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BCC Minutes 09/08/2005 B (Budget) September 8, 2005 BUDGET HEARING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Naples, FL September 8, 2005 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commissioners in and for the County of Collier, and also acting as the Board of Zoning Appeals and as the governing board( s) of such special districts as have been created according to law and having conducted business herein, met on this date at 5:05 p.m. in SPECIAL SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Fred Coyle Jim Coletta Donna Fiala Tom Henning Frank Halas ALSO PRESENT: Jim Mudd, County Manager Leo Ochs, Deputy County Manager David Weigel, County Attorney Marjorie Student-Stirling, Assistant County Attorney Page 1 _._"--'~-' ~ ,-,.-. " ..._-- COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA Thursday, September 8, 20055:05 p.m. NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBA TIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. ALL REGISTERED PUBLIC SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO FIVE (5) MINUTES UNLESS PERMISSION FOR ADDITIONAL TIME IS GRANTED BY THE CHAIRMAN. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING - Pelican Bay Services Division Budget Hearing A. Executive Summary - Fiscal Year 2006 Pelican Bay Services Division Budget B. Public Comment C. Resolution Approving the Special Assessment Roll and Levying the Special Assessment against the Benefited Properties Within the Pelican Bay Municipal Service Taxing and Benefit Unit 3. ADJOURN ".~._. . -" - .~..,~_.,.-----~-'-^ . ..~----~'- COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA Thursday, September 8, 2005, 5:05 p.m. NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. ALL REGISTERED PUBLIC SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO FIVE (5) MINUTES UNLESS PERMISSION FOR ADDITIONAL TIME IS GRANTED BY THE CHAIRMAN. 1. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING - BCC - Fiscal Year 2006 Tentative Budget. A. Discussion of Tentative Millage Rates and Increases Over the Rolled Back Millage Rates B. Review and Discussion of Changes to the Tentative Budget C. Budget Discussion Items · UFR list (for consideration at final budget hearing) D. Public Comments and Questions: E. Resolution to Adopt the Tentative Millage Rates F. Resolution to Adopt the Amended Tentative Budget September 8, 2005 Page 1 _,,",..4__~"_'__ -.. G. Announcement of Tentative Millage Rates and Percentage Changes in Property Tax Rates H. Announcement of Final Public Hearing as Follows: Final Public Hearing on the FY 2005-06 Collier County Budget Thursday, September 22, 2005 5:05 p.m. Collier County Government Center W. Harmon Turner Building (F) Third Floor, Boardroom Naples, Florida 2. ADJOURN September 8, 2005 Page 2 September 8, 2005 CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, Board of County Commissioners meeting is in session. Would you please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. (Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you very much. Where's the County Manager? MR. SMYKOWSKI: I don't know. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Out to lunch? UNIDENTIFIED MEMBER OF AUDIENCE: He's in the bathroom. CHAIRMAN COYLE: That's where he is most of the day. Are any of you warm here? You think it's too warm here? MR. SMYKOWSKI: Commissioner, I've already called facilities, and they're making adjustments to the temperature. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Well, I'd like for all of you to write a letter to the county manager. And the county manager is responsible for turning up the temperature here. He is abiding by -- you see, he takes his coat off while the rest of us try to maintain some sense of decorum. COMMISSIONER HALAS: But Chairperson, you can take your coat off, too. MR. MUDD: You're the only one who has a coat on. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, Jim, it's all yours. But I was telling you the story. Governor Bush has asked that all the government facilities try to reduce their energy demand. So we've tried to cut back on lots of things, including electricity and air conditioning here. So if you're uncomfortable, you can complain to the County Manager, because he's the one who set it at 78. It wasn't Governor Bush. MR. MUDD: Yes, sir, he did. Have we done the Pledge of Allegiance, here? CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yes, we have. We're ready for you to Page 2 "- September 8, 2005 start. PELICAN BA Y SERVICES DIVISION BUDGET HEARING MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. This is your first of two budget hearings for the 2006 budget. You have a packet. It includes what the millage rates are going to be. And Michael will go through that. The first order of business has to do with Pelican Bay. And we normally do that first. And Chris Sutphin and Jim Carroll I believe are here to present that. The other thing I will tell you, in this book there's also the unfinanced requirement list. And there's dollars that have been undedicated to particular items. Some people are probably here to discuss those particular items, and we welcome -- I believe we welcome those particular comments. I will also let those folks know that the board will make a determination on those particular funds at the second hearing meeting. Not this evening. But your comments are more than welcome and the board can hear them. Because they're going to be, over the next two weeks deciding how all that's going to work out and what particular proj ects will be funded. So if you haven't signed up to comment on those particular items and you're here to do that, there are sign-out (sic) slips out in the hall. You can give them to me, or you can give them to Ms. Filson. Ms. Filson, put up your hand. Okay. And we'll-- and then when we get to public comment, we'll call your name and you can come on up here and you'll have five minutes to basically give us your -- three minutes, sir? Three minutes in order to do that. So without further ado, I believe Mr. Carroll and Mr. Sutphin are here to present the Pelican Bay budget. MR. CARROLL: Good afternoon. My name is Jim Carroll. I'm Page 3 ".'-- ,_.__n '-'~'."- September 8,2005 chairman of the Pelican Bay Services Division Board. The reason I'm going to take just a moment of your time is that -- and for the last 20 or 25 years, Jim Ward has been the person who has presented our budget to you. Jim resigned from Severn Trent, the company that employed him, about two or three weeks ago, and I just wanted to say that he did a very fine job for us. His leaving had nothing to do with Pelican Bay. It had to do with some internal feelings and situations he had with the company. And so he has left the scene. The Severn Trent has taken a little time and has decided they would like to replace Mr. Ward, and a gentleman by the name of John Petty is being proposed. And I am taking a hard look with -- and our board members will, too. And so will Leo Ochs. We're working together on this. And we'll hopefully have a new manager very shortly. The -- Jim normally presented the budget. We have a budget committee in our board now, and Chris Sutphin is the chairman of that sub-committee, and he is going to present the budget to you. Thank you. RESOLUTION 2005-287: APPROVING THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL AND LEVYING THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AGAINST THE BENEFITED PROPERTIES WITHIN THE PELICAN BAY MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING AND BENEFIT UNIT - ADOPTED MR. SUTPHIN: Thank you, Jim. Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, my name is Chris Sutphin. I'm a member of the Pelican Bay Services Division Board, currently hold the position of vice chairman and service chairman of the budget subcommittee. Your primary purpose today is to consider the budget for the Page 4 --~_.....,.~",'"-'--' _.'-'.- "-- September 8, 2005 services division for fiscal year 2006 and consider the adoption of non-ad valorem assessments to support that budget. Included in the resolution are the amounts that we are requesting funding for. $79.77 per equivalent residential units per capital, and $71.63 for maintenance and operations. This covers the wide variety of services provided by the services division in Pelican Bay. The major capital program, the services division is supporting in the next fiscal year is a contribution to the Collier County beach renourishment effort as it relates to Pelican Bay beaches. The resolution has been properly noticed, it's been advertised, and the impending assessment appears before you today. I would like to point out that the assessment is significantly below what it has been in prior years. This was the result of a decision by the Services Division board, based on the uncertainty surrounding the whole annexation issue, to spend down uncommitted cash reserves and lower the assessment to the residents. This has been communicated to the residents of Pelican Bay by -- in the Pelican Bay Post and in writing in the Pelican Bay Observer that accompanied the notice of assessment to each property owner. They have been appraised, but should an unusual situation arise, it would be necessary to impose an interim assessment, but that in any case, future years' assessments will return to a more normal level. Thank you. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. Are there any questions by commissioners? MR. MUDD: Sir, Commissioner, we need the Board of County Commissioners to adopt the resolution that was attached, approving the special assessment roll and levying the special assessment against the benefited properties within the Pelican Bay Municipal Service Taxing and Benefit Unit. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. I want to make sure there are no questions by commissioners. Page 5 _.,.~ -'...._.._,~"..,.. " .- September 8, 2005 (No response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: No question by commissioners, okay. How about public comment? Do we have anyone listed to speak -- oh, Commissioner Halas? COMMISSIONER HALAS: Yes, I just wanted to make sure, Chris, that it's been very clear to the residents in Pelican Bay in regards to the spending down of reserves. Has there been any feedback from your group in regards to the spending down from the -- MR. SUTPHIN: Commissioner, in the area of communications, as I mentioned, it was published in an article in the Pelican Bay Post, which is mailed to every resident of Pelican Bay. It was further enunciated in an article in the Pelican Bay Observer, which was mailed, along with the notice of assessment, to every property owner in Pelican Bay. The only feedback I have received has been positive. I have not had any negative feedback. I will not say the feedback has been overwhelming, it seldom is, but what I have gotten is positive. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Excuse me, sir. Could we please stop all the conversation in the audience, please? Ma'am, please, if you want to have a conversation, please, go outside in the hallway, please, and have it. Okay, we'd like to listen to the speaker. Thank you. MR. SUTPHIN: I hope I've answered your question, sir. COMMISSIONER HALAS: Yes, you have. I just wanted to make sure that it's been put on the record that all the residents have been notified of this so that later on there's no conflict there. MR. SUTPHIN: In every way we thought was possible. COMMISSIONER HALAS: Thank you very much. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, thank you. Okay, there are no public speakers concerning the Pelican Bay Budget. So is there a motion by commissioners to approve the special Page 6 -"'-- _._~--.~....,~. ---- September 8, 2005 assessment roll and levy the special assessments against the benefited properties within the Pelican Bay municipal service taxing and benefit unit? COMMISSIONER HALAS: So moved. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, motion by Commissioner Halas. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Second by Commissioner Fiala. Any further discussion? (No response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: All in favor, please signify by saying aye. