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BCC Minutes 09/09/1992 B Naples, Florida, September 9, 1992 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commissioners tn 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 /aw and having conducted business herein, met on this date at 5:05 P.M. in BUDGET SESSION in Building "F" of the Oovernment Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the fo/lowing members present: CHAIRMAN: Michael J. Volpe VICE-CHAIRMAN: Richard S. Shanahan Burr L. Saunders Max A. Hasse, Jr. Patrlcia A. Goodnight ALSO PRESENT: Debb¥ Farris and Annette Guevin, Deputy Clerks; Nell Dorrill, County Manager; Jennifer Edwards, Assistant to the County Manager; Ken Cuyler, County Attorney; George Archibald, Transportation Services Administrator; Frank Brutt, Community Development Services Administrator; William Lorenz, Environmental Services Administrator; Tom Olltff, Public Services Administrator; Mike Arnold, Util~ttes Administrator; Leo Ochs, Administrative Services Administrator; Ken Ptneau, Emergency Management Director; Fred Bloetscher, Assistant Utilities Administrator; Tom Conrecode, Capita/ Projects Management Director; Mike McNees, Budget Director; Bob Fahey, So/id Waste Director; Greg Mihalik, Affordable Housing Director; Dick Clark, Code Enforcement Supervisor; Martha Skinner, Social Services Director; Robert Byrne, Edward Finn, Jean Gansel, Michael Smykowskt, Budget Analysts; Herb Luntz, Communications Manager; Ladd Ryztw, Engineering Project Manager; Barbara Cacchione, Planner; Lieutenant Byron Tomltnson, Shertff'~ Office; Ga¥1e Addison and Crystal Blankenshtp of the Sheriff's Office; and Sue Ftleon, Administrative Assistant to the Board. Page September 9, 1992 · X~.ILT, TE&R 1992-93 TENTATXVE BUDGET Commissioner Volpe confirmed this ts the first hearing for the Fiscal Year 1992/93 Budget for Collier County. County Manager Dorrill explained that tonight's agenda will include the initial review relating to the various millage rates asso- ciated with the taxing related entities as well as discussions reflecting the proposed changes to the tentative budget whtch have been developed since its initial submission. He advised that the fins/ public hearing will occur two weeks from this evening, i.e. September 23rd at 5:05 P.M. Referrln~ to Pa~e A7 of the Tentative Budget Book and Pa~e 1 of the ~bl~c Information Package, Budget Director MeNses explained tha~ the co~t~-wlde t~ rate bein~ considered tonight is a tentative ~lla~e rate of 4.0584, which Is 2.~ below the roi/back rate. He advised that the General ~nd m~l]a~e rate of S.2964 ~s S.2~ below the roi/back rate, wh~le the a~regate m~llage rate of 4.7456 represents al~ t~n~ d~strtcts and ~e a 2.4~ decrease from the rollback rate. He ~nounced there Is a sll~h~ chan~e ~n m~llage rates due to a chan~e In the assessed valuation for ~nd ~55, the Forest Lakes Roadway · Drainage District, as ~t chan~ed from .6~39 to .8880. Referr~n~ to pa~e 5, he e~arlzed the chan~es to the ~ 93 Tentative Budget which have occurred s~nce the t~me of Its adoption by the Board of Cowry Co~ssloners earlier th~e e~er. In response to Co~esloner Volpe~s ~nqu~ry re~arding the MPO Budget, Budget D~rector McNees explained the funds have been cut completely but w~ll be ~ended at the t~me of receipt of the grant money. In ~er to Co~ss~oner Volpe ~eet~on~n~ the results of the Board of Count~ Co~tssloners' actions re~ardln~ allocation of funds from reserve necessitated by Hurricane Andrew, Budget D~rector McNees explained staff proposes an amendment to ~he General Fund Budget ~o September 9, 1992 reflect the decrease and carry-forward and tn FY 93, upon receipt of FEMA reimbursements, will put the revenue and appropriate money back into the General Fund Reserve. Frank Brutt, Community Development Services Administrator, distri- buted & report reflecting the construction values that have taken p/ace during the first eight months of the year, and confirmed there has been an increase in same. He gave a brief synopsis of the reorga- nization of the Community Development Services Division brought about as the result of the Management Team Study which was performed in December of last year. In response to Commissioner Saunders, County Manager Dorrill con- firmed that the debt service on buildings is prorated in such a way that the portion utilized by development-related activities ts being paid for to the square foot by fees from the developers. Commissioner Saunders explained it is his desire to ensure that the savings realized by the Community Development Services Division is a reduction in its cost and not reflected as an advantage to