Agenda 09/24/2019 Item # 2B (9/5/2019 BCC Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes)09/24/2019
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 2.B
Item Summary: September 5, 2019 BCC Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: 09/24/2019
Prepared by:
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: MaryJo Brock
09/11/2019 10:59 AM
Submitted by:
Title: County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: Leo E. Ochs
09/11/2019 10:59 AM
Approved By:
Review:
County Manager's Office MaryJo Brock County Manager Review Completed 09/11/2019 10:59 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 09/24/2019 9:00 AM
2.B
Packet Pg. 17
September 5, 2019
Page 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, September 5, 2019
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 Pelican
Bay Serviced Division BUDGET SESSION in Building "F" of the
Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following
members present:
CHAIRMAN: William L. McDaniel, Jr.
Burt L. Saunders
Donna Fiala
Andy Solis (Telephonically)
Penny Taylor
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo Ochs, County Manager
Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager
Mark Isackson, OMB Director
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
September 5, 2019
Page 2
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, you have a live mic.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Well, thank you, sir. Thank you.
Well, good evening, everyone. Welcome to our first of two
statutorily required budget hearings.
And if you would please rise with me. And Commissioner
Fiala's going to lead us in the Pledge.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Good evening. Would you
put your hands over your hearts, please, and say with me.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: All right. County Manager.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Mr. Chairman?
MOTION ALLOWING COMMISSIONER SOLIS TO
PARTICIPATE TELEPHONICALLY DUE TO
EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES – APPROVED
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Yes. Well, we have -- do we have
Commissioner Solis on the line?
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. A motion would be appropriate to allow
him to --
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I'll make that motion. I was
going to ask, is he in another pub in Ireland or --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Paddy Murphy's brother.
COMMISSIONER SOLIS: I am not.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I heard it was Paddy Murphy's
brother; at least that's what Paddy told me this afternoon.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Well, it's been moved and seconded
that we allow Commissioner Solis to participate irrespective of
whatever pub he's in. If there is no further discussion, all in favor?
COMMISSIONER SOLIS: (No verbal response.)
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
September 5, 2019
Page 3
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Opposed same sign, same sound.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: So moved.
Welcome, Commissioner Solis.
COMMISSIONER SOLIS: Thank you for your indulgence.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: What'd you say?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: I think he said he wanted
another round.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: He was ordering another round.
All right. Commissioner -- or, County Manager, let's move on
here before we have too much fun.
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. I'll turn it over to Mr. Isackson to make
the presentation.
Item #2A
FISCAL YEAR 2020 PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION
BUDGET – PRESENTED BY NEIL DORRILL
MR. ISACKSON: Thank you, County Manager.
Good evening, Commissioners. The first hearing on your
agenda is the hearing for the Pelican Bay Services Division budget
and the resolution approving the special assessment roll and levying
the special assessment against the benefited properties within the
Pelican Bay Municipal Services Taxing and Benefit Unit. I'll ask
Mr. Dorrill to come up to the podium for any brief remarks.
MR. DORRILL: Good evening, Commissioners. Just briefly,
the combined budget this year is 8,454,000. Of that, the net operating
September 5, 2019
Page 4
budget is 5,160,000 and the associated transfers and reserves for the
division make up the balance of $3,294,000.
I guess the biggest thing to tell you this year is that you may
recall we advanced funds from our street lighting ad valorem-based
fund in response to the hurricane two years ago. That money was
repaid this past year.
Last year's assessment, in order to repay those advanced funds,
was $1,015.72. As a result, this year's budget, the non-ad valorem
assessment, was reduced to $761.51; a reduction of $254 per unit, or
over 25 percent reduction in the assessment rate from the prior year.
As a result of that and a lot of hard work on the part of your
advisory board, this was previously work-shopped and reviewed and
approved and forwarded to you on a vote asking for your approval
this evening of 9-1.
