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All right, there you go. >> Well, good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We will call this meeting to order on Wednesday, July the 8th, 2026. The time now is 9:00 a.m. This is our annual budget workshop. Uh

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hopefully in the beginning or the entrance way you were able to obtain the agenda. Uh we will get started on that immediately. At first we will all rise for a moment of silence to recognize our first responders followed by the invocation and the pledge by

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Commissioner Adams. Please pray with me. Our heavenly father, we come to you with open hands and open arms. We thank you for delivering us through a very busy weekend and keeping our county safe.

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Father, today as we recognize the needs of the community, Father, we keep in mind our armed forces throughout our country as well as our first responders, not only nationally, state side, but locally. Father, we ask for your wisdom

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today. We ask that you help us be calm and ease any financial anxiety that we may have. Father, we know that you offer clarity and discernment. And Father, we also know that in your word in Proverbs, it says, "For the Lord gives wisdom. From his

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mouth come knowledge and understanding." Father, we all gather together and say these things in your son's name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

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for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Well, welcome again. And we will begin with the budget message by our county

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administrator. Mr. Administrator, >> good morning, Chairman Lure, Vice Chair Moss, Commissioners Adams, Ferman. I'd also like to welcome and thank the public as well as our constitutional officers and state agencies in attendance along with nonprofit partners

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the county support. I appreciate their efforts and understanding as we work to formulate the FY2627 budget. I want to extend my gratitude to our county attorney, department directors, and their management teams for their diligent work in developing their departmental budgets. I also want

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to thank Deputy County Administrator Mike Zitto, Assistant County Minister Nancy Bunt, and our legislative affairs and communications manager Kathy Copelan, and certainly my executive assistant Maryanne Thomas. Managing my calendar during the budget season and keeping me on track is no small task.

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Uh, finally, I want to acknowledge and commend our office of management and budget director Kristen Daniels, senior budget analyst Elise Chris, budget analyst Kaylee Fairchild, and budget analyst and grant administrator Marie Ram.

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Sorry, Marie. I think I butchered it. They worked tirelessly with the departments, reviewed budget details, prepared the budget document, and helped assemble today's presentation. So before I officially present the recommended FY2627

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budget, I want to, you know, provide a brief educational overview. It's a little bit of a shift from the past practice. Uh with the introduction of amendment three, there's been many comments and misconceptions regarding the county's budget. I believe it's important to provide clear context and

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factual information to set the stage or set the table for this year's recommendation, help dispel misunderstanding. Uh, this year's budget reflects disciplined, forward-looking approach to public finance during a period of economic uncertainty and potential statewide tax policy changes. The

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recommended budget of 614.8 million represents a significant 13.6 reduction from the current midyear revised budget, yet a modest 2.7% increase over last year's originally adopted budget. This is 1.5%

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below the May CPI of 4.2%. This careful balance underscores the county's long-standing commitment to prudent fiscal management. Despite rising operational expenses, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and mandated program

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costs, the county is maintaining the militrates for the general fund, MSTU, and emergency service district. This reflects our deliberate effort to protect taxpayers for the additional burning while meeting essential service demands. The only military increase

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appears in the land acquisition bond 2024 tied to the issuance of the program second tranch of bonds which just closed on July 2nd. Within this environment, we continue to prioritize key operational areas. Public safety remains this county

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central priority. The recommended budget honors the settlement agreement with the sheriff's office while emphasizing the necessity of sustainable long-term cost management and law enforcement spending. Additionally, the county is assuming full responsibility for animal services

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and mental health court operations. A step that strengthens accountability, improves service delivery, and integrates operations more effectively. The recommended budget targeted makes targeted staffing adjustments, continues investing in employee training and

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leadership development, albeit at reduced funding levels, and scrutinizes capital projects largely to carefully avoid operational liabilities in future years. Several major funds, including the transportation fund and emergency service district fund, show reductions

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due to declines in transfers, cost controls, and project timelines. Looking ahead, the county is preparing for a slowing economic growth, uh, shifting real estate conditions and the possibility of major statewide tax restructuring. Our strategic, you know,

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thought and planning will focus on enhanced financial monitoring, evaluating potential service impacts, exploring revenue diversification, and aligning our aligning our fiscal policies with our long-term community express needs.

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Ultimately, the FY26277 bud recommended budget positions Indian Dean River County to manage near-term pressures while strengthening our ability to adapt to future fiscal challenges. The broader fiscal landscape remains complex. State lawmakers have

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placed a constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot that would significantly expand the homestead exemption and reduce assessment caps for non-homesteaded properties. If approved, these changes could reduce the county advalorum property tax revenue by

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approximately 22 million in fiscal year 2728 and 41 million in fiscal year 2829, creating some serious challenges in and uh in sustaining core public services. In preparation, county administration is

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forming an internal tax reform advisory committee following the budget workshops. This committee will evaluate organizational operations, identify feasible policies and service options, develop strategies for the board to guide long-term decision making, and

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given the magnitude of the potential revenue ch changes. Uh thoughtful prep preparation is essential. Next year's budget process may be extraordinarily difficult and informed strategic decisions will be critical to determine what services the county can sustainably

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provide. Within that context established, I I will now transition to an overview of the budget's primary revenue sources and use our current budget to illustrate several key concepts and facts to understand the county's fiscal structure. So, first and foremost, there's multiple

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funds in a a county budget. Uh you have generally government funds and propri proprietary funds. Within our governmental funds, we have our general fund, our MSTU fund, and we have our emergency service district. You'll see the red box behind those around those is

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because those are the ones that are, you know, exclusively or primarily funded through property taxes. And take the general and the MSTU fund. The general fund, it accounts for all activities that are countywide. And whereas the MSTU fund and that means

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all the departments, the constitutionals, our state agencies and any community services that we provide. The MSTU fund provides you know services specifically to or fund services for the unincorporated residents which represent

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about twothirds of our county. The emergency services district also relying upon advant property taxes accounts for all our emergency services district revenue to fire rescue and life safety

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and so that's with the exception of the Indian river shores they have their own public safety department so then the so those are the ones that were relying upon property taxes all the remaining governmental funds and proprietary funds are we have our special revenue funds

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they are restricted are committed for a specific purpose such as the tourist tax, coastal or street lighting and MSBUs. Our debt service fund that's obviously restricted to to pay debt. Uh our capital projects fund that's those are funds that are restricted financial

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resources that are restricted committed or assigned to expenditures for capital outlays such as the Jackie Robinson Training Complex. And then we have our proprietary funds or which are our enterprise funds and those essentially act like a private business.

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Whereas the expenditures that are financed through the you know by that that fund say San Ridge the golf course golf club it's all financed and it's funded through the user charges. So it's no taxpayer dollars are funding

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like San Ridge golf course. No taxpayer dollars are funding the solid waste district. no taxpayer dollars are funding the utilities. Uh that's based on their rates and their as well. And then building so uh building and

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permitting, they rely on the fees for their planning, the permitting review fees and things of that nature. And then we have our internal service funds. That's essentially a fund where we have any goods or services that are provided

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by departments that benefit like human resources, OM, IT, fleet and it they provide a service to all the other departments that pay their fair share into that internal service fund. Uh it also covers risk and u uh health

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insurance as well. So again, the big thing is, you know, each of these are separate uh funds and they they are required to be balanced by floor statute and they're they're they're segregated to maintain control over the resources

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you to uh for specific activities and objectives. So this is kind of the same but this kind of helps expands a little bit. These are the various funds fund types. Again, you have our general MSTU fund as

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I mentioned previously and that and the the general MSTU fund emergency district services district are funded by adorum taxes, the property taxes and that constitutes our BCC departments, our operations, that's the libraries, parks

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and recreational services, facilities, um animal control and services, uh code enforcement, it >> there any cuts there? >> So, and then so from there it also it

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covers our constitutional officers and then it would also are are the community redevelopment agencies the funding that we provide to them. uh our state agencies. If you recall, we covered the expenses for the state attorney's

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office, the circuit court administration, the public defenders office, the medical examiner, >> juvenile justice, >> there's another one, guardian edit program. >> Uh and so we cover we pay for those

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expenses. is the state pays for a portion of it and then we pay for the other portion of it. Uh our economic development uh children's services and then not the nonprofit agencies and transportation. Uh emergency services

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again that that's the emergency services district MSD MSTU that's the taxes property taxes fire rescue and life safety and those uh are the ones that largely again are primarily funded by property taxes. And then not going to

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repeat all the restricted funds, but as you can see in the special revenue funds, those ones specifically because they have differences. The traffic impact fees, obviously people paying for the new development pays for its its share of uh the impact to the transportation network, facility impact

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fees. Uh there's also, you know, there's other impact fees as well, such as public safety, uh the corrections, there's the the the schools, there is parks and recreation, and I think that's pretty much there's

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also water and sewer impact fees. But then we also have the rental assistance where we receive money from the state. uh gas tax, tourist tax, that's restricted funds just these are all have very specified purposes for which they can money can be spent. You can't blend

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them between one fund and another. And then the other funds as you see the debt service fund that's the you know the bonds the land acquisition the dodge dodger bodger town bonds and that is you know largely right now the county's portion's paid

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off and we have a couple I think about four more years >> uh 2031 >> 2031 more than four years. Okay. 2031 uh is the year that we will finish paying off Dodger the bonds related to Dodgertown and that would be the monies that we receive from the state and then

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subsequently pay the debt. Then we have capital projects funds. We do have an agreement with MLB to to maintain and and assist in some operations on the Jackie Robinson training complex. We also have our optional 1 cent sales tax uh which funds certain infrastructural

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uh items as approved by the voters. Uh then our enterprise funds I mentioned those before. I don't want to reiterate those. And then there's again our internal service funds. So the larger point here is that we have many funds that have are very restricted and then

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we have ones that are funded by the our advalor property taxes and that's our general fund MSTU and our emergency service district. >> So using >> excuse me Mr. Minister >> oh maybe this is never mind I'll wait till after this slide this might

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>> so using the current year budget of $598.8 $8 million um which was the originally adopted budget. You can see here advalorum taxes represent 31.3% for the overall budget 5988.8

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million. Local sources are about 105.9. Some state revenue sources and other uh re we revenue we get from there's 27 or 4.5%. We do get some federal assistance through on our housing programs and some

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other ones like you know beat FEMA and stuff like that one 1.1% we do have some cash forwards that we bring forward interfund transfers that's like that internal service fund I discussed and then we have nonadalorm assessments that's like the the squid and then we

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have user fees which go back to the issue of whether it be uh in utilities for the connection service charge charge uh building permitting uh the San Ridge golf club. So that's kind of a breakdown of where our sources are for our over

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originally adopted overall budget. But when we hone in on the general fund, which we mentioned is primarily funded through our tax adval taxes or property taxes, that's $ 107.2 2 million or 68.3%

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of our general fund is funded by taxes, property taxes. We do have some other we do get some other local sources and state money. We get some federal money, but you see there's fund transfers as as I mentioned. We have the the uh the

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interfund transfers as it relates to each department that's kind of providing services that benefit the county as a whole. And then we have some non-operating sources. But as you can see, 68.3%. So if you were to, this is where you would be looking at uh in

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terms of uh you know the the 21 million $22 million in year one is you'd be trying to cut this out of this amount and this covers all our constitutionals. I think these are the expenses coming up coming up. It's come up more. So going

