that compares to the 2004 budget, but in looking in terms of the revenue, the County may be either at or below what the 2004 tax revenues were.

 

 

                        LEAD Brevard

Kristin Bakke, representing LEAD Brevard, stated she was here two weeks ago with LEAD Brevard’s Chairman Bino Campanini; they went through their presentation in support of their request; she shared with the Board a copy of the August issue of the Space Coast Business Magazine, which is a young professionals issue; and it showcases the importance and activities of all young professionals in Brevard County.  She stated LEAD Brevard considers young professionals of Brevard County under the LEAD Brevard flag, growing to be the voice of young professionals in the County, but LEAD Brevard certainly works in cooperation/collaboration with other young professional activities; and LEAD Brevard had a 50% reduction in its funding in the County’s last fiscal year.  She noted there was a recommendation for a 5% reduction this year; and LEAD Brevard’s request is to maintain the $50,000 at a flat funding.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated he does not know what else is going to be discussed at this time that is vital to make things work; and he would prefer not to make a decision yet.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated the County was tasked with making a running list of everything that was discussed as far as monetary changes, add-ons, or suggested decreases; at the end it will take an aerial shot of exactly all of the numbers; then look at what it has at the end; and she supports that.

Shelley Lauten, representing Myregion.org, stated she understands that budget decisions will not be made until September 2008.

 

Chairman Scarborough inquired what events does Myregion.org have planned for next year that is going to highlight the complexities of the issues in Brevard County.

 

Ms. Lauten stated Myregion.org is very excited about working with Leigh Holt on bringing together a Legislative forum for all nine counties to come together and get the State Legislators to start thinking about issues that matter most to everyone in the Region; and it is going to have a huge impact.

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Chairman Scarborough stated his vote, to some extent, will be dependent upon to the extent that an issue for Myregion.org next year includes programs it is going to promise Brevard County that will expose the greater region to the issues at Kennedy Space Center; and Myregion.org is more inclined to find him supporting such organization.

                        Baker Act Beds

County Manager Peggy Busacca stated there is $1 million in round numbers that staff has put into reserves that are recurring dollars for the Board to utilize in whatever manner it sees fit.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated she would like to take that money aside for Baker Act beds.

 

Amos Miller stated he went through the power point process in the earlier workshop.

 

Jim Whitaker stated the State of Florida has the Florida Mental Health Act; all 50 States and territories have to have a State Mental Health Act in order to take care of people who are dangerous to themselves or others due to their mental illness; Florida’s is called the Baker Act; and part of that Baker Act allows judges and police when they see people that are in danger to themselves or others to take them to the nearest receiving facility under the Baker Act that are licensed by the State so this person may be evaluated, treated as necessary, or referred to the most appropriate.  He noted Florida for a number of years had one of the better systems in the country; over time that has eroded; Circles of Care opened its Baker Act unit for the community in Melbourne in 1980; and it opened up with 28 beds.  He stated the population in Brevard County has almost tripled; there are still 28 beds; of those 28 beds, 21 of them are paid for by the State, and the County required match for Baker Act; and the State hospitals have reduced beds for those people that needed longer term care. 

 

Mr. Whitaker advised when Circles of Care cannot take those people, they back up in the streets, homeless shelters, and emergency rooms; the Brevard County Jail and other county jails are also taking care of the mentally ill and substance abusers in the State of Florida; the Jail has a little relief because the State has a law that says it has to take people who are mentally ill and incompetent to represent themselves or stand trial to a State hospital in 15 days; Circles of Care has land and would build a 20-bed SRT; and it would finance it at no cost to the County.  He stated it takes about $1.7 million of recurring costs to staff the unit; the County has asked the State for this for seven years; and so far it has received zero.  He noted if there is going to be any beginning of a solution for this community, he believes it is going to have to come from the community; Circles of Care is presenting that it would do these 20 beds; with one year, if this money was available, it could then commit to build; and bring these on line as soon as possible.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated she has asked all the hospitals to financially partner with Circles of Care to continue this funding for the increase in beds; Health First and Parrish Medical Center have agreed to do so; if the County gives Circles of Care $1 million, she believes those two hospitals will financially support Circles of Care with the Baker Act beds.

 

Bill Ellis, representing Health First, stated Health First will clearly participate in a funding scheme  or  mechanism; everyone  needs  to  come  together to discuss the mechanics of it and

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

what would be a reasonable split for it; and Health First is on record as supporting it and being a participant in it, but without getting into a specific dollar amount. 

 

Mr. Miller stated it would be interesting to see numbers to understand how it is going to impact all the hospitals; inquired what if State funding does not materialize, what would happen; noted people read every day about the revenue shortfalls and budget challenges; and he is concerned if they are going to fund something that may not have matching funds.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated they are not looking at doing the extra funding; they are looking at the $1 million that the County has, and then the other two hospitals for participation; and if more money comes in then Circles of Care would do something.

 

Mr. Whitaker stated the County could either reduce this or add other services that was felt needed; Circles of Care would build, at no cost to the County or the hospitals, the facility, 20-beds, of which it is asking funding for 16 of those 20 beds; and that is outlined, which is $300 a day times 16 beds, 365 days, which is approximately $1.7 million.  He noted it is complicated; and he tried to bring back a simple, what could be done hopefully within a year, to put a face on this and start dealing with it as a basis for long-term solution.

 

Commissioner Bolin inquired has the Commission on Mental Health reviewed the proposal that Mr. Whitaker is presenting to the Board today; with Mr. Whitaker responding for six years.  Commissioner Bolin stated this is way beyond, in her opinion, anywhere close to being settled to make a decision on; there is a lot of work to be done on this; she does not have numbers either; and regarding the $1 million, there are about 20 agencies taking a bite out of that. 