Item #2C
RESOLUTION 2019-146: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL AND LEVYING THE SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT AGAINST THE BENEFITED PROPERTIES
WITHIN THE PELICAN BAY MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING
AND BENEFIT UNTI – ADOPTED
MR. DORRILL: I'll be happy to answer any questions, but I do
think Mr. Isackson, because of our non-ad valorem assessment, he
may need you to authorize the approval of the resolution if you think
that's appropriate.
MR. ISACKSON: I would -- Nick, any speakers on this item?
MR. CASALANGUIDA: No, sir.
MR. DORRILL: And I should say that we did meet with
Commissioner Solis in advance just to make sure that he had a
September 5, 2019
Page 5
broader presentation, and I don't believe that he has any questions or
concerns as a result of that.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Since he's here, Commissioner
Solis, is that a correct statement?
COMMISSIONER SOLIS: That is correct. I appreciate the
work that went into the budget, and the advisory board did a great
job, and I think it was -- it's -- I would go ahead and make a motion
that the assessment be approved.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: And we have no public comment.
It's been moved and seconded that the special assessment be put
forth against the benefiting property owners. Any other discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: All in favor?
COMMISSIONER SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Opposed same sign, same sound.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: So moved.
MR. DORRILL: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Thank you, sir.
MR. OCHS: Thank you, Neil.
*****
September 5, 2019
Page 6
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
Pelican Bay Services Division Budget meeting has concluded.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL
________________________________________
WILLIAM L. McDANIEL, JR., CHAIRMAN
ATTEST
CRYSTAL K. KINZEL, CLERK
___________________________
These minutes approved by the Board on _____________________,
as presented ______________ or as corrected _____________.
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF U.S. LEGAL
SUPPORT, INC., BY TERRI LEWIS, COURT REPORTER AND
NOTARY PUBLIC.
September 5, 2019
Page 7
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Naples, Florida, September 5, 2019
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 BUDGET
SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, East Naples,
Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: William L. McDaniel, Jr.
Burt L. Saunders
Donna Fiala
Andy Solis (Telephonically)
Penny Taylor
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo Ochs, County Manager
Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager
Mark Isackson, OMB Director
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
September 5, 2019
Page 8
MR. ISACKSON: Commissioners, that brings you to your first
of two public budget hearings on the county's Fiscal Year 2020
tentative budget. As you know from previous rounds, we have a
pretty scripted agenda. I've got some remarks that I'd like to
prepare -- I'd like to place on the record.
We've got ample opportunity for public comment, and I would
encourage the commissioners, if there is any commentary from the
dais as I'm going through in my remarks, please feel free to interrupt
and ask -- fire away.
Item #1A
DISCUSSION OF TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES AND
INCREASES OVER THE ROLLED BACK MILLAGE RATE –
PRESENTED BY MARK ISACKSON
So I'll start. Welcome to the first of two public hearings on the
Collier County Government Fiscal Year 2020 budget which begins
October 1, 2019, and runs through September 30th, 2020.
The public budget hearings in September must follow a specific
format pursuant to truth-in-millage guidelines. Your agenda contains
a specific consequence of agenda items to be covered --
Pursuant to statute, this hearing was advertised as part of the
TRIM notice mailed to all Collier County property owners on or
about the week of August 19th. The final budget hearing is two
weeks from tonight, or September 19, 2019, at the same time,
5:05 p.m.
This final hearing will be noticed as part of the statutory
advertising requirements contained in the truth-in-millage statutes.
The final hearing notice will be a notice of proposed tax increase ad
and will appear in the Naples Daily News on September 16th, 2019.
September 5, 2019
Page 9
This type of ad is necessary since the county's tentatively adopted
aggregate millage rate is greater than the current year aggregate
rolled-back rate.
Final tax rate and budget decisions will be made at this final
hearing on September 19th, 2019.
As I mentioned, Commissioners, agenda and speaker slips are
available in the hallway. Anyone interested in addressing the Board
of County Commissioners regarding the county budget must
complete a speaker slip, and the speaker slips will be collected, and
those topics will be talked about at the appropriate time on the
agenda.
