Board of County Commissioners€¦ · Board of County Commissioners . Regular Meeting Thursday,...
Transcript of Board of County Commissioners€¦ · Board of County Commissioners . Regular Meeting Thursday,...
Board of County Commissioners
Regular Meeting
Thursday, September 3, 2015
5:30 P.M.
School Board Administrative Complex
Solid Waste Assessment Rates
FY 14-15 FY 15-16
Residential Property Rate Per Dwelling Unit
Use Categories
Single Family Residential $193.00 $193.00
No Change in Rates
Fire Assessment Rates FY 14-15 FY 15-16
Residential Property Rate Per Dwelling Unit
Use Categories
Single Family Residential $183.32 $183.32
Multi-Family Residential $82.49 $82.49
Non-Residential Property Rate Per Square Foot
Use Categories
Commercial $0.0662 $0.0662
Industrial/Warehouse $0.1256 $0.1256
Institutional $0.0700 $0.0700
Land Property Rate
Use Categories
Agricultural/Vacant
Land < 160 (per parcel) $53.74 $53.74
Land > 160 (per acre) $0.2711 $0.2711
No Change in Rates
Rolling Oaks Paving Project
Assessment Rates
FY 14-15 FY 15-16
Residential Property Rate Per Parcel
Use Categories
Residential $376.68 $376.68
No Change in Rates
Emerald Lakes Street Lighting
Assessment Rates
FY 14-15 FY 15-16
Residential Property Rate Per Lot
Use Categories
Residential $44.00 $46.04
Increase is due to additional lighting.
Spring Hollow Street Lighting
Assessment Rates
FY 14-15 FY 15-16
Residential Property
Rate Per Rate Per Lot Dwelling
Use Categories
Residential $18.00 $55.50
Change in Rate and Methodology
Pine Ridge Road Improvement
Project
FY 14-15 FY 15-16
Residential Property Rate Per Parcel
Categories
Capital Improvement N/A $90.10
Annual Maintenance N/A $130.17
This is a new assessment
FY 2015-2016 First Budget Hearing
September 3, 2015
County Budget Process
County Budget Process
Florida Statute Requirements
Fiscal year (FY) from October 1 thru September 30
Required to have a balanced budget
Truth-in-Millage (TRIM)
1) Required notifications to property owners and general public
2) Board is required to hold two public hearings every year to adopt millage rates and adopt the budget
Follow generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
1) Nationally recognized accounting standards
County Budget Process
March - August County Department Heads present budget requests to
County Manager
Constitutional Officers and Outside Agencies submit budgets
Tentative budget developed for County Manager’s submission to the board
Board sets tentative millage rates for TRIM notices
Board holds public workshop (August 14th, 2015)
September Two TRIM required formal public hearings are scheduled to set
millage rates and approve/adopt final budget
Approval/adoption of financial policies and fee schedules
County Budget Overview
FY 2015-2016
FY2015-2016
County Budget Overview
No increase in Millage Rate.
No Increase in Non-ad Valorem Assessments for Fire or Solid Waste
No Fee Increases
Increases in Communications Service Tax and Tourist Development Tax were approved August 20, 2015, in order to meet State deadlines for an effective date of January 1, 2016
COLUMBIA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MAJOR REVENUE ALLOCATIONS
2015-16 FLOOR BUDGET
September 3, 2015
2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 GENERAL CTTF MUN SVS OTHER
Ad Val orem Taxes $17,667,999 $ 17,785,024 $ 18,231,126 $ 18,496,879 $ 18,496,879 $ - $ - $ -
Interest 62,000 $ 71,000 132,000 124,500 73,000 17,000 33,000 1,500
State Revenue Shari ng 1,250,000 1,300,000 1,400,000 1,500,000 1,300,000 200,000 - -
Hal f-Cent Sal es Tax- Regula
Fiscal l y Constrai ned