 

Ms. Busacca stated there is $1 million for the Board to use as it wishes; and it could be utilized for this issue.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated she would like the $1 million taken off the table; the $1 million is going to be sitting in the bank until the Board decides when it looks at the total view of what is needed to be funded, if it funds anything, or takes that $1 million and put it in the bank because it does not know what is going to come up tomorrow.  She noted this issue is something the Board needs to review in greater detail; it also needs to get the figures; and she is not going to make any commitment at this point in time of any money until it is sorted out to a greater degree.

 

Ms. Busacca advised the $1 million is in reserves, and it is undesignated.

 

Steve Cotton, Ph.D., representing Atlantic Psychiatry, stated for the last seven years they have been involved in providing the psychiatrist that covers Wuesthoff Hospital and the three Health First Hospitals; there is a real crisis as far as the Baker Act overwhelming the system; his concern is as there is discussion about funding a new building for Baker Act, which is very commendable, if Wuesthoff Hospital is pushed into a corner where that program is no longer viable, and they are forced to close; and he is afraid in responding to this crisis, that there is the potential to lose 17 beds that are working this moment.  He stated as the Board makes these choices and decisions, keeping those beds functioning is a real priority; and over time, to support Circles of Care and opening more beds is a very reasonable thing to do.

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Nelson stated his concern is Brevard County is taking on a State responsibility; the State has a lot of problems and the County has limited cash; there may be a solution out there, but he is uncomfortable right now with taking on that responsibility; and it is a crisis and there is a need; and inquired why is Brevard County fixing it.  He noted it is in a budget crunch; maybe losing 17 beds finally gets the State’s attention; he really does not know what it is going to take to get it to step up to the plate and take on what is its responsibility; and it is not a State mandate, but it is certainly turning out to be one because Brevard County is putting a lot of money into it.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated it is Brevard County’s community and its citizens that are sitting in there; if they are not sitting in there then they are sitting in Jail or out on the streets causing havoc; and to say it is purely a State’s responsibility she believes is shirking the County’s own responsibility for this.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated somebody is Baker Acted because they can harm others or themselves; he is talking about homicides and suicides; they are talking about dangerous situations and putting them in emergency rooms where other people who are not supposed to be at risk are going to be at risk; and if there is nobody else out there to help save the situation and Brevard County can save the situation and it is going to impact people in his community, he cannot walk away and say it is somebody else’s fault.  He stated he is reading from the State that it did not care when it had money; now it does not have money and it is going to say the heck with it and it is cutting other services; there is a failing system; and it is not going to get better.  He noted they are not bad people; they are people who need help; and he would like to continue the conversation and see how to get buy-in from all three Hospitals. 

 

Commissioner Colon stated when the State cuts, it affects everybody; there are 67 Counties throughout the State of Florida in the same exact shoes as Brevard County is in because the State is cutting; Brevard County has cut in-house and the demand of the community has increased; the County is very sympathetic to the citizens’ needs; and the Board demanded County Departments cut and to do without. 

 

Chairman Scarborough stated it appears that he and Commissioner Voltz would like to pursue the conversation, but he is getting an indication from three Commissioners that they do not see this as a viable discussion.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated in her opinion, to be able to say that the Board is going to fund it this year, in her mind is not going to happen; but she does not want it to be a dead issue because it started a foundation for a partnership that could possibly work in the future.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated the Board needs to look at what is important and what are its priorities; the County cannot put a Band-Aid on a problem; it has to try to solve the problem; and it is the Brevard County community and something the County needs to address. 

 

Chairman Scarborough requested Commissioner Nelson keep an open mind to see if something could evolve.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated certainly he would have an open mind about looking at some kind of  relationship; at  this  point  in  time he has not seen anything that makes him feel comfortable

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

that he would want to go in the direction the Board has talked about; but he believes there is some circumstance or relationship that could be developed; so it is not an absolute no, but he is frustrated with the State.  He advised this is a State responsibility; it has not stepped up; that troubles him; and Brevard County is getting the shaft from the State, and has been for years.  He stated the Board has some horrible choices to make; and that is what it is up against.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated the Board is extremely concerned about a shrinking budget; and he believes there is a unanimous consensus that Commissioner Voltz continue the discussions, which is good.

 

Dr. Gary Billings, representing Jeremiah’s Well Ministries, Inc., stated he deals with the homeless; he read an article in the newspaper about the possible closure of Wuesthoff Hospital’s mental health unit due to financial losses; sometimes he feels the homeless receive a bad rap; and not all of them are substance abusers, but many have true psychiatric diagnosis.  He stated the community and County need to lend its financial support so they do not lose this valuable service, such as Wuesthoff Hospital; everyone is concerned about this as it is an important issue; it is something that is not going away; and Wuesthoff Hospital is an asset, and something needs to be worked out.

 

Commissioner Voltz advised Health First and Parrish Medical Center continue to take patients.

 

Mr. Miller stated Wuesthoff Hospital in Rockledge is the primary provider of relief for the other acute care hospitals for Baker Act patients coming into Wuesthoff Hospital.