Following some introductory remarks regarding tax rates and
changes to the tentative budget released in mid July, there will be an
opportunity, which is Agenda Item 1C, for public comment, and
speakers will be called by name.
The TRIM notice mailed to all property owners indicated that
close of business September 13th, 2019, is the deadline for property
owners to contact the Property Appraiser and file a petition for
market value adjustment with the Value Adjustment Board.
Commissioners, Agenda Item 1A is a discussion of the tentative
millage rates and increases over the rolled-back millage rate. This is
statutorily the first discussion item that needs to be talked about as
part of this agenda.
Percentage increase in roll (sic) over the millage rate needed to
fund the budget and, two, the reasons ad valorem tax revenues above
the rolled-back rate as calculated on the State's DR-420 forms are
being increased.
Rolled-back rate is defined as that tax rate necessary to generate
prior year tax revenues, and this tax rate is calculated not including
taxable values associated with new construction, additions, deletions,
and rehabilitative improvements.
September 5, 2019
Page 10
The Board-adopted budget guidance for Fiscal Year 2020
included a millage-neutral operating levy position, the same tax rate
as last year and, for that matter, since Fiscal Year 2010 for the
General Fund.
For the Unincorporated Area General Fund, the millage rate
was, once again, set at .8069 pursuant to Board guidance, with the
additional marginal ad valorem dollars above the millage neutral
operating rate, which is .7161, devoted to maintaining landscape
medians constructed.
Levies for the General Fund and Unincorporated Area General
Fund together represent over 97 percent of the total aggregate taxes
levied across all Collier County taxing authorities for Fiscal Year
2020; at least those that are controlled by the Board of County
Commissioners.
The tentative General Fund and Unincorporated General Fund
operating and capital budgets as presented are based on
Board-adopted budget policy. Both the General Fund and
Unincorporated General Fund proposed tax rates are higher than the
rolled-back rate. Collier County taxable value has increased over the
past eight fiscal years, and the increase for Fiscal Year 2020 is
5.43 percent and 6.05 percent, respectively, within the General Fund
and Unincorporated Area General Fund.
Within an increasing taxable-value environment under millage
neutral operating and capital policy guidance, the rolled-back rate
will be lower than millage neutral, and this event occurs in Fiscal
Year 2020.
The General Fund budget model places a premium on fiscal
flexibility, preserving and protecting cash balances, maintaining
adequate reserves for a coastal location, ensuring that the county's
investment quality credit rating is maintained, and allocate resources
to maintain our substantial public safety capital infrastructure and
September 5, 2019
Page 11
operating investment.
Mindful of this model and fiscal philosophy, the Board each
year decides on tax rate policy, and budget decisions are crafted
around this Board-enacted policy.
Commissioners, referring to Exhibit 1A on Page 1, millage rates
for each Collier County taxing authority has been established
pursuant to Board guidance. A roster of tax rates adopted by the
Board on July 9th, 2019, represents the maximum property tax rates
that can be levied in Fiscal Year 2020.
The Pelican Bay MSTBU millage rate is .0857 per $1,000 of
taxable value, and based upon this respective district's DR-420
maximum millage rate entry, if all dependent millage rates are not
approved unanimously, it is recommended that this rate be voted on
separately under Agenda Item 1E, as this rate will require a
two-thirds vote of the Board. Likewise, the Vanderbilt Waterways
MSTU is a new levy and will require a unanimous Board vote with a
separate vote in order -- if all dependent rates are not approved
unanimously.
The cumulative aggregate rolled-back rate for all Collier County
taxing authorities, exclusive of debt service, totals 4.0707 per $1,000
of taxable value. The proposed aggregate tax rate for all of Collier
County taxing authorities, exclusive of debt service, totals 4.1817 per
$1,000 of taxable value. This represents an increase of 2.73 percent
over the rolled-back rate and necessitates a notice of proposed tax
increase ad for TRIM purposes and not simply a budget summary ad.
Again, final millage rates will be adopted by the Board on
September 19th, 2019.
