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BCC Minutes 09/12/1989 B Naples, Florida, September 12, 1989 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Com~issloners in and for the County of Collier, and also acttng as the Board of Zoning Appeals and as the governing board(a) of such apectal districts as have been created according to law and having conducted business herein, met on this date at 1:30 P.M. In BUD~ETWOK~SHOP SESSION in Building 'F" of the Government Complex, East Nap/es, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: VICE-CHAIRMAN: Burr L. Saundera Max A. Hasse, Jr. Richard S. Shanahan Michael J. Volpe Anne ~oodnight ALSO PRESENT: Nell Dorrtll, County Manager; Tom Olllff, Assistant to the County Manager, Annaltese Kraft and Maureen Ken~on, Deputy Clerks; Lot! Zalka, Budget Director; Leo Ochs, Administrative Services Administrator, Kevin O'Donnell, Public Services Administrator; and Sheriff Don Hunter. A~NDA County Manager Sheriff Page ! ~:. SEPTEMBER I2, 1989 .~ · County Manager Dorrill stated that the handout submitted to the Board of County Commissioners contains information that the County would like to provide to the newspaper in chart form, hopefully, to be published. He explained that the Information, based on tentative budgets submitted, and as part of the preliminary tax notices ~iled out, demonstrates who spends what portion of the total tax dollar. He Indicated that the other handout on the first page contains a list of additional budget cuts made at the prior budget workshop, reducing the County Manager's Increase to 14.9~, In accordance with direction from the Board of County Commissioners last Wednesday. He pointed out that those cuts are identified on a proportionate basis within each dlvtelon under the County Manager. He noted that Commissioner Shanahan, at the same meeting, requested a discussion concerning eli- mination of the Initial Narco Beach Renourlehment Taxing District used for beach access and beach maintenance, and the 1/lOth of a mill pr~grsmmed tn the budget would be an additional decrease in net fund to reduce an additional $183,200 dollars. He pointed out that on the ~econd page, 4 columns are shown; original tentative budgets, amended budgets, revised budget oZ County Manager, and the revised budget the Sheriff proposes. He stated that other handouts are similar to the first one, and reflect Information that Commissioner Saunders requested In terms of an evaluation of taxable value, the portion paid by new construction, and the portion paid by reassessments tn existing struc- tures. He explained that the final 2 pages are general Information, including the taxing area or Independent districts that ars paid Into to get the type of increase Involved, and the final page ts a summary page. Commissioner Volpe questioned if the reduction included fewer people being hired In the County Manager's Department? County Manager Dorrtll replied there were no cuts associated with the $412,O00 figure. In response to Commissioner Volpe, Mr. Dorrill indicated that Pagm 2 SEPTEMBER 22~ 1989 78 new positions show as expanded, whtch is anything done since last October, and the net number of 55 new positions results from the transfer of the Youth Guidance Department to the Court System out of the County Manager's budget, eliminating 3 or 4 positions, and elimi- nation of the County Survey Department containing 5 or 6 positions. Commissioner Shanahan commented that the real numbers tn relationship to previous budgeted numbers are important because it appears that 78 new people are being added. Commissioner Volpe and Commissioner Haase concurred. County Manager Dorrtll explained that the actual number of positions for October 1, 1989, is 55, taking into account the number who were added during the year through reorganizations, i.e. the new Development Services Department, and the actual number of new positions under the County Manager Is 55, with 10 positions being eliminated. Commissioner Volpe questioned the 15 new positions In Mr. Lorenz's Department, Pollution Control, being intact? County Manager Dorrtll responded "Yes, sir". Commissioner Volpe questioned clarification of the Pay for Performance Plan and the proposed 5~ Increase for satisfactory employees, 7-1/2~ for the next level and 10~ for outstanding or e~cellent and If tt repve.