                        TRDA

Chester Shroud, Executive Director of Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA), stated he is present to talk about TRDA’s proposal for an aerospace entrepreneurship initiative; and presented copies of the overview to the Board.  He advised TRDA can and does work locally to aid Brevard County in addressing its local issues and external economic challenges; TRDA acts as a catalyst for technology-based education and economic development; in an evermore changing world, a more knowledge-based economy that is driven by innovation, entrepreneurship and technology, such a focus is certainly necessary; and TRDA’s programs are designed to put technology into the hands of teachers, promote clean renewal energy, bring the latest technology to local business, and help technology businesses grow.  He advised two specific programmatic efforts TRDA has underway are technology commercialization and business incubation; early stage technology-based businesses are often so narrowly focused on developing their product and perfecting their product that they often neglect the obvious, and that is without a marketable commodity and without a strong and sound plan, they never may become financially viable and therefore a successful business; TRDA has recognized this need and developed a series of commercialization initiatives that help these types of business through providing professional mentoring and technical assistance in two particular areas; TRDA is working with rurally-based clean energy businesses and NASA related and Department of Defense related companies that have received small business innovation research grants; and this is part of the federal R&D initiative.  Mr. Shroud stated TRDA’s goal, through both of these efforts, is to work to bring these companies beyond the R&D phase  and  to  commercial  viability  and  market  access; over  the  coming  12  months, TRDA

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

anticipates it will be working with upwards of 32 clean energy businesses and approximately 30 SBIR awardees; he mentions the two initiatives, commercialization and incubation, because of what they represent—the strengthening of the local economy; and TRDA believes that entrepreneurs, their innovations, and the companies they form can lead to a diversification of the local economy, while also making it more sustainable during uncertain economic times.  He stated the benefits of skilled entrepreneurship become extremely relevant to Brevard County in the light of the anticipated employment and economic impacts resulting from the termination of the Space Shuttle and the extended gap between it and the Constellation Program; the TRDA has a solution for the County that works in helping address these issues; the TRDA has proposed a two-part initiative to retain intellectual and professional capacity of the aerospace industry; and this initiative includes utilization of the Florida NASA Business Incubation Center in Titusville to provide entrepreneurial service to impacted workers, both on the government side from Kennedy Space Center, as well as on the private sector side coming from local contractors.  He stated TRDA has the experience in assisting entrepreneurs, aiding in business incubation, and bringing technology innovations to market; this experience, coupled with TRDA’s proposal, offers a unique opportunity to create economic prosperity for Brevard County over the coming months and subsequent years; with the Board’s support, financially as well as politically, TRDA will be successful; and at the same time, it will be investing in the future of Brevard County.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated the Board is still in the discussion mode; and expressed appreciation to Mr. Shroud.

 

            County Agencies

 

                        Transit Services

Sara Ann Conkling, representing Brevard Transportation Advocacy Coalition, introduced new member of the Coalition, Sally Draper.

 

Sally Draper requested the Board consider doubling the frequency of the Highway 1 Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) bus from every other hour to every hour, and extending the Highway 1 Route north to Highway 46 in Mims; it is becoming prohibitive for her to drive to work five days a week due to increased gas prices; she is also very involved in environmental issues and have been for many years; and she is interested in saving gas and lessening traffic congestion.

 

Sara Ann Conkling expressed appreciation to the Board for its hard work and considering the needs of the citizens; and thanked it on behalf of some specific people, including the people in Mims and Scottsmoor who are looking for jobs and will be able to use this Route 1 bus to go all over Brevard County to find work, Housing Enhancement for Lower Income People (HELP) who is very interested in partnering to connect the citizens of Melbourne and Scottsmoor to this Route 1 bus when it gets up to Mims, and the Veterans in the community who need to get to the VA Hospital.  She further expressed appreciation to the Board on behalf of everyone in Brevard County who works for a nonprofit agency who are having salary limitations this year; and stated with Brevard County increasing the frequency of this Route, it will enable those individuals to keep their jobs. 

                       

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Ms. Conkling thanked the Board on behalf of its own County workers; advised she has been riding the Route 1 bus for a month and a half; she has met a lot of people who work for the County; and they are all very nice.  She stated when this bus frequency is increased, more people will be able to take this bus to work here; and expressed appreciation to the Board on behalf of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) employees.  She stated KSC employees see this as a very important first step to connecting them to public transportation; and thanked the Board on behalf of 95,000 Brevardians living with disabilities who depend on public transportation to get to work, find work, and to do everything else they need to do in their lives.

 

Chairman Scarborough requested Transit Services Director James Liesenfelt put together a report on where these other collateral issues are in the system and how the County makes the system more useful; stated as the economy gets pressed and it becomes more expensive to drive, at what moment does a person who is coming from another part of the County decide they prefer not to drive and get on the bus and go to work; and Mr. Liesenfelt can put some things together.

 

Transit Services Director James Liesenfelt advised the Health Department will be opening up and people will be riding the same Route.

 

Chairman Scarborough suggested Mr. Liesenfelt contact Dan LaBlaugh with Delaware North, who has the concession where they take the buses for Kennedy Space Center tourists, and see if he is interested in creating not a subsidized, but a commercial bus system where there could be people park their cars perhaps at some place off the Center; it would be self-paying because a person may find it beneficial not to have to drive all the way out there; and such system could also be for North Courtenay Parkway and A1A.

 

Commissioner Nelson inquired what is the cost of reducing it down to an hour.  Mr. Liesenfelt responded it depends on fuel; there are two buses that operate on that route all day long; it would take two more buses to get it down to an hour; and the two buses operating for the whole year is about $400,000.  He noted of that $400,000, some federal funds can be used in the Titusville area; the County can draw about $50,000 in federal funds; and to do the extra routes, the County would need something around $350,000 locally, non-federally.  Commissioner Nelson inquired does it include the extension up to SR 46; with Mr. Liesenfelt responding negatively.  Mr. Liesenfelt stated staff could do the extension up to SR 46; and all it does is add on the run time, so instead of the bus spending two hours going from Titusville to Melbourne, it would spend two and a half hours or something like that.

 

County Manager Peggy Busacca inquired does that make it less usable for people going to work; with Mr. Liesenfelt it all depends on how the County does it.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated the Board can look at the big picture; and it needs to discuss the issue since transportation, gas cost, and jobs are all part of the evolving problems.  He inquired when Mr. Liesenfelt can provide the Board with a written report and do individual briefings with the Commissioners; with Mr. Liesenfelt responding next week.