Commissioner, I'll stop there. Any questions or commentary on
Item 1A on the agenda?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Hearing none.
September 5, 2019
Page 12
MR. ISACKSON: Thank you, Mr. Chairman
Item #1B
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO THE
TENTATIVE BUDGET – PRESENTED
MR. ISACKSON: Item 1B is a review and discussion of
changes to the tentative budget. For tonight's hearing, changes from
the Fiscal Year 2020 July tentative budget, as noted within
Exhibit 1B, pertain to receipt of the Tax Collector's budget, which
was received in August; certain actions with budget implications
discussed and recommended by the Board at the July 9 board
meeting; adjustments to certain impacts fee trust funds reflecting
revenue actually received above the level forecast in July; realigning
the capital infrastructure sales tax revenue budget to reflect state
estimates; and other routine revenue or expense adjustments required
to support capital projects or operations as the Fiscal Year 2020
begins.
Detailed budgetary resolutions and those changes are found
within Exhibits 1B, Pages 5-37. A summary of these actions is
described within Exhibit 1B, Pages 1-4. The total gross budget
changes amount to $39.9 million of which 24.3 million is the
customary submittal of the Tax Collectors total commission budget to
the Department of Revenue on August 1st.
Further changes totaling 15.6 million, and of this amount, the
most noteworthy adjustment was a $12.4 million net revenue increase
in the infrastructure Sales Tax Fund budget aligning protections with
the Florida Department of Revenue estimates.
These funds are placed in reserves pending project appropriation
upon Board action. Remaining changes are considered customary
September 5, 2019
Page 13
and include fund adjustments based upon Board actions from the
July 9 meeting; changes to certain impact fee trust funds reflecting
actual revenue postings over forecast; and other revenue or expense
adjustments to support capital and operating budgets as the new fiscal
year begins.
According to the Tax Collector's Statement of Commissions and
Expenses, the FY 2020 budget totals $24,289,800 and is offset by
service commissions and charges. The Tax Collector is a fee-based
operation and provides collection services for all county taxing
authorities. This year's Tax Collector total commission budget
represents a 2.87 percent increase from 2019.
Turnback from the Tax Collector, as well as other constitutional
officers, is significant each year and represents excess commissions
over actual expenses to run the operations.
Year ending turnback by the Tax Collector to the General Fund
for the past two fiscal years, Fiscal Year 2017 and '18, has totaled
$5,658,196, and $7,356,149, respectively. The turnback from all
constitutional officers to the General Fund for the same period, the
total is $9,440,385 and 8,806,035, respectively. There are no
proposed changes to the maximum millage rates set by the Board on
July 9th, 2019.
Commissioners, I'll stop there with any questions on Agenda
Item 1B, review and discussion of changes to the tentative budget.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: I have no changes. I just had -- I
have an email that got sent to me late yesterday with regard to the
DAS and what our operations are in Immokalee, and I would like to
make it a matter of public record to have a meeting with Mr. Carnell.
We've got a proposition. It's kind of an LOI about appropriating the
funding that we do in Immokalee in a different manner. And no
commitments or anything. I just wanted to make a public statement
with regard to that and let my colleagues know that it exists, so...
September 5, 2019
Page 14
MR. OCHS: Yes, sir. We look forward to that discussion, and
we'll get a report back out to the Board.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Other than that, we'll move to
public comment. Are you ready?
MR. ISACKSON: That's correct, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Okay.
Item #1C
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Mr. Chairman, you have three
speakers. Your first speaker is Mr. Roy Anderson, followed by
Mr. Brad Estes. Come up to the podiums. You get three minutes
apiece.
MR. ANDERSON: Yes, I'm Roy Anderson, property owner
and full-time resident of Countryside and a chair of the External
Community Relations Committee of the Countryside Golf and
Country Club.
I rise to speak in favor of the proposed zero millage for the
Radio Road Beautification program that's referenced Exhibit 1A,
Fund 158. I believe that this decision to zero out the millage this year
was the result of many voices of concern by significant constituencies
along Radio Road that enough is enough. The MSTU did a
commendable job on the medians, and now it's time to end the
MSTU.