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Aye. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Aye. COMMISSIONER HALAS: Aye. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Any opposed, by like sign. (No response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: It carries unanimous. MR. MUDD: Thank you, commissioners. BCC FISCAL YEAR 2006 TENT A TIVE BUDGET Now we start the second part of our public hearing, which is the Board of County Commissioners' Budget. And I'm going to turn this over to Mr. Smykowski. And the agenda is before you on the visualizer and on the screen. DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO THE TENTATIVE BUDGET- DISCUSSED MR. SMYKOWSKI: Good evening, Commissioners. For the Page 7 -~ "-,,--- ^..- September 8, 2005 record, Michael Smykowski, the County Budget Director. Weare here for the first of two public hearings on the FY '06 proposed Collier County budget. The first is obviously this evening and then the final hearing is two weeks from tonight, on September 22nd, where the board will be making final decisions on tax rates, the budgets and the unallocated reserve funds, or UFR funds, as they're referred to, for items that are not yet approved during the budget process. In terms of administrative issues, we have a few things. There are speaker signup slips in the hallway, and there are copies of the agenda available. Notice for this meeting was provided via the TRIM notice, the truth in millage notice, that was provided by the property appraiser to each property owner in Collier County. There is also an interpreter for any Spanish speaking residents who may be interested in talking. If you'd just raise your hand, please? She is available. If anyone needs an interpreter, that is available for you. I also want to note, I've already talked to a few folks in the audience who brought their TRIM notice with them relative to large-scale increases in property values. There are two factors that impact your taxes: The tax rates on the property -- and I'll be walking through the tax rate shortly, but the principal tax rates levied by the county are staying the same as that levied in the previous fiscal year. If you have a question relative to the value of your property, as provided by the property appraiser's office, at the very bottom of your TRIM notice -- and I'll let Mr. Mudd put this on the visualizer for your benefit; it's highlighted in yellow -- there's a phone number to contact the property appraiser's office. And then if people still feel their property is not appropriately valued, relative to other similar properties in their neighborhood, the formal process for appealing is to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Page 8 ~_.'~ _'.'_'__~d _...~dO<~ ~-._----- ----- September 8, 2005 Board. And it's important to note that that filing deadline is close of business tomorrow, September 9th. So I want to be very clear, if anyone has concerns as to the valuation of their property, the time is running out, if you wish to file that formal appeal with the Value Adjustment Board. And you can do that at the property appraiser's office tomorrow here on the government center campus. They're right across the street. DISCUSSION OF TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES OVER THE ROLLED BACK MILLAGE RATES The first order of business is a discussion of the tentative millage rates and the increase over the rolled back rate funding the budget that is statutorily required in the TRIM notice -- or in the Florida Statutes, excuse me. If you'd turn to Page I-A in your agenda package, Page 1, the general fund, as I noted. It is the same tax rate as that levied in fiscal year '05; 3.8772 mills. So there is no millage rate increase. But the increase due to increased valuation of property in Collier County in 16 percent above the rolled back rate. The water pollution control fund is 16.1 percent above the rolled back rate. It is also the same tax rate as that levied in fiscal year '05, as well as the unincorporated area general fund. For those people who do not live within the boundaries of a municipality, Collier County is the principal service provider for the bulk of those residents living in the unincorporated area. That tax rate is also the same as that levied in the previous fiscal year at .8069 mills. The Golden Gate Community Center actually has an increase of 16.7 percent above the rolled back rate. There's an increase in the tax levy of approximately $75,000. They're funding a replacement roof on the original building within that district. Page 9 o_.,~,_.<.. '- September 8, 2005 The Pine Ridge Industrial Park is an increase of 5.9 percent increase in funding for maintenance within the MSTU. Victoria Park drainage is an increase of 6.4 percent. There's actually a slight millage decrease, but the tax levy itself increases $900. The percentages are typically high in the smaller MSTU's, but the total dollar levy changes relatively -- in a relatively small number from year to year. The Naples Production Park maintenance is an increase of 11.4 percent. Again, that's to fund maintenance within the bounds of the Industrial Park. Goodland/Horr's Island Fire MSTU, there's an increase of 85.2 percent. This is for fire protection provided by the City of Marco Island via a contract. The millage a year ago was .4746. The proposed tax rate is 1.3632 mills. Marco Island had originally -- the contract expired this year. Marco Island had originally requested a two mill tax levy. Through negotiations with Marco Island, we were able to reduce that to 1.3632 mills, which is -- the other alternative available would have been to fund them -- fund fire service for these folks through the Collier County Fire MSTU. But again, that is at two mills, and that was the basis for the original City of Marco Island request. So we felt that's the best they can do relative for fire service in the upcoming year, and that was a multi-year agreement that the board will be looking to approve this coming Tuesday. The Sabal Palm Road MSTU is an increase of 52.8 percent. The millage is decreased, but the total tax levy increase is $19,000 for a roadway maintenance within the MSTU boundaries. Hawksridge Stormwater Pumping MSTU is a decrease of 44.6 percent. Again, in terms of dollar tax levy, it's a decrease of $7,000. The Conservation Collier is a constant levy of .25 mills. Again, that was approved by referendum for the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands. Page 10 ~.-"...- ---~ ~-,-- September 8, 2005 A new levy proposed this year proposed at .15 is the Caribbean Gardens levy. Again, that was a tax that was voter approved by referendum for the acquisition of the Caribbean Gardens Zoo and surrounding lands. And the Pelican Bay MSTBU to fund street lighting, that's an increase above the rolled back rate of 21 percent. Funds street lighting, security patrols and increased reserves within the Pelican Bay lighting district. There are also -- and I'll deal with these in aggregate summary format. There are a number of MSTU's that are governed by citizen advisory groups. This includes the Golden Gate Parkway beautification, Vanderbilt Beach beautification MSTU, the Isle of Capri Fire, the Ochopee Fire Control, Collier County Fire, the Radio Road beautification, Lely Golf Estates beautification, Immokalee beautification, the Bayshore/ Avalon beautification. Again, they typically levy a constant millage from year to year. The advisory committee works in conjunction was staff to bring forth a proposed budget and a recommended tax levy in each case. These levies range from a half a mill in Golden Gate Parkway beautification to four mills in Ochopee. Those again are the same rates as levied in the previous year and are recommended -- were recommended by the various advisory committee groups at administering these in conjunction with the staff. That concludes Item I-A. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Mike, before you go on to that, as always, this is one of the most confusing presentations I've ever seen. I mean, not because of you, but because this reference to a rolled back millage rate is mandated by the state and makes no sense to most people. Could we explain to them what that really means? MR. SMYKOWSKI: Sure. The rollback rate is the tax rate that would generate the same dollar amount of tax revenue as that levied in Page 11 -,-- '---'.~- -- September 8, 2005 the previous fiscal year, exclusive of new construction. So it adjusts for the fact that over time, property tends to appreciate in value. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah. I think I understand that. But it is purely irrelevant, quite frankly, isn't it? MR. SMYKOWSKI: It is. But again, it is required by law and spelled out in statute that the tax rates must be expressed as a function of that rolled back rate. CHAIRMAN COYLE: And the important issue here is that the tax rate is the same as it was last year, the same as it was the year before that, and the same as it was the year before that. We have not raised the tax rate in three years, at least. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Or five. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Maybe four. MR. SMYKOWSKI: It's four or five. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Four or five years. So for whatever reason the taxes are increasing, it has nothing to do with the rate that this board is approving. We have held the tax rate steady for four or five years. MR. SMYKOWSKI: That is absolutely correct, sir. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, thank you. MR. SMYKOWSKI: Item I-B is a review and discussion of changes to the tentative budget. As we left the -- that's on -- beginning on Page I-B, there's a summary of changes to the FY '06 proposed budget on a fund-by-fund basis. As we left the June budget workshops, and with the adoption of the tentative release of the tentative budget and the tax rates at the end of July, this was the year that I thought there would be relatively few changes leading into the first public hearing. Obviously with the changes in the price of gas and the recent announcements by Florida Power & Light relative to electricity changes, that has had a profound effect on our recommended budget for the upcoming year. There are five or six pages of changes delineated on a Page 12 ---~"- ,.._'._,-"'"-~." ._- .----". ".~- September 8, 2005 fund-by-fund basis, but in summary fashion, I can explain. The total changes amount to approximately $33.3 million increase to the budget that was released in July. And that increase revolves around a few principal issues. One: Receipt of the tax collector's budget on August 1 st, which is prescribed in statute as well. His operating budget is approximately $8.7 million. And as a fee officer, he is required by law to return any excess fees to the board at the end of the fiscal year. And the proposed budget includes an excess fee distribution, not only to the general fund, but also to the various other funds levying ad valorem taxes of approximately $8.8 million. So of that $33 million change, the tax collector's budget and excess fee distribution account for more than half of it by its lonesome. You also had Sheriff budget reductions of$1,953,700 to their general operating fund. The sheriff sent a memo from Captain Smith on August 25th. I have copies available, and a synopsis of those changes, if there are any questions relative to that. Increases in the fuel and electricity budgets. The vast majority of the detail here involves changes -- revolving around changes to gas price fluctuation and/or electricity expenses. In some cases it may involve $100 change that we took from reserves in a small MSTU that may have, you know, some small electrical pumps. And obviously we wanted them to have enough adequate budget in place at the start of the fiscal year to cover anticipated expenses. So within the confines of these 50 or 60 pages of resolutions documenting changes, many of them are for small amounts where the fund total didn't change, but if we're taking $100 even from reserves and moving it to operating expenses, we've documented in each and every instance that $100 change so that you were clear of all of the changes that have been made to the budget from the July 15th release of the proposed budget. So it is somewhat voluminous, I will grant Page 13 ------ . .