 

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

 

Gerald Storrs, representing the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), stated the lifeguard service in Brevard County, particularly in Cocoa Beach, was strong in prior years; it has been weakened over the years; since the Beach Replenishment Program started, the ocean has become much more dangerous because of the different nature of the sand that was brought in; there is less than skeleton crew level for lifeguards presently; and he reviewed Chief William Farmer’s proposal for lifeguards.  He stated the core of it is the fulltime lifeguards; this is a barebones proposal to get anything like adequate safety on the beach; and the USLA is very strongly in favor of the proposal that Chief Farmer presented to the Board.

 

George Theriault stated on July 10, 2008, the City of Grant-Valkaria hosted a workshop for fire protection for rural residents without access to fire hydrants; the Florida Department of Forestry and Brevard County Fire Department talked about the options for residents living five miles from a fire station and more than 1,000 feet away from a fire hydrant; he checked his insurance company and it indicated he could save over $500.00 because of his house; and he was shown many other houses that could save thousands of dollars on their insurance bills if the hydrant was certified.  He noted it is very important that all of these hydrants are certified; in the early 70’s, the Micco Fire Department was moved from 11^th Street to the present day location at the entrance of the Independent District Barefoot Bay because of the fast burn rate of manufactured homes; and these wells and sources of water should be brought up to par and the homeowners should be notified of that fact so they can get a break on their insurances.  He stated Micco Park does not have sufficient pressure in its fire hydrants.

 

Chief William Farmer stated staff has reviewed the issue of water pressure in a lot of different areas and have gotten with Utilities on some ideas, but it is primarily a Utility issue; he spoke with Mr. Theriault this morning about his specific sites; he is going to give him some addresses; and the water, pressure, and main size is all a Utility thing.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:45 p.m. and reconvened at 2:00 p.m.

 

 

                        Parks and Recreation

 

Commissioner Nelson stated the County talks about fees in Parks and Recreation; it has been charging fees for years for various services; that is a standard way; and they are annually reviewed.  He noted when the Board gets into that process, that is just the normal process it goes through; it is not creating, in effect, new fees that have not been discussed; these are fees that the Board reviews to see if it is comparable with the market and providing a service; he does not want people when they see that Parks and Recreation is looking at fees to think that is just another way of getting back; and it is not, it is the annual process and it has always been done that way.

 

Parks and Recreation Director Don Lusk advised Parks and Recreation Department is tweaking the existing fees; it has done no new fees; and it is just looking at the market and where the Department can tweak to do that.

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Voltz inquired what did the County do with the BCA budget this year.  Mr. Lusk responded Parks and Recreation Department did the same cut for BCA as it did for the Department; it averaged about 13%; and his Department also cut BCA at 13%, which is $53,000 out of BCA’s $448,000 budget.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated there are a lot of seniors who would love to volunteer and help out with Parks and Recreation facilities; isolation leads to depression; the reason to exist and feel like one is needed is very important; while the County is able to save money and have a more viable park program, it is in fact giving seniors an opportunity to find reason for being; and if the Board could encourage Mr. Lusk to pursue those opportunities, it would be a win-win-win. 

 

A representative of Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) presented information to the Board, including the Economic Impact Study; stated the Board has a full five-year report of State and County government funding, plus the proposed cuts; the BCA was cut 13% by the Parks and Recreation Department and an entire program was eliminated, which totals 18%; the BCA is not a  government  agency; the  BCA  is  a  private non-profit organization; and this year, 11% of the

BCA’s budget comes from government funding.  She noted the figures the Board sees include cuts to all of the BCA’s programs this year; there are 26 organizations that depend on the Grant Program; the Grant Program to the groups would have to be affected this year, as well as the Art in Public Places; and the BCA will be even more effective with its money and even more efficient because it is doing less with more.  She presented a slide presentation to the Board on the BCA, including the arts, cultural groups, grants, various cultural events, Return On Investment (ROI), education and quality of life issues, partnerships with the Economic Development Council (EDC) and Brevard Public School Board, partnerships with various organizations; and Award of Excellence in Brevard County, which is becoming a model for the State.  She advised for every $1.00 of government support the BCA has, governments receives $8.50 back in tax revenue; arts, culture, and history are the foundation of the quality of life; these cuts are going to hinder BCA’s growth; it just wants the same cuts as everyone else; and the BCA will take it and will make it work.

 

 

            Fire Rescue (continued)

 

Chief Farmer stated his Department’s budget decreased approximately 7.4%, which is about a $6 million cut to the Department as a whole; and probably the three issues that are the most outstanding at this time are the discussion on First Responder, lifeguard enhancement, and the Titusville Rescue.  He stated regarding First Responder, approximately this time last year the Board asked staff to get with the users of the First Responder Program and look at its overall health and how it was handled; the end result of that meeting was staff stating it was a savings to the taxpayers and it was a useful and helpful Program, and the cities did not mind if the County also partook of the Program; and subsequent to that in presentation of this budget, the First Responder Program is in the budget at a $40,000 less amount than it was last year.  He noted the cities’ position on that remaining pot of money is that they would rather have 40% or 50% of that $1.3 million than zero percent of that $1.3 million; of that remaining money from the $40,000 reduction, if the Board so chose, the Brevard County Fire Rescue fire side of the house could partake of that money; and if it did, when the Board factored it in with its 21 engines, it is looking at about a 40% to 50% cut in what the rest of the cities would receive approximately.  He  advised  the Board does not have to make an immediate decision on the formula of the First

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Responders if it does not want to; and the actual First Responder Contract comes to the Board later in the fiscal year that the money is paid out in.

