Backup Documents 12/10-11/2013 Item #10GCL%
Collier County Board of County Commissioners 10C
Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2013
Chairwoman Georgia A. Hiller, Esq.
I am pleased to report that Collier County is sound and stable. Our county's
finances are strong. Our economy is growing.
We have better defined the role of this government in the context of
personal freedom.
We have increased public safety by taking practical steps to remove illicit
drugs, reduce theft and help our first responders.
We have made this county more transparent and honest than it has ever
been by reforming ethics policies, clarifying legal responsibilities and
conforming to state law.
In a number of areas large and small, we have made Collier County a better
place to live and conduct business by reviewing county operations and
taking decisive action.
Importantly, this has been achieved through a collaboration between the
Board of County Commissioners, county staff and the public acting as a
unified team. The Board, with insight gained through public input, has set
policies for the community's benefit that county staff has successfully
implemented.
The guiding policy has been to provide the community with the highest level
of service at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayers - the essence of fiscal
conservatism. This policy has lead the county to a level of unsurpassed
success.
Continued
10G
Our fiscal situation is strong, and likely among the best in the State!
As we emerge from the ""great recession," Collier County has not increased
property tax rates while maintaining outstanding governmental services for
our residents and visitors, notwithstanding a reduction of more than 20% in
general fund revenues from almost $400 million in FY 2008 to $310. million
in FY 2013.
In 2013, taxable value countywide increased 3.8% representing the second
consecutive adjustment since 2007. The increase is welcome news and
continues to reverse a trend which saw Collier County lose over $21 billion in
taxable value - almost 27 percent of its tax base - since the 2007 tax year.
Based upon State estimates, it is anticipated that Collier County will
experience tax base increases through tax year 2017.
The County continued to responsibly pay down its current debt obligation
and, with no plans to issue new debt, approximately 50% of existing debt
will be retired within the next 8 years. The county's debt was at its highest
in 2008 - $804 million. Outstanding debt has been reduced to just under
$600 million in FY2013 - a decrease of 25%. The remaining debt has been
refinanced to take advantage of lower interest rates. Annual general
governmental debt service has been reduced by 50% as a result.
Collier County continues to keep a stable investment quality credit rating
from all three major rating agencies. Moody's Investment Service noted
that the County's "long term financial position is expected to remain healthy,
despite recessionary tax base pressure, given conservative budgeting and
fiscal discipline." Fitch Ratings commented on the County's sound financial
management by indicating, "The County has responded to considerable
revenue deterioration with conservative budgeting, aggressive expenditure
reductions and limited use of reserves." The Board of County
Commissioners is committed to fiscal conservatism.
Continued
30G
Our economy is strong and growing!
In 2013, Collier County was ranked #1 in Florida for job growth. On April 4,
2013, Florida Governor Rick Scott recognized Collier County for having the
fastest annual job growth rate in the entire State of Florida.
The Board took proactive and aggressive action to promote economic
development and job growth throughout the county:
• Impact fees were again reduced.
• The Land Development Code was amended to streamline building regulations
and expedite the review process.
• An automated building plan review and permitting system was installed that
allows for faster, more convenient and efficient reviews.
• Reduced standard building permit fees by 5%.
• The Office of Hearing Examiner was created to expedite reviews of minor
zoning and land use applications.
• A partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to promote the county as a
business destination was formed.
• The county joined the Southwest Florida Regional Economic Alliance and
made a commitment to support and grow regionalism.
• The Board created the Community and Economic Development Chairmanship
position - committing to economic development leadership at the Board level.
Continued
10G
The Board has reduced government over -reach!
Examples include but are not limited to:
The elimination of Red Light Cameras: There were no demonstrable public
safety benefits derived from this initiative, given the sophisticated and well
managed engineered traffic signaling system. The contract with the vendor
was consequently terminated.
Professional treatment of airport tenants: Fair treatment of all airport
tenants is now the norm, not the exception. Companies that provide critical
aviation services to Southwest Florida are treated with the respect they
deserve.
The Board has increased its commitment to public safety.-
The
afety:
The Board of County Commissioners passed the ""Collier County Illicit
Synthetic Drugs Ordinance" to assist the Sheriff's Office in its efforts to
control the increasing use of illicit synthetic drugs.
The Board of County Commissioners working with the Sheriff's Office
developed a monitoring and disclosure program to make it easier to catch
thieves who steal components used in privately -owned and government
infrastructure assets.
Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption Devices were approved for phased -in
installation. Traffic signals in busy intersections are now preempted so as to
assist emergency responders through those intersections.
The Board recognized the need for the build -out of the Sheriff's special
operations center and the new forensics storage and lab facility and
accordingly began planning to fund and construct these projects.
As an example of working together with the community in crisis, in the wake of the
fire that badly damaged the Greater Naples YMCA, the Board worked closely with
officials from the YMCA to develop an immediate plan for the continuity of YMCA
programs and services. We provided county office space so YMCA staff could
continue administrative functions, and we expedited permitting as they rebuilt.
Continued
30G
Collier government is honest, open and transparent!
The Board clarified and strengthened the Collier County Ethics Ordinance,
making the ordinance consistent with state statutes, making it clear and
unequivocal that kickbacks and bribes are illegal in Collier County. The
county now can rely on state precedent and advisory opinions for guidance
as to what constitutes unethical conduct. The County Attorney is officially
designated as the county's Ethics Officer, available to provide ethics opinions
as needed. Additionally, the newly enacted County Attorney's ordinance
will ensure that the county attorney will represent the county in all legal
matters and that Board of Commissioners' actions conform to the law.
This Board now embraces the critical function of the Clerk of Courts as the
independently -elected watchdog over county funds. We are better utilizing
county audits in board decisions, preventing bad actors from receiving grant
funds, and tightening purchasing procedures through the passage of a
Purchasing Ordinance.
The administration of public records has been consolidated and streamlined
so as to promote increased transparency and responsiveness to the public.
Government operations have significantly improved!
The county has experienced restructuring at all levels, from the Office of the
Board of County Commissioners which was redesigned in terms of both
management and space, to the restructuring of divisions and the
streamlining of advisory boards. Every action has been evaluated from the
perspective of its return to the public. Steps that have no return have been
eliminated. Examples include: outsourcing of marina operations to securing
consultants from residential and commercial real estate and property
management firms to assist the county with the purchase, sale, and
management of the County's real estate holdings; viewing job bankers as a
means to manage fluctuating service demand levels; and the creation of a
Victims Advocacy Coalition - a grant management team and process for
victim advocacy organizations in order to increase the amount of grant
funding available to further their critical services which taxpayers would
otherwise have to pay for.
Continued
10G
There are so many additional achievements that are worthy of mention, like
dogs are now permitted in Collier parks, Clam Pass and Wiggins Pass were
successfully dredged, and the beaches were renourished at a savings of over
$20 million to name a few happy items. These and many other successful
FY2013 projects are listed in the summary attachment I've prepared for your
review.
In short, taxpayer's dollars have been protected, conditions for economic
growth and prosperity have been created, public safety has been a
consistent priority, and our operations have been improved everywhere they
could be.
It has been a pleasure being your chair for this past year. I am honored to
have played a part in helping to realize our shared dreams, hopes and
aspirations for a better Collier County.
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