-",;-'.- _.~".....".,.- _.~.._- September 8, 2005 you that. I can also tell you, it was no fun making those changes either and putting the budget back together at this late stage in the game. But obviously with this magnitude of the potential increases in fuel and the volatility in that market, as well as FPL's announcement of proposed increases in electricity and the surcharges they anticipate implementing come January, we felt it prudent to have those fixed overhead costs in place prior to the adoption of the budget, rather than have you be besieged with budget amendment requests throughout the year and executive summaries due to poor planning. So-- MR. MUDD: Michael, let me just interject. Commissioners, if you remember correctly in the news -- and some of you were gone; just to bring everybody up to speed -- we got an announcement, a notice from FP &L that as of 1 January, they are going to ask for a 26 to 28 percent increase in their commercial and industrial customer base. And it's going to -- a 28 to 26 percent increase in their rates for their industrial and commercial customers. And it's going to be with a corresponding increase to their residential customers of some 14 to 16 percent increase in their rates. When we got that news, we had to change the budget. We didn't have much choice. Prior to that, we had been told that they were going to raise their rates around seven percent. Then they went in front of the public services commission -- and I believe there's a bit of a lawsuit -- and there was an agreement that was made where they wouldn't change their base feed rate, which is about five percent of that seven percent. So we'd still get a two percent increase from that and then another 28 percent increase based on their announcement this summer. So we're looking at around a 30 percent increase in our utility bills for the county. So that basically accounts for a lot of those changes and a lot of those different funds. Michael? Page 14 -~_.._._." ..~.~,- _.,---~~". ,-.,,-.- September 8, 2005 MR. SMYKOWSKI: Thank you. Some of the other changes that we've made involve capital project budget forecasts. We've adjusted the impact fee funds based on actual collections received. So in many cases we had higher than projected revenues in our impact fee collections. Obviously we've made an adjustment to the budget to account for that. We've also accounted for recent policy decisions made at county commission meetings subsequent to the release of the proposed budget. An example is where you recently approved the adoption of an impact fee deferral program for utilities for $750,000. Obviously as a result of that affirmative -- vote of affirmation by the board relative to that program, we placed and established a budget for $750,000 for that program. The other thing we've done, working in conjunction with the finance department, is established some separate operating funds for, frankly, better accounting and tracking of items related to the Article 5 court innovations, which makes you want to pull your hair out of your head in dealing with that. It's very complex. We're trying to simplify that. And by having the various component pieces isolated in separate funds, it will make it easier on the budget perspective, as well as on the finance end for accounting. In addition, the CAT bus system we've established a separate operating fund for that, so the board will see in one place, not in a multitude of places, the total operating costs associated with that. And we feel that will provide you with better management information and a better tool in the future to make good decisions relative to the CA T bus system. So that concludes the changes that have been made to the budget at this point to date. Item l-C -- CHAIRMAN COYLE: Just a minute, Mike. Commissioner Halas has a question. Page 15 '-'.~. _..~,;__~_"_" H -......'''-.-.-''"'"''-. -,-_.,-- -._- September 8, 2005 MR. SMYKOWSKI: Oh, I'm sorry. Pardon me. COMMISSIONER HALAS: Just to get a clarification. MR. SMYKOWSKI: Yes, sir. COMMISSIONER HALAS: The grand total of the budget is $33,304,000. What was it at our budget workshop back in June? What was that figure? MR. SMYKOWSKI: The changes to the budget are $33.3 million. The total budget -- bear with me one second here. COMMISSIONER HALAS: This is just the changes of 33 million? MR. SMYKOWSKI: Yes, sir. And again, the tax collector's budget alone was over 17, with his excess fees of that change. The total county budget at this point is $969,758,100. That is the net county -- COMMISSIONER HALAS: Repeat that again? MR. SMYKOWSKI: $969,758, 100. And that would incorporate all the changes that I've delineated for you. Mr. Mudd alluded to the -- what we've come to know affectionately as the UFR list, the unfinanced requirements. In your general fund this year, we left the budget workshops -- MR. MUDD: Commissioners, if you'd go in your packet right behind this yellow page, you'll see the unfinanced requirement section. MR. SMYKOWSKI: It's Page I-C. Agenda Item l-C, Page 1. I'll put it on the overhead. MR. MUDD: Sure. MR. SMYKOWSKI: What we've done here is reconciled in the -- for general fund and unincorporated general fund. In the general fund we started out -- or left the budget workshops -- in July we had a $9,077,700 available unallocated UFR balance in the general fund. The whole series of changes, plusses and minuses, budget amendments that have been approved from reserves, the fuel Page 16 ~--- ...."._.~"-- "._--,~-~ . ,,_..-- September 8, 2005 adjustments I talked about, the FEMA reimbursements, which was part of the Sheriffs changes, the Sheriffs budget reductions, reductions in tax collector fees, the net of all those changes at this point, you have $8,729,400 available that is unallocated at this point. That's for the general fund. The unincorporated area general fund, again, we had a beginning balance of a $1,093,400. Again, through a series of changes largely revolving around the electric and fuel adjustments, you have a net revised UFR balance that is unallocated at this point of $654,400. Immediately following agenda Item 1-C, Page 1 is the listing of the UFR items for the general fund. And then immediately following that is a description of each of those items, a small bullet point description for you to consider. Again, this is the first public hearing on the budget. Obviously at this point our recommendation is that you take input from the public, talk to your constituents in the intermittent two-week period before you have to make any final policy decisions. Obviously we would not want you to make formal decisions this evening prior to taking that second evening of public input on September 22nd, two weeks from tonight. So we feel it's obviously in your best interest and obviously in the public's interest to make available how much money is available so that's clear, and also the listing of what those various items are. In the intermittent period, Mr. Mudd and I will put together a package for you, looking for each of you commissioners, just as you did a year ago, to make your recommendations and we'll try to assimilate that prior to the final hearing. And I think the County Manager will also have some recommendations of his own for you to consider two weeks from tonight. MR. MUDD: Do we have any particular questions on this particular list? CHAIRMAN COYLE: You're not going to try to resolve these Page 1 7 _....,-- --",-,...~~,.. "- September 8, 2005 lists tonight? MR. MUDD: No, sir. The next meeting. MR. SMYKOWSKI: And there was one addition, as of this afternoon as well. MR. MUDD: And I'll get to -- I had a meeting with Ms. Cook, who's your airport director. And one of the things she's trying to do out in Immokalee Airport is do the Phase I to get Sky Truck ready to go on the particular airport. We had an unexpected consequence as we went through permitting, and now we're doing panther mitigation. And I had conversations, where's the panthers, I thought the airport had a fence around it. And we've gone all the way through that with the environmental side of the house. The bill to do the panther mitigation for Phase I is -- and we're using the most cost effective method, which is basically mitigation bank. And we've gone to the best bank that has the most credits per acre that we can buy. Our bill is $340,000 to do the panther mitigation. It was up around a million and a half, and we got it down to that point. Ms. Cook can find around $165,000 in grant monies that she gets that she can use legitimately to help compensate for that particular mitigation cost. She asked me at our meeting today if I would come forward and add, with your approval, to the list a UFR item for panther mitigation of $175,000 on the general fund side of the house. And that's the only known addition that I know on this particular list. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, thank you. Commissioner Halas? BUDGET DISCUSSION ITEMS - UFR LIST FOR CONSIDERATION AT FINAL BUDGET HEARING COMMISSIONER HALAS: Can you tell me, Mike, the total Page 18 ,_....~^ ,--- September 8, 2005 amount of money that we have available to address the UFR's is listed on Page 1; is that correct, of Page 1 of l-C? MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. It is on your visualizer also, in the general fund. It's $8,729,400. And on your unincorporated general fund, it is $654,400. COMMISSIONER HALAS: So it's a little over 9.3 mill that we have available. And we have a UFR list of about 42 million; is that correct? MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. COMMISSIONER HALAS: I guess we've got a lot of catching up to do. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Or cutting. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, any further questions? (N 0 response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. MR. SMYKOWSKI: That will bring us to the public comment section, where anyone from the public is interested in speaking. I know Ms. Filson already has some sign-up slips. But you do need to sign in to speak this evening for the purpose of the record. MR. MUDD: Mr. Chairman, before we go to that particular item, there's been one addition to the agenda. I was asked before the meeting, we'd already published this, if the Sheriff could have some comments in front of the board. I believe he has some items that you'd be interested in. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Can we do that after the public comments? MR. MUDD: We can do that it-- CHAIRMAN COYLE: I'll leave that up to Sheriff Hunter. Would you prefer to make your comments after the public comments, Sheriff? SHERIFF HUNTER: I'll wait, yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Page 19 ~."-- ..- ". -,-_..-._~~ "-~--'- '- September 8, 2005 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS MS. FILSON: Mr. Chairman, I have 11 speakers. The first one being Dr. Jeffrey Stivers. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. It would be three minutes each. MS. FILSON: He will be followed by Cathy Sellers. DR. STIVERS: I'm Jeff Stivers, a resident of Eastern Golden Gate Estates where we don't have antelope, but we definitely have deer and bear roaming. I'd like to speak to the issue of the Golden Gate -- the interchange at Everglades and 1-75. I went over to the east coast on Sunday. That added 30 miles to my round trip by not having that interchange, and probably an hour and a half of my time. Many of us who live in the Estates work in southern Collier and Naples, on Marco Island. And all of that traffic feeds into Golden Gate Boulevard, Randall Boulevard, Oil Well and Immokalee. Feeds down in through the east-west arteries of Immokalee, Vanderbilt and Pine Ridge. Some people go down -- I used to go down to Radio Road off 951. Can't do that anymore because of the new high school and the increased traffic there. So all of this traffic from the eastern Estates that is going into southern Naples, Marco, Henderson Creek area is traveling the same route as all of the people going to the northern part of the county. If we opened that interchange, all of us in the eastern Estates could bypass that bottleneck on the existing roadways, ease the traffic on that, swing down Everglades, come in on the interstate and then pick up Radio Road, Davis Boulevard to come into town, or swing down 951 and relieve a great deal of that pressure on the core roads in the center. This is something that is long overdue, I think, with the explosive growth out in the Estates. Page 20 .., _0.