Emergency
3,200,000
610,000
300,000
3,500,000
590,000
450,000
3,800,000
590,000
-
3,870,000
600,000
1,300,000
-
1,500,000
600,000
-
-
1,070,000
-
ED
Am endm ent 1 Rel i ef 1,900,000 1,900,000 1,900,000 1,900,000 1,900,000 - - -
Com m unicati ons Servi ces T 300,000 280,000 350,000 990,000 - - 290,000 700,000 LE
Tourist Devel opment Tax 645,000 780,000 850,000 1,050,000 - - - 1,050,000 TD
Voted Gas Tax 565,000 540,000 560,000 590,000 - 590,000 - -
Raci ng Tax 223,250 223,250 223,250 223,250 - - 223,250 -
Local Opti on Gas Tax 2,250,000 2,135,000 2,200,000 2,300,000 - 1,500,000 - 800,000 RD DS
Consti tut ional Gas Tax 1,425,000 1,450,000 1,450,000 1,450,000 - 1,450,000 - -
County Gas Tax 625,000 625,000 620,000 650,000 - 650,000 -
Sm al l County Surtax 5,200,000 5,200,000 6,300,000 6,750,000
$
4,253,500
27,323,379 $
2,000,000
8,507,000
260,000
$ 806,250
236,500
$ 3,858,000
CT SVS
$36,223,249 $ 36,829,274 $ 38,606,376 $ 40,494,629
Revenue Increase
95% Of Increase
1,777,102
1,688,341 $
1,888,253
1,793,840 $
FY 2015 – 2016 PROPOSED FLOOR BUDGET SUMMARY
1) Fully funds all constitutional officer budget requests
Current FY 14-15
Proposed FY 15-16
Sheriff $13,015,473 $13,324,043
Supervisor Of Elections 703,857 744,177
Property Appraiser 1,219,612 1,244,645
Clerk To Board 355,142 376,062
Tax Collector 1,015,000* 1,015,000*
(* FEE OFFICER – BUDGET BASED ON ACTUAL COLLECTIONS)
FY 2015 – 2016 PROPOSED FLOOR BUDGET SUMMARY (Cont…)
2) Fully funds increases in Florida retirement system contribution rates as approved by the Florida legislature. ($62,000)
Depending on retirement class, contribution rates changes ranged from a drop of .97% to an increase of 2.22%
FY 2015 – 2016 PROPOSED FLOOR BUDGET SUMMARY (Cont…)
3) Provides for the continuation of a non-contributory employee health care plan – increased cost of $17,250
FY 2015 – 2016 PROPOSED FLOOR BUDGET SUMMARY (Cont…)
4) Provides for the following pay adjustments –
A. All employees - $1,000 COLA (pro-rated for part time)
Total cost is approximately $360,000 (including match) (*NOTE* COLA is negotiable for employees covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement)
FY 2015 – 2016 PROPOSED FLOOR BUDGET SUMMARY (Cont…)
B. Funds Salaries for reorganizations in the following departments:
BCC Administration decrease of $15,000
Risk Management (Non Recurring) $76,000
Landscape – 2 new positions $65,500
911 Addressing (Non Recurring) $64,000
Mechanic Shop Crew Leader $2,000
FY 2015 – 2016 PROPOSED FLOOR BUDGET SUMMARY (Cont…)
5) Creates “Equipment Replacement Accounts” in the following amounts: General Fund $130,000 Transportation Trust Fund $527,000 Municipal Services Fund $180,000 Landfill $540,000
Staff is currently working on a comprehensive equipment replacement schedule. We realize we are currently underfunding equipment replacement.
FY 2015 – 2016 PROPOSED FLOOR BUDGET SUMMARY (Cont…)
6. Fully funds the operation of all three (3) branch libraries –
Requires the use of $700,000 in Communications Services Tax, and eliminates the use of reserves for recurring expenditures
WHAT ABOUT FUNDING FOR THE
FOLLOWING “MAJOR PROJECTS”?
1) P25 (800 mhz) Communication System
2) Columbia County Detention Center – Repair or Replacement
Current funding efforts are based on excess fund balances. There is not a dedicated revenue source for these major projects.
FY 2015-2016 Proposed Floor Budget
Amendments?
FY 2014-2015 Proposed Floor
Budget Amendments?
The following amendments have been proposed for the 2015-2016 floor budget and are presented with the tentative budget.