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into our 2026 originally adopted budget, when you look at this, the general fund is 26.2% of our overall budget. The MSTU is 9.4% and the transportation fund is 4.5%,

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emergency services is 12.3. Why do I highlight that? Because that's 52.7% of the entire budget of that $598 million. And that's from adalorum funds. They account for 52% of our entire

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budget. >> So looking at property taxes, the total amount, you know, last year or this current year is 196.5. And you see for countywide in the blue, the countywide operating taxes, you have the for the general fund, 57.4%

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or 112.8 8 million fund our countywide operations, which is our our constitutional officers and the sheriff, uh our judicial activities, as I mentioned before, the the circuit court administration, the the various

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uh state agencies that provide services through am uh our financially assisted agencies, children's services, uh pro programs, uh the BCC DC operation department um and then other agencies and

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transportations. So out of that 112887 112.8 I can tell you this I mean it's I want to say it's about 60 600 and 30 37,660,000

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is roughly the the BCC operations out of that fund. And then you have the unincorporated MSTU. It's about 20.4 million. About six anywhere between 65 and 68% of that is transferred into the

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general fund for the purposes of helping fund the cost for law enforcement services within the unincorporated area. And then our emergency services district and they're operating in capitals about 31.2% or 61.3 million. And then we have

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the county voted debt taxes. So, I'll stop here right now uh to see if you want to discuss this further. You want me to go into this next slide, >> Commissioner Os? >> Oh, my question was answered. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> So, the reason why I put the the dollar

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signs up here, I first I think it's important to know that Indian River County citizens pay one of the lowest uh average property tax mill rates in the state. Uh I think do ranks us at number seven, but yet we're the we are the 31st

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largest county in the state. Every year we balanced the budget without raising the general fund for the last six years. And just so I mentioned again the total overall budget because I see out there everybody says, "Oh, well $598 million, it should be easy to cut $50 million out

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of there or $40 million out of there." But what we're really looking at is that 156 million if it was applied to this year's budget. How do you cut that $41 million out of there and how does it affect all agencies from our constitutional offices, our state

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agencies and county operations. So and when you see from where the dollar comes 68.36% is adorum and then we transfer fund money in but the more importantly is when we go down below or how the how the

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dollars spent towards that 156.9 million 55.5 cents out of every dollar goes towards public safety general government's 20%. That's the 20% that you manage for the purposes of carrying out BCC operations. So you get

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20 cents on the dollar. >> But can you explain BCC operations? Because when you say BCC operations, people think just the county commission. Yes. Office. >> No. What that means that's all our departments like parks, libraries,

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veteran services, uh animal control services, uh planning, code enforcement, uh and then as well as the internal functions that we have, administration, HR, IT, budget. So it's very public

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works. >> So basically it's anything under the control of the county commission. When we say BCC operations, we mean county countywide operations, not just the board. >> So, so that so I think that's important

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to note 20 cents on the dollar out of the every dollar collected is being managed to run all those to include I mention I think I mentioned storm water. I don't know if I did but we pay for storm water out of there too. So, and then we do have some inter fund transfers, cultural recreational

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expenses, human services and the court related is about 1.1%. We do have reserve for contingency. We are required by law to have a reserve for contingency. Some transportation expenses and then we have a very, you know, minimal economic environment

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expenses, you know, in terms of at this point in time. So, this just kind of shows, you know, our public and and members of the public that, you know, when we talk about the property taxes in terms of like, oh, well, 40 million, 50 million can be easily cut out of 598,

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but it's not out of that. It's out of the 156. >> So it's really one we're talking roughly, you know, a third to about a third of it roughly that would impact our general fund. Again, that would be

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all agencies, you know, to include the constitutionals, state agencies, children's services, and nonprofit, and then the transportation that we pay for as well. So another comment that's you know that's we know everybody's like oh we've been adding and increasing our our

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number of employees and I think it's interesting to know that back in 2006 2007 prior to the great recession uh at that point in time we had a population of 130,43 and we had 964 employees or we had 7.41

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employees per thousand residents. If we were to fast forward to today and I I'll also say the budget at that point in time was $472.4 million. And uh so we fast forward to today and we look at the 600 with I'll use the

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number that we're going to recommend 614.8 million. It's about a 30% increase in budget and it's only about an 8.5% increase in staff. So my point is that is during that same time period we grew

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by 42,970 people 33% in 33% increase in population and we only added 82 employees. So the the the the myth out there that the county is

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bloating its budget and by hiring people and you know we it was just last year we even come close to the uh the number of employees that we had uh going back to just right before the great recession.

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So I mean I think that's important to note you know for just for context. So now with that, let's dive into the reason why we're here for the upcoming year and that is for the FY2627

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budget. But I will pause if there's any questions related to that little background to try to provide some context and kind of put you know hopefully put some truth and facts out there related to where we are as a county. I can't speak to where other counties are because I know all the

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counties are being and cities are being painted with one broad bush but I know where we are as a county and I feel that this board you know the current board past board current administration past administrations have done a very fiscally prudent you know job managing

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the budget and its operations. >> Thank you John. I I think it's important to say that public safety and you showed it with the the dollar bill is uh you know it's 55% of the money at stake here. And I think

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people are under the impression that oh no no that's uh you know that's that's protected. It it's not protected. >> What's protected is the is the school district. >> Okay? You're still going to pay for the school district no matter what. Doesn't matter. You're paying for it. and the

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constitutionals and that's it and that and they're tiny. I mean constitutional budgets are very small. The school district is is the bigger part of it and you will be paying for that no matter what. Public safety is not protected. It's not >> the provision for protecting public

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safety was in the original session that did not go make it through. >> It's gone. >> And in the special session there is no protection for any services. It says it shall we shall fund public safety and core services and stuff like that, but

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not not at what level? If you proportionately, if we look at a $22 million decrease, we would, you know, we intend to in in subsequent meetings kind of show you what that impact is going to look like. But our mission and focus for this for

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today was to focus on this budget. But we did want to provide some education because we know there's a lot of commentary going on right now. But we think it is important for the public to understand and for our taxpayers to understand where we as a county are, you know,

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because there's a narrative going out there, you know, in terms I get it. There's some counties that are being audited, you know, and but at the end of the day, I can, you know, we we feel confident that we have been properly and fiscally in a responsibly manner responsible manner managing the the

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taxpayers's dollars. But yes, you are correct. There's no the only one protected is school levied taxes. >> Thank you, commissioners. Any other comments? Thank you for that preamble, John. Well done.

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Okay, so let's talk about the 2627 budget. Couple of things we did coming into this fiscal year. We implemented zerobased budgeting. Uh we did uh for those we didn't do it. We you can't it's kind of hard to do it all. You can't. It's It's a big exercise and you can you

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if I brought Beth, you know, pal in here because we used the one large department, then we picked some other ones and we're going to make our way through all of them over the next couple years. Uh, but we did the boards, county administration, OM, which is budget,

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risk management, procurement, mail room expenses, mail room rather, and then we did parks and wreck and and conservation. And they all started with a zerobased budget and they had to we had to justify every line and explain

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why why was this being increased what was it or what was the amount and so we did that you know and we can we will continue doing that in the ensuing fiscal years. We also held a series of quarterly meetings, the executive staff working with OM to monitor trends and to

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review items uh to uh you know looking at revenue diversification opportunities looking you know monitoring permit history. We know our permit levels are down revenues are down there. Impact fee revenues are down. Uh and then I already

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mentioned revenue diversification. And one of the other things that we did do is we did evaluate and I mentioned it in my message so I'm going to put it here is that we asked OM prepared for each department you know what's a 5% 10% and

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15% reduction look like for the for the department and then we asked the departments to go through and kind of help us understand what those impacts would be and I would say the 5% you know modeling exercise helped greatly in us

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being able to maintain our general fund budget that for at least for the BCC operations that covers all of the the the functions that we that you are responsible for at a 0% increase and I'll go into that.

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So for budget comparisons, so I'm just going to try to make this simple, but I know it gets can be confusing. So we adopt a budget. >> We adopt the budget. we we adopt a budget and then what happens we have

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some projects capital projects or service contracts where the it doesn't happen in just one year. So we have to wait till September 30th, actually a lot of times in October to find out what the actual expenses were that were incurred

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by September 30th. And anything that's left to be done under that contract, like you take the sheriff's admin building that's being built couldn't happen in one year. You know, 66th Avenue, we know that didn't happen in one year. So So you would have to roll that over. So that's why you see an

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increase from the originally adopted to the all to the uh uh what we call the midyear revised budget because then we look at it midy year. Other things that happen is we have planned we have unplanned expenses like this this particular year I can think of two we

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had a funding shortfall you know due to lot to some gas gas increase prices for our transportation system through SRRA as well as some grant timing. And then we also the the sheriff presented us an issue with the fire suppression system

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that we felt was important to and we had to respond and so we did we had did a budget amendment to accommodate those. So that's why the budget sometimes increases midyear because one you're going to do rollover or carry for those projects you know so once you know the

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exact balance that's due and then you also have some unplanned expenses. So, in terms of the total budget, uh, at the midyear point of this year, the budget was $614.7 million or eight well six, excuse me, it

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was $711.7 million. And we are recommending a 2627 budget or overall budget of 614.8 million roughly, which is almost a 97

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million decrease about 13.6%. But to make it fair and go look back at the originally approved budgets just so people see, well, where do we compare to that? So, we're there. Last year, the it was $598.8

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million. This year, we're recommending again $614.8 million, which is about a $16 million increase or just a 2.7% increase. And I think that's important to note because

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the CPI for for April or for May was 4.2%. So we are 1.5% under the CPI. And if you go by the formula that or taxes and under the CFO is looking at they look at population

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growth plus inflation. And we didn't even look at that. We just said just we are lower than the actual CPI itself. But I would also assert that we don't buy things that consumers buy. We buy things totally different than what consumers buy and at levels that are

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extraordinarily much greater. So some highlights uh the tax roc increase was 6.8% overall and uh and I I just want to provide some context for that because we have been seeing since 2223

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that rate going down. uh it did jump from 2122 kind of postcoid it jumped up because we saw a hyper real estate market and it jumped up to 13.49%. But since then it has progressively been balancing out like the market always

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does and so it's we went from 13.49 and then in 2425 it was 10.3 and then it was then it was 8.81% and now this year it's 6.8%. So we're seeing it coming down and those

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are levels back you know precoid. So we are seeing that the market's adjusting itself and we're seeing the growth rate is actually adjusting itself and what corresponds to that is the amount of revenue that comes in for the unincorporated area which which would be

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for the MSTU is 7%. uh for the sheriff. Uh as you recall, there was a mid-year settlement agreement. There was a recommended and there was a $4 million agreement. Well, it was $3.5 million we took out of cash to fund his operations, you know, last

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year, a current year. And then $4 million increase. Keep in mind money that was taken out of cash plus the $4 million this year was 7.5 million, which is actually more money than we actually received in new revenue this year. So just to kind of put that in perspective,

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we did see retirement rate increases largely along the special risk. You know, I was looking at the special risk category, all of the categories, and the the special risk went up from 5.85% to 7.25%. So that was the most significant increase, but this includes all

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constitutionals. We had a retirement rate increase. The state sets these retirement rates, not it's not us. It's the state that sets the retirement rates because it's the Florida retirement system. All counties and states and actually numerous municipalities belong to it. So, but this includes the

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constitutionals. We also have to, you know, we are very responsible and very fiscally wise to budget and and account for our postemployment benefits. many do not and it is a anchor around