__..-'-' -"" ~--""--~-''''-''~'-' -- September 8, 2005 And I realize there's some money involved in that. And as someone who travels Golden Gate Boulevard, Pine Ridge and Livingston every day, I would suggest you could find the money by turning off the sprinklers on the medians that are pouring water out onto those roadways every morning and causing a traffic hazard. And you could do away with planting some of the bushes on those medians that do nothing but obstruct the view of people making left-turns on those street, and you could probably find enough money there to fund it. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Funding it is not the problem. DR. STIVERS: Pardon? CHAIRMAN COYLE: Funding it is not the problem. We don't have the authority to do it. It's a state and federal issue. And we as a Board of County Commissioners have voiced our concerns about that with the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and we are in support of doing this. We don't have the authority to do it. DR. STIVERS: Well, there's money in here proposed do the study and development the background, my understanding, to get that rolling. CHAIRMAN COYLE: That's right. But unless the state and federal government agree to it, it won't happen. DR. STIVERS: Yeah. But unless we get going as a community and start pushing the state and federal government, it will never happen. Because they're not going to do it if we don't say we need it. And it's definitely something that's needed. Those of you who were watching TV last week saw the traffic coming out of New Orleans at a dead stop, and that's what we would have out there in the eastern Estates if we ever had an evacuation with one road. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. DR. STIVERS: Thank you. MS. FILSON: The next speaker is Cathy Sellers. She'll be Page 21 ",. _.,~.._",---~-._.~,- ~ ~~.,..- -0,- September 8, 2005 followed by Kaydee Tuff. Chery Ie Newman? MS. TUFF: My name is Kaydee Tuff. I'm here to represent the Golden Gate Civic Association. Basically our issue is with our library, and plans for the funding for our library and the fact that it was cut down from the original plans. In the winter of 2003-2004, there were many meetings that took place, a lot of them with our high school, and the students were very excited about trying to bring what the school -- and the school system, bringing the school and the community together through our library. In March, 2004, we held a public meeting, and at that meeting we were told we were going to have a 22,000 square foot library. At 7,000 feet, you can imagine how excited we were about that. In June, 2004, our library administrator died and it seemed like the communication between our community and this project all but dried up. We were later told that there would not be impact fees that would be able to finance the way the planning had been done on the building, and it was scaled back from 22,000 square feet to 12,000. Now, this poses considerable irritation to the community in that we've been waiting for this addition, this expansion for a long time. From what I've been told, Immokalee was given their expansion ahead of ours, even though we had been scheduled. We dealt with that. We waited. And now it appears that we're waiting again, as East Naples facility will come before us, the way we understand it, as it stands. We haven't had the communication, like I said. From what I've been told, we're going to have some communication, but it only happened after there was considerable outcry from the public. We're not exactly sure where it all stands at this point, because when they decided to cut it down, they had to do a redesign on the Page 22 ~""""""'--"---"-'" "..,~-_.,-_.~~ ----_.~-" -."- September 8, 2005 facility, and that set it all back, too. So what we're asking basically is for better consideration for communication between our communities. We had been very much involved when you built the government services center and our new substation. We feel like we have been left out of the process this time. And it was very disappointing to see the significant reduction in the plan when we were very excited about the increase. Thank you for your time. MS. FILSON: The next speaker is Chery Ie Newman. She'll be followed by Keith Denny. MS. NEWMAN: Good evening, Commissioners. For the record, Cheryle Newman, Golden Gate Civic Association. I pretty much have the same information that Kaydee had. I got involved with the library during the public meetings several years ago, like she had indicated. I believe I want to just re-- how do I want to say this -- just -- MR. MUDD: Reinforce. MS. NEWMAN: Reinforce -- excuse me -- Kaydee's information that we've had a communication breakdown. In the past we've had a real good communication line with the county, we've been involved with everything that's gone on out there, and this is just kind of falling off the side of the hill. And we were very, very disappointed to hear that we've been reduced to 12,000 square foot. The existing 7,000 square foot building will be continued to use, from what I understand, while the building's going on. And that would be remodeled at a later date, once the new section is opened. The problem with the old building is, is that it's so old the septic system is in really bad shape and the building itself inside is I think like 1960's is or 70's building or something like that. I guess all I really want to say is we're really disappointed that we've lost the communication with the county on this, and we're very Page 23 -,.- '~o~~_"____"' . -- September 8, 2005 disappointed that we are going to be held off until the bid is supposed to be November, December of 2006 and is going to be 12 to 14 months to build it. Right now we are in real bad shape as far as parking, and during construction I would imagine that would be even worse. I thank you for your time. Thank you very much. MS. FILSON: Keith Denny. He'll be followed by Fay Biles. MR. DENNY: Hello. I'm Keith Denny with the Golden Gate Area Civic Association. I just also want to reinforce what was told by the two people ahead of me, that there is a large need for a new library in Golden Gate. And with the changes in media, with DVD's, Internet, the focus is changing away from just regular books. We do need this for our Golden Gate area. Thank you. MS. FILSON: The next speaker is Fay Biles. She'll be followed by John Welling. MS. BILES: Good evening. Nice to be back. I'm here to speak for the Florida sea grant college program. We're hoping very much to have a marine person come in and be the sea grant advisor for Collier County. As the letter I wrote to you, I served on the sea grant panel for, oh, gosh, more than 10 years, really, and I've never been so impressed with a program as much as I am with that one. The tremendous help that they give to local environments is just out of the question. I think you got the paper, the two-page from them. I asked them to be sure you got that. Okay. And that describes the programs, the coastal reserves and so forth. When I knew that -- I also represent Florida Golf Coast University, because we're trying very hard to set up a marine science center at Rookery Bay and we're trying to raise the money for that and get that going. And I must say that a marine science advisor and a sea grant Page 24 ^._~,.~ --'"--~. -------..- -_.- .~.._- September 8, 2005 advisor would be of tremendous help. They're good at getting grants; they're good at national research. It's a national program. And I must say that the Florida sea grant college program is one of the best in the country. The University of Florida has just done a magnificent job. When I knew I was going to do this, I went downstairs. I have crates of materials from the sea grant days. In fact, my husband says get rid of them, please, it's a fire hazard. But as I was going through them I just couldn't be impressed (sic). I mean, there's stuff like this that comes out of them and it's called items of artificial reefs. That's just one, just one little program they have. But complete information on how to start it, what to do with it. Here's one, a Regional Waterway Systems Management Strategy for Southwest Florida, which is invaluable in talking about everything that has to do with marine science. It's just a marvelous -- here's one, Marine Education and Research Organizations in Florida. And of course we're very much interested in that with the marine science center from Florida Gulf Coast. Marine science careers. And I bought a whole box of them, but there's so many there, I can't bring them all out. But I do hope -- when I left a sea grant panel after, you know, very few -- by the way, I was honored to be the only woman on the panel for all those years. But when I -- all that time, Collier County was the only county that did not have a sea grant advisor in the whole system. And when I learned that, I thought, oh, that's a shame. We really need it where we are, in southwest Florida, right on the Gulf Coast, having many, many problems dealing with the marine environment. So I was thrilled to death when I heard that finally we are starting to push to try to get one. We have the help of the University of Florida to do that, and we have the blessings of the national sea grant college program also. So that's what I'm here for, to say please, let's get us a marine -- a sea grant advisor. Thank you. Page 25 ~-" '~" _..'~"'---~"'--"'" ~_.' ".'..- September 8, 2005 MS. FILSON: John Welling. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Mr. Chairman? CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yes. COMMISSIONER HENNING: You know, I think we're going to have several speakers on this item, and I would like to deal with it now. I have changed my opinion on this position and am supportive of it, after some information that I received. And I would request the Chairman to take a poll on this issue, see where we're at, and maybe we can at the end of the day get to where some of the residents want. CHAIRMAN COYLE: We're not going to try to make those decisions this evening, as I understand it. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Right. But they're going to have to come back. CHAIRMAN COYLE: The-- COMMISSIONER FIALA: You're now in favor of it, right? COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. After understanding it's not more offensive government. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah. Well, since we've broken and had a commissioner asking questions, we've got two commissioners here waiting to ask questions. Can we -- go ahead, Commissioner Halas, you may as well get on with it. COMMISSIONER HALAS: I just wanted to let the gentleman know that spoke in regards to the traffic impact in Golden Gate Estates area that we as a Board of County Commissioners realize the impact there, and we have lobbied our legislators in Washington D.C., specifically Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, on this very issue of coming forth with some federal monies to do a justification study, interchange justification study. And I know I will follow up and find out where it is on the network, because I think it's very -- it's imperative that we address this issue and get it going. Page 26 ._,-~ -- ---.. .....