 

Ms. Busacca advised she has had several City Managers contact her, as they are in the midst of their budget development, asking what the Board’s decision is on First Responder; so while those Contracts do not come up, the City Managers are looking for some feedback from the Board as they develop their budgets.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated she agrees 100%; she has been approached also by many of the City Managers; they want to have an answer so that they can move forward on theirs; so yes, the County might not have to, but she believes it should; and she will go to the 50% this year, but next year, it is zero as she will not vote for it next year because she will compromise this year.

 

Commissioner Voltz advised last year she did not support it because of the fact that it seemed as though the cities were taking that money and spending it on salary increases for their employees; that was the big issue last year; she does not hear that this year at all; and she supports the First Responder Program, as it is a good Program.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated the County is providing a service; he lives in the unincorporated area so he pays the MSTU; he pays for his fire service through the MSTU; and he is getting that service, but he pays for it once and then the County taxes him through the General Fund, and gives money to the cities.  He noted he is paying for the cities to get the same service he is already paying for in the unincorporated area.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated the County has a Countywide ambulance service; that is why they get the First Responder money because they get there first, and then the County goes and finishes up the job; that is why they get the money; it is not just because the County is funding part of their fire department; and it is because they get on the scene first, they do all the prep work, and then the County’s ambulance gets there.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated in the unincorporated area the County does the same thing, except they are paying for it twice; he has already paid for it through his MSTU; he is paying for it through the General Fund; and a city only pays once, that is the difference.

 

Commissioner Voltz advised all of the cities are paying into the General Fund.  Commissioner Nelson stated that is correct, but they are not paying into the MSTU; and unincorporated areas are subsidizing cities.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated the cities are going to have to reduce by 50% this year; next year the County will see where it is; but in all likelihood, it probably just does at that point have to go away. 

 

Mr. Farmer stated the Board said it wanted First Responders to get to Advanced Life Support; this is definitely one of those government programs that work; it pulled it off heroically; so the Board can be proud of the First Responder Program.

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Motion by Commissioner Bolin, to reduce the General Fund transfer to Fire Rescue Department by approximately $541,000 to be placed in the General Government Reserves.

 

 

Commissioner Nelson stated that still does not solve the issue because the service is being provided by Brevard County Fire Rescue, which is not EMS; so they, in effect, earned it, but are not going to get it; so he is still paying and not getting it. 

 

Ms. Busacca inquired could the County reduce the MSTU; with Commissioner Nelson responding affirmatively, because they are the folks who actually have paid for it and earned the reduction.

 

Mr. Farmer stated the money comes from the General Fund, goes into EMS, and it is disbursed from there to the cities; and the Board can make the decision to either leave it there in reserves in that account or it can decide to put it to the MSTU and Fire, which would be a transfer, or it could go to the fire assessment; but that is Board policy.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated the Board could change the millage on the MSTU.  Commissioner Bolin stated the County could take the $541,000 and lower the aggregate millage.

 

Mr. Whitten stated if the Board is going to lower the MSTU by approximately $541,000 and give Fire Rescue Department those dollars, it is going to be a General Fund transfer to the Fire Operations budget; there is no General Fund transfer currently to the Fire Operations budget because it is a stand alone; and it will be a direct General Fund transfer to Mr. Farmer’s Fire Operations budget.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated last time the Board and staff were talking about issues that they did not come to an agreement on and said they needed to address some items later in the process; this seems to be one that there are a lot of deep feelings about; and this is one that they may want to put on that meeting to come back to.  He noted there are a lot of thoughts here; each Commissioner may want to digest where they can come together on this; and there are many moving parts.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated there may be some consensus on the fact that the Board wants to do something this year; and he has a concern with lowering the MSTU next year.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated Mr. Whitten and Chief Farmer can put options together, pros and cons, so the Board can review them; and they may want to touch base with each Commissioner’s office to see if there are some different perspectives that need to be added to the flow chart.

 

Chief Farmer stated the County has expanded the Lifeguard Program; it is doing well; but the County could spend $5 million on an enhancement program and still have drownings; and the two concepts do not go together.  He noted when he says the Program is going well, it is; now the Board is at a position of whether or not it wants to continue that level of funding into next year; in the proposed budget as it is now, initially that number was about $500,000; it asked him to continue carving it down; and it is at about $376,000.  He stated that is what is in the proposed budget now; that is going to give the County five  fulltime  lifeguards  and an additional

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

16, to a total of 26 seasonal towers during the peak season of the beach; and it is up to the Board whether it wants to continue that into next year.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated the County is talking about enhancing something that she is not getting a read from her citizens that they are in full agreement with; a survey done by Florida TODAY showed that out of 122, 63% said they do not want to enhance the Lifeguard Program; and inquired does the Board really have the taxpayers of Brevard County wanting the Board to do this enhancement.  She noted she is not saying she does not believe in lifeguards; she is talking about financial situation and can the County afford to do an enhancement; and do the taxpayers want the County to do an enhancement.

 

Commissioner Colon stated it is a very easy decision for her; she was really impressed with the fact that the County is using the same exact dollars that have already been allocated in the budget, and restructured it; what was really positive was to be able to do more with the same dollars; and one thing she has learned is that the Board is able to restructure anything it wants.  She noted Brevard County is starting to get the reputation of very unsafe beaches; that is not good for tourism, the hospitality industry, and those dollars coming to the community; and the County needs to look at the bigger picture.  She stated this was presented to her in the budget; the Board saw it in there and it is in there; and that is why she does not have a problem with it.

 

Commissioner Bolin inquired can the Board put on the ballot coming up a straw vote so the citizens of Brevard County can give it a heads up of yes or no that they want this; and stated if it is a yes, the County can immediately go in and do the enhancements.  She stated she does not feel comfortable with enhancements; she wants everything put in the bank account because the County does not know what is coming at it.