1) Loan Proceeds of $3,500,000 for Road Improvement Fund
2) FDOT Grants of $2,143,327 for Road Improvement Fund
3) Additional Road Projects of $5,694,434
September 3, 2015
First Budget Hearing
FY2015 - 2016
Budget Adoption Order
1) Millage Rate
2) General Fund
3) All Funds Not Levying Ad-Valorem
Public Hearing to Adopt Fiscal
Year 2016 Millage rate 1) Open Hearing
2) Columbia County Board of County Commissioners
3) Rolled-back rate is 8.0561
4) .51% decrease over the rolled-back rate
5) Millage rate to be levied is 8.0150
6) Public Comment
7) Close Hearing
8) Recommended Motion
a) To adopt and set tentative millage rate at 8.015 mills for the 2015-2016 fiscal year
General Fund
Board of County Supervisor of Elections Watertown Landscaping and Parks Commissioners
9-1-1 Code Enforcement Central Communications
Clerk to BOCC Non-Departmental Recreation Soil Conservation
Property Appraiser Facilities Management Emergency Mgt. Veterans Services
Tax Collector Courthouse Annex Safety Mosquito Control
County Auditor Montgomery Building Autopsies Health Services
Data Processing Sheriff Judicial Welfare
County Attorney General Government County Extension Library
City of Lake City – Tax Increment Fund
FY 08-09 $36,334,883 FY 12-13 $38,915,625
FY 09-10 $37,134,787 FY 13-14 $39,432,968
FY 10-11 $36,020,042 FY 14-15 $44,851,425
FY 11-12 $35,091,962 FY 15-16 $37,702,519
General Fund
1) Open Hearing
2) Public Comment
3) Close Hearing
4) Recommended Motion
a) To adopt tentative general fund budget appropriations and reserves budget at $37,702,519
Funds Not Levying Ad-Valorem Taxes
(FY 12-13) (FY 13-14) (FY 14-15) (FY 15-16)
Transportation Trust $10,652,489 $11,758,289 $10,807,705 $12,343,850
Road Improvement Debt Service 2,261,425 1,660,000 940,000 1,260,000
Municipal Services Fund 13,878,587 18,239,107 17,262,627 16,232,987
Court Services 916,350 1,140,575 1,128,700 1,147,225
Special Law Enforcement 30,100 20,100 20,100 20,100
Tourist Development Tax – 1,293,500 1,709,400 2,221,150 1,848,075
Operating
Landfill Enterprise 7,405,301 6,655,801 6,179,551 6,951,114
Library Enhancement 1,043,802 856,322 888,922 1,014,726
Funds Not Levying Ad-Valorem Taxes
(Cont…) (FY 12-13) (FY 13-14) (FY 14-15) (FY 15-16)
Local Housing Assistance 0 350,000 354,491 359,645
Economic Development 3,466,095 2,770,650 2,718,400 3,018,400
Connector Roads 8,477,600 6,003,800 3,247,588
Road Improvement 6,423,978 5,200,000 13,977,158 19,104,061
Utilities 391,988 391,160 270,910 1,182,875
Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1,029,454 406,874 42,984 42,984
Sheriff 0 0 0 14,865,862
Capital Projects 0 0 0 5,500,000
0
Funds Not Levying Ad-Valorem Taxes 1) Open Hearing
2) The following funds of the board do not levy ad-valorem taxes: 1) Transportation Trust
2) Road Improvement Debt Service
3) Municipal Services Fund
4) Court Services
5) Special Law Enforcement
6) Tourist Development Tax – Operating
7) Landfill Enterprise
8) Library Enhancement
9) Local Housing Assistance
10) Economic Development
11) Road Improvement
12) Utilities
13) Neighborhood Stabilization Program
14) Sheriff
15) Capital Projects
3) Public Comment
4) Close Hearing
Funds Not Levying Ad-Valorem Taxes 5) Recommended Motion
To adopt tentative budgets for the following funds:
Transportation Trust
Road Improvement Debt Service
Municipal Services Fund
Court Services
Special Law Enforcement
Tourist Development Tax – Operating
Landfill Enterprise
Library Enhancement
$12,343,850
$1,260,000
$16,232,987
$1,147,225
$20,100
$1,848,075
$6,951,114
$1,014,726
Local Housing Assistance
Economic Development
Road Improvement
Utilities
Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Sheriff
Capital Projects
$359,645
$3,018,400
$19,104,061
$1,182,875
$42,984
$14,865,862
$5,500,000
The Final Budget Hearing For The FY 2015-2016 Budget of The Columbia County
Board of Commissioners is scheduled for
Thursday, September 17, 2015
5:30 P.M.
School Board Administrative Complex Auditorium
County Attorney
Excelsior Ambulance
COPCN Update
Licensure and the COPCN The Department of Health shall issue a license as a basic life support or an advanced life support service to an Applicant that:
Pays the statutory fees
Agrees to operate ambulances, equipment, vehicles, personnel, communications systems, staffing patterns, and services in accordance with Florida Law
Furnishes evidence of adequate insurance
Obtains a certificate of public convenience and necessity from each county in which the applicant will operate
Licensure and the COPCN
In issuing the certificate of public convenience and necessity, the governing body of each county shall consider the recommendations of municipalities within its jurisdiction. 401.25(2)(d)
Licensure and the COPCN
The Board may adopt ordinances that provide reasonable standards for certificates of public convenience and necessity for basic or advanced life support services and air ambulance services. 401.25(6)
Board must consider state guidelines, recommendations of the local or regional trauma agency created under chapter 395, and the recommendations of municipalities within its jurisdiction.