the deve- lopment community by a reduction of fees, and to ensure that the reorganization of the Community Development Services Division is in the best interest of the taxpaying community. In response to Commissioner Saunders, County Manager Dorrtll confirmed that the Development Services Steering Committee is composed of persons who primarily are customers of that particular department, and that all the requirements for construction are not being reduced in their Intensity by virtue of the reorganization. Commissioner Saunders reiterated his concern is that it appears the Development Services Steering Committee ts the committee which made the recommendations regarding the Community Development Services Division that are being implemented today and, thus, he wants to ensure that staff was not controlled or forced Into making a reorgani- zation that benefits the development community, i.e. members of the Development Services Steering Committee, to the detriment of the com- munity. Page 3 September 9, 1992 County Manager Dorrtll interjected the implemented plan was not management's original plan for cuts but rather the result of the Board of County Commissioners direction to staff to amend the plan based on expressed concerns by members of the development community. In response to Commissioner Volpe, County Manager Dorrtll acknowledged that aa of October 1st there will be no vacant positions within the Development Services Division. Referring to page 42 of the 1992-1993 Tentative Budget, Community Development Services Administrator Brutt, pointed out that positions of Fund 113 totalled 107 but has been reduced down to 93 positions. Commissioner Volpe summarized that the plan results tn an Increase in revenues, a reduction in personnel, and a savings of $335,000. Commissioner Shanahan expressed concern that the plan in question does not resemble the County Manager's plan of six or seven months ago. In response to Commissioner Shanahan, County Manager Dorrtll responded that, under the revised plan, no one will lose the Job they have present/y, that some will have a lower classified Job, and that vacant positions are being eliminated as opposed to eliminating current positions. Co~lsstoner Shanahan reiterated his concern that government has not been streamlined like the Board of County Commissioners had com- mitted to do. In response to the comments of Commissioner Volpe, County Manager Dorrtll reminded the Board of County Commissioners of Its request to add positions In several departments. Budget Director MeNses directed attention to page 6 of the agenda package regarding analysis and cost comparison for tn-house vs. con- sultant design for projects of the Solid Waste Management Department.. Environmental Services Administrator Lorenz referred to page 8, In-House vs. Consultant Design Hourly Rate Comparison, and proceeded to s~artze staff's methods of calculation for same. In response to Commissioner Volpe, Environmental Services Page 4 September 9, [992 Administrator Lorenz stated that staff proposes, in the tentative budget, five positions at $24?,000 as part of the Solid Waste budget in lieu of hiring a consultant or a number of consulting firms for the next five years. County Manager Dorrill interjected that, in this instance, the ~anagerial staff consists of three people, Mr. Fahey, Mr. Russell and Mr. Boucher. In response to Commissioner Volpe, County Manager Dorrill stated he is convinced that, over the short term, the county can be com- petitive but, over the long term, It cannot be competit~ve if attempting to keep employees from one year to the next due to increased state required pension payments, etc. For iljustrative pur- poses, he offered the fleet management situation. In response to Commissioner Hasse, County Manager Dorrill con- firmed he is in favor of selective prtvatizatton. George Keller spoke to the Issue of in-house versus privatizatton. In response to Commissioner Saunders, County Attorney Cuyler con- firmed that in the State of Florida sealed bide requiring pricing ~n an engineering contract cannot be taken, Budget Director McNees briefly summarized the information reflected on page 1! of the agenda package, Analys~s of Roads Funding Shortfall, concluding that staff is changing the subsidy'to use capi- ta/ ad valorem for what staff and the Board of County Commissioners have identified as the most pressing capital needs. Following brief discuss~on, County Manager Dorrill revealed there ars four road projects that include the $13,000,000, i.e. the four- laning of Immokalee Road, elx-lanlng of the south portion of Airport Road, slx-lantng of Pine Ridge Road, and the west end