Specifically the following significant developments occurred
this year over the past year: Number one, the master boards of the
three major communities on Radio Road passed resolutions to sunset
the MSTU; the second item is the results of the MSTU's 2018 survey
showed that 72 percent of those responding said that they don't want
September 5, 2019
Page 15
any more projects and that -- let's sunset the MSTU; and the third
development was at the red-shirt BCC meeting we were successful in
demonstrating to the BCC that we would not support moving forward
with improvements to the memorial bikeway and that that project was
stopped.
So, therefore, in sum, we're gratified that our voices were heard
by the BCC. Government works, and we thank you for your
consideration.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: That was the red-shirt meeting you
all came and sang happy birthday to me. It was the day before my
birthday. I remember that. They all came just to sing to me.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That was nice.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Mr. Chairman, your next speaker's
Brad Estes, followed by David Higgins.
MR. ESTES: Good evening, Commissioners. I have to
remember Commissioner McDaniel's birthday next year.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: There you go.
MR. ESTES: I'm Brad Estes, secretary of the Poinciana Civic
Association. Bill Kerrigan, our president, sends his apologies for not
being able to be here tonight.
We are here to support the County Manager proposal to increase both
the operating and capital funding of stormwater in 2019/2020 and
hopefully years to come.
Thanks to Leo and his staff for recognizing our critical need and
proposing the additional funding.
We recognize that Collier County has grown since 1960 when
Poinciana Village was platted, as we are competing against many,
many more needs than we were in 1970 or thereafter. In fact, I just
looked up the population in 1970. The population of Collier County
was 38,000. Amazing, isn't it? Yeah. That's the year we moved
here.
September 5, 2019
Page 16
As you know, we've suffered decades of neighborhood flooding.
It was a regular consideration when we went anywhere -- and we've
been in Poinciana Village for 44 years -- of what would be the --
what would the access roads be in terms of flooding, whether we
could go or not or what time we needed to come home. And that still
exists to this day, but we're making progress.
We're sending pictures of situations that we've viewed this
summer in terms of the drainage, and the county is considering that.
And they're also -- the county is considering some capital
improvements in terms of the drainage in that area. This is the first
three blocks of going into either access -- either of our access streets
into -- off Airport Road.
This is not to suggest that there has not been progress made.
We're going on our fifth year of swale restoration, which we
appreciate, and we also had three sides of our four-sided drainage
ditch cleared.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: I wanted to ask you, Brad, how's
that working? Are you seeing an improvement with regards to the
ditch?
MR. ESTES: We saw improvement on the north ditch. The
north ditch was actually cleaned down to the bottom. We have a
concrete bottom, believe it or not, and it was cleaned all the way
down to the bottom. The south ditch has got some issues, and we're
still seeing problems there; still problems there.
There's weeds up to our waist. They did get sprayed this
summer, but there's actually weeds up -- one of my board members
called me and said, I've got weeds up to my head. So that -- but we're
working with the county, and we understand. We have some issues
with trees being planted and things like that in the --
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Give him -- if you need extra
time -- I asked you a question in the middle of your presentation,
September 5, 2019
Page 17
so --
MR. ESTES: I'm --
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: -- I just --
MR. ESTES: In closing, we just ask for your favorable vote, so
thank you.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Mr. Chairman, your final speaker is
Mr. David Higgins.
MR. HIGGINS: Good evening, Commissioners. My name is
David Higgins. I live over on the northeast side, basically Orange
Blossom area, a new development over there. Just off of Oil Well.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Gotcha.
MR. HIGGINS: And we've built a house a little bit over two
years ago. And I got my proposed tax this year. And one of the
problems -- and I've talked to several of the neighbors around. We
do have a lot of new neighbors coming in there.
One of the problems that I feel that we need to look at a little bit
more is on our taxes you've claimed that it's gone up roughly
30,000 --
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Assessed value.