~ents an adjustment? He commented that at present it is 2-1/2, § and 7-1/2~. County Manager Dorrill explained that the reason for the change ts that last year the County budgeted to adopt the new County Position Classification and Pay Plan. He pointed out that the aggregate amount of money has remained the same tn both years, and last year some of the money was split to adopt the new pay plan and bring certain employees up to their new entry level. He noted that the money left over was used for the 2-1/2, 5 and 7-1/2 percent pay adjustments. He stated that this year the same lump of money was budgeted, but all of that money will be used for pay for performance because few, if any, people have to be brought up to entry level. In response to Commissioner Volpe, Mr. Dorrlll explained that with Implementation of this new program, approximately 60~ of the ·Page 00002 SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 employees will receive ?-1/2%, some will receive 5~, some 10~ and some nothing. He prated that people less than satisfactory, or not factory are put on probation, re-evaluated or let go. Commissioner Volpe questioned the percentages of increase for the employe~e in relation to the cost of living? County Manager Dorrlll responded his rationale Is that people doing merely satisfactory work, or what ts expected of them, should receive what is consistent with the cost of living, generally 5%, but an incentive should be offered to people who are doing better than that with the additional 2-1/2% or 10%, twice the cost of living; If they are doing an outstanding Job. In response to Commissioner Hasse, he replied that 30% of our total work force ts receiving a 10% Increase, and that Increase remains con- ststent throughout each division. Co,missioner Shanahan questioned what the overall average is? Mr. Dorrtll indicated 30~ get 10~, 60~ or less get very good and the remaining 10% are sc~ewhere between merely satisfactory or less than satisfactory. In response to Commissioner Shanahan, Mr. Dorrtll stated he could determine it on a percentage of payroll, assuming the average county employee ,,as doing very good work and received 5% last year and this year will get 7-1/2%. Commissioner Volpe questioned the cost of living percentage for last year? Administrative Services Administrator 0chs replied that last year It was 4.4%, this year about 5%. Nr. Dorrtll stated that the specific cuts he proposes to make to reach no more than 1§~ of last year's adopted rate, which is the same proposal Marco Island taxpayers and civic groups have suggested, ts shown tn each division and department, totalling cuts of $412,500. In response to Commissioner Yelps, Mr. 9orrtll replied that he could do whatever the Board of County Commissioners wants. He noted that the Board of County Commissioners wanted a zero millage budget, no one spending more than 15~ over last year, and that is what he has done. He Indicated that one other position that has been eliminated is in 000O3 Page SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 conjunction with the grounds maintenance proposal for the Philharmonic Arts Hall. In response to Commissioner Volpe, Public Services Administrator O~Donnell stated that he has four options relative to the parking lot attend~mts at Clam Pass. In response to Commissioner Hasse, Mr. DorrJ!l replied that the total cutback figure is $4120000 over cuts previou:~ly made and $180,000 Identified by Commissioner Shanahan. He lndtcated that Staff needs general consensus from the Bosrd of County Commissioners to pre- sent the cuts at the hearing tomorrow. Commissioner Volpe questioned Mr. O'Donnell's position? He stated that the options include phasing out of 3 part-time parking lot atten- dant positions October 1, 1989. He explained that there are 2 full- time and 4 part time parking lot attendants, totalling 8 part-time and 2 full time positions at the 3 lots the County charges for parking. Mr. O'Donnell reviewed the 4 options: 1) - maintain status quo and continue subsidy o~ $19,000. 2) - raise the rate from $1.00 per day to $2.00 put day at the 3 associated lots, anticipating a net revenue ~.ncT~ease of $50,000 to $53,000. 3) - eliminate parking lot attendants at Clam Pass and Vanderbtlt, and metering the lots at Lely Barefoot Beach Park and Lely Barefoot Beach Preserve. He expJa.