of Radio Road. Commissioner Volpe suggested increasing the loan the County has for these particular capital road projects. County Manager Dorrill responded that the $13,000,000 is the maxi- ~ principal amount of money the County can borrow over the short term based on the available non-ad valorem revenues pledged for debt Page 5 September 9, 1992 service, and that the only other alternative would be to incur some long-term debt associated with those roads and roll the repayment of the short term debt, adding he has never been a proponent of long-term debt for road construction. Transportation Services Administrator Archibald distributed a han- dout entitled "Transportation Division Budget Listing Ad Valorem Projects 9SBP92" and briefly summarized same. In response to Commissioner Saunders, Transportation Services Administrator Archibald revealed staff has considered the possibility of delaying some of the scheduled CIE road projects. Tape ~2 Commissioner Saunders suggested that between now and the next budget hearing staff evaluate which, if any, of the projects can be delayed. Commtsetonar Shanahan Interjected staff should delay and/or find other sources of funding. Commissioner Volpe suggested staff provide further information on the Surcharge Contract, being almost $600,000, by the next budget hearing. Transportation Services Administrator Archibald fielded such questions as whether the roads listed under Road Projects on the hereinabove mentioned handout are mandated for road safety; whether any monies have been earmarked for Livingston Road south to Radio Road; whether the road projects Identified on the handout qualify as capita/ projects, etc. After referring to page 15 of the report by the Greater Naples Civic Association, Commissioner Saunders stated it ts the appropriate time to request that the Board of County Commissioners consider the recommendation to reestablish the Citizens Advisory Committee. County Manager Dorrtll agreed that would be an appropriate alter- native to lower levels of service in every case except for roads, as acceptable and approved levels of service for roads has been deter- mined by the State. Page 6 September 9, 1992 In answer to Commissioner Saundere, County Attorney Cuyler con- firmed that the basic legal premise is that the State sets the level of service on State roads and the County sets the level of service on County roads, but the Department of Community Affairs may or may not approve and may or may not appeal. In response to Commissioner Volpe, Transportation Services Administrator Archibald stated that staff has a/ready reduced the signalization project list by greater than 100~, but agreed staff can, in the next two weeks, again evaluate what projects can be deferred and proffer recommendations at the hearing. Fo/lowing brief discussion, Commissioner Saunders concluded that Transportation Services Administrator Archibaldts instructions at this t~me are to determine: what projects can be deferred: what is absolu- tely essential~ what signalization is necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare: and what road surface projects are necessary. He again suggested reestablishment of the Citizens Advisory Committee to evaluate levels of service as they relate to transpor- tation. Commies~oner Goodnight suggested addressing the issue of reestablishment of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Tuesdayts agenda and requesting County Attorney Cuylerte Office to research the question of lowering the levels of service, and Commissioner Saunders and Comm~ealoner Shanahan concurred. Commissioner Saunders remarked that tonight~s actions are setting a course that will respond to the $52,000,000 shortfall prior to next yearts budget hearings when it would be too late. County Attorney Cuyler advised that part of the agreement with the Department of Community Affairs entailed the continued issuance of Development Ordera in re/lance on certain facilities being in place and, aa the Board of County Commissioners has relied on the correction of future deficiencies for the Issuance of Development Orders, there will probably be no alternatlve but to do those. ess Heoeem: 6:58 P.M. - Reconvened= ?:15 P.M. 8es Page 7 September 9, ~992 ! John DePore distributed a handout which Identified suggested areas for reduction regarding the Collier County Sherlffts Office Proposed Budget for FY 1992-1993. Crystal Blankenshtp of the Sheriff's Office explained it ts necessar~ that her office be given adequate time to review Mr. LePorets handout prior to adequately responding to the Issues iden- tified in sa~e. Following brief discussion, Commissioner Saunders