----- September 8, 2005 CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. Commissioner Coletta? COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Yes. If I may piggyback on that particular item there. We were very fortunate to have Commissioner Halas and our County Manager Jim Mudd go to Washington D.C. and actually physically lobby our representative and Congress on this very issue. So there is something to be done. Commissioner Coyle is absolutely correct, the final decision whether we go forward or not will be up to the federal and state people, but I believe in the power of the people to be able to convince them, and I think if we commit some money for the study, rather than wait for that funding to come down the road six years from now, 10 years from now. The most progressive numbers I've heard as far as when this could be completed is 13 years out. That's unacceptable. And I think if we could possibly move forward, we come up with the money for the initial study to be able to prove the justification for it, we could probably cut off a lot of years from that and keep moving it forward. From what I've seen here in the past, you do have the support of this Commission on this item. But then again, our UFR list is very tight, and we're going to need your support here today and in the future to be able to see if we can keep going forward. And the other issue I'd like to touch on just very briefly, the sea grant program. As you know, I've been a supporter of it from day one. There is one item that I would like to have put up for consideration to be put in the discussion for the job description for the person that's hired for it, and that's to be able to explore the possibility of sea hatcheries, of hatcheries for the sea life, to be able to restock some of our depleted inventory of fish. It's being done in other countries with fairly good success, and I would like to see that also entertained. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Commissioner Henning, did you have anything further to say? Page 27 ...-._-'"~ ~,.~..- .._~-~-_...- --~..~-- September 8, 2005 COMMISSIONER HENNING: I'll wait till after the public speakers. CHAIRMAN COYLE: I'm sorry, sir? MR. WELLING: That's okay. I'm just here to complain. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Well, in that case, your time has expired. MS. FILSON: This is Mr. John Welling, and-- MR. WELLING: John Welling. MS. FILSON: -- he'll be followed by Pat Humphries. MR. WELLING: Good day. I'm just here to express my feelings about the increase in the property taxes. I'm sure I speak for a lot of people in the Golden Gate area about having their taxes tripled. And in my case, every one of my -- from last year's bill to this year's bill has tripled. I just don't think that's, you know, kind of fair. But I think they really need to look at that. And I think this county really is trying -- I don't know if they're trying to strangle the working class people in this county, but I think that the tax base should really look at this a little bit closer. Thank you for your time. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Are you a resident of Collier County? MR. WELLING: Yes, I've been a resident for about 39 years. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Your property tax could not have tripled. MR. WELLING: Well, they have. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Are you homesteaded? MR. WELLING: Yes, I am. I lived, you know, in the county, but closer into town. I sold my home there, moved out here to the Gate. That's why. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Oh, well, yeah. MR. WELLING: But, I mean, to triple it is one thing. I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes, but to triple it I think is way out of hand. CHAIRMAN COYLE: But see, we don't make assessments. The reason that homes increase, that kind of value particularly, if you Page 28 c_~^ ^--,~,.^" ."..--_._._,.,,-,.,"" -' --.,-, ,.....,.,' ..--..--..".- -.---..-- September 8, 2005 move from one to the other, is that you've moved to a more expensive home. MR. WELLING: Well, the problem is -- that's the problem. We all know that houses are all inflated prices out here to begin with. CHAIRMAN COYLE: And we do not control that. The market -- MR. WELLING: I know. CHAIRMAN COYLE: -- controls that. And so there's nothing we can do to stop that. What we have done is we have held the millage rate, the tax rate, constant for the past four or five years. We have not increased your tax rate in four or five years. So whatever factors are resulting in your tax increases of that type are way beyond our control. They involve the value of the home that you purchased when you moved into that home and the valuations by the tax appraiser. And we have -- we do not have any control over that. That is way beyond our control. Commissioner Henning had -- well, no, he's waiting for later. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: I just wanted to make one fact. The Save Our Homes that was instituted a number of years ago in Florida does not allow an increase of more than three percent on the appraised value. You, sir, got caught on the end, the fact that you did sell your home. Myself, I live in a four-bedroom house, three-bath. When I had a lot of kids, it made sense. Today I wouldn't move out of there for anything for the very same reason that you're citing. And that's true of a lot of our residents. MR. WELLING: Right. I was just trying to better myself by moving out here and getting more land, you know, but it didn't work out that way. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Well, no, I mean, when you went into it, I hope that you knew what you were doing when you sold your house -- Page 29 "._--. ,,_..__.,~. ._~-- September 8, 2005 MR. WELLING: Well, they never told me it was going to triple. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Yeah, but it's one of those facts of life, you know. And I'd recommend to anyone out there that's prepared to sell a house in Collier County and to move their homestead to a new house, to reevaluate it financially before they do it. It's a smart thing to do. Don't wait till after the fact and you find yourself in the predicament of this gentleman. Because they are going to appraise it at the new value. MR. WELLING: Well, thank you very much. MS. FILSON: The next speaker is Pat Humphries. She'll be followed PJ. Noe. MS. HUMPHRIES: Good evening. My name is Pat Humphries. I'm the board of director for the Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association. I'm here to encourage you to approve the portion of the Sheriffs budget that relates to a substation in Golden Gate Estates. This long awaited and much needed facility is crucial to the Estates' growing population that is presently experiencing accelerated criminal activity, as well as an increase in dump truck traffic. Even though these problems are now being successfully addressed, the expected increase in population will require more staff and shorter trip times. Please approve this request for the health, safety and well-being of the families in Golden Gate Estates. Thank you. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. MS. FILSON: The next speaker is P.J. Noe. She'll be followed by Russell Tuff. MS. NOE: Hi. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm a member of the Corkscrew Island neighborhood association, and I live in the Corkscrew area. Due to increased growth, a permanent substation would Page 30 ----- -_.._..__...-..."~,.-..,~-,,,~,,,,,,-,~.._~., <--.._- September 8, 2005 definitely be a safety benefit to the residents there, and a deterrent to those with criminal intentions who know well a call to the sheriffs office will take a certain amount of time due to the distance from the Immokalee or the Naples stations. A permanent sheriffs office midway between the two main sheriffs offices would be an asset to our area. I hope you will approve this. And I'd like to thank Mr. Coletta for the efforts that you made on the Friendship intersection. There's markers there, they're working on it. Thank you. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Thank you. MS. FILSON: Next speaker is Russell Tuff. He'll be followed by Doug Rankin. MR. TUFF: Good evening, Commissioners, and thanks for the opportunity to be here. And I did want to briefly talk about a moment I believe all of you were in office, and how the situation from the Golden Gate Library was handled was very admirable and make you proud. There was public meetings, there was meetings with the civic associations; they met with the schools, they met with the -- just the users, and find out here's what we'll need, here's the services that we'll need, and they came up with a very comprehensive plan, and it was . very ImpressIve. It was presented to the community, and it said this is what we're going to have for your community. And we were all excited about it and happy about that. And as was stated earlier, it was something -- we just found out that it's not going to happen that way. And there's been some other changes. And I don't want to take -- you know, I'm sure the needs is just as great in East Naples, and it was probably great in Immokalee. But I'm not sure how the priorities get made or how they get pushed around. Maybe it was people not being alive anymore that changed the flow of things. Page 3 1 -~.. - >"......_.--~.-...- ~,-~,-~-,_.~._-,.~~' .,,-----"^- .--- September 8, 2005 But I guess what I would like to, if there's an opportunity to do that, is to get our area back on track to where -- what it was, what we were promised and what I believe was a very good plan. Right now to go back, we're going to have to start all over. And, you know, those needs assessed -- everything that we need to move forward to do a good job has been done and very well by the staff as it is. And hopefully you can still make a change in that and make that happen for our community, too. Because our needs are great. It's growing. We all know what's happening in our community. And it's a very significant need in our community. And it would be a shame to see it wait another three years. Because that's what it's looking like right now. Because it was supposed to have already been here and we're using it. So good luck and hope you can pull that off. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. MS. FILSON: The next speaker is Doug Rankin. He'll be followed by Randy Ward. MR. RANKIN: Good evening, Commissioners. My name is Doug Rankin. I'm here on behalf of the Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association and myself. I'm a past president, current board director. Our president isn't here this evening, I believe. I just got an e-mail, he had a death in the family so he won't be here this evening. I'm here on three matters: One is the substation in Golden Gate. Desperately needed. Weare dealing with the largest subdivision in the world. I was in Canada this summer and they bragged, the ice field that feeds all the glaciers where I was visiting is 1 72 square miles. And I said, big deal, I live in a subdivision that's 250 square miles. We desperately need it. The Sheriff does his best, but a lot of people out there know it takes 20, 30 minutes to get somebody out there. He's added people out there, but it's a long way, there's a lot of room to grow -- a lot of growth out there. We currently have more people out there than the City of Naples, City of Marco and the City of Everglades put together and growing by the day. We have to have Page 32 .-.----"" ...