MR. HIGGINS: Yeah, assessed value. And they're selling the
houses cheaper than what my house is right now, so I don't see how
that is assessed properly.
And also I see that, you know, the taxes have gone up with that,
and the taxes have gone up with the -- with the school system -- the
school board, taxes are going up. I feel like we should probably --
I've worked for the school system, and I feel like -- that we should
look more into how we can save money with the school board versus
adding the taxes and raising the taxes on the school board system
there.
I feel that there was a lot of waste when I worked there. I saw it.
And I know that there's really, really excellent people that work for
September 5, 2019
Page 18
the school board. But I just wanted to present myself and ask that we
look at that just a little bit closer and look at the assessed values of
the homes out there, whereas you're telling me that my house is worth
30,000 more, and they're selling homes, same home, same
everything, a whole lot cheaper than what my house is assessed at as
of today.
That's pretty much it. I want to thank you.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: If you don't have to run off, stay
until after the meeting. I'd like to speak to you.
MR. HIGGINS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: There are several systems that are
available that we can help you with with regard to that. And just as a
point of reference, since you brought it up, we have nothing to say
about the school board and the tax rate that's associated with the
school district.
MR. HIGGINS: Okay. All right.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Just so you know.
MR. HIGGINS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: If you have a moment, stay.
MR. HIGGINS: I will stick around.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: And we'll communicate after the
meeting.
MR. HIGGINS: All right. Thank you.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Mr. Chairman, one more speaker slip
was pulled in, if you want to give the public --
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: I think she was late, so we're not
going to let her speak.
MR. CASALANGUIDA: Ms. Mola.
MS. MOLA: I was hoping you would still love me after this.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Well, there is a time limit after a
certain point.
September 5, 2019
Page 19
MS. MOLA: Thank you; thank you.
No. You know, I was looking at the budget, and I was trying to
figure things out, and some things I could and some things I couldn't,
but I'm mostly here as a taxpayer. And I just put together something
so I wouldn't ramble on.
It's a -- you know all budgets contain certain assumptions
regarding current and projected revenues, as well as liabilities.
Unfortunately, I was not always able to determine what -- the
underlying assumptions or financial and economic formulas and
analysis that were used to determine and/or project such future
revenues and liabilities.
So just taking, for example, the impact of residential
development on public services. It would be of interest, I think, to
me and the residents and taxpayers of Collier County to know
exactly -- how exactly proposed residential growth will affect the
demand for public schools, road construction, and maintenance,
police, fire and other public services including, but not limited to, the
provision of potable water, wastewater treatment, and solid waste
disposal.
Currently, the main source of revenue, as I could glean from the
budget, is the Collier County -- our property taxes. I think that based
on what I saw, there were -- it was probably 55 percent, and then
fines, fees, and service charges, including a significant portion which
are due to impact fees where approximately 12 percent of the revenue
is coming in.
We know that the impact fees on new developments and the
methodology by which they are calculated is highly regulated by state
statute. The purposes of such impact fees is to allow local
governments to use in funding of infrastructure necessitated by new
growth; however, what I notice is that impact fees can only be used to
acquire, construct, or improve capital facilities to benefit the new
September 5, 2019
Page 20
users. And when I was looking at it, my question was, how does the
county determine whether that growth and the impact fees collected
to support that growth and those new residents or users impact the
county and its existing taxpayers.
Given the impact fees can only be used for capital improvements
or projects, the construction of a new fire station or school, for
example, how does the county then calculate the short- and long-term
costs associated with manning such fire station or school with
personnel not only with regard to the payment of current salaries but
then pensions, retirement? And I was wondering where that exists in
the budget, because I didn't see that.
And my only concern is if we're assuming that we need growth
to get more impact fees and that growth is actually causing the
taxpayers in the long term a whole heck of a lot more -- because we
can't calculate everything in terms of just capital improvements. I
mean, personnel costs forever. I just didn't know where that was in
the budget, and I was -- anyway -- hoping that --
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Thank you.