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their neck and but we do and the increase this year was $1.5 million into that fund which is 288.6% 6% because we had seen a couple years where it gone down. That includes our constitutionals. If you don't you're just this is debt

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that you're incurring if you don't if you don't fund this. It's just literally it's it's not good. Matter of fact, with our rating agencies when we went out to to bond, they were just very impressed that we were that we actually are one of the few that actually go out and make

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sure we're looking at those, you know, postemployment benefits, the comp that that that liability that we have. our health insurance increase. The board's well aware of this. We just discussed this in June. It was 32% AC which includes all our constitutionals. A

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total of 6.14 U million dollar increase uh which also the employees had an increase to theirs and we made some plan design changes. Uh and then for for the staffing, it does reflect that there, you know, for the for the for the BCC or

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for the board, there's a decrease of six full-time positions, but but overall there uh there is an increase of about 14.35 full-time positions within our constitutional officers. And so the net is an an increase of 8.35 total position

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full-time positions for the county and constitutionals. for the county. We are decreasing our staffing, making some adjustments, vacancies and otherwise, uh, by six positions. So, this table reflects something we've

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been saying, you know, that that the county has continued to maintain the line on the millage rate 3.5475. I understand that is you know because it's above the roll back rate it does constitute tax increase but we've maintained our military you know to be

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able to sustain our our operations uh at Valorum uh as you can see it continue you know it's going up similar to population maybe the last couple years a little bit higher because there's been the uh slower growth as we mentioned you know postcoid there was a

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big boom and then kind it's starting to level off uh So you're seeing that our current population is about 173 just over 173,000. And then military comparison general fund again zero 0% difference from last

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year to what we're proposing this year to you. the land acquisition bond. As we mentioned, we went out for the second trunch or the second part of the the full $50 million issuance. And so what was 06 is now.12 and and and change if

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you will. And so that doubled that doubled the amount and that's the bonds for our environmental lands acquisition as approved by the voters. Our MSTU which is SER again serves our unincorporated area. The military is we're recommending to remain the same at

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1.1506 0% increase. Emergency services district and uh I really want to thank you know uh our fire chief you know and department head Dave Johnson and his staff because you know we thought this might require an increase because if you

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recall we increased the Kelly days last year. Uh we are finally building a permanent home for uh station 15 and uh so we're but we were able to in large measure due to some things that we've done in the past such as the vant

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purchasing and some other items keep that milit rate the same at 2.3531. So the aggregate military as you know in 2026 and this is this is not what everybody's going to pay but this this is just the aggregate when you look at it. 6.1158

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this year and it's going to 6.1155 next year. So then just by way of comparing ourselves to surrounding counties um we compare very well as we know Bard County if just I'll say it you know Bard County

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has a provision where they won't go above 3% uh on new revenue or on their existing revenues uh or CPI whichever is less and they don't count new construction or their assessments and all that but they still

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they they limit their military you you know they limit the increase in that regard. So they have kind of at one point in time we were less we were less than them but that because of this they now have you know they are below us but you can see where we compare to other counties

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um St. Lucy se you know we're seven um we always look where we are in Martin County similarly sized they're 6.5 Hernando 6.8 May Charlotte 6, you know, you could just see. I mean, again, we have the seventh lowest military according to the Department of Revenue,

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you know, overall with all jurisdictions included, the aggregate military, you know, in the county and but this is just the county's military uh for our constitutional officers and state mandates. This is really

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important. I mean, 71.4% of our man of our expenses is statemandated. That's funding our constitutional offices, funding the state agencies. Then we have requirements where we have to meet certain things like you know the BMAP

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requirements. We have mandates where we have to um let's see storm water got that thing list. I'll find the list and get it because I do have a list. I apologize. So, but

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there there's a number of things that we are required to do by the state which has a cost ascribed to it. Uh Medicaid Medicaid is a perfect example. We have to pay Medicaid expenses for indigent care to to the uh Cleveland Clinic in D

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River Hospital because they're taxing district. They do less some amount, but we still are paying over a million dollars for Medicaid medical examiner's office. We're paying for for that. We're paying, you know, this year we're taking on the victim's uh assistance program

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that's coming out of the state attorneys. We have to pay for that guardian and lighting program. We pay for that. There you go. Emergency management. Uh we're required to do animal control and animal services as humane society capacity has, you know, we didn't just

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take this decision on lightly. We were kind of forced because of the capacity issues with humane society. You'll see in the budget there's still funds there. So because we want to be a partner and try to work with ways that we can maximize and leverage this. But at the end of the day, we have the responsibility when our officers, you

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know, animal control officers go out in response to a call for a dog that's maybe on the loose that's barking and and maybe maybe terrorizing the neighborhood or kids. They have to respond. I mean, it's a public safety threat, especially if it's a wild animal

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that's foaming out the mouth. They have to respond. it's it's it's it's it's not optional. Um so those are some of the so those are some of the mandates that we're we're we're saddled with where you know school resource officers that is a function of

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the school district but then the state passed it and they provided zero funding for this. They passed it post parkland. I'm not saying it's not the right thing but I'm just saying they provided zero funding for this and we pay for it. We pay 50%. It's in the sheriff's budget,

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but we provide the sheriff the funds and then they the the district reimbures us and we're booking about $2 million of reimbursement. So the countyy's paying 50% of a state mandate again. So overall 61.4% of the general fund expenses are

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just related to the constitutional offices. So when we look at the revenues by category you see for 26 27 uh taxes account for 40%. Uh permits and fees 10%

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intergovernmental revenues 5.1% uh charges for services you know for things that they do they pay a fee uh 24.4% 4% and I will tell you like our charges for services I'm going to use building and permitting and some of our

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plan review they are they are they are right now lower than they should be but we have tasked and we're seeing it happen in building and permitting that has improved each of you have told me you received nowhere near the number of

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comments or or concerns as it relates to building and permitting but we need to get the whole process improved is is the task before we go back and say listen here's what it costs us to do this this is you know you should be paying this full cost you know when people say

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government should operate like a business I always like to tell them well if we did that we would ask we would also add a margin on to the end of what that full cost for that services we don't do that so like utility system they're not adding a margin SWID's not

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adding a margin of profit to it they it's the cost of what it costs cost us to provide that service. So typical house comparison um la last year the average the value per the property appraiser um the of the average

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assessed value of homestead of properties last year was 316,544 it's gone up a little bit 327,540 when you take the less the or excuse me 3 366 versus 377 but when you less out the current homestead exemption it's the

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taxable values 316 327 7. So if you look at this with our current general fund in that maintaining the military, it would be about a $39 increase for the year. Uh land acquis acquisition, that's again

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$21, but that's because we doubled the amount of the the debt that was approved by the voters. And then for emergency services about $25.88. So for in the incorporated areas in the incorporated areas they'd be looking

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about an $86.13 increase if you maintain the militrates for the general fund and the emergency services district. And then when you add the MSTU for unincorporated you're an additional $12.65 65, but $98.78

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is the total the total increase based on maintaining the milit rates. And interestingly, just realize this u we'll go into it in a minute, but the only thing rate that's going up this year related to solid waste is the pass on

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rate from CPI, >> and it happens to be $222. So if you look at that, we're looking like at 100, you know, $100 increase, you know, this year, 4.39%.

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General fund overview, the advalorum I mentioned is 6.8 7.267 and additional revenue. That's by law, we have to budget at 95% of those. And um so when you think about that, we 7.5

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of million dollars was the commitment to the sheriff because we paid 3.5 out of cash and then the $4 million. So again this year the sheriff will consume all the new revenue and that's agreed upon. The military 3.475

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35475 uh no change from last year. Constitutional officer increase is 7.9 uh but 7.9 million or 8.1% of which the sheriff's again about 6 6.9 as it relates just to the general fund

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because there's some from the MSTU children's services funding increase is $297,000 or 8.5. Please recall in that instance, you know, we use the the funds that we the budget this year is based on

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the monies that we collected in the current year. So that mean or the budget for next year is based on the monies that collected for during this year >> and it's at and it's limited to 1/8 of a mill and you approved that. I want to say it was in April,

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April or March. Uh the state mandated retirement as it relates just to the general fund is 692,753,000 or 3.8% increase. Uh OPED 815,000 546 or 291% including our constitutionals both for both of those.

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The health insurance uh big hit to the to the general fund $3.2 million or 34% you know including constitutionals and we already discussed the positions. The total cost is about $673,000 for those positions in BCC and then

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there's an additional 1435 in constitutionals. By categories uh in terms of revenues again we see taxes being property taxes and uh it in this also does include other like the optional sales tax and

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the the all the other taxes right >> oh general fund only so it's 69.8% 8% and then then intergovernmental revenues, we probably send more to Tallahassee and send more to uh uh Washington than we receive back. Uh

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charges for services, licenses, interest, other sources, 19.4%. General fund expenses, again we mentioned this, 61.4% is related to our constitutionals, the BCC, 21.8%.

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So the that for this year it's $2180 out of $1 or 21.8 cents out of out of the dollar that you get. Uh transfers we mentioned what those were from the inter inner fund transfers as well as our reserves that

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were required to maintain children's services a 2.2% 2% increase. Nonprofits, it's maintaining level. You're going to see that I recommended zero increases for the most part for all of our nonprofits at 1.5% and state agencies is

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3.7%. Uh that this is really just to show you not the just the history but also what the roll back rate would be. Uh this is it's it's 4.62. The roll back would be uh it's about 4.6 62% above the roll back.

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uh what that means come budget time or the bud public hearing time with the new legislation. It will require four votes to approve this general fund the operations and uh what I can do here is go through some of the highlights for each one of these the BCC

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operations please recall that that was one of the was wasn't was one of the zerobased budgets and it's the only reason it's increasing is largely due to you know the mandate increases for salary as well as well as our our salary

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increases for the employees. We currently have um several of our contracts have you know we have IFFF too and teamsters that have a a contractual increase of 4% then they also their 2

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point roughly 2.5% increase on their pay anniversary on their an on their anniversary. So that that's largely the reason why that's an increase. the county attorneys, the same reason. That's $20,000 increase largely due to the salaries. The GIS

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um we it's a decreased budget of about very little almost flat two just 2%. Communications and emergency services. Uh you're looking at a $763,000 increase largely because of the ring system and the camera rollover from last

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year. It's now going to be it's going to be complete. It's taken off the books. uh the main library, you're looking about a $100,000 increase, and that's largely due to both the salaries and benefits and health insurance. Uh the

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same for the North County Library. Uh and the and the bracket library, it's all the it's it's all the salaries, benefits, and insurance. uh we did a I would say I would again want to commend the department directors on their operating budgets because we worked very

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diligently with them and we really worked to bring them in low understanding that we're you know beginning around January March through March to where health insurance may be going and some other expenses uh the soil and water conservation

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uh there's a decrease largely due to reducing some of their in internal internal costs, travel, registration, software. Uh and when it comes to the the law library again related to the salaries and benefits, uh we do have

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mental health court. Uh this number is where we are taking the funds that we were providing to the circuit court and the funds that we were providing to the sheriff previously are now going to be coming into us and then we're going to be managing this. We've been working with Chief Judge Schwab, Judge Mintz, um

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the our mental health providers and community services to take this on in terms of the case management and helping and uh we we believe this will it will be better served and um uh so we right now we we use the expenses from the prior year plus what the salary expenses