[ned that there is a 100 space lot at Lely Barefoot Beach, while the preaerve area is the access point where the Transportation Department has constructed a new road. He pointed out that metering would involve 400 plus meters at those sites, at an initial cost of $88,000, with revenues the first year ranging from $95,000, and in the second year to a range of $80,000 to $240,000 of revenue, after the capital expen- ses have bee~ said. He Indicated that mirroring the program used by the City of Naples, 80~ metered parking spaces and ~0~ unmetered allowing Collier County residents to park there with & permit, and using the same revenue pro~ecttn~s on a percentage basis, the revenue the City estimates to derive from their 500 or 600 meters is $280,000. Page 5 SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 He indicated that the County, using the same percentages, could wind up with revenues of $240,000. He stated that option 4 with 80~ of the allocated spaces metered and 20~ unmetered al/owing residents to park there wo~:ld decrease the cost of meters by 20~. He indicated that the annual maintenance cost of the meters would be approximately $8,800 per year for wear and tear, vandalism, etc. Mr. O'Donnell explained that Tigertatl would continue to be staffed by 4 part-t/me parking lot attendants, and with an increase to $2.00 per day, revenues would increase in the neighborhood of $50,000. He stated that Ttgertall Beach carries the parking lot at Clam Pass and Vanderbilt; Vanderbilt breaks even and Clam Pass operates at a loss. He Indicated that Tigertatl generates approximately $75,000 per year in excess of its expenses. He stated that the disadvantage of the meters is the capital expense associated, but when the meters are bought and paid for, at a cost of $88,000, possibly within the first year of operation, $95,000 would be generated tn revenue. He noted that 2 full-time parking attendants would be maintained and those ~ndtviduals would empty and inventory meters and 3 part-time parking at?,~ndants would not be n,eded, ending up with 2 full-time and 1 part- ttmo attendant. He sumnarlzed that a meter approach of Option 1 - accepting 100~ meterlzation oF 2 - a 80/20~ combination could nate 3 part time positions and increase revenues. He explained that when the City of Naples talked to Collier County about 3 years ago to go ix~ a meter parking program, initially they asked $80,000 from Collier County, with the first half up front and the second half after an audit was done, and he noted that the County has yet to make an expenditure to the City of Naples for the second installment and last year received a check from the City to help defray the Countycs expen- ses. He noted that this year they anticipate the County.s expenses to be $~5,000, half of which the County would pay November 1, ~988, pur- suant to the County's agreement ~nd based on revenue projections in the past by the City of Naples, he indicated that he did not feel the Page 6 SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 County would pay that money, and following the percentages, meters is the way to go from a revenue producing perspective. In response to Commissioner Hasse, Mr. O'Donnell stated that the City has issued a large number of stickers which Collier County could honor, because the City ~d County definitions dovetail. Commissioner Shanahan commented that overwhelming evidence suggests going with Option 3 or 4. He stated that the Investment of $88,000 to ultimately bring tn $100,000 to $200,000 profit without any loss in service ts of overwhelming potential. Mr. O'Donnell Indicated that Ttgertatl Beach has used state funding to develop that park system and the permit would have to be a state permit. He noted that permits could not be Issued solely to Collier County residents, but after checking with the County attorney, Collier County could levy an annual charge for a permit which would be Issued at the Parks & Recreation Administrative Office in Golden Gate Community Park, and that would discourage out of county residents from making that trip. He Doted that at Cl,m Pass and Vanderb]lt that !e~al restriction ]s not In effect. Commissioner Shanahan questioned if R0/20% at VanderbIlt/C'am Pass obligates the County to do the same at Tigertall? He emphasiz~d that their parking fees should not be increased from $1.00 to $2.00 because they have been carrying the bur- den of all of the facilities at this time. Mr. O'Donnell Indicated that studies of car registrations at Tigertall Beach, particularly in season, it ts not uncommon to see that ?04 of the vehicles have non Collier County license plates. He pointed out that Ttgerta~l makes approximately $75,000 and carries the other 2 lots and the $1.00 charge could be left as it is, and it does not allow itself to meterlng. He explained that Clam Pass and VanderbIlt In the 80/20 split would charge for meters at the same rate as the C~ty of Naples, 25 cents per hour. In responsu to Commissioner