MS. MOLA: Thank you.
MR. OCHS: Mr. Chairman, if I may, we have this lady's
information. We'll reach out to you, if you have some time, maybe
make an appointment where we can spend some time with you and
show you precisely in the budget where those calculations are made
and where those costs are allocated.
MS. MOLA: That would be wonderful. Thank you.
MR. OCHS: Be happy to do it.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: And that's -- as a point of
clarification, that's one -- I was speaking with some folks that were
here from Pelican Bay earlier, and, you know, so few people actually
really understand this entire process. These budget hearings that we
are statutorily required to hold, we're working on '20's budget right
September 5, 2019
Page 21
now.
MR. OCHS: Right.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: And the initiatives that come from
staff that are then blessed by the Board to turn into policy that
ultimately develop the budget that we're going to adopt next
September, we're working on those things. So this is a really good
time to be asking questions, not necessarily about this budget
specifically, but for what our operations and such are going to be in
'20.
MR. OCHS: Thank you.
Item #1D
ANNOUNCEMENT OF TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES – READ
INTO THE RECORD
MR. ISACKSON: Mr. Chairman, that brings us to Item 1D on
the agenda, which is, of course, my favorite time on the agenda. It's
the opportunity to announce the tentative millage rates and
percentage changes in property tax rates. It's required as part of the
TRIM statutes that they be read into the record, so I will begin to do
that right now, Commissioners.
The General Fund, the proposed millage rate is 3.5645; the
rolled-back millage rate is 3.4700. That's a change -- a percentage
change in the rolled-back rate of 2.72 percent.
Water Pollution Control, the proposed millage rate, .0293;
rolled-back millage rate, .0284; a percent change from the
rolled-back rate of 3.17 percent.
The Unincorporated Area General Fund, proposed millage rate,
.0869; the rolled-back millage rate, .7847. That's a percent change
from the rolled-back rate of 2.83 percent.
September 5, 2019
Page 22
The Golden Gate Community Center, proposed millage rate of
.1862; the rolled-back millage rate, .1748. That's a percent change
from the rolled-back rate of 6.52 percent.
Victoria Park Drainage MSTU, the proposed millage rate, .0312;
the rolled-back millage rate, .0312. No change from the rolled-back
rate.
Naples Park Drainage, the proposed millage rate, .0054; the
rolled-back millage rate, .0054. No change from the rolled-back rate.
The Vanderbilt Beach MSTU, the proposed millage rate, .5000;
the rolled-back millage rate, .4816. That is a 3.82 percent change
from the rolled-back rate.
The Ochopee Fire Control, the proposed millage rate, 4.0000;
the rolled-back millage rate, 3.9013. It's a percent change from the
rolled-back rate of 2.53 percent.
The Goodland/Horr's Island Fire MSTU, the proposed millage
rate, 1.2760; the rolled-back millage rate, 1.2488. That's a
2.18 percent change over the rolled-back rate.
Sabal Palm Road, there is no millage rate proposed and,
therefore, no rolled-back rate.
The Golden Gate Parkway Beautification, the proposed millage
rate, .5000; the rolled-back millage rate, .4609. That is an
8.48 percent increase over the rolled-back rate.
Lely Golf Estates Beautification MSTU, the proposed millage
rate, 2.0000; the rolled-back millage rate, 1.9002. That is a percent
change from the rolled-back rate of 5.25 percent.
The Hawksridge Stormwater Pumping MSTU, proposed millage
rate, .0374; the rolled-back rate, .0374. No change from the
rolled-back rate.
The Radio Road Beautification MSTU, the proposed millage
rate is 0.0000; the rolled back millage rate, .0964. A minus
100 percent change from the rolled-back rate.
September 5, 2019
Page 23
The Forest Lakes Roadway and Drainage MSTU, the proposed
millage rate, 1.4052; the rolled-back millage rate, 1.3254. Percent
change from the rolled-back rate of 6.02 percent.