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were to develop this year's budget. And I want to commend Cindy Emerson, you know, and her team along with all of our partners as we worked through this. You know, I think we began early on in this this calendar year, but in after April when we got the budget settlement, we

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got some of the the information that we needed the sheriff's office and they really accelerated and moved this along. So, I really appreciate and Mike Zitto's work as well in this county administrator operations. Uh again, largely the increase in salary and benefits. Um

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the community services uh you have there about a $29,000 increase and that is uh one it's besides the salary and benefits insurance we also one of the things that we're doing is there is a program specialist that

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was being paid for the general fund. So, uh, and we are that's one of the positions that's being, uh, we, uh, we were chose not to fill and so we had to rebalance the SHIP number and the general fund number. So, we're taking on

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a little bit of a portion that we're decreasing because of the decreasing grant from SHIP. Uh, human resources, uh, the same salaries, benefits, insurance, uh, veteran services would would be the

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same. Uh what I would say on veteran services, uh as you know, we have about 19,000 veterans in our county and I think we're on track to service close to 7500 of those. So when we talk about essential services, that's a pretty

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significant, you know, u concern for us for our veterans. Uh emergency management, uh there's a decrease there largely due to the we we received an FDLE grant for drones last year. And then uh our EM uh emergency management

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program expenses were processed as a budget amendment or they will be processed as a budget amendment if we if if it's if we get a if we receive it that grant. Uh parks uh last year we had it's going down because last year we had

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a Griffer tour grant and there's fewer maintenance projects this year. Um the human services it's increase again when you see them that at that amount it's mainly because of in salaries and benefits. Um on the a extension uh

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besides the salaries benefits remember we have an agreement with the University of Florida on this but there are some additional landscape materials and plus they will be relocating to the fairgrounds and the modular units that are being placed out there and freeing up that space. And what we will do with

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that space uh is that's probably where we'll put the mental health court personnel. Uh for conservation lands there there's a reduction there because there was some improvements to the riyle in the Oslo conservation area last year and they

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also purchased an equipment trailer last year. So that reduces that uh purchasing. uh there was an increase in salaries and benefits but also the bonfire software and dues and professional development for additional staff member uh our facilities

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management uh and one I I think you all would agree that the facilities management the the level of service that we've received since we taken that inhouse has increased exponentially I mean and but yet we're looking at a lesser amount uh this year largely due

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to uh uh the janitor services decreased by coming inhouse and then also decreasing our electric and garbage costs. And then uh we we have had some we've done some projects this year such as the supervisor of elections flooring and tax collector's break room last

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year. And then we uh and then last year we also had to purchase you know when we took over that pro that that uh the in custodial services in house we needed to purchase the the five cargo vans for the employees that were traveling and maintaining facilities. So that's why

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that pro that budget's going down. So, OMB um it's a reduction uh largely uh there's decrease in travel and we also made our final payment on our uh treasured for treasured tomorrow the economic development strategic action

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plan. Uh so that was that that's the reason for the increase. But building and facilities uh it's the increase there is related to the uh is is largely related to salaries, benefits, health insurance. Uh the FPL grant it's going down. I'm going

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to try to just highlight the ones where we have an increase if that makes more sense for everybody. Not unless you want me to continue going down each one. Uh like for instance telecom it's be just because we completed a pro We did the telecom budget. We insurance

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premiums. We actually decreased our insurance premiums this year. Uh but animal services, we we're going to be looking to take on operations fully, you know, beginning in November 26 when our contract with uh Humane Society ends. Um

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at least to the extent that the the level of the contract that we had we've had in the last, you know, number of years. >> Um so, uh the mail room there there's increasing there because of largely you know benefits and insurance salary but

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also postage and printing expenses have gone up and then the our lagoon uh the muck we we decreased our muck removal and water quality monitoring uh there was a project there the water habitat restoration facility study uh and the

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national scenic by line byway shoreline projects were done last year we also had a Noah habitat restoration grant and if you recall We bought a pumpout boat and trailer and fittings last year which will help with the anchoring limitation areas as well as pumping out you know

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vessels and stuff like that so we can reduce the potential pollution. So, so for the total uh budget uh didn't get it right. Okay. 37 million for the general fund for BCC departments. 37,660,56

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was the amount for 2526 and that is the exact amount that's being proposed for 2627 that I'll pause and see if you the board has any questions. >> Mr. Chair, >> Commissioner Flesher, >> I did have a question. It was early on

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though you uh expressed some concern about uh OPED um as far as the constitutionals and we as well in thinking about the impending legislation.

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Uh and again nobody could have predicted 2007, 2008 and 2010 where collectively we had a FTE reduction of uh I in in one year 260

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uh but in total about approximately no 30 uh FTEEs. I don't think that Goldman Sachs or the Treasury Department could have calculated the risk factor for OPE.

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Uh and and I we got through it. Uh so I ask you this with looking at the correlation with the uh FTEEs per capita. Do you feel comfortable and confident

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that what after reviewing all of the submissions uh with the constitutionals for OPED? I know there was some revisions u and uh we here uh at the BOCC

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uh the employees not the office >> uh we uh are we in good shape? Uh yes, because we are funding it as we we're funding as we're going, you know, in advance. We're not like doing pay as you

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go, paying for the benefits, post-employment benefits as we incur those expenses. We are we are funding the liabilities that are projected. Uh they are actuarily uh evaluated. And so uh what do we do for next? There's a

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there's a study that's done every two years and the actuary gives us an amount per employee that we need to stay fully funded. It's an estimate um and we are funding that amount. So, we're funding their their recommendation, >> but it's a sound estimate as far as uh

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and again I just want to point out in those years there was no way that anybody could have uh predicted the coverage. Uh yes, we uh >> a lot of furlows. >> I understand that. So I would just say

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the actuaries, you know, it is it is a true science >> in terms of determining what the costs are. They use them for the retirement plans, whether it's a local plan, whether it's a state plan. And we are

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our funding level is it full funding level at 100%. >> We're we're funding what the recommended amount is to to maintain our fully funded position >> fully funded. Whereas like let's just by way of example the state pension plan I

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think is about 85 89% funded somewhere between 80 80 82%. So we are fully funded. Well, we did dip down a little bit this last report um because we weren't making those additional contributions into the health insurance fund for the premiums. Um but these

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these rate adjustments do help us to get back on track. >> So if you know when they do like pension report cards and they give them a letter of grade, we would have an A if not A+. >> Just wanted to point that out next year.

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Again, as I pointed out, those those three years uh I don't think uh the drop zone could have been properly delineated. >> Thank you. >> As well as the what as far as the how deep the science is. Thank you.

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>> Thank you, Commissioner Fleshers. And I'll I'll add that as mentioned earlier with respect to OPED, uh a lot of municipalities and counties uh do not uh fund. They simply report. So we should be very proud that we're doing that and

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OPED is obviously important to our retirees. Uh also make an observation that uh absent OPED and health um which we've been able to absorb. Uh those are our key components. Uh the administrator

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mentioned uh some employment um collective bargaining. It should be noted that three of those are are due to be revisited next year this time. >> Keep that in mind. And finally, I would add that your uh the absorbing of mental

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health core uh it's not lost on us that we're also absorbing two employees, two full-time employees, >> and actually a program administrator that was being used and I think that's 5050. >> Yes. >> Right. Any further questions?

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hearing none. Uh we will address the constitutionals as a matter of protocol and after the constitutionals we will take a 10-minute break. >> Thank you, Mr. Administrator. >> So for our constitutional officers, you know, overall there's an 8.5% increase.

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Uh the current year uh budget is 102.6 million and it's increasing by$ 8.7 million or 111.4. before uh you will see the most significant increase is and as we you know the the the settlement agreement with the sheriff for the 7.5

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million it's really $4 million new this year but there's also the the reality of the the $3.5 million that came out of cash. So you can see the the clerk of serve court is increasing very is nominally at $84,000.

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Uh the tax collector uh this is an estimated budget because they're not due to complete their budget till August 1st. Uh the property appraisers provide us their budget nominal 3.7%. Uh the sheriff would be an 8.7% increase. Supervisor of elections at

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3.6% increase. Uh the value adjustment boards due to the amount it's 23.7% but it's only $16,000. And then the inmate medical uh we are and the electric that we we budget that but it's but that's the amount of

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$650,000 that we are budgeting again this year. We started it this past year and we are continuing to do that and that's a you know the sheriff made that request and it was consistent with the stat with you know there's a mandate right there

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that's consistent with the stat statute that we fund those expenses. Uh and then the sheriff's electric expenses. So it's 8.5% and u and I know the as my understand the clerk court was unable to be here today. >> Correct.

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>> Uh and uh so I'll turn it over to the >> Thank you. We have a few constitutionals here if they would like to comment. Uh I know property appraiser Davis always has some enlightening words for us as well as our supervisor of election, Miss

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Leslie Swan. welcome and good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning. And uh you know, whenever the governor started talking about the property tax reform and that kind of stuff, um it's pretty easy to start reading the tea leaves about what the the people are feeling out there and what they're thinking. >> And so whenever we came to I sat down

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with my team and I said, "Guys, let's do everything we can to help the commission out as much as we possibly can." This was before uh we knew anything about the health insurance to to the level that it was, but we knew something after the conversations. Um, and of course it my office is not any different than than

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what you have to deal with. I've I have mandates, too. Uh, one of those that fell this year's for the Department of Revenue. We had to to do aerials, and that's $70,000, $75,000 expense for the aerials. Now, we get benefits out of those because we put them on our website for the public, but it's still something

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that we have to do uh on a regular basis. I think it's a three-year period that that that fell this year. But I think the important things for me to just kind of highlight to you um is no new employees far as full-time equivalent uh right now uh proud to say

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that's the same staffing level that we've had since 2010 uh since the throws of the great recession whenever we were part of I was sitting there with commissioner Flesher and uh we said cut your budgets by 30%. And u there's a big difference whenever you have to cut a budget by 30% because you talk about

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packing this room that this room was packed whenever they were making those kind of cuts. >> Uh so I I I have empathy for you but also uh really my empathy is with the taxpayers in our community. I I get it and because the the the insurance cost,

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not the health insurance on necessarily on their side, but the property insurance, those things are continuing to to run. And uh and so we kept all that in mind whenever we put together the package that we have here in front of you. Um and of course the department of revenue says it needs to be neither

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inadequate nor uh excessive in order to do what we need to do to put values on every piece of property uh in the county. And uh we put that right here in front of you. And we will have a sizable check again of some empty uh not uh filled positions that'll be coming uh in

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about October, end of the fiscal year kind of thing. So, if you have any specific questions, um, be more than happy to ask, but we've got the colas in there. Uh, we've got the the health insurance increases and we had it in the red until the health insurance

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increases. So, but it I'm proud of my team what they were able to put together and again, this was all done with the intent of looking out for the taxpayers in our community. >> Thank you, Mr. Property President, and thank you for always taking time to answer our phone calls no matter what.