Shanahan, Mr. O'Donnell indicated that $1.00 at Tigertail is for all day or a por- t,on of It, and the average individual stays about 4 hours at the Page ? SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 beach. Commissioner Shanahan expressed concern with the people uti- lizing Tigertail being penalized because they do not have meters that allow paying .25 cents per hour and they pay the $1.00. Commissioner Volpe questioned why Collier County pays the City of Naples? Mr. O'Donnell responded that the money ts for the opportunity for non-city residents to obtain a city beach parking permit and have the -ame rights and privileges as the City of Naples residents and park at unmetered spots, or metered spots If the unmetered spots are filled and not pay. County Manager Dorrtll noted that Collier County funds its beach program out of the general fund and all County residents pay into the general fund. In response to Commissioner Shanahan, Mr. O'Donnell indicated he favors Option 3 of 100 percent meterization. He noted that his concern with the 80/20 upllt ts the stickers that are out throughout the County creating loss of revenue. County Manager Dorrill indicated that a particular proposal the Board of County Commissioners favors, it can be referred to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee. Commissioner Volpe commented that he was looking to eliminate expenses, not view It as reven~e producing. He emphasized that beaches are being funded by ad valorem taxes and he is not in favor of zevenue funding by charging residents to park at their beaches. A discussion followed about meter collecting and park rangers. Mr. O'Donnell indicated that eliminating parking attendants and having the park rangers empty meters will be a difficult task. Mr. O'Donnell stated that there are no meters at Clam Pass or Vanderhllt. Commissioner Shanahan stated that turning those facilities into no pay parking und leaving Tigertatl on Marco Island paying $1.00 is not viable. Ne Indicated that the metered approach will generate revenue and eliminate expense. A lengthy discussion followed about meters and the revenues they would generate. Page 8 SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 A discussion followed about the available options. Commissioner Shanahan and Commissioner Hasse agreed that the pro- posals be given to the' Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. County Manager Dorrill noted that there appears to be no immediate cuts relative to those part-time employees. Commissioner Volpe commented that there is mor~ to be looked at rather than Just eliminating 3 part-time positions. Commissioner Shanahan concurred. It w~s tim cons~ of the Board of County Co~iestoner~ that this ~atter go to the Park~ and Recreation Advisory Co,a/tree and the C=~e/ttee co~e back to the Board of County Co~miesionere with a recom- ~endation. County Manager Dorrtl! stated that if there are no seore quemtions concerning the $412,500 in other cuts, Staff uwu~ee the~ are to be proposed a~ part of the public hearing. Co~0/asion~r Volpa c~uesttoned the total county payroll, oxcllL~iv~ of the Sheriff? Mr. Ochs ~d~cated that the cu~rrent payroll for Board cf C~ty Co~a/ealoners' e~ployees, ~nclud~ng the court ~F~test and ~ ~he County Attorney J~ approximately $~8,000,000. In respaD~e to Co~e/e&ioner Shana'nan, Mr. Dorrlll responded that the t~tat~v~ ~dg~t wa~ originallF ~n the blue book a~d the a~end~d budget column ia ~h~ough today, wh~le the County Manager colu~n~hc~ the total tax dollars, the County tax H~llage rate, the percentage ~-~e~ ~n ta~cem collected over last year, and ~f you take the $4~2,500 ~n further cuts, the m~llage would decreue for the first t~e in l0 or 15 years. Conmteeioner Shanahan noted that the ~/llago w~nt fro~ 461.S? to 45T.18. Coaxiestoner Shanahan wu~arized that the County vs~uld hav~ an a~ended budget of $55,893,600 v~. 858,900,00, thus creating a mavings of $3,100,000. In response to Co~lmstoner Volpa, Itt. Dorr~ll replied that 2~ of the total County b~g~t of $267,000,000, $5?,000,000 or 20~ cones from ad valorem property taxe~. 1989 C~.t~ ~nag~r Doff/l! re~pon~ed that the nuabers on ~ ~ ~ wL~ ~ ~m or pr~r~ t~. A d/s~ston foll~d a~t pro~r~ ~, ~lla~ ~ t~ t~ rate. C~ty ~ ~rr/ll etated t~t ~ u~s t~ ~d of ~ ~ssi~r8 wl.