 

Assistant County Attorney Barbara Amman responded there may be; staff needs to check and see; there is an election coming up in August 2008; and staff will have to talk to the Supervisor of Elections to see if there is time to get the issue on the ballot and if it is within the time constraints of the rules.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated she believes it is September 1, 2008; and requested staff double check on the issue.

 

 

The meeting recessed at 3:15 p.m. and reconvened at 3:30 p.m.

 

 

*Deputy County Attorney Shannon Wilson’s absence was noted at this time, and Assistant County Attorney Barbara Amman’s presence was noted.

 

Commissioner Colon stated the credibility of the Board is very important; she would not support putting the issue on the ballot; the Board has made harder decisions than this one; and this decision should be one that the Board should be able to make. 

 

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Voltz stated it is the County’s responsibility to do public safety and transportation; those are its two big issues; it is all a matter of prioritizing, what are the needs to the community; lifeguards are a tremendous need as there is no dollar value one can put on life; and she supports the lifeguards and believes the Board should move forward with it.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated he supports the lifeguards too, but how does the Board put everything else together, and how does it weigh in with the other issues.

 

Commissioner Colon stated the Board needs to go through the process; if there was anything it learned last year it was to wait, put a list together, and see everything at the end; it would be premature for the Board to take any action until the end; there are many Departments that need to share the issues with the Board; and it needs to keep an open mind.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated the Board is going through the preliminary discussions; and it is going to have some hard decisions.

 

Chief Farmer advised currently in the budget there are 12 fulltime equivalent positions.  Commissioner Voltz inquired how much of that is increase; with Chief Farmer responding for this fiscal year it is $66,000, an increase of 12 lifeguards from two lifeguards, and there is a total of 14 lifeguards.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated Chairman Scarborough’s process is what the Board needs to do; and it needs to get the list and review it.  He stated staff did a good job of expanding the lifeguard coverage to a reasonable level; they covered the key areas; and the Board cares about its visitors and its citizens.

 

Chief Farmer stated regarding Titusville Rescue, this time last year the Board had two documents in front of it; one was his capital outlay and CIP; in that there was an additional Rescue for the City of Titusville; and the other document was an unfunded program for the seven persons he would need.  He noted the CIP and capital outlay were approved as the general CIP and capital outlay for the Department, but the people were not funded; his Union president has come to him and said that others were of the impression that it all was approved; and he wants the Board to know that there is no additional Titusville Rescue in place, and if the Board thought that had happened, it did not.

 

Chairman Scarborough inquired is the capital still there; with Chief Farmer responding affirmatively, but he has not bought it because he does not have the people; and if the Board wants to have an additional Titusville Rescue, then he needs roughly $611,000 out of that $1 million.  Chairman Scarborough stated the item will be added to the list.  Chief Farmer stated that is not General Fund money for the CIP and capital; the County was using impact fees; and it was one of the directions Commissioner Voltz gave staff last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

                        Human Resources

 

                                    Retiree Premiums

 

Insurance Director Gerard Visco stated the Board had tabled two decisions in the Health Insurance and Benefits Plan until completion of the retiree workshops and retiree town hall meetings; the resounding consensus is that retirees would prefer to see gradual increases to premium over time to help the County affect its goals to reduce the subsidy to the Retiree Premium Program, as opposed to making changes to the co-pay structure; there are three options; the first option is the 16.5% premium increase for retirees that was recommended by the Insurance Advisory Committee; and that number will allow the County not only to keep pace with medical trend, but give it the opportunity to begin to close the subsidy gap just slightly from the employer contribution level there is today to where it would like to see it start moving towards; the second option is at 11%, which will keep pace with medical inflation; and the subsidy issue does not get any better and does not get any worse.  He stated the third option is anything below 11%, it could be zero, it could be 10%; it really does not matter at that point; and all the County is doing is continuing to increase the employer subsidy for retiree premiums.

Commissioner Voltz stated sooner or later the Board is going to have to review the health insurance premiums; she saw the numbers; in five years, Brevard County is going to be spending $66 million on health insurance; and if one compares that to the County’s General Fund today, that is almost 25% of what the General Fund is today.  She noted that is a lot of money; the County can no longer continue to go down that road; it would be nice to give everybody 100%; but the Board has to bite the bullet and has to change the ship here because it is going down if it does not.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated he would support the 11%; next year, the new Board is going to get to deal with this issue again; and he believes the Board is going to be looking at double digits next year again.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated the truth of the matter is there is not just numbers; it is also the quality of the plan; some of these plans are terrible plans; Central Florida, the tourist industry, has the highest rate of uninsured fully-employed people without employer paid health care; and that is a disgrace.  He noted there is nothing wrong with having good health care for employees, directing it to wellness so the County does not have problems getting more profound, and early detection of illness; there is a mess in this world; and he is not ready to add to the mess through health care. 

 

Commissioner Colon stated what Commissioner Nelson is saying is the way to go; and the County retirees gave their all to the community.

 

Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to approve increasing the retiree insurance premiums by 11 percent.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.  

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Mr. Visco stated based on the wording of the prior motions, the Board has already approved that the County charge an unsubsidized premium to the working spouse; that is $522.00 a month; that is what he has on the books right now; and unless the Board gives him a different number, that is what he has to go forward with.  He noted the other numbers that have been discussed include $358.00 a month, which is in line with the School Board’s charge for employee plus a spouse or something of a more minimal nature, $100.00 a month surcharge, which staff believes would be sufficient to migrate people from the County’s health plan to their employer’s plan that are already subsidized; and staff does not really know how many people this will affect.