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uh and that is very refreshing. So, thank you. >> I'd also like to thank you, Mr. Property Praiser, for you and your staff's help and in terms of uh us understanding and better understanding the impact of the potential amendments. >> My pleasure. And also like to just say

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on the trend notices with the solid waste or the garbage collection, I mean u that went very smooth last year. So, I expect that to happen again. um and work with your council and add a little bit of language to the trend notice to pull it more in line where we think it should

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be. And so u we're looking forward to another successful trend season. >> Thank you so much. Miss Swan, supervisor, if you'd like to >> Good morning and welcome. >> Good morning, Chairman Moore and Commissioners. Um thank you for this

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opportunity to be here this morning. I first want to thank the county administrator and the board of county commissioners for our new carpeting. Our old carpeting was 19 years old and the new carpeting looks amazing and you also did us a huge favor because um our vehicle was on its last legs. It was 20

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years old. We had to jump start it in order for it to run. So, we were able to purchase a new one so we'll be able to move equipment around for the upcoming election cycle. And in our budget, we basically have two major capital projects. We're moving our server room

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um into where the IT department is. It's on kind of an exterior wall and there's a big water pipe there and if anything were to happen, we'd be in big trouble. And the second one is we have to replace an existing computer firewall. Um it's

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reached its end of its life cycle. So, um, our budget when we originally submitted it was a 1.7% increase, about $45,000, but then with the increase in the health insurance, it's 3.6% or $87,000 increase. So, I want to thank

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you all for your support as always. >> Thank you very much, >> Mr. Chairman. Uh, I I just wanted to point out uh again, 20-year-old vehicle needed to be replaced. Yes. U

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that was that was sad. The only thing we were missing was the explosion from Uncle Buck's uh startup. Uh it was in bad shape. So we were happy to take care of that. But uh I just wanted to point

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out on the building um I believe not only the maintenance but operation. Uh it it appears the same building uh except for the new copy. It appears to

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be the same building as when the ribbon was cut with Kclamp. So I want to thank you for your continued dedication of properly maintaining what we have for the citizens. >> When I see what other counties have, I

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am extremely blessed because our facilities are amazing compared to some of the other elections offices. So, thank you. >> The word meticulous comes to mind. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I see members of the sheriff's office if they would like to

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>> chat. Welcome. Good morning. >> Good morning, chair and commissioners. Um, the sheriff, while he is not here today, is actually listening online. Um, but I wanted to say on his behalf, thank you all for your support. Thank you to Kristen and John. It's always a pleasure working with Kristen. She and I get

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along really well, but thank you for your support. and we're very grateful for his smooth year this year. >> Thank you very much. Any questions or concerns, commissioners? Hearing none. The time now is I think

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it's 106 10:14. We will take a break until 10:20. Good morning again. We will resume the July 8th, 2026 budget workshop. Uh during the break, uh

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we were informed that Sheriff Flowers would like to comment on his proposed budget. Good morning and welcome. >> Good morning, commissioners. Um, appreciate your time this morning. Uh, our original agreement, what we settled last year was, uh, for a $4 million

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increase this year. Since that has happened, um, you guys voted last, uh, last month to increase our health care costs uh, countywide. That's for all all countywide. And as I said to each of you in private, um, I would just ask that we be treated similarly to the other constitutionals.

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um having discussions with county administrator and um conversations about mental health court. Um my request at this point would be, you know, we submitted an additional 1.8 million, which is the cost of our additional health care with that vote that was made um saying that we could split that

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difference for $900,000 difference. When you back out the uh difference with mental health court, that results in amount of 4,570,926. And that's my ask that we go above the original agreement to account for that additional cost of healthare minus the

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cost of mental health court which you guys are going to take over October one. That's my ask. >> Mr. Administrator, >> Mr. Chair, may I also address? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, I did want to state that we we do have a a written settlement agreement

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and it was entered into to resolve litigation and the administration commission action and at at this point it is not an ambiguous document. It clearly states um what the parties agreed to.

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So it also says that the parties agree that this agreement contains the entire and exclusive understanding and agreement of the parties and may not be amended or modified except by mutual signed agreement of parties. So because the terms of this settlement agreement

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govern this budget process. I would just counsel the board board if it were to go outside the terms of this agreement or consider that that that any >> change be done in writing to comply with the terms of this settlement agreement. So that's I just want to state that on

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the record that we have an obligation to all the parties to comply with this. If the board wants to change the deal, it has to be done in writing. >> Understood. And we appreciate all that you've done to work with Adam and everything. We appreciate that. And I'm not I just just wanted to say that so

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everybody understands. >> So we have an agreement that is on file uh for FY2627 >> and that's exactly right. And our agreement says

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um the county agrees to provide additional appropriations to the sheriff in the form of a budget amendment in the amount of 3,500,000 as provided by Florida law. This amount shall be added to the sheriff's 2526

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budget for a new budget total of $89,273,472. The sheriff agrees to make no further budget amendment requests during the 2526 fiscal year except in the event of an emergency is declared by federal, state, or local officials affecting Indian River County that materially

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impacts the sheriff's budget. The sheriff and county agree to a $4 million increase in the sheriff's 2627 budget for a total budget of 93,273,472. the sheriff agrees not to appeal the 26 27 budget funded in this amount and that

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the sheriff will provide all budgetary information needed and we would each bear our attorney's fees and costs. So that is clear and I just so I counsel all the parties to to basically if you want to go outside the terms of this

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agreement we simply do it in writing >> Mr. Mr. Chairman >> Commissioner >> that uh agreement um which is uh filed at the court um compelled uh this board I I know I made

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made the motion to uh add additional funding for the sheriff so he can carry through the rest of the 2526. I believe it's over $3 million.

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>> Correct. That was a compromise if you recall to uh allow his agency to get to 9:30. >> Yes. >> Just wanted to point that out. >> Okay. But we're talking today about 2627. >> Yes.

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>> And the agreed amount in the settlement agreement was 93.2 two and I think it's 273. So that's the starting point. That's where we're at. We have something that is binding an agreement.

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>> Exactly. If the county administrator had brought you a budget that was less than the $4 million, I would have counseledled him and this board to live up to the terms of the agreement. It would not have been acceptable. So, um, yes, that's the exact amount that's agreed to. And the agreement just states

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that if you want to change it, you need to vote to amend this and make that change in writing. It needs to be in writing. >> And and I will say that we're having this discussion because we gave the sheriff's office and other constitutionals

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what we thought was going to be the healthc care. After 51, we went to the constitutionals and we recognized realized that our health care cost had gone up >> and they pulled it. >> Right. So,

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I think to be fair, um, keep the agreement in place and have the administrator and the sheriff, somehow work that out with the starting

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point of being 932. Commissioner. >> So, I just want to be up upfront before we go into this conversation of where my position is on this with all due respect to the sheriff. We have a settlement

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agreement. It was negotiated and signed. Part of the danger or the gamble that you take with a settlement agreement is that the terms of the world you're living in may change. The attraction to me for even agreeing to the additional dollars and the settlement agreement was

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that it gave us a clear defined amount of what your budget would be this year. So I am not in favor of going beyond the terms of the settlement agreement. Um I believe we've taken on inmate medical

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last year. We're taking on um mental health court this year for 693,980 um which was in your budget last year and won't be in your budget this year. Um we have had to absorb

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the increase in medical expenses without raising the millage rate. Um, and to the point of being treated like the other constitutionals, I would just point out that you are the largest constitutional. You have the largest percentage of the

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general fund overall and unlike the other constitutionals, you're not similarly situated in the fact that we have a signed settlement agreement with you. So that I just want to be upfront where I am at this point if we're giving

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direction on moving forward. >> Mr. Chairman, uh two points. Uh this is a workshop um and any written documentation would have to be voted upon and I don't believe that we can vote today. There is only but one vote that we have. Uh in

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addition um and council will correct me if I'm wrong on that. Um >> correct. >> Excuse me. >> You are correct. I mean you have one decision today which is the the military. >> There's only one and that's a workshop

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for everybody to get to have the discussion about what their needs are and what has to >> Thank you counselor. >> Sorry. >> I appreciate it. Uh in in addition, we can all recall back to what happened in 2012 with the uh FEC and the rail

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system. We had a very contentuous um relationship uh which uh we stood tall and an agreement was made, a legal agreement was made and uh they they were slow to

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respond to it and uh quite quite frankly if you look at the scenario now you've seen recent additions to uh enhance public safety that will work beyond the agreement of 2012.

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So things can work out in the future without uh altering the agreement. Again, it was a tough uh road to get to the agreement and then to have it honored, but more importantly is

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additional work was done, additional funding was uh supplied and uh a a relationship was enhanced. Uh so uh I just didn't want to have that glimp picture painted that we can't change

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anything. Uh but uh there are manners in which we can apply um some support for meeting the mark. I as county administrator

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comment as well. I think what our county attorney is saying is I mean you don't need to vote but you need to provide consensus whether or not you're amendable to amending the settlement agreement. I guess the the amount would

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go from $4 million to an additional $570,926 and then that would have to come back before the board in one of our August meetings prior to the budget hearing. Correct. >> Is that correct? >> That's my advice. Yes.

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>> So, it's certainly something you can entertain. It just needs to come in a formal >> amendment to this agreement if that's the board's pleasure. >> Council, would that be considered a vote? Because if we're looking at

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consensus, we're looking at a legal documentation representing the county uh on on a decision. So would it not be >> I I I think that you can give the your staff direction to um

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in whichever way that you decide. Um I don't think you're taking a formal vote because you you really aren't doing it until you have an amendment in front of you. If that's the direction you choose to go that's in writing that you approve. um you can engage in

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discussions, you can give staff direction without a formal vote and we will act accordingly. So is that you're stating that it can be done with consensus? So would that be a

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majority or a supermajority uh for legal documentation? >> Okay. So if we were to come and amend this agreement, it would just simple be a simple majority. It would just be a simple majority necessary to amend this settlement agreement. Unlike the new

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requirements that the legislaturator's put on you just to keep your millage rate the same, you need a four-fifths vote. Now, they've made it harder. But in order to change this, you really just need a simple majority. So, it would come to you in the form of an written

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agreement. The board could tell could direct me and the county administrator to work with the sheriff's council. And I've Adam and I have been trying to reach each other. We're playing phone tag anyway because we need to talk to make sure this all gets worked out

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whatever happens. So, I have a question because you're talking about not being able to make a decision one way or the other, which I understand the whole voting concept, but every year we adjust the budget that's presented and oftent

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times take breaks or over lunch ask budget to go back and crunch different numbers and bring us different scenarios. So, I'm looking at what the sheriff is proposing as one of those exercises of he's asking us to take what's being presented and adjust it

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somehow. And in order to adjust it, setting aside the the settlement agreement, staff is going to have to figure out where to take that money from that's being presented or roll that into some

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kind of millage increase. So I I do think that we need to give some clarity to them as to where we are on it. And if you guys if this is something that you guys want to do, then we need to give

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them some idea of where that where those dollars are going to come from. And I I think we're within our rights and ability to have that conversation because it seems like we have it on different subjects. I think we had it on the sheriff. We had a kind of a sidebar trying to figure out last year some

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additional dollars. So it's it's not out of the realm of the process. >> Agreed. And customarily that would that would be the purpose of this workshop. Yes. However, it brings into the fact that we have a settlement agreement

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and it has been filed and that's and council brought it up and I wanted to ensure that we're not in violation. >> No. And let me just be clear and I'll kind of use this as an example. when we sat in our shade meeting when we were in

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litigation to and I appreciate the sheriff reaching out his hand to try to initiate the settlement. We ended up delivering a settlement. We sat in that meeting and I told you you are not allowed to take formal action in the shade. >> But you can tell me to keep talking to

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the sheriff's attorney because you I'm listening to you. You're giving me feedback. We're allowed to talk about that. I think it would be a similar type of thing here. We can't. We don't have pending litigation. We're not going into the shade. We're doing this all in the sunshine, which is what we should do. But you can give staff direction, I

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think, without taking formal action. Formal action would not happen until or unless or until I brought you a document in writing and the board voted. And we that would certainly be advertised in advance. I hope that helps.