suggested that the Sheriff's Off,ce react in writing to the Issues raised by Mr. LePore prior to the next budget hearing. Commissioner Volpe posed questions to Ms. Blankenship regarding the Sherifffs contractual arrangement for full-time legal represen- tation. In response to Commissioner Volpe, County Manager Dorrill reported a aeries of two staff level meetings have taken place whereby the nature of the service and budget costa for the County's Fleet Management Service have been presented, however, the Sheriff's Office has not chosen to consolidate with the County in thee area. Commissioner Saunders requested that the Sheriff's Office review recommendations made by the Greater Naples Civic Associat~on, and Ms. Blankenship answered that her office has prepared a written response to same. Scott LePore spoke to the Issue of hie perceived problems with Collier County government, sa/aries of County employees, population pro~ections for Collier County, and the number of employees presently on the Countyfs payroll, including those in the Sheriff~s Office. Arthur R. Lee spoke to the issue of the Development Services D~vtsion reorganization and subsequent effect on the Collier County Historic Preservation Board. Count~ Manager Dorrtll confirmed there is no staff Archaeologist contemplated or recommended in the budget, but rather that an existing staff person will be utilized to assume respons~bilit¥ for review along wlth the other engineering, planning or environmental reviews Page 8 September 9, ~992 performed under the Codes. V~ckt C. Vaughn spoke to the issue of proposed median beautifica- tion for areas which included Bayshore Drive, as well as maintenance of existing medians. She confirmed there has been a grant application ~ade to the Florida Department of Agriculture in the amount of $20,000 which, if awarded, will be utilized for the construction of two additional medians along Bayshore Drive. D~scusston ensued during which time Transportation Services Administrator Archibald confirmed there are monies budgeted in Fund 10! for median maintenance. Commissioner Saunders indicated he is not convinced that Bayshore Drive is one of the roads which the County should be spending funds on to either beautify or maintain median beautification since it is not as heavily travel/ed as Airport Road, U.S. 41, and Goodlette-Frank Road. He voiced opposition to spending $14,000 per year to maintain $80,000 worth of beautification project on Bayshore Drive. Ms. Vaughn suggested, along U.S. 41, possible tandem construction of irrigation sleeving as the Collier County Utilities Division is presently working along that roadway. In response to Comm~ssioner Shanahan, Ms. Vaughn confirmed that in order to accept the grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture it is necessary to commit to median work along Bayshore Drive. She reminded the Board of County Commissioners of their previous commit- Rent to maintain the Bayshore Drive project for three years during a meeting at which Commissioner Saunders had been absent. Commissioner Saunders voiced opposition to the Bayshore project but acknowledged support for U.S. 41, north and south, as well as other major arterials. Cot~nty Manager Dorrill interjected that staff has made note of the consensus reached by the Board of County Commissioners and a modifica- tion will be made to reflect same for the final hearing. Page 9 September 9. 1992 Dick Siegel, President of the Greater Naples Civic Association, noted he has previously supplied the Board of County Commissioners with a copy of a report from his organization, which studied County government's growth in taxation and spending, and also analyzed the current budget and operating policies of the Board and the Constitutional Officers. (Copy not provided to the Clerk to the Board.) He highlighted areas of concern and proposed various reduc- tion efforts as contained within the report. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of eliminating posi- tions which have been frozen. It was the consensus that County Manager Dorrtll will bring back an estimate of which positions may be eliminated and the corresponding budget reductions. A lengthy discussion occurred regarding the allocation of $670,000 to David Lawrence Center. The following people spoke regarding this issue: Fred Tarrant Frances Barsh It was the consensus that Staff will ask the David Lawrence Center to review their request, for possible reduction In the level of funding supplied to them by the County. George Keller inquired how much of a percentage increase has there been in the taxable property values in the County over the previous