 

Mr. Visco stated the issue the County is trying to address is equity or parity between employers and which employer is subsidizing whose employee; and the surcharge would not affect those folks who do not have coverage options at all.

 

Motion by Commissioner Bolin, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to approve a working spouse surcharge of $100 for spouses of employees who have insurance through their employer, but prefer coverage under the County Insurance Plan as their primary carrier.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

                        Library Services

Mike Cunningham, representing South Mainland Library, stated past and future budget cuts mean significant consequences for libraries; vacant positions exist, and when libraries are short-staffed, employees are unable to obtain training necessary to provide continuously improving service; and requested the Board take this opportunity to challenge fellow citizens and political leaders to call for full funding of the public libraries.  He stated libraries are a guaranteed investment and requested the Board not short-change Florida’s future; the library statistics in Brevard County today will show for themselves a justification for sufficient funding; they are not coming here today with their hand out for dollars and money; they know what they need and they know the funding has to be found; and they know the importance of the library system.  He noted they are extending their hearts and souls of every Brevard County citizen to hold the course in this important area of the Board’s budgetary deliberations.

 

Library Services Director Catherine Schweinsberg advised the Library Services Department has made $2 million worth of cuts for next year’s budget.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated Talking Books is not included on the list.  Ms. Schweinsberg advised staff was able to reduce the operating expenditures and keep the Program as it exists today.  Commissioner Voltz inquired what is that figure; with Ms. Schweinsberg responding $107,395.00 was reduced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

                        Road and Bridge

 

Road and Bridge Maintenance and Construction Assistant Director Ed Gardulski stated mainly what the Road and Bridge Department is going to be prioritizing on is the drainage system for the next few years, as it has been deteriorating; the second priority is the Road Resurfacing Program, including pothole repairs; and the Department will also continue the landscaping projects.  He noted staff works with the MSTU that is available within each District; and they prioritize the list.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated she emailed Transportation Engineering Director John Denninghoff regarding the whole side of Babcock and Valkaria on the northeast corner collapsing.  Mr. Denninghoff responded staff is working on it.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated it is incredible how much is falling apart right now; he does not know what the reasons are; there has been flooding in certain areas of Merritt Island and huge pipe failures; he is not looking forward to the next couple of years as it is getting progressively worse; and the County has less ability to actually take care of it.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated the Road and Bridge Department is one Department that she is very concerned about; and she is concerned about cutting such Department to the point where it cannot really do the service it needs to do.

 

Transportation Engineering Director John Denninghoff stated the reason the County is having failing pipes is because of deferred maintenance that has occurred in the past; the concrete pipes are not failing; the metal pipes fatigue, corrode, and fail; and it does so usually in a relatively catastrophic fashion.  He noted it is difficult for staff to project what the expenses are going to be in the coming years; he cannot imagine that his Department will have enough funds to be able to replace everything it thinks is going to fail within the next five years or so; but it will do the best it can with it with the resources it has; and it has the manpower at its disposal to affect those repairs as long as it has the resources to purchase the materials.  He advised County staff is trying to go back with concrete pipe; it is resurfacing at less than half the rate that industry indicates it should to be able to preserve the County’s roads as well as it should; that is the condition it has; and it has been doing that for quite some time.  He stated staff has been using bond proceeds from the LOGT and has done a lot more resurfacing as a result of that effort; but when the bond money is gone, the resurfacing effort will go back to what staff is sustaining based on ad valorem taxes; the effort will decrease even lower; and that is a long-term problem, deferred maintenance.  He noted staff does the best it can with it; it tries to expend those resources in the most beneficial way possible; but for him to tell the Board that his Department can solve all of the problems with the resources it has, that would simply not be true.

 

Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to direct Assistant County Manager  Mel  Scott  to  continue  pursuing the concept of using Road and Bridge employees to

perform certain County projects similar to the additional pipe crew supervised by Charlie Burton to gain possible cost savings to the County.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

                        Transportation Engineering

Transportation Engineering Director John Denninghoff stated under Trends and Issues, one of the major items is with the price of gas; the County is collecting less in the Local Option Gas Tax than it has previously for all gas taxes; while staff believes the reserves it has will cover those shortfalls for this year, if the trend continues, it could become a problem for the County in the out years; but currently, the reserves will cover the County for several years.  He noted if it continues, staff will have to reduce expenditures in the gas tax area or bring other revenues to those programs; it is able to cover its bond obligations without any question at this point and it expects that to continue.  He stated in general, gas taxes are not a good way to, from a long-term perspective, continue to view funding maintenance or construction of roads; that is a worldwide trend; the County is okay for now; but hopefully the trend will not be as steep in a declining mode as it has been this year.

 

                        Agriculture and Extension Services

Commissioner Nelson stated Agriculture and Extension Services is cutting access to the building after hours, which there are subsets to the 4-H Program; and expressed concern with that, as it is in effect like closing one of County’s libraries.  He noted this is a facility that gets used by the community at large for a variety of purposes; it would cost $30,000, which is the half-time position plus operating to keep the building open; and it would be a real detriment to that part of the West Cocoa area if the facility was not available.

 

Chairman Scarborough noted the $30,000 is recurring; with Agriculture and Extension Services Director James Fletcher responding affirmatively.  He stated he agrees with Commissioner Nelson; the Board needs to talk about keeping a facility open when people are using it; and inquired is there a possibility to use volunteers to a greater extent.  Mr. Fletcher responded Agriculture and Extension Services is at least comparable with the libraries as far as using volunteers; and it relies on volunteers very heavily.

 

Commissioner Colon stated the Board requested all County Departments to cut; this is not something Mr. Fletcher wanted to do; and that is why the Board is going through this process.

Commissioner Nelson stated he does not know how the Facilities Department is going to survive after reviewing what it is having to reduce; and inquired what miracle did Steve Quickel figure out.