~-,..._,~,-,..,"-. -~~--~--"-'-'- '-- September 8, 2005 that substation to deal with the burgeoning crime problem. Also, of course we have larger lots, it's easier to rob people during the day there, because you can't be seen. You need more of a presence out there. And they need the substation to have the consistency out there. Next matter I just want to touch on -- I know you all are mostly behind this -- is the interchange at Everglades. Aside from the traffic concerns, which the other gentleman mentioned, which I wholeheartedly agree with, we have a life and safety problem out there that's been made worse by what the state forced us into a couple years ago, we did the best we could with an agreement on the Southern Golden Gate Estates. But we have a lot of people living along DeSoto and Everglades Boulevard between the Boulevard and 1-75. And we have in the past had fires that started there and burned south. We have in the past had floods in the area and we will have hurricanes unfortunately in the future. Those people have no where to go except into the Southern Golden Gate Estates which is now all fenced off, except for Jane Scenic. And as we know, a large portion of the year, that road is unusable, or it can be unusable. So these people have no real way out except a little bitty gate that a lot of the little cars that we're all now switching to can't do much with at $3.00 gas. It's something we need to worry about. It's a health and safety reason we need this. I believe that if we put forth our effort, I know all of us who have contacts with the state and federal people are going to be pushing for it, but we have a local commitment, we'll get that. The other thing I -- other subject on here is roads. I noticed on the handout there were some items in there about some money for unpaved roads. I don't know how much of that's in Golden Gate Estates. But we used -- we're having a lot of growth on those unpaved roads. I don't know how many of those roads are out there. And of course we won't mention the fact that we're going to start needing Page 33 ,- ^ -"_....._-~.._~~.- -~"~_..-.."... September 8, 2005 some really serious widening, like Golden Gate Boulevard between Wilson and DeSoto, and of course Oil Well, which they're already doing in conjunction with this. But, you know, we've got A va Marie right in our backyard that's going to increase this even more. And I thank you very much for your consideration. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. MS. FILSON: The next speaker is Randy Ward. He'll be followed by Gary Litton. MR. WARD: Good evening, Commissioners. I represent the Marine Industries Association of Collier County, and we're here to speak very much in favor of the -- what you're calling a marine agent, the sea grant program. We find that it's -- it can only do good for everyone. The clean marina program that you've all heard about was written through sea grant and is administered with as one of the partners in it. And it's an excellent program. Boater education, fishing education, everything we can do to make our waters better in Collier County. I'm not going to take any more time because I don't want to talk anybody out of anything. Thank you very much. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. MS. FILSON: Your next speaker is Gary Litton. He'll be followed by Perla Ongoala. MR. LITTON: Good evening, Commissioners. My name is Gary Litton. I'm the director for the Rookery Bay Research Reserve. I work for the State of Florida. I'm also here tonight to speak to you on the sea grant extension agent position. I've had an opportunity to speak to some of you individually about this. You may be aware that we're putting in $20,000 worth of match for this position. That includes an office, computer and administrative support at our new environmental learning center facility. We Page 34 ... .....----.. ."~-- -- September 8, 2005 consider that to be a state-of-the-art education and science center. I want to just mention just briefly that in Collier County you have 22,000 registered voters; over 53,000 individuals that have paid for saltwater fishing licenses. You also have a number of marine operators that rent boats during season. The bottom line is we have a lot of boaters in county waters, and we have a great interest in the coastal management community in educating and working directly with the boating and marine industry. As Randy indicated, from the Marine Industry Association, there is a great need and there's also a great interest. So I would encourage you to look at this partnership opportunity that we have. Weare willing to work directly with you to put this extension agent on the ground in the county. I can promise you that if you're willing to commit to the partnership for a year, we will be back in a year to address the success of the efforts of that extension agent. I look at it as an educator that will work directly with our marine and boating interests and really support informed stewardship of our coastal environment. Commissioner Coletta, you had mentioned farming and mariculture and aquaculture. You'll hear also from Mike Springer later this evening, director of extension for the University of Florida, that that is one of the examples of expertise and capability that sea grant can bring to Collier County to help provide training and greater opportunities for marine interests to get more involved in mariculture opportunities. So I'm very excited about this opportunity. I've been here 20 years. I think this is an outstanding for us to work together, and we really need to reach the voters in this county. So I'll be glad to answer any questions that you might have, but look forward to working with you, if we can move forward with this partnership. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. Page 35 -_..,--- September 8, 2005 MS. FILSON: The next speaker is Perla Ongoala. She'll be followed by Mike Spranger. MS. ZELENY: Good evening, Commissioners. My name is Mayra Zeleny. I'm an interpreter and I will be speaking on behalf of Mrs. Perla Ongoala. And I quote, I live in Golden Gate Estates and we do need first a sheriff substation. Second, an exit at 1-75 in Everglades Boulevard. And I would like to thank you, Mr. Coletta, for his proposals and his service to the community. Thank you very much for your consideration. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Thank you. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. MR. SPRANGER: Good evening. I'm Mike. MS. FILSON: The next -- thank you. MR. SPRANGER: -- Spranger. Sorry. I'm the assistant director for the Florida sea grant program. I'm not a taxpayer, but I will be contributing to the sea grant position, if you decide to fund it. The sea grant program is a federal/state/county partnership that's funded as part of the extension program. You have a county extension office out on Immokalee Road. We did an analysis a couple of years ago and we saw two big gaps in our marine agent positions. One was Bay County, I worked with the county commissioners in Bay County. Last year we funded that position. The other big gap we found is in Collier. And as Gary Litton said, it's a partnership approach. We're asking you for about $41,000. I have about 45 to $50,000 to provide support of this. And Gary Litton, he figures with his in kind support office space is another $20,000. So again, I think you're getting a pretty good return of public investment. But I think it's more than that. You're buying into our state and national expert of expertise. Page 36 _""",0'_' -~--_.<.. --~-~--",.. '- September 8, 2005 Mr. Coletta, you said you're interested in aquaculture. I have an aquaculture specialist that does technical assistance, training programs all around the state. We're doing some funding now to look at changing the way the oysters grow from a triploid to a triploid. Basically what that means, the oysters don't reproduce, so they spend all their energy growing. What that does is reduces stress and allows perhaps the oysters to grow in these waters, which are a little hotter than up north in Cedar Key. So we bring that opportunity for you. You'll hear from our county agent to the north, who has brought in $250,000 in extramural funds in his position, plus $100,000 in volunteer efforts. So again, a good return of the public investment. In your last meeting, I think you mentioned accountability. We're accountable to address local issues. Each of our agents has a local advisory committee made up of a composite of people that use your marina and local resources. They give guidance and they also identify those issues that that agent should be working on. We do plan a report, and then we do a report of accomplishments. We'd be more than willing next year to -- after we do our plan of work, to show you the report of accomplishments of what type of outcomes and benefits that we have made to the county. Again, the accountability, since it's a county position, the person is accountable to the county extension director, who's in Collier County, and he's also here today. And that reports to the district director. I'm just the -- provide program support and push paper in Gainesville to make sure that there's money to help make that happen. The other thing I think that you were concerned about in your last hearing was, are we educators? We're educators, we're not regulators. As Randy Ward said, we work with the clean boating partnership where we work with the Department of Environmental Protection, the industry and ourselves to best management practices to work for the marina operators. And I think you have the packet of Page 37 .--,,,..- -"'--.-- ------".~' ,- September 8, 2005 papers from the Marine Industries of Collier to say that this is an important position. And again to close, we complement and not duplicate what's already being done. And we do have letters -- you have letters from your own Department of Natural Resources from Rookery Bay and other places to show that we're real excited about creating synergy with Rookery Bay, with the county, with yourselves and with Florida Gulf Coast University. So I thank you for your time and attention. MS. FILSON: The next speaker is Bob Wassu (sic). I think. CHAIRMAN COYLE: How many more speakers do we have? MS. FILSON: And he'll be followed by Sheriff Hunter. MR. W ASNO: Good evening, Commissioners. My name is Bob Wasno. I'm the Lee County Sea Grant agent. And as you heard previously from my director some of the things that we're involved with on a state-wide level, and I thought I would just offer you a couple of different proj ects that I'm working on basically where the rubber meets the road in Lee County. A lot of my programs are youth oriented. We work a lot with an Envirothon. It's an academic olympics with some of the local high schools through five regions. Here in Collier County we had Barron Collier's group last year ran up the aquatics section up to third place in the state-wide competition. An additional sea grant presence here would also offer recruitment from a lot of the local high schools that should be working with these kinds of programs. I also work a lot with the 4- H marine clubs, getting youths involved with things like sports fishing and appreciation for their local environments, those type of proj ects. Some of the other things that I'm involved with include networking with a lot of groups, both local and civic groups. One of things that I think's important that we've put together up there that I think would be ideal for an initial project for the sea grant Page 38 -~~^' ,~--~------ u_ September 8, 2005 agency here is working with some of your local fishing guides, both commercial fishing guides, fishermen, and professional sports fishermen. These are groups of folks that are out on the water here in Lee County. I've got 65 guys that are in this association. They're out on the water 260 days out of the year. This converts to almost 16,000 days out on the water. These guys are the eyes and ears of what's going on out there, through red tide, aids navigation, those kinds of things, derelict vessels that are out there, and they are able to keep me in touch. And that's one of the ways that I'm able to keep on top of a lot of the different issues that have been going on in there. I work quite a bit with the commercial fishing industry, including the local shrimp docks and the clam farm leases that we've got going on in Lee County waters, and I would expect that a similar program would be established here. Thank you for your time this evening. Thank you. MS. FILSON: That is your final speaker, Mr. Chairman. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Before Sheriff Hunter, Commissioner Henning had some comments or questions. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah, the issue with the library is not on the UFR list, but it is reference to the square foot in our budget book that has been cut. And I just wanted to give you a little history on that. It was in 2002 that it was scheduled in our capital improvement element for the 03-04 budget. South regional library was 07-08. And the next year it was -- the Golden Gate Library was put off, south regional was still on schedule and so on, so forth. And why it was put off is exactly like it was stated, is the Immokalee Library needed to be finished and completed. And the next one in line was the Golden Gate Library. Mr. Chair and members of the board, January 26th, 2005 this board was told that the Golden Gate Library was going to be 24,000 -- 17,000 square feet. That's January 25, 2005. And now we're understanding that it's going to be cut. Page 39 ,....-"- .' -,----~ ..,."'---_.,,..,~~' ,~. _...,~ September 8, 2005 I also want to tell you that our capital improvement plan has been changed for 2005, what I read in the paper. I don't think our staff has the authority to do that. That's our plan we have adopted. Our staff has no business amending it. The -- probably the person who made this decision has also made the decision that Golden Gate doesn't deserve an amphitheater like other parts of the library system. And also meeting rooms. Because it was stated that Golden Gate Community Center has a lot of meeting rooms; therefore, it's really not needed. But the library system and the meeting rooms are much different than the community center meeting rooms and the needs there. To give you an example, I took my son to one of the story times at the library in Golden Gate, which has limited meeting space, but it was utilized for this purpose. And not only all the mothers couldn't participate because of the spacing, I had mothers just about sit down in my lap and couldn't put my child next to me, I had to put him in front of me. I want to see this library put back on track to what was promised to the community to be equal, just like every other community in Collier County. Part of the reason is -- as stated is the land available. The county manager and I looked at what the previous county manager had in mind is a stormwater storage system, and utilizing that for some of the parking. Now I find out that there has been more land looked upon, there has been a -- there will be a petition come before the commissioners to vacate a roadway, so we'll have increasing lands. I think this has become a political issue to satisfy a certain part of the community on the back of Golden Gate. And I just won't stand for it. And I hope that the other commissioners will see a need for a minority community of Golden Gate. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Could you tell me what you meant by -- you were talking about pieces of land. I didn't understand what Page 40 --_......-- ,.-."..~-._,,"_.." September 8, 2005 you were -- COMMISSIONER HENNING: In the Golden Gate -- near the community center, there's stormwater storage. County Manager recognized the availability to box some of that in and utilize that for parking. Now, our public service director stated that, well, that's going to delay the operation, or building end, we have to remodify the permits, it's going to take six months. I would rather do it right the first time and delay it six months than having to provide a facility that really doesn't function for the community. The other one is going to come before us, and it's a good idea, is to vacate part of a roadway, a four-lane to a two-lane, which is really not needed. COMMISSIONER FIALA: For the library? COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yes. COMMISSIONER FIALA: So that they have more room to build on it? COMMISSIONER HENNING: More room to build on, but it's still only providing a 12,000 square foot -- it's only providing 12,000 additional square foot. COMMISSIONER FIALA: But you'll already have the seven, right? COMMISSIONER HENNING: We have the seven. COMMISSIONER FIALA: And then you add the seven to the 12, is that what it is? COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, that's what they would like to do on the count, but I've got to remind you, Commissioner, North Naples has two libraries. COMMISSIONER FIALA: I know. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay? And I understand that East Naples wants to keep its two libraries. COMMISSIONER FIALA: We only have one. Page 41 ~,---~...._" September 8, 2005 COMMISSIONER HENNING: And all we're asking for is -- COMMISSIONER FIALA: We only have one library. COMMISSIONER HENNING: I know. But also with the one that has been proposed. And all I'm saying is, we just want what we were told. That's the community wants. I think they need -- and our staff need to recognize what the need of the community is. And I think some of our staff members needs to realize the difference between parks and rec. operation and library operation. Because there is a difference. You know, otherwise we'd all have them as one. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Could I make a suggestion? This should not be a competition between political districts. We-- MR. MUDD: Commissioner, if I could just try to clarify. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yeah, I think that what we need is a clarification of where we're going on this and how we can get there. MR. MUDD: Let's try to get some clarification. The Immokalee Library went ahead because they got a construction grant that had to be used in a period of time. When you get the construction grant, you have to get under construction by that particular time. For instance, we just received a $500,000 construction grant for the Golden Gate Library. Okay, that has to be being used by December of 2006. So that library needs to be under construction December, 2006. The previous library director had come up with a plan and Ms. Newman, Mr. and Mrs. Tuff, basically relayed to the board that they were talking about a 20,000 plus library at that particular time. They were going to put it on the existing site and they were going to raze the existing library. They were going to -- or he had his plan to use impact fees for the entire building. Well, you can't raze an existing library and replace that square footage with impact fees. So we were in a bit of a dilemma with that particular issue. And I don't believe the final plan that he had in mind was doable. It wouldn't pass our finance officer test. It Page 42 ---^ _._~"".. .- ^-~-,---- -- M"___" ,,-- September 8, 2005 didn't pass my test. It didn't pass the office of management and budget. We started to look at the site. And that's the night that Commissioner Henning and I did a night walk out there in the drainage ditch. It's a rather big pond area. We took a look at it and tried to figure out some ways that we could still get a quality facility at that particular site. What staffhas finally come up with is around a 12,000 square foot new facility with impact fees next to the existing library, using the existing library while that construction is going on in a separate building, maintaining the service in that particular area. And then once that library is built, do a -- and we'll do it in the interim, figure out what the useful life is of the old library, the existing library today. All right, at that time basically come back to the board and budget out of general fund a placement, an addition to the 1,200 foot (sic) facility that would get it to 1,900 square feet (sic). CHAIRMAN COYLE: 19,000. MR. MUDD: 19,000, excuse me. And that's the plan as I have it right now. Last board meeting, you approved sending out the design plan to a design contractor to design the 12,000 square foot facility. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, Commissioner Henning, did you have further comment? COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. We were told, after Mr. Jones left us, it was just this year, 24,000, 17,000 addition. And now , we re -- MR. MUDD: I'll find out, sir. COMMISSIONER HENNING: It's right in writing here, sir. And I got a question for you. Who changed our capital improvement program for the East Naples Library that I read in the paper? MR. MUDD: Commissioner, that was changed at the AUIR Page 43 '"M.' .~,- - '0__"'---" ~-,.~,.. September 8, 2005 meeting, based on the analysis, but I don't believe anybody made a change that you didn't already approve. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, what I read was-- MR. MUDD: Are we talking about what was in the paper? COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yes. MR. MUDD: Well, I'll take a look at the facts and I'll get back with you, sir. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. It was stated that it was going to happen in 2006. Our 2005 AUIR is still on the target for 07 -08, all right? So the impact fees that are going to be used for the expansion, what -- there is enough land out there, even more than you even thought of, by vacating the road easement, is going to East Naples. That's where it's going. And you have enough room to build a 17,000 square foot at the existing site. MR. MUDD: I'll get back with you, sir, take a look at that particular issue. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, I'll put it on a further agenda. MR. MUDD: Well, I believe if that's the case, by the next board meeting I'll come back to the Board of County Commissioners and put down a request for general fund money or whatever it's going to take, if we're going to raze the old building and get to the next one. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, that isn't what we were talking about. The old building was going to stay. We were talking about the stormwater area. And now Marla's talking about an additional space for library expansion or vacation of roadway. So it's not tearing down the old one. MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, you're going to come back to us with a report, right? MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, thank you. Page 44 ~_.~ ~."--."~-""._,-"",,,,,.""., --".- September 8, 2005 MR. MUDD: Try and get that resolved before the next hearing. CHAIRMAN COYLE: And Commissioner Halas, sorry to keep you waiting for so long. COMMISSIONER HALAS: I'm okay. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, now, one thing that Commissioner Henning wanted to do earlier was to include the marine research or sea grant position on the UFR list. It's not there now, as I understand. MR. MUDD: It's there. CHAIRMAN COYLE: It is there now? MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. It's the eighth one down on your list -- CHAIRMAN COYLE: Marine agent. MR. MUDD: -- under the general fund. It's marine agent. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, I got it. All right. So it is on the UFR list and we'll have a chance to prioritize that in the next meeting, right? MR. MUDD: Yes, sir, $21,200. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, thank you very much. No further questions by commissioners on general items. Sheriff Hunter, did -- no, he didn't leave. He didn't give up. It's your turn. SHERIFF HUNTER: I just moved closer to I could get here quicker. I heard we have a slow response to the Estates; I wanted to be nearer to the Commission. We do have some issues there. Sheriff Don Hunter, Collier County Sheriffs Office. Mr. Chairman, thank you for having me and permitting me to speak. Ward, about the only time I see you anymore. I apologize for that. Hopefully we're all rested. And we do have this good news, I assume, to everyone. The good news is that the Governor signed into law an adjusted retirement package that we all will benefit from in the sense of seeing a reduction to our budget. We're seeing about a $2.3 million reduction to our original proposal there and a $1.9 million reduction in our proposal to you, the result of some adjustments that I Page 45 ,-~,- ..~.,._--~...