~s to ~e the Mther ~ts In the C~W ~r'm i~n~ ~et, ~d Staff ~ill ~v~ rhea prepared to ~ disused at the stu~ ot t~ ~bltc hearln~ to~rr~. Shertfff H~ter stated that he has tried to Ttnd ~ays to cu~ his budget, and prefaced his remarks that his budget, as originally sub- mt~ted, contained two assuapttons; one that he ~ould be able to dual certify Jail deputies to help him ~tth patrol services and ~ould be Granted the oppor~t~y through his investigator supervisors to use InvestiGators on patrol services; he ~ould be doinG patrol service himself, and he would ha'~e 100 additional volunteers ~orktn~ tn the agency, some bets9 dedicated to patrol services. He noted that he still ~oes not know tf he ~tll be permitted to acquire the necessary ~andtdate spaces for ne~ recruits in the academy for law enforcement a~.i Jail certification, ~.t he ha~ attempted to predict ~hen he ~ould be able to plo.ce the candidates In those recruit seats. He stated that the 15~ ca~ ts not intended to be hln~ed upon a particular posi- tion, but essentially an arbitrary cap. He explained that he came tn at f8 positions, down from 110 posttlons proposed by the experts tn the Collier Cowry Sheriff's Office, to do the Job at the current ser- vice level and the 1.5 million dollar reduction ~ould yield one half o[ the 58 positions, about 29 ~osttlons. He pointed out that he c~- not say that the positions ~ould be taken from administrative, such as clerical and records because as you put more people on the street, more paperwork ts processed ~ith increased arrests, etc. He indi- cated that If the people ~ant to cut back to 29 people, those posi- tions would Include road patrol, canine units, Investigators, record clerks, secretary clerk typists and computer propra~ers. Page 10 SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 Sheriff Hunter indicated through phase-ins and the elimination of two positions, there are $337,583 in cuts or about 1.1% of what was originally proposed. He stated that he has eliminated a crime scene technician, and a professiona3 responsibility lieutenant. He indi- cated that Florida Highway Patrol budget~ its personnel at ?0~ availa- b~lity and they are grossly under-manned, the International Association of C,~ief of Police recommends 80'& availability of patrol resources to provide adequate patrol. He indicated that the budget today would provide patrol service availability of 39% in District l, 42% in District 2, Golden Gate, 14% in District 3, Naples and East Naples, 52~ in Marco Island and 55% in Everglades and 23% in Immokalee. He stated that he did not believe the County wants to go to that. Sheriff Hunter stated thai instead of the original proposed budget of $31,454,400, the revised figure would be $31,116,817. In response to Commissioner Hasse, Mr. Hunter indicated that the increase from last year would be 2~.3%. Sheriff Hunter explained that 9.8% of the increase is salary adjustments, annualized through this budget year that were not permitted the last fiscal year. He indicated that for the people ellgible, and the remainder receive zero. In r~sponse to Commissioner Volpe, Sheriff Hunter indicated there is no change in patrol deputies, there will be 23 total certified. In response to Commissioner Volpe, Sheriff Hunter indicated there will be ~46 patrol positions. He stated that there are 127 dedicated to the districts, a flexible unit of 10 and 3 canine un,ts and 14~ is current with the 23 added to total 169. Commissioner Hasse questioned reduction in Jail personnel? Sheriff Hunter replied that they are currently under-budgeted now. He currently pruvides for up to 560 inmates while custodians and deputies have been budgeted to maintain only 450 people. In response to Commissioner Hasse, Sheriff Hunter reported that there are 18 deputies budgeted for Immokalee. He indicated that the prisoners run from 55 to 59 in number. He indicated that the Page SEPTEMBER 12, I989 facility has been opened up as a result of remodeling the kitchen, the Departm.nt of c.,.~',-nti,~n~ w,,uld not ~.Ilow holding any additional pri- soners until the kitchen was complete,]. He stated that there are 192 in corrections and Jail deputies who are divided between the Naples facility and the Immokalee facility. A discussion followed about the 15% cap and the number of road deputies. Sheriff Hunter stated that he has to go back to Marco and determine with the people of Marco, what they wish to have. Commissioner Volpe questioned how the number of deputies is translated b~sed upon people to be served? Mr. Hunter replied that 50~ availability and caseload analysis, analyzing number of secre- taries per investigator, looking at the workload, and determining if there are any snags ~n the system. Sheriff Hunter ind~cated that for the last 10 years, people and resources have been budgeted