 

Facilities Director Steve Quickel stated the Department’s efforts have pretty much centered on just trying to work with people’s attitudes; his staff is fully committed to doing the best they can with what they have; and that is the most positive statement he can make.  He noted the Department is living on borrowed time; it is not taking care of things before they break down; it tries to be able to respond to an emergency; and this is not a good position to be in.  He stated his Department meets weekly and discusses its priorities; it will continue to look at the roofs and

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

the building envelopes as the number one priority; and the second priority is the HVAC and environmental systems.  He stated plumbing issues is the third priority; electrical, fire alarms, and life/safety issues are on the list as well; his Department has been reduced to the point where it is just responding to emergencies; and it has some projects it has planned that consist of some of these items, but it is making do with what it has.  He noted last year it lost seven positions; this year it has lost ten positions; and there is now a working staff of 56 people.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated this is a Department that perhaps the Board may want to come back to; the Department wants to be able to respond to an emergency in a cost-effective means; and that may mean reserves and may mean having certain key personnel.  He noted if the Board had some assurances that it is restructuring the Department to be very rapid response for crisis so the County does not have to close a building and send everybody home, and have the public unable to access some important function, it would be where the Board primarily wants to go.

Animal Services and Enforcement Director Craig Engelson stated the Department’s overall cost just for doing business has increased over 24%; citations are being paid at a much lower rate of 14% since January; the reasons that animals are being turned into the shelters include people being laid off, foreclosures, facing eviction, can no longer afford the animal, or they cannot afford veterinary care; and abandonments in the home have increased by 6%.  He noted his Department covers all of Brevard County; there is no municipal animal control; and he has probably on a daily basis eight officers that can cover the entire County.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated this is a Department that needs to be put on the list to come back for review and discussion.

 

Commissioner Nelson stated staff is recommending a fee increase; however, he does not want to discuss fee increases.

 

County Manager Peggy Busacca stated the fee was going to help cover health insurance.  Commissioner Nelson stated the two issues could be separated.

 

Solid Waste Director Euripides Rodriguez stated there was an issue on the table regarding the budget change request for funding a recycling person from part-time to full-time; it was a reaction at that time; Energy Bill was signed; and one of the things that came into the Bill was that there is going to be a series of meetings and how to meet the 75% new recycling goal rather than the 35% right now.  He noted in view of that and that the plan from FDEP still has not been determined, the County probably could postpone this until FDEP makes up its mind as to how it gets there.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated so the Board is going to do a reduction in Mr. Rodriguez’s budget at this point in time.

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Commissioner Nelson stated the County is going to collect the same amount of money no matter what it does; and it is a matter of where it gets accounted for.

 

Mr. Rodriguez advised it goes out of the operation, and then anything that is left over out of the operation moves over to the capital improvement for equipment and for future expansion in the landfill; it defers with time, in which the County will go out for bonds; but he expects to go out for bonds next year.

 

Commissioner Voltz stated Solid Waste has a specific line item on the tax bill.  Mr. Rodriguez stated there are two line items; one is for the disposal, which is Countywide; and the other one is the collection, which is the unincorporated area.

 

Mr. Rodriguez stated one of the changes staff requested was to close for three additional holidays, which would save the County a substantial amount of money; and that is in the budget.

Commissioner Colon stated if it is okay with the Board, she would prefer the Housing and Human Services Department come back to the Board as she has a lot to discuss.  Chairman Scarborough stated he agrees with Commissioner Colon.

 

 

                        SCGTV

SCGTV/Communications Director Kimberly Prosser stated a cut of one position in her Office is a 20% cut; the Office is a small one; and it would impact programming.  She noted if her Office works with other Departments, it would still be able to put the meetings on, but it would not be able to produce as much additional programming.

 

Chairman Scarborough, and Commissioners Colon and Voltz advised they are opposed to cutting a position in the Office.  Commissioner Bolin inquired would the County be able to find another spot in the budget to be able to add that back in.

 

Ms. Busacca responded she has been asked to give the Board $2 million in reductions, so she will do that; and if the Board wants to make the final decision to put this position back in, it will have its grocery list of positions that it can find that additional money.  Chairman Scarborough stated it sounds like the position is coming back in.

 

Ms. Busacca stated Housing and Human Services Department is left, plus the grocery list; she would presume it is a full day agenda. 

 

Chairman Scarborough requested Ms. Busacca put the grocery list together where the Board can pre-think it, it would help the Commissioners.

 

Ms. Busacca stated even as the Board has this budget, staff continues to look at revenues; it may  be  coming  back  to  the  Board  to  let  it  know; she  believes the Revenue Conference is

 

BUDGET PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

meeting today from the State; and staff may be coming back to the Board to let it know that those revenues are down from what it anticipated.  She advised staff will get the list to the Commissioners very quickly.  Chairman Scarborough stated if something comes to the Commissioners’ minds to add to the grocery list, they can call Ms. Busacca to add the item to the list.

 

Commissioner Colon stated she would like to prepare a resolution concerning Dr. Tom McIntyre; the community has lost someone very dear; Dr. Tom McIntyre was the area Superintendent; and he was someone who was loved and respected, not only by the students, but by faculty and everyone in the community.  She requested permission to prepare a resolution, with the assistance of Dr. Richard DiPatri, to give to Dr. McIntyre’s family and to know that everyone’s prayers are with the family; and stated it is a huge loss to Brevard County and the community.  She noted the services will be on Saturday.

 

 

 

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

                                                                               

                                                                            __________________________________

                                                                            TRUMAN SCARBOROUGH, CHAIRMAN

                                                                            BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                            BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

___________________

SCOTT ELLIS, CLERK

 

 

 

          (S E A L)