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>> It does. What what about a discussion of keeping the settlement agreement where it is 932 uh by consensus allowing uh the sheriff to uh keep any

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roll over excess funds for FY 2526 >> and and and so again um if it invol I would still kind of recommend that we bring something to you that to formalize that. But certainly, you know, if that's the board's pleasure, I'm happy to

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engage in conversations with Mr. Fedman about it. >> Well, I I think the only reason you would need Mr. Fedman if we were going to modify the agreement, and I I'm hearing that the consensus is not to modify the agreement. In other words, the starting point for next year would

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be 932. >> Okay? and the balance of any dollars between now and 9:30 would revert to the to the sheriff. Mr. Administrator >> Mhm. >> I just I've heard from three. I don't

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know about two, but what your thoughts are. >> We were we talking about 1.2 million then it was 1.8 minus the 600,000 for mental health court. Is that what we're talking about? So it's the so the the

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the amount increase is 1.88 and so it's 944 what is being requested to share and then there's about 372,000 of expenses in the sheriff's budget right now. And so the actual amount and

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if you look at the screen it's 4,570 926. Right now you're at the the agreement that we have says 4 million. So that you'd be looking to amend the agreement to provide that 57926. That's so that's what we're trying to

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get the consensus. Do you want us to to the to get to Jennifer's point >> work with the sheriff and work with the sheriff's council to between now and the next meeting or the meeting after August to because would have to happen prior to

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the first budget hearing. >> I'm I'm willing to discuss it. >> What did you say? >> I'm sorry. >> I'm I'm willing to discuss it. Yes. If that's what if we're giving direction to discuss it. I think that's what we're doing.

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>> I mean, I I think this should just be an agenda item on the next at the next meeting so we can have a a full body discussion. It's a little, you know, >> on the fly here trying to figure out what it is exactly. And I understand >> Commissioner Adams point um

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>> you know, you want to take that into account too. You know, that's a valid point. But um yeah, everybody, this is unexpected for all constitutionals and I understand that too. Um so yeah, I mean that's what I think. I

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think it should be an agenda item on at the next meeting if that's doable. >> Commissioner Flesher, >> Mr. Chairman, >> Mr. Joe. Oh. Um, yes. I I kind of agree

339
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with what you were saying and I agree with what Commissioner Adams was saying about this. I mean, I think we need to honor the the signed agreement, but yet we can talk about >> how to how to come up with the 500 and

340
01:52:36.800 --> 01:52:52.639
something thousand in a different manner. I mean, things happen through a budget year. It's just happening right now at the beginning of the budget year. It's coming up. that is something that we can do. Whether it's, you know, excess money or whether it's something that that that that we can find a way to

341
01:52:52.639 --> 01:53:08.239
do it. Maybe there's something else that we could do. But I I think we need to I think we'd be best to keep the agreement separate and and do something totally different at at our next commission

342
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meeting. And that gives time for the sheriff and the and the county administrator and budget to to look at work something out with this. Can we do that? >> Mr. Chair, what I hear is

343
01:53:21.760 --> 01:53:38.719
a lot of voices saying that they want to honor the terms of the settlement agreement, but also try to find a way to work with the sheriff on this um healthc care issue that everybody's grappling with. >> Sounds right. And um I have not had the

344
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benefit of conferring with Mr. Fedterman and I would like to do that so we can make the give you the best vice advice advice collectively on how to do that within the terms of the current settlement agreement. So respectfully I'm I'm listening to you. I think what

345
01:53:54.400 --> 01:54:10.800
I'm hearing is an interest in on the part of the board to see if we can salvage this agreement, but also work out maybe something to meet some needs. I don't think I'm misstating what you all are saying to

346
01:54:10.800 --> 01:54:26.480
me. And I don't feel like I without having a in full fairness to the sheriff and his counsel, I feel like I need to sit down with his counsel before I tell you for c with certainty whether this document should be amended were you to

347
01:54:26.480 --> 01:54:41.360
decide to give back monies or whatever you do in this budget process. >> Well, I'm hearing something different. I'm hearing that uh the settlement agreement stay in place. I don't think there's a need to have a conversation. Okay.

348
01:54:41.360 --> 01:54:57.840
>> His attorneys, I think we're set at 932 for next fiscal and this outstanding half million dollar balance needs to be worked out between the administrator and the sheriff. I don't I don't know why because if you engage Mr. Federman, that sounds like you're going to amend the

349
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agreement. >> What I'm hearing is the the agreement is an agreement. So now we're going to modify an agreement. That wasn't that's not why we agreed on the agreement. We agreed on agree for a variety of things

350
01:55:12.639 --> 01:55:29.679
to include a pending lawsuit and a pending appeal. I think that's why we agreed to it. So I I don't know why we would amend the agreement. >> Okay, I hear you. >> So

351
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>> at one point in the journey, your word is your bond. >> True. >> We need to have that. >> So to Mr. administrator, how do we resolve this absent modifying the agreement? >> Can

352
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>> um I didn't say to Holiday in last night. I'm not an attorney, but I think um if you if we were able to work and find a way to 5 to find 570 million, $570,000

353
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571, you're going to have to modify I would think you would have to modify the agreement. Maybe you caveat it to your point about the but the baseline budget is still the same. That would be the change. >> But

354
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the agreement specifically says for a 2026 2027 total budget. >> Yeah. >> Total. >> So anything that you guys want to give him beyond that requires >> that's my point of

355
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>> settlement agreement change because you will have to put in a new number or else we are not complying with the terms of the settlement agreement. I'm not saying and to his benefit that we won't be we're going above but the terms are what the terms are and if you want to change

356
01:56:52.400 --> 01:57:07.840
the contract or the settlement you have to change the terms on the paper because you're bound by the four corners of the signed agreement. So it's either he gets the 4 million that we agreed to or you're going to have to change the settlement agreement. And I think

357
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Jennifer's point is we can have the discussion about whether we're in support of that or not today and then bring it back for an official vote. But if you don't want to change the settlement agreement, then that means that the total budget is what is

358
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in the settlement agreement. So in other ways, in other words, there's there's no way to modify which would be an increase in his 2627 budget without modifying the agreement.

359
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>> Correct. >> I agree with that. even if he were to have excess dollars in 2526 uh that we would by consensus allow him to keep that wouldn't solve the issue.

360
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>> It was I don't I'm not certain because I know he and uh the Amy the CFO had mentioned that they were using their funds and we're expecting not to have you know any significant amount of excess

361
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I thought the three and a half was to make payroll by 9:30. >> Anything that we deferred for the fiscal year 27 budget to make the initial four million work. Whatever we can, we we have pre prioritize those list of items.

362
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any funds that we have left over from operating because that three and a half million did go to payroll budget transfer to payroll budget amendment. Um anything that we have left over will be used to buy down that list priority needs for fiscal year 27 that we

363
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deferred. So there will be very little. May I ask I don't know with this the agreement. Does the agreement prohibit us from coming to the board in fiscal year 27 for budget amendments? >> That's a hard question.

364
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>> Does it was a question. Does it prohibit you to come forward for future amendments >> in fiscal year 27? >> That's a good question. Based on my under correct for 26 based on my understanding it did not prohibit us from coming to the board for amendments for fiscal year 27. So if

365
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>> if it's better could we come to the board quarter of the way through the year. See where we're at run our numbers. If we're projected to be in deficits or like the grant that I mentioned to you chairman if that doesn't work out

366
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>> right >> we'll need to come back for amendments. So, is that an avenue instead of trying to >> Yes, I would I would agree with that. In fact, when I met with the sheriff last week ago, Monday, I did mention in fact

367
02:00:02.320 --> 02:00:20.320
um that he could come 2627 for uh perhaps a budget amendment uh with of course the documentation. So just like we modify budgets for other constitutionals throughout the year that

368
02:00:20.320 --> 02:00:37.119
and I thank you as Cooper for that that seems to be a way to resolve this today if we by consensus agree to that >> Mr. Chairman, that that's why I pointed out that the additional funding that was allocated for this current budget

369
02:00:37.119 --> 02:00:50.960
um it it happened. We did make an amendment uh and that was post agreement and I believe the agreement u uh a legal binding document

370
02:00:50.960 --> 02:01:09.119
uh was agreed upon to end all of the the suit end all of the decision and it set a mark but I do believe I don't believe that it would preclude a budget

371
02:01:09.119 --> 02:01:25.040
amendment as you suggested last year as well. >> Correct. >> For the the current year, >> correct? >> I I I believe there is an option here. >> Yeah. And I I believe the if I remember the agreement, it talked about any

372
02:01:25.040 --> 02:01:41.599
amendments in 2526. It did not talk about 2627. So, uh, Sheriff and Mr. Administrator, that seems to me to be the option. Uh I'm against getting u the attorneys involved

373
02:01:41.599 --> 02:02:02.480
to modify an agreement. The fact is u the agreement's in play and on 101 uh essentially that agreement is satisfied because there's nothing that says 2627 he can't do this. He does say he can't

374
02:02:02.480 --> 02:02:23.920
appeal but it doesn't say anything about >> prohibition. It doesn't say anything about budget amendments. >> Any further? Sheriff, biting my lip. You guys do what you're going to do. >> Okay. Do we have a consensus to

375
02:02:23.920 --> 02:02:41.040
entertain budget amendments 2627? If the sheriff comes to us in the interim, the administrator and the sheriff work out the balance of dollars for 26 2526.

376
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>> You think we know the amount? >> I'm sorry. >> I mean, if we know the amount, if you want to put not to exceed >> not to exceed 57926 for the budget amendments allowable. >> Okay. >> To exceed number again. >> 579.

377
02:02:57.280 --> 02:03:18.320
570926 >> 570,926 >> Do I hear consensus? >> Yeah, I'm I'm good with it. >> Any further questions, sheriff? >> No, sir. Thank you. >> Thank you,

378
02:03:18.320 --> 02:03:43.760
commissioners. That brings us to the MS TU fund. Mr. Administrator going back. Okay. Yes, Mr. uh chairman, members of the

379
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board, moving forward to you. So the advalorum tax ro increase if you recall is 7% increase that'll generate approximately $1.36 million in additional revenue at the 90 95% collection rate. Uh the military is

380
02:04:00.239 --> 02:04:17.040
currently 1.1506. We are recommending no change in the military. Uh there is a total of transfers out of $43 million 43,983,162 which is an increase of $859,565.

381
02:04:17.040 --> 02:04:34.400
That's largely due to go to the sher to the general fund for the purposes of funding the sheriff for the his uh services in the unincorporated area. Uh the OPED increases is uh well it says 1991% it's it's it's really minimal at

382
02:04:34.400 --> 02:04:52.000
119,000 health insurance 182,000 with the net decrease of 3.1 positions uh that we have in the um the MSTU and for that flip here

383
02:04:52.000 --> 02:05:07.440
MSTU so I can more so So this is the MSTU mill history. Uh again it would be it would be maintaining the milit rate would be 4.26% above roll back uh as the

384
02:05:07.440 --> 02:05:23.520
state declares that is considered a tax increase but it's 4.26% and not does only require the four four votes uh the MSTU expenses. John, I'm sorry. When you mentioned the four votes, I I think we should let

385
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everyone know that that was effective 71. >> Correct. With the with the with the governor's signing of that that it kind of got convoluted because that bill also or that joint resolution also discussed the constitutional amendment.