at 50~ availability and analyzed investigator workloads and have had no request for changes. He stated that people ask for more visibility from road patrol in their neighborhoods, and more expeditious handling of investigations, and he suggests they go to the Board of County Co.anisaloners as well to have it budgeted. In r~.spon~e to Com=~sstoner Volpe, Sheriff Hunter stated that he is only referring to road patrol positions when he says 50~ allocation of resources, i.e. 50~ of a time of a road patrol deputy involved in a shift is responding to calls for service, domestic complaints, and crimes in progress; the other §0~ is to be available for crime preven- tion, suppression patrol and public relations. Sheriff Hunter stated that the total calls for service responded to in a prior year accumu- lated for 5 years, with 5 years data and pro~ected by regression into the next calundar year is used to predict how many people are needed in each d/strict. In response to Commissioner Hasse, Sheriff Hunter stated that he could not predict when the academies would occur and when he would be permitted to phase in positions to get them Into the academy. He 00¢)11 Page SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 Indicated that he phased in positions, and eliminated 2. Commissioner Volpe noted that adhering to the 15% cap would result tn half of the requested positions. A discussion followed about cutting the posi- tions from the original budget. In response to Commissioner Volpe, Sheriff Hunter Indicated that the Sheriff has an automated computer dispatch system to determine how malty calls for service there are in each district, how many minutes each of the calls constitute and he converts that Into man hours each year. He stated that he has attempted to calculate investigator hours and the chart represents 3 tours of duty through each neighborhood. He indicated that he attempted, In the workshops, to ask people how many times they wanted to see a deputy In their neighborhood. Commissioner Volpe questioned the increase tn number of incidents pro~ected for next year? Sheriff Hunter stated 30,831 in District 1 for a total of 175,000 total calls for service. A discussion followed about new positions created by amount of incidents. Commissioner Volpe questioned Collier County's per capita cost of law enforcement and how it compares to other counties tn the State? Sb~£f Hunter indicated that it ts high in some, lower in others. He tndica,ted that he ccmpleted a 1985 study for the State of Florida, analyzing Sheriff's offices and municipalities and used other variables, i.e. the cost of living, proportion of Individuals living in the county which affects the call for police services, elderly populations, and said that study is available. · '' Deputy Clerk F~nyon replaced Deputy Clerk F, raft at this ti--- *'* Commissioner Volpe stated that he ts looking at a budget and how costs are developed and it appears that the cost per capita is $215.00 and he wondered how this compared to other counties. He stated that there is evidently a standardized way of doing things in terms of law enforcement. Sheriff Hunte~ stated that there is no sta,ldardized ways of doing things in law enforcement and it does not need to be standardized Page 13 SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 because law enforcement needs to fit the service to the population being served and the consumer needs to determine that, adding that he feels that the Sheriff's Department has done a very good Job in responding to the consumer. Comm~ssioner Volpe stated that the consumer is stating that it ts costing too much at this time. Sheriff Hunter stated that he is going to go to each district and try and determine what the taxpayers want of him as a /aw enforcement officer. Commissioner Shanahan stated that the Commission asked the Sheriff to look for a $1.5 million cut, noting that he looked for cuts tn expanded positions only. He stated that he came up with some phase- ins and a couple of positions that went from 58 to 56, adding that what he has heard from his constituents is that is a totally Inade- quate number of cuts. He stated that there is a wide variety of things from paid plan adjustment, holiday parity, capita/ outlay, etc, and questioned if there is any way to delay some of these expenses? Re stated that his constttutents have told him that the Sheriff should ~,~ ~]v~n $3 million for pay increases or $3 million for additional personnel, but not both ~e stated that this would be a severe cut and would be worth $3.5 