The Board has not adopted such an Ordinance
Excelsior’s Request for COPCN On August 15, 2013, the Board in its regular
session heard a presentation from Excelsior which culminated in a 3-2 vote in favor of issuing a COPCN to Excelsior if Excelsior secured a VA Contract to provide services in Columbia County
Both the City of Lake City and the Town of Fort
White recommended issuance of a COPCN to
Excelsior at that time.
On July 7, 2015, Excelsior secured Department of Veterans Affairs Contract No. VA248-14Q-2350
Excelsior’s Request for COPCN The VA Contract requires, in part:
“Lake City VAMC requires 24-hour, 7 days per week Ambulance Services consisting of Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS), and Specialty Care Transport levels of Service for beneficiaries at Lake City VAMC, 619 S. Marion Ave., Lake City, FL 32025”
Excelsior’s Request for COPCN On July 15, 2015, Excelsior wrote to the County
requesting issuance of the COPCN as approved by the Board’s August 2013 vote.
The issue was placed on the August 6, 2015 Board Agenda for discussion
At the August 6, 2015 meeting Ben Scott briefed the Board and a motion was made to “deny” the COPCN to Excelsior
The County Attorney was charged with ensuring that the Board was in compliance with Florida Law, then to report back to the Board with findings
Excelsior’s Request for COPCN While the matter was under review with the
County Attorney, on August 21, 2015 Excelsior filed suit against the County in Federal court alleging:
Violations of the Sherman Anti-trust Act
Violations of Florida’s Anti-trust Act
Tortious Interference with Contract
Excelsior demanded declaratory relief, damages, attorneys fees and costs
Excelsior also filed a separate motion for preliminary injunction
The County was served on August 26, 2015
Excelsior’s Request for COPCN Counsel for Excelsior, James Krause, who had
appeared at the August 6, 2015 meeting, had regular contact with the County Attorney beginning just prior to the filing of Excelsior’s complaint.
The fact that the County Attorney was still reviewing the issue was explained to him and, in light of that continuing review, communications continued in the hope of resolving the legal claims against the County
Excelsior’s Request for COPCN Notwithstanding the claims in Excelsior’s suit, the
County Attorney completed review of issues presented should the County deny the COPCN.
Each Board member was offered a briefing on the findings and opinions of the County Attorney; a memo was circulated.
That memo is not subject to release to the public due to pending litigation between the County and Excelsior, but it will be released when the litigation concludes.
Excelsior’s Request for COPCN The conclusion of the County Attorney’s analysis
is that Excelsior was and is entitled to issuance of a COPCN from Columbia County.
The Board vote of August 2013 constituted a promise from the Board to issue a COPCN if Excelsior procured a VA Contract
Upon receiving notification from Excelsior that it had procured the VA Contract, the County became obligated to perform on its promise
Florida Law provides for enforcement of promises against public bodies where the promisee justifiably relies on that promise
COPCN Issued
On August 26, 2015, on recommendation of the County Attorney, and due to the absence of Chairman DePratter, Vice chairman Nash signed Resolution 2015 R-15 granting a COPCN to Excelsior Ambulance Service, Inc.
The recitals of the Resolution clearly indicate that the Board passed such a resolution by a 3-2 vote in August of 2013; Commissioner Nash’s signature formalized that resolution following Excelsior’s performance of the conditions placed upon it by the Board
Other Concerns
The contract for Services is between VA and Excelsior
The County has no stake in that Contract and no standing to address whether the contract is appropriate as to the VA or Excelsior
Other Concerns
Because the County lacks any Ordinance for placing reasonable standards on issuance of a COPCN, no such standards can be arbitrarily imposed
If the Board wishes to develop an Ordinance establishing those standards the Board may do so. Those standards will be in place for future applications or COPCN renewals.
Reasonable standards may not conflict with state licensure standards, but may inquire as to fitness or suitability of the applicant, financial stability, and need. AGO 1980-98
Other Concerns The requisite certificates of public convenience and
necessity, and the reasonable standards authorized to be established for their issuance by the counties, do not envision or embrace the regulation of the operation or maintenance of emergency or nonemergency medical transportation services; the operation and maintenance of these services are regulated by the state through the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to the provisions of part III of ch. 401 and rules and regulations promulgated by the department under the authority therein provided. AGO 1980-98
Questions