year? Mr. McNees advised the overall percentage increase is however, the adjusted percentage, when new construction is removed, has decreased approximately 2~. eeo Roceeoed: 9:13 P.M. - Reconvened: 9:25 P.M. David McElrath, President of the Voluntary Board of Directors for the Naples Leadership School, requested the Board consider funding for his organization. He explained dUe to some changes in the personnel with his Board, an error was made, resulting in no application for funding being submitted. County Manager Dorrill mentioned this situation also occurred Page 10 September 9, 2992 during the previous year. Ne said this organization ts not tn the tentative budget because they never flied an application. He pointed out they were funded last year as the result of taking money from the other contract agencies. Commissioner Volpe commented the contract agencies are required to file an application for funding be a certain time, which had not been done In this case. He Indicated he is not prepared to add this request at this time. Commissioner Saunders concurred, stating to change the procedure at this time will the door to other that forgot to open any agency submit their application. It was the consensus that the request from the Naples Leadership School will not be considered tn the tentative budget for F/sca/ Year 1992-93. Fred Tarrant commented the Sheriff's Office ts over-budgeted should be cut by two to three million dollars. Ne also agreed with Mr. Lepers that the County should reduce 50 positions per year for aeveraI years. Be urged the Board to place a moratorium on the h~gh- way program and uss the money eared for essential situations. Gatl Addison with the Sheriff ts Office, reported the Sheriff's proposed budget has been reduced by $300,000 through prlvatiztng food services at the Jail and the extension of the loan of eight Lincoln Town Care from the Ford Motor Company for another year. She recalled In addition to that amount, $188,000 budgeted for the helicopter and its operating expenses has already been returned to the Board, and has not yet been recognized as revenue. Mr. Lepers asked the County Manager for the correct salary of the Emergency Services Director. County Manager Dorrtll stated that position ts vacant, however, another employee who ts the head of different department is the Acting Emergency Services Director. He Indicated his salary ts approximately $45,000. In response to Commissioner VolPe, County Manager Dorrtll noted he Page 21 September 9, 1992 will bring back an amended tentative budget that includes the following= an adjustment of $?,000 from within the current Road & Bridge budget, and not additional revenue from reserves, for the Bayshore Boulevard maintenance program for one-half year= a review and final recommendation on the total number, and actual dollar amount by fund, of frozen positions that could be eliminated prior to the start of the new fiscal year; a recommended total pay adjustment budget of 2.5~ aa opposed to 3.5~, with one-half percent left unchanged to go to the State for the pension program; and the David Lawrence Center to be contacted for a review and fina! determ~nation of the actual amount they will be requesting. Commissioner Hesse added that the Constitutional Officers will be approached for their cooperation regarding the suggested pay adjust- ment. Commiss~oner Vo]pe recalled that $2.4-mi[l~on tn ad valorem taxes for road pro,acts w~ll also be reviewed. ~ON 92-502 ~M~ENDINO TENTATIFE BUDGET - ADOPTED C~en~ee~oner Stmnahan noved, seconded by Couaimetoner Saunderm and carrie~ 4/0, (Co~isstonar Ooodnight out) to adopt Re~olution 92-502 as~a~d~g the tentative budget, setting the ~ended tentative budget ·nd eetti~g the tentative a~llag~ rates. Mr. McNees declared at th~e point, the County-wide millage rate remains tentatively 4.0584, 2.5X below the rollback rate, and the aggregate millage rate remains 4.7456, which ~s 2.4~ below the rollback m~llage rate. He announced that the final public hearing on the FY 93 Collier County budget will be held on Wednesday, September 23rd in the Boardroom at 5:05 P.M. Com~/eeioner Shanahan noved, secoz~ted b7 Co~lsatoaer Saundera and carried d/O (C~lmsioner Ooodntght out), to c~osm ~he public he&r~n~. Page September 9, 1992 There being no further business for the Good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by Order of the Chair - Time: 9:50 P.M. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS/EX OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS CONTROL .~.~*/~"'~/"~' . MICHAEL J~ ~OLPE', CHAI~N - ~ . ~ ~ .~ ~ese ilnutes approved by the Board on presented ~ or as corrected Page 13