The Immokalee Beautification MSTU, a proposed millage rate
of 1.0000; the rolled-back millage rate, .9945. That is a .55 percent
change from the rolled-back rate.
The Bayshore Avalon Beautification MSTU, the proposed
millage rate, 2.3604; the rolled-back millage rate, 2.2438. A percent
change in the rolled-back rate of 5.20 percent.
The Haldeman Creek Dredging MSTU, the proposed millage
rate, 1.0000; the rolled-back millage rate, .9728. A percent change
from the rolled-back rate of 2.80 percent.
The Rock Road MSTU, the proposed millage rate, 3.0000; the
rolled back millage rate, 2.6707. That is a 12.33 percent increase
over the rolled-back rate.
Forest Lakes Debt Service, the proposed millage rate, 2.5948;
the rolled-back rate, 2.5183. That is a percent change from the
rolled-back rate of 3.04 percent.
The Vanderbilt Waterways MSTU, the proposed millage rate,
.3000, and there was no rolled-back rate.
The Collier County Lighting MSTU, the proposed millage rate,
.1472; the rolled-back millage rate, .1472. There's no change from
the rolled-back rate.
And the Pelican Bay MSTBU, the proposed millage rate, .0857;
the rolled-back millage rate, .0827. The percent change from the
rolled-back rate of 3.63 percent.
Finally, Commissioners, your aggregate millage rate, proposed
4.1817; rolled-back rate, 4.0707. The percent change from the
rolled-back rate is 2.73 percent.
Item #1E
September 5, 2019
Page 24
RESOLUTION 2019-147: RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE
TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES – ADOPTED
MR. ISACKSON: Commissioners, under Item 1E is a
resolution to adopt the tentative millage rates as I've just read them
off on the agenda, and there's a resolution supporting that
recommendation.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: So move.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: It's been moved and seconded that
we accept the rates as read off. Any other discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: All in favor?
COMMISSIONER SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Opposed same sign, same sound.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: So moved.
Item #1F
RESOLUTION 2019-148: RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE
AMENDED TENTATIVE BUDGET – ADOPTED
MR. ISACKSON: Commissioners, Item 1F is a resolution to
adopt the amended tentative budget, and you will find that resolution,
Commissioners, under Item 1F on the agenda. The amended
September 5, 2019
Page 25
tentative budget can be adopted by a single majority vote.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: And that is on Page --
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: 1F.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: -- 1F.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: I move that we adopt the
tentative budget.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Resolution for adopting the
tentative budget.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Second.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: It's been moved and seconded that
the resolution for adopting the tentative budget be approved. Any
other discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: All in favor?
COMMISSIONER SOLIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Aye.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Opposed same sign, same sound.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: So moved.
Item #1G
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINAL PUBLIC HEARING AS
FOLLOWS
MR. ISACKSON: Finally, Commissioners, we're required to
announce the final public budget hearing, and that hearing will occur
on Thursday, September 19th, 2019, at 5:05 p.m., the Collier County
September 5, 2019
Page 26
Government Center, W. Harmon Turner, Building F, Third Floor,
Boardroom, Naples, Florida.
That's all I have, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: How about that?
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: Yes.
COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS: Before we adjourn, I just
want to acknowledge the fact that the manager was able to get new
chairs in here prior to his annual review.
MR. OCHS: Merely coincidental, sir. I hope you enjoy it.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: With that, our next budget meeting
will be on September 19th --
MR. OCHS: Correct.
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: -- like you said, at 5:05. Is there
any other discussion, comments?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN McDANIEL: With that, we will be adjourned.
*****
September 5, 2019
Page 27
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
Budget meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 5:43 p.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL
________________________________________
WILLIAM L. McDANIEL, JR., CHAIRMAN
ATTEST
CRYSTAL K. KINZEL, CLERK
___________________________
These minutes approved by the Board on _____________________,
as presented ______________ or as corrected _____________.
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF U.S. LEGAL
SUPPORT, INC., BY TERRI LEWIS, COURT REPORTER AND
NOTARY PUBLIC.