386
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So, everybody kind of believed it was all related to the constitutional amendment and then further along we all realized, wait, no, that's effective immediately. And then do has confirmed that with us that that's effective immediately. >> Right. That's uh plan B. >> Yeah. It was kind of interesting the way

387
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they did that. >> So for the North County Aquatic Center, uh it's if you recall the the reason why there's a decrease there is we did the well rehab last year. So those expenses are coming off. Um the increases for

388
02:06:14.320 --> 02:06:30.239
both uh for the Gford aquatic center recreation intergenerational uh are are largely related to the the increase in the health insurance and uh uh for the IG it's uh related also

389
02:06:30.239 --> 02:06:45.520
there's an uh reduction in the electric and maintenance costs um for the beach parks uh the the amount is um beach parks is is we had a simulator

390
02:06:45.520 --> 02:07:02.159
grant and in a shed last year. Uh the shooting range. It's related to the increase in uh salaries and benefits. Plus, there's also a new camera and server system and there was the Bobcat last year.

391
02:07:02.159 --> 02:07:18.880
um for playing in development. We are looking at, you know, uh the the there was an office renovation that's occurring now that'll come off the books. Plus, there's going to be a decrease in salaries and benefits due to turnover. Um for county planning there

392
02:07:18.880 --> 02:07:34.000
you're looking at the elimination of uh two positions and there's also last year we had the the expense of the Oslo road corridor analysis uh the document scan scanning rollover and renovation from last year uh for

393
02:07:34.000 --> 02:07:50.239
code enforcement again that was related to the rollover for the scanning and laser fish conversion that's coming off and then for natural resources very small amount but It's it's largely related to while we did some environmental assessment and

394
02:07:50.239 --> 02:08:05.760
planning work if you recall there was a vulnerability study that we did. So that comes out and then for uh the tax collector we uh we just estimated for this fund a 10% increase of expenses. You know we don't have the budget yet

395
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for the tax collector. So, in in total, the the current year's budget is 13.1 million and the proposals to go to 12.3 million or $824,000 decrease at 6.3%. >> Thank you, John. It should be noted that

396
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the reason why we do not have to increase millage rates in that department is because of the cuts we've made. >> That is that is correct. >> And I think that's often overlooked. >> Questions? Okay. So, transportation um another again the OPED increase looks

397
02:08:43.280 --> 02:09:00.320
like a large amount but it's only 41,130 at least from percentage wise a health insurance $433,822 the main drivers uh we the gas tax revenue uh we are projecting 2.7 million which is about a $49,000

398
02:09:00.320 --> 02:09:16.480
increase uh transfers from the general fund which account for about 75% of the total funds revenue revenues are decreasing by 1.6 million or 7.8%. Uh, and that's largely related to, if you recall, we did additional sidewalk

399
02:09:16.480 --> 02:09:33.840
maintenance last year. Uh, we also did some sidewalk repairs and irrigation. And then there were some decreased uh insurance costs. Plus, we purchased four trucks, the excavator, dump truck, and the industrial mowing system last year. So, that's why that amount of 1.6

400
02:09:33.840 --> 02:09:51.679
is coming out. And there's a net decrease of three uh full-time positions with a savings of $413,000. And so you have so for terms of the road and bridge, that's the uh the $1.1 million

401
02:09:51.679 --> 02:10:08.239
decrease is related to the really the purchase of the four trucks, the excavator dump truck and the industrial mowing system. public works is that decreases the ADA implementation plan that we that we had put together and

402
02:10:08.239 --> 02:10:25.840
also if you recall we had an interlocal agreement with the city of Vero Beach and uh where we fronted the funds for the uh Jackie Robinson Training Center that that drainage ditch that comes from the airport cuts through. So there's that's coming out of the budget. uh they

403
02:10:25.840 --> 02:10:42.320
also did document scanning that's going to be removed from the do and there was an interior renovation within the department and then we also are decreasing our supplemental staff services uh in terms of the contract services uh for county engineering it's a

404
02:10:42.320 --> 02:10:58.480
increase decrease of $61,711 which is largely related to the elimination of u one position but there also are some increases in salary ies uh auto maintenance due to their aging

405
02:10:58.480 --> 02:11:13.840
fleet and then there's a the decreased cost because we purchased an asset management software system from them last year. uh traffic engineering. Uh I mentioned three positions. These are the other two. And then last year we also

406
02:11:13.840 --> 02:11:31.520
purchased two bucket trucks. Uh a replacement truck for the traffic and uh also we went out and we did the traffic network the the switches. We upgraded them. The a sign printer and and uh that we are purchasing. Uh so that's why that

407
02:11:31.520 --> 02:11:47.040
in decreases $490,000 in storm water. Uh we purchased some tools last year to kind of get the our our uh resources up to where they needed to be and the electric and garbage costs.

408
02:11:47.040 --> 02:12:02.880
Uh there was also a large maintenance project costs uh last year due to the main relief canal and uh the Moran and OP Osprey acres and then last year we also purchased the camera system and the John Deere. So that's that's the reasons

409
02:12:02.880 --> 02:12:19.880
for the $224,000 increase. So for transportation fund, the department's uh current year budget is $26.9 million and we are recommending to a $24.1 million or $2.8 million decrease at 10.4%.

410
02:12:20.320 --> 02:12:37.440
>> Thank you. >> The next is our emergency service district budget. Again, this is a municipal service taxing unit. uh and this is his own separate district and this is solely dependent upon property

411
02:12:37.440 --> 02:12:55.520
taxes the adalorum tax ro some of the capital we can OST but for the personnel expenses operating that's all tax and what and and the and the fees that we receive from ALS which is about $10 million if I recall correctly

412
02:12:55.520 --> 02:13:12.400
so advalorum tax roll is a 6.7% increase it's going to generate an additional $3.8 8 million uh the assuming the 95% collections. The military is 2.3531 which we are recommending no change from last fiscal year. Uh there is about a

413
02:13:12.400 --> 02:13:27.840
little more than just you know half a million dollars or just under $600,000 increase in OPED. Um health insurance increase again this is fire department. It's $1.4 million. We have you know 363

414
02:13:27.840 --> 02:13:44.480
I think. It's somewhere in the 360 370 range. Uh so that's why it's it's a larger amount. Uh there's there is a capital budget $3.9 million. Uh and then it's a net decrease of one full-time position saving $165,000.

415
02:13:44.480 --> 02:14:05.760
That's a vacant position right now. In terms of the millage history, you are uh looking at again it's 4.29% 29% above the roll back rate but it's we're maintaining it at 2.3531. So for the salaries uh we have obviously

416
02:14:05.760 --> 02:14:23.040
we've contracted increases with the if contracts that they're both step and the general wage increases uh although is there is a reduction in overtime and but we did also as this last contract increase the paramedic incentive pay uh

417
02:14:23.040 --> 02:14:40.159
for the benefits uh this is related to both you know the retirement rates health insurance and the oped uh we did experience a reduction in workers comp but the social security Medicare increases increases as well due to the salary increases.

418
02:14:40.159 --> 02:14:56.960
Um and now for fire rescue uh the operating there is an increase in the operate general and administrative expenses due to the uh salaries and benefits but there's also increased automotive insurance because of the

419
02:14:56.960 --> 02:15:14.400
increased unit allocation and then we also but we did have a reduce in other insurance due to lower insurance rates. Uh there's been multiple station uh roof replacements last years, but there's also we are expecting increased costs in medicine and medical supplies and but we

420
02:15:14.400 --> 02:15:31.040
are decreasing the is the inner information security telecom inter department charges due to the reduction telecom budget. So essentially they were sharing the cost for an IT person but the IT person was never really there.

421
02:15:31.040 --> 02:15:47.840
So, I made the decision that they shouldn't be paying for that. It need to stay in the IT budget. Uh, so that's it's $259,000 increase, $260,000. And then you have the state forest service. That's that's something that we

422
02:15:47.840 --> 02:16:04.719
it's by contract. Uh, and life safety. Uh, the salaries you have there is, you know, we are looking at decreasing one position. Uh so that affects the salaries, the benefits. There is an increase in operating due to the G the

423
02:16:04.719 --> 02:16:21.760
GIS budget and and the need to purchase new tablets and a printer that need to be replaced and that's resulting in a $41,000 increase overall. But in general for total life safety right now we're at $533,000

424
02:16:21.760 --> 02:16:37.920
and uh almost 534,000 and we're proposing a 420 roughly $424,000 or $110,000 reduction for the total emergency services district budget going from 88.588.6

425
02:16:37.920 --> 02:16:58.160
million to 78.8 million which it does represent about a 9.7 9.6 $6 million increase, $9.8 million increase or decrease, which is 11%. >> Thank you. >> So, the the next one that we're going to

426
02:16:58.160 --> 02:17:30.960
cover, let me find my >> Oh, thank you. And I'm going to for uh the state agencies I will yeah it's okay. All right. So for state agencies, I I just want to empas, you

427
02:17:30.960 --> 02:17:46.479
know, New Horizons, I did meet with their uh CEO and I did convey that we were looking to keep the increases minimal and um and specifically trying to get a flat budget uh recognizing the challenges coming up in this fiscal

428
02:17:46.479 --> 02:18:03.120
year. uh I met with him I think it was in May and they did submit I will tell you for $550,000 but I'm recommending that we keep the funding level at uh at $450,000 uh for DJJ

429
02:18:03.120 --> 02:18:20.800
we haven't received their uh budget yet uh so that's going to require a subsequent budget amendment and but we are we have program for maintaining level funding so there's another example of what origin adopted versus the revised uh Medicaid.

430
02:18:20.800 --> 02:18:38.800
>> John, did you did you skip the health department? >> A health department. It was a $25,000 increase largely due to salaries, but they provide us that amount. If you recall, we share the expenses with them. Uh this again is a state mandate, if you will, um in terms of um they're for

431
02:18:38.800 --> 02:18:55.439
public health and they also handle the environmental control health board. So which is that's a 0% increase. Uh treasure crow region planning council that's our our annual membership or dues

432
02:18:55.439 --> 02:19:10.960
is based upon it's a point43 formula divided by our population going up $854 representing the increase in our population. Uh no increase in the national estuary uh program council to

433
02:19:10.960 --> 02:19:26.880
maintain level funding. I mentioned DJ level funding but we don't have their actual request yet but we are uh we'll bring that back if it if if it was to increase or decrease as a in the form of budget amendment. Uh the Medicaid it is

434
02:19:26.880 --> 02:19:44.960
an increase of 58,73. Uh again that is something that is a statement man the state requests the amount and that's actually the amount that's less the the contribution that the hospital district uh provides to us.