- September 8, 2005 made within the agency. And we will still be able to field a fun complement at the Golden Gate Estates substation, district four. No impact there. We have reallocated some of the youth relations deputies, resulting in that reduction to you to us from our proposal. And we have also been successful in a couple of grants and aid that you authorized earlier. We had applied for three, we received two. Therefore, that helped us in getting us to that $1.9 million reduction addition. You've also seen the papers by now. We tried to make a quick decision. I've been -- relative to the DRILL academy. We had conducted some research. I had been seeing graduate names from the DRILL academy appearing in my overnight fax material. And in the com.stat materials that we have every other week too frequently. So we conducted some research and the results have been made available to me back in about June. Been working on what to do with that. I thought that when we conducted the research, we'd just be making some refinements. But when you're looking at a 97 percent fail rate over a five-year period after graduation from the DRILL, that's not a refinement, that suggests that all we're doing is punishing youth, and that's a state function. W e'lllet the state punish juveniles, which is what -- that's their responsibility. We're going to take that facility. We've made an offer to Secretary Schembri of the Department of Juvenile Justice. He has, through his supervisors, made an assurance to me that that facility will be used for the youth of Collier County, so we don't lose the commitment space for serious juvenile offenders. That remains. Just that this board and this agency won't be spending the money necessary to staff it. So we'll enjoy the benefit there. We believe that we will see a reduction, a further reduction in our request to you of about $500,000 for this year. And annualized reduction will probably even be a bit more significant, another Page 46 --~..". .".,._._-~~. '-'._~"" .....- ,- September 8, 2005 $100,000. So that's the good newslbad news. The good news is we're doing a good job of finding the graduates, monitoring them after they graduate from the DRILL academy, making rearrests, because they had not relieved themselves of their criminal intent. But the bad news is, we don't have the DRILL Academy, which was widely accepted, widely believed to be doing a good job, including by me. And for about a year after graduation, it was. But bottom line, we are -- I think Mr. Smykowski has already quoted the numbers to you, I won't reiterate that. But I wanted to be before you and make the announcement myself and entertain any questions you may have. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Sheriff Hunter, I personally would like to commend you for taking action on a program that I know you've been very dedicated to for a number of years. And I think we're all disappointed that the DRILL Academy concept didn't work. But it wasn't through any lack of effort on your part or your department's part. I think you did the best you could, and I commend you for recognizing that it wasn't producing a desired result and taking prompt action -- SHERIFF HUNTER: Thank you, Mr. Chair. CHAIRMAN COYLE: -- and for looking for alternatives. So thanks for a good attempt. Sorry it didn't work. We'll find some other way to deal with that. SHERIFF HUNTER: Thank you. We will. We'll find a way. CHAIRMAN COYLE: I'm sorry, Commissioner Halas, go ahead. COMMISSIONER HALAS: Sheriff, with the advent of you basically shutting down DRILL Academy, how many officers does that free up to put in other places in your unit? SHERIFF HUNTER: We've got a full plan. We'll present it to you. The total complement at DRILL was about 24. And what we're Page 47 -~--'-~ >~,__""....e ~"-_._.,, --"-'-'. ,- September 8, 2005 going to do, as you suggest, is realign them. Some of those positions were vacant at the time I made my decision, so we won't fill those. And as you know, we're trying to find people to work in the new wing of the jail that were -- those positions authorized in the current fiscal year. So we're going to realign and try to fill some of those positions with existing DRILL instructors. So we'll give a full plan within a week or so, as soon as I can get that lined out. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Good. Any other questions by commissioners? (No response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you very much, Sheriff Hunter. Appreciate you being here. SHERIFF HUNTER: Thank you. COMMISSIONER HALAS: I'd just like to say one thing. Sheriff Hunter, I really appreciate the diligence of working with everyone here in the county in regards to trying to control costs, and we really appreciate all the effort you and your staff have put forth on this. Thank you very, very much. SHERIFF HUNTER: You're certainly welcome. Thank you for the opportunity to make the presentation, as I said, and we look forward to working with you. RESOLUTION 2005-288: ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES - ADOPTED MR. MUDD: Commissioner, that brings us to another section, which is basically the resolution to adopt the tentative millage rates. Mr. Smykowski? MR. SMYKOWSKI: That's correct, Commissioners. That's agenda Item l-E, pages one, two and three. Two and three are attachments delineating the various millage rates that are consistent with those that you had adopted in July, without change. And we Page 48 -~..~ -.-..-"-.'.- --- September 8, 2005 would need a motion for approval of those rates. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Is this the final adoption? CHAIRMAN COYLE: It will not be the final adoption. MR. SMYKOWSKI: It will not. CHAIRMAN COYLE: So we can adopt a maximum not to exceed figure here; is that correct? MR. SMYKOWSKI: You actually adopted the maximum not to exceed in July. You can maintain the millage and at the final hearing you still have the option of lowering the millage, should you so desire. You cannot increase it, unless you send certified mail to every property owner. Obviously that's a fairly onerous task, and it's unlikely that you would want to go that route. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Motion to approve. COMMISSIONER HALAS: Second. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Motion to approve by Commissioner Coletta, second by Commissioner Halas. Any discussion? (No response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: All in favor, signify by saying aye. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye. COMMISSIONER HALAS: Aye. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Aye. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Any opposed, by like sign. (N 0 response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, it is approved unanimously. RESOLUTION 2005-289: ADOPTING THE AMENDED TENTATIVE RESOLUTION - ADOPTED MR. SMYKOWSKI: That moves to us Item I-F, a resolution to adopt the amended tentative budget, incorporating the changes that I walked you through in the beginning of the meeting, and I'm assuming Page 49 -"<- ",c".,.;_...___,...,...~- -----.-. -- September 8, 2005 we're also then going to change the Sheriffs budget by the additional -- MR. MUDD: What we're going to do is whatever he gives us here in a week, we will put that into the budget and that will increase your UFR list and we'll talk about that. CHAIRMAN COYLE: That's right. So you'll incorporate any of the changes that will be coming from Sheriff Hunter within the next week or so? MR. MUDD: Yes, sir. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay. All right. So that will be included in the motion to adopt the amended tentative budget. Is there a motion to approve? COMMISSIONER HALAS: So moved. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Motion to approve by Commissioner Halas, second by Commissioner Fiala. Any questions? (No response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: All in favor, please signify by saying aye. COMMISSIONER HENNING: Aye. COMMISSIONER HALAS: Aye. COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Aye. COMMISSIONER COLETTA: Aye. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Any opposed, by like sign. (N 0 response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: It passes unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENT OF TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES AND PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN PROPERTY TAX RATES Page 50 .,~_.~' ,,-,-,---'--- ~, ._0.._........___...., .---....- September 8, 2005 MR. SMYKOWSKI: That brings us to Item 1-G, the announcement of the tentative millage rates and percent changes in property tax rates. The general fund is 3.8772 mills. It's a 16 percent increase above the rolled back rate. In the aggregate millage rate, which is a weighted average of all the MSTUs is 4.7928, an increase of 15.97 percent above the rolled back rate. CHAIRMAN COYLE: But it remains the same as it was last year and the year before that and the year before that. We have not increased taxes. MR. SMYKOWSKI: That is correct. And before the final hearing, I'll bring an itemization going back, and you'll see exactly how many years each of the principal tax rates for the general fund and the unincorporated have remained the same. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, thank you. ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINAL PUBLIC HEARING MR. SMYKOWSKI: And the final public hearing -- is Item 1-H __ the announcement that it will be two weeks from tonight, Thursday, September 22nd, at 5:05 p.m. here in the county government center. And with that, sir, we are adjourned. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Not quite yet. MR. MUDD: We are finished, subject to your questions. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Yes. Any questions by commissioners? (No response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: Okay, County Attorney, do you have anything? I'm sorry, Commissioner Halas, go ahead. COMMISSIONER HALAS: In regards to -- do you foresee us getting any additional monies turned back for the UFR list at this point Page 51 '--"^.~ _.,~ September 8, 2005 in time? In other words, monies turned back from either the property appraIser -- MR. MUDD: We'll know that at the end of October. And if there's anything at on the list that's basically one-time funds, you'll have another time to take a look at that particular issue. COMMISSIONER HALAS: I'm concerned that right now we're basically looking at about $9 million, $9.8 million. And when you look at all of the other categories that we haven't addressed in years past, I'm concerned. So I'm hoping that we can catch up eventually some day. MR. MUDD: Commissioner, I talked to Chief Rambosk earlier today on the phone, and I need to talk to him about a particular item, and maybe we can stretch that $20 million that's sitting under the Sheriffs particular issues against the dollars that he's returning. And if that's recurring dollars over the next 10-year period of time, maybe we can get at his particular facilities that he needs to get constructed, and the security systems, and we can basically get about $20 million off of that list, based on the conversation. And we'll have that over the next couple of days, so hopefully it will take down the large quantity amount and maybe really get it -- COMMISSIONER HALAS: That's encouraging. CHAIRMAN COYLE: We won't be able to decide that until we get the Sheriffs report. MR. MUDD: I need to know what he's going to finally come up with, and Chief Rambosk will forward those as quickly as he can. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Good. Good. Any further questions or comments by commissioners? (N 0 response.) CHAIRMAN COYLE: County Attorney? MR. WEIGEL: Only it's nice to see all of you back collectively, individually. But no comment in regards to our -- CHAIRMAN COYLE: Thank you. Page 52 September 8, 2005 County Manager? MR. MUDD: No, sir. CHAIRMAN COYLE: Nothing. In that case, we are adjourned. ***** There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 6:45 p.m. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL. '1uJ- W. c+ FRED COYLE, Chairman ATTEST: DWIGlrI~E.,BROCK, CLERK ~\ \.... . . . . . . .. 'c . , '. ". .", ~ b .~' '... .~ .~, ( '- " ' .,:<~ ~ttest i', ',";' t I, i' t., { \;,t""tri J '; . ""., :.,1.,' ",' "'.; '-', .......#>... l'l.~ _; ">,1. ('~ ':~:,,":'~" These Illinliies approved by the Board on Dc- tr:ber t \ . ~o 5 , as presented ~ or as corrected . TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF GREGORY COURT REPORTING SERVICE, INC. BY CHERIE' NOTTINGHAM. Page 53 .-..,- --~----.-^