Productivity Committee Minutes 05/27/2005 COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT
PRODUCTIVITY COMMITTEE
Minutes—May 27, 2005; 9 a.m.
Members Present: John Barlow, Syd Blum,Dex Groose, Steve Harrison, Matt Hudson,Helen Philbin,
Joe Swaja and JimVanFleet.
Members Absent(Excused): Stan Farnham and Janet Vasey
Liaison: Commissioner Halas was not present.
Staff Present: Len Price, Administrator,Administrative Services Division; Amy Patterson, Impact Fee
Manager, Community Development; Paula Fleishman, Impact Fee Analyst, Community Development;
the following appeared from the Sheriff's Office: Sheriff Don Hunter, Kevin Rambosk, Scott Salley,
Tim Guerrette (Youth& Gangs), Al Beatty(911), Captain Hedberg (Attorney), Chris Freeman(Jail),
Joe Bastys (Jail Commander), Jim Bloom (Parole & Special Operations), and Carol Golightly(Finance
Director); Debbie Wight, Assistant to the County Manager; and Barbetta Hutchinson, Office of
Management and Budget.
I. Introduction:
Opening Remarks—There being a quorum, Joe Swaja, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.
II. Old Business:
Impact Fee Studies Update—Amy Patterson passed out an updated schedule with most of the boxes
filled in with the exception of the School Board Review. She then gave the group an update on two
items for the June meetings. The first is the Library indexing where a problem was discovered with the
impact fee. A portion of the credit for the calculation included grants that were significantly overstated,
meaning that the fee was artificially lower than it should have been, so the grant is being moved out of
the credit calculation,which provided for a 19%increase in the library impact fee. The corrected fee is
being figured at 2.56%which is based on the building cost index plus the CPI. Joe asked for a motion
to approve. Dex Groose motioned to accept the revised index and Steve Harrison seconded. The group
unanimously approved.
Steve Harrison asked Amy if anyone ever suggested that the libraries be built on school property. The
group was supportive of the idea.
Secondly,the issue of including interest in the correctional impact fees was readdressed. Syd Blum said
that the committee has already agreed that the interest should not be included. Amy said that she and
Tindale Oliver opposed the fee at first,but changed their view because of the uniqueness of the fee and
the fact that the fees are the sole source of repaying the bond. Amy said without the interest there will
be a 25% drop in the fee. Because of Amy's explanation and the group's new understanding of the fee,
Syd motioned to accept the interest being added, Jim VanFleet seconded and the group voted to approve
with a vote of 6 to 2.
Sheriff's Budget Review- Joe said the purpose of this meeting was to come up with a final report to
provide to the County Manager regarding the Sheriff's budget. Steve drafted a letter to the County
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Manager and Dex prepared a list of recommendations. Dex suggested that they add to the list and that
two lists be developed—one for the items of the FY 06 budget and the other a recommended list of
performance measures for the Sheriff's Office. In addition, Janet Vasey sent a list for the group's
review.
Some of the issues that were discussed included mandatory roll call,new deputies for the jail (spread out
over the past two years), completion date of the new jail, youth relations law enforcement officers,
bailiffs using pool vehicles,reduce the take-home vehicles by 125, increase number of citations for red
light runners, staffing issues including the recruitment of Hispanic deputies (Explorer posts),health
benefits and changing the prescription drug plan to a percentage co-pay instead of a dollar co-pay,
response time, staffing some positions with civilians, cross-training dispatchers (after training they want
to advance) and having review of the direct and indirect costs of the accreditation and certification
programs.
Steve suggested that if Collier County Communications Director John Torre spread the news that red
light citations have increased, that communicated message would serve as a deterrent. Len Price told the
group legislation allowing the installation of cameras at lights to catch red light runners has failed.
Helen Philbin said the concept of"goals and quotas" could easily backfire with the public. The public
usually negatively associates the establishment of quotas. The Sheriff advised that it is against the law
to establish quotas. (NOTE: The suggestion for a quota for red light runner citations was not made by
anyone from the group. They only stated that they should be increased because the infractions are still
obvious to everyone. In addition, the Sheriff noted that enforcement of this infraction is made difficult
because of all the curbing preventing an easy pullover without impeding traffic.)