million. He stated that he would suggest that Sheriff Hunter take another look at his budget.. Sheriff Hunter stated that he will cut his budget $1.5 mil/ton when he hears that the taxpayers wants a lower level of service than they currently enjoy. He stated that he would cut 10%, 20%, 50~ or withdraw entirely from their district if that is what they want. He indicated that If the people of Marco Island do not want any of the new positions budgeted for *heir area, he is prepared to remove them from the budget this date if that is what they want. He indicated that this discussion ts 9n the allocation of limited resources and the prloritizatlon of the services that the constituencies demand, adding that he ts prepared to do what the taxpayers demand but they have to Page 14 SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 do It in an informed way and understand the consequences. He stated that he is prepared to withdraw all resources from any district if the people of that district agree to it. Commissioner Hasse stated that the County Manager and his depart- ments were asked to see what they could do in cutting their budgets and they have made some cuts, noting that it is now up to the Sheriff to make some cuts in his budget that are substantial. He stated that each Commissioner has to listen to their constitutents. He noted that out of the $1.5 million, Sheriff Hunter has only cut $337,000 from the budget which is not enough. Sheriff Hunter stated that the people of Marco Island have asked him to enforce the narcotics laws in their lounges, hotels, and on the streets, noting that he has heard the same thing from Immokalee, East Naples and North Naples, but this cannot be done if he does not have enough people. He indicated that this budget proposal in its dimi- nished form will grant him the ability in a flexible way to do it. He stated that if these positions are reduced to 29 positions, he will aot be able to do that and this is all he wants the taxpayers to know. ~e noted that he wi/] be primarily responding to calls for service because his p~'imary mt~sion is law enforcement, not crime prevention or proactive law enforcement. Commissioner Hasse questioned if the Sheriff could address the specific cuts that the Board recommended for his consideration and what the public will receive if the Commission insists on that cap versus what the absolute minimum should be, to which Sheriff Hunter replied affirmatively, adding that if he has a mandate from the BCC saying that they are prepared to withdraw the positions budgeted for their areas, he is prepared to remove the areas. Commissioner Shanahan stated that the peop?.e are going to want to know why the Sheriff camnot cut his budget $1.5 mill~on. He stated that some people feel that there are two many deputies responding to a DUI call or a minor arrest. He stated that there are a lot of Page 15 SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 questions as t~ whether all the personnel Is really required for a $31 mil/ton expenditure. He indicated that this will have to be addressed. Commissioner Shanahan questioned if it would hurt the department if the holiday party was delayed for one year, to which Sheriff Hunter stated that it would hurt especially when it is compared to the County's employees. He stated that there would also be a higher attrition rate than he currently experiences. In answer to Commissioner Volpe, Sheriff Hunter stated that the IlO positions were requested by the Supervisors doing the Job on the street, but the number of positions that he budgeted does not reflect the total demand, but this Is his decision. He ind~cated that he was wi/ling to take the responsibility and provide the additional patrol resources to cover the added position requirements. He noted that the llO positions were cut to 58 positions, noting he cannot cut budget any further. Commissioner Hasse stated that it was decided that the budget would be held at a 1§~ increase which means that the Sheriff's budget has to be cut. He noted f..;at only $337,000 was cut from his budget and he would suggest that the Sheriff go back and look at hie budget again without seriously affecting /aw enforcement. 3heriff Hunter stated that he has attempted to cut where he could and any cuts from this point on will adversely affect service. He assured the Commission he would look at the budget again and attempt to help if there is any other way possible. There being no other further business, the meeting was adjourned by Order of the Chair - Time: 3:2§ P.M. Page 16