Matt Hudson said the group should take into consideration the spike in population during tourist season.
Dex said that the spike has been there every year. The Sheriff said the most accurate determination for
the level of service is the calls for service volume and the number of times the Sheriff's Office has to
perform some type of activity. He also asked the group to calculate in the patrol time available on the
street for deputies to provide crime repression. The Sheriff claimed that last year and this year are
unusual years for his budget. The jail has been a big factor in the increased expenses. The percentage
over the past few years has been lower, but the dramatic growth has demanded expansion. Joe
complimented the Sheriff and his staff on their professionalism and performance,however he continues
to feel the budget has to be limited and efficiencies must be developed.
The group discussed fuel economy. A representative from the Sheriff's Office said that most times
when the car was stopped and running, the deputy was working on the computer. However, leaving the
car running is prohibited and is cause for disciplinary action. The Sheriff said the hybrids have been
investigated,but these vehicles would have a limited use because they are mainly small vehicles. He
suggested the committee recommend a trial program using a SUV or pick-up truck.
Helicopters,pilots and aviation equipment usage were discussed. The Sheriff informed the group that
the pilots had additional duties as well as flying aircraft. A deputy told the group examples of how the
aircraft are used in pursuing criminals and observing vacant property. Jim asked if the Sheriff's Office
worked with the Civil Air Patrol and was told that they do.
Duties performed on different shifts were discussed. At certain times of the evening, certain types of
people come out. Different personalities come out at different times of day. Having two officers per car
was discussed. Kevin Rambosk said performance studies show that two-member patrol cars were less
safe than one-person cars. Len Price added that officers who are alone in their car are more cautious
because they know they do not have backup.
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The Sheriff spoke to those in attendance and said he appreciated all the hard work that the committee put
forth during this investigation. However, he looked at the ordinance that created the Productivity
Committee and claimed that the committee is supposed to be reviewing board operations and not
Constitutional Officers unless the review is requested by the Constitutional Officer. In this case the
Sheriff claimed he did not request the review. Joe said the Commissioners and the County Manager
requested review of the budget. The Sheriff also stressed his disagreement with the analysis by the
committee,but added there were some issues that he would pursue. He stated that he feels it is very
difficult for the committee members to understand his operations in a month. The experience of his
chiefs in the room and his own experience of the past 25 years is hard to match. He asked the committee
to remember that this isn't about permanent population, this is about calls for service every day. He said
the public has been led to believe that permanent population is what should drive the budget. The
Sheriff feels this is a fallacy. The Sheriff said he would like copies of a majority and minority position
if they are published.
The list of recommendations for the Sheriff's budget was finalized and the group members read a letter
drafted by Steve to send to the County Manager. After the draft was read, John said that we must
overcome the "we -they"issue in order to be successful in working together. Joe said that the
government has a fallacy that revenue is automatic and you should spend whatever you get. At some
point, he said,that's going to come to a screeching halt because people are not happy with that kind of
operation. Helen agreed and gave an example of the New York City budget.
After discussion, Helen motioned to approve the letter, Syd seconded. The committee voted 4 to
approve(Joe, Syd, Dex, Steve) and 3 to reject(John, Matt and Jim). Steve asked what it would take to
make the vote unanimous and the group said the letter must be rewritten. Helen motioned to rescind the
approval, Dex seconded and all approved to rescind the previous motion.
The letter was rewritten with a more diplomatic message and another vote was taken. Helen motioned
to accept, Syd seconded, all approved with the exception of Matt. —*Debbie will type up the letter, Joe
will sign it and forward it to Jim Mudd.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Productivity Committee is scheduled for Friday, June 15 at
2:00 p.m. This meeting will be held in the County Manager's Conference Room on the 2nd floor of the
W. Harmon Turner Building (Administration Building F).
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