435
02:19:44.960 --> 02:20:01.760
So then we go to circuit court expenses. Uh the reduction there is largely due to the it is due to the mental health court expenses coming into the county. uh the guardian uh or the guardian lighting program, that's a reduction. The victim's assistance program, there's a

436
02:20:01.760 --> 02:20:17.359
that that's really a new function. It's not a new function. It's been operating out of the state attorney's office, but now they're going to be operating separately. They're transitioning from being under the state attorney's office. So, that's why you're seeing that that as a separate line item with that

437
02:20:17.359 --> 02:20:32.319
increase. And the state attorney's office is going up about $1,187. public defender is a reduction of $8,162. The medical examiner, uh, again, this is one of those ones that's all formula

438
02:20:32.319 --> 02:20:47.600
based based on our ILA, the number of autopsies, the numbers of deaths, population, and in this past year, uh, one of our other counties experienced greater and we experienced less. So therefore, our amount is going down this

439
02:20:47.600 --> 02:21:05.359
year. Uh so for to for the state agencies the total amount uh it was 7,58,000 this year it's being recommended at 6.9 million. Um keeping in mind we may have to address DJJ if if if they come in

440
02:21:05.359 --> 02:21:22.960
over their existing funding level but that would be representing a 134,000 almost $135,000 decrease or 1.9%. >> Thank you John. Do we have anyone from the state agencies that would like to comment on these proposals? I see

441
02:21:22.960 --> 02:21:42.880
>> Miranda. Welcome and good morning. >> Thank you so much. Good morning. I'd like to thank the county commission and the county administrator for your continued support of the health department. Um there are a lot of people in need out

442
02:21:42.880 --> 02:21:58.640
there. Um, I know it's a tough budget year and I really definitely appreciate your support. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, John. Please continue. >> So, the next is our economic development

443
02:21:58.640 --> 02:22:15.560
division. Uh, basically remaining flat or an $85, you know, decrease uh on for those expenses. I' I've got non-EP departmental 10B next

444
02:22:18.160 --> 02:22:33.600
>> could be M print >> this that that's the first one economic development >> I'm sorry >> this that that is for 10B this is the first one >> I got yeah >> so the next one would be children uh >> not enough coffee I appreciate

445
02:22:33.600 --> 02:22:49.200
>> sir uh children services grant uh the amount uh that has was approved by the board in March 24th was you know again it's an eighth mill of funding uh it's $3,778,000

446
02:22:49.200 --> 02:23:06.800
$838 it's an increase of $297,000 or 8.5% increase >> and that's funded how >> that's funded through that that's advelum that's funed through general fund so uh that's one of the services that might be affected you know subject

447
02:23:06.800 --> 02:23:21.439
to future U implications of property tax reform. >> Thank you. >> And then we have our CRAAS, our community redevelopment agency. You know, the Sebastian redevelopment district as you know as the property

448
02:23:21.439 --> 02:23:37.840
values increase, you know, the the amount of the tax increment financing increases or to the redevelopment trust fund. We pay a portion of that. They froze the base rate and then as it increases, any increase goes into their fund to help them fund redevelopment

449
02:23:37.840 --> 02:23:54.240
activities within their respective redevelopment areas. For the city of Sebastian, it's a 3% increase. So, it's roughly $10,000. In Felsmere, this is the third year of uh their uh second CRA, the expansion. So, therefore, they're starting to see

450
02:23:54.240 --> 02:24:10.160
the appreciation of value in that district. And so, therefore, it's just a little bit more of an increase. 32,210 and the percentage is largely due to the the the lower number of being $119,000. >> John, if I could ask you, is there any

451
02:24:10.160 --> 02:24:27.520
traction on the sunsetting of CRAAS or the development of CRAAS in the future? >> So there's in 2019 there was uh ex 2019 there was existing law that was proposing to actually called for the sun

452
02:24:27.520 --> 02:24:42.319
setting of them. Uh but there are provisions um related to uh with a certain vote you know of the the governing body uh whether or not they can be extended. Uh

453
02:24:42.319 --> 02:25:00.080
so as of right now and I know last year and the year before they were proposing additional legislation to even maybe accelerate that. >> Correct. And um so u I mean I will say uh these areas there's been a

454
02:25:00.080 --> 02:25:15.680
determination of blight or you know or inadequate infrastructure transportation network certain services that are not being provided. Uh they typically represent areas that are like downtown and or you know you know that are your

455
02:25:15.680 --> 02:25:32.560
main central places where people would notice you know a decline and maybe ascribe that decline to the whole city or town. And so therefore uh that's where those expenses are. You know, it's it's really the counter county

456
02:25:32.560 --> 02:25:49.760
partnering to maintain those areas because if they go down, so does our long-term our revenues. I know that this is really a partnership and they do provide us an annual report on their activities and

457
02:25:49.760 --> 02:26:05.200
I assure you that they that report gets well reviewed having handled several CRAAS in my past years. And h and how are the CRA funded? >> They are funded through again as so you have we'll just say you you have this

458
02:26:05.200 --> 02:26:21.600
box on your screen that's the redevelopment boundary and as the property values appreciate because we settled whenever the base was established say uh say it was 2000. So that's the base value. The county keeps its portion of the revenue that it was

459
02:26:21.600 --> 02:26:37.840
receiving then and the city keeps their portion of the revenue then. It's actually an independent agency. The board is appointed by the the cities and then any appreciation in value in the property value as it incrementally goes up that tax increment that goes into a

460
02:26:37.840 --> 02:26:52.800
redevelopment trust fund and then they use those funds for the purposes of making improvements to maintain the area. Uh one project that comes to example is the septic to sewer project with Sebastian. We are partnering with

461
02:26:52.800 --> 02:27:08.720
them and they are working to make sure which has environmental benefits as well as you know it kind of controls some of the costs uh is the septic the Sebastian septic to sewer CR Sebastian CRA septic to sewer project. >> Okay. Thank you.

462
02:27:08.720 --> 02:27:28.880
>> So I I would ar I would say that it's it it's it's the county's investment in some of our you know those areas that have been deemed you know in need. So for our nonprofits, um I will tell you the the the the agencies requested various levels of

463
02:27:28.880 --> 02:27:44.960
increases funding uh from from as little as 2.94 5% increase up to 9.6%. Uh the policy does limit doesn't doesn't say it's not shall but that the

464
02:27:44.960 --> 02:28:01.760
increases are limited to to uh the CPI. Uh so in April that was 3.6% but re we are recommending I'm recommending a level funding for all our nonprofit agencies. So for the mental health association

465
02:28:01.760 --> 02:28:19.160
keeping level funding, United Against Poverty keeping level funding. 211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast level funding. And then uh the uh CTC CRA uh uh SRRA senior services also level funding.

466
02:28:22.080 --> 02:28:39.120
>> Okay. The next would be our quasi uh non nonprofit organizations. Uh the veteran service council uh level funding uh I'll just advise the board. There is conversations and there's arrangements being worked with them working with

467
02:28:39.120 --> 02:28:56.000
United Way. I think many of you have had meetings about this. Uh so that is going to continue. Uh we do have and I'm going to come back to the SRRA um at least the second item uh the SRRA coordination of grants. Once we get that

468
02:28:56.000 --> 02:29:11.840
number uh we then do a budget amendment to bring it in what the grant amount is that's received. Uh and then for the other nonprofits uh we are Gford Youth Achievement Center Progressive Civic Leave with Gford uh the Treasure Coast Homeless Services

469
02:29:11.840 --> 02:29:26.800
recommending level funding. The reason why you're seeing a reduction in the uh human society is because the we are taking over you know in beginning of November fully the operation of animal control animal services. However, we do

470
02:29:26.800 --> 02:29:42.640
envision you know that as we mentioned before a certain level of involvement with the humane society but just not to the extent there was before. Like matter of fact if you recall last year this was it was like 670 or 680. So we are

471
02:29:42.640 --> 02:30:00.240
reducing that significantly. Now with regard to the communications the transportation coordinator um they uh their request was about 376,000 more than we are recommending right now. Um I

472
02:30:00.240 --> 02:30:16.160
know each of you and they've met with each of you. they've met with us and uh the uh what I would say is we've met with Karen and Deagle and I know that there's been five options discussed. Uh I would like

473
02:30:16.160 --> 02:30:31.600
to suggest that you provide us the latitude to work with Karen and Chris to get where they need. Uh and we'll include and present that in the budget hearing in September. Uh we understand that there's five one of the options is like their their staffing is $168,000.

474
02:30:31.600 --> 02:30:52.399
So there's about a $28,000 delta. So we just want that flexibility to work with Karen and Chris to to bring that home between now and the first hearing. >> I see Chris and Karen if they'd like to comment and this is a

475
02:30:52.399 --> 02:31:07.600
this is I know they met with all of us. Is this a reduction of 100? It's an increase up from last year's funding, but there was a larger request and it's and the difference would be about $376,000

476
02:31:07.600 --> 02:31:22.640
that I reduced the funding level by. >> And you've had discussions about something. Good morning and welcome. >> Good morning. Good morning. I'm Karen Deagle, the CEO of Senior Resource Association. And um so SRA requested 2.2

477
02:31:22.640 --> 02:31:42.240
two uh 2,250,618,000 in local funding to maintain our current level of public transit service. The increase over last year's budget is primarily due to two factors that we've all discussed. First, fuel costs. Um fuel costs have risen dramatically. Fuel

478
02:31:42.240 --> 02:31:57.760
expenses are currently approximately about 45% higher than they were a year ago. It's unknown um if or when fuel prices will decrease. So last year we requested in our budget last year there was 550,000

479
02:31:57.760 --> 02:32:14.960
um for fuel. This year we have to budget um our request is $800,000. So that is an additional $250,000 over last year just for fuel. The second reason is the three-year $800,000 per year service development grant um that

480
02:32:14.960 --> 02:32:31.120
ends midway through this fiscal year. That grant uh funded the expanded service hours that the commission approved three years ago. Um those expanded hours have been a tremendous success. Ridership uh continues to grow,

481
02:32:31.120 --> 02:32:50.160
including a remarkable 17% increase over last year, a level of growth that's uncommon for most public transit systems today. Um county staff has recommended funding of 1,874,557, which is 367,000

482
02:32:50.160 --> 02:33:06.319
less the amount than we requested. Funding at that level would require significant reductions in service hours across the go line system. And public transportation, may I say, is not simply just another

483
02:33:06.319 --> 02:33:21.840
county service. It is a critical essential service. Every day, Goline connects people to work, school, afterchool programs, grocery stores, health care appointments, social services, and countless other

484
02:33:21.840 --> 02:33:37.600
destinations that improve their quality of life. A community can invest in the very best health care, education, and social service programs, but if people have no reliable way to reach them,

485
02:33:37.600 --> 02:33:54.800
those services cannot fulfill their purpose. Recognizing the financial challenges facing the county, Esra took a hard look at our own budget. We eliminated two positions and reduce staff development expenses, lowering our requests by

486
02:33:54.800 --> 02:34:09.920
168,000. So today, as um county administrator mentioned, um after making those reductions ourselves, the dis difference we are asking to consider is that $28,000. Um, let me remind you because I never

487
02:34:09.920 --> 02:34:26.479
hesitate to brag about Goline. Last year, Goline provided 1.5 million passenger trips, a 17% increase over the previous year. 84% of India River County residents live live within 3/4 of a mile

488
02:34:26.479 --> 02:34:44.800
of Goline bus stops. And for nine consecutive years, Goline has maintained the lowest cost per passenger trip in the state of Florida at $3342. And three times in the past 10 years, Goline has been recognized as Florida's

489
02:34:44.800 --> 02:35:01.920
system of the year by the Florida Public Transportation Association. These accomplishments didn't happen overnight. They are the result of many years of partnership between this commission, county staff, SRA, and our dedicated employees, all working

490
02:35:01.920 --> 02:35:19.840
together to build one of the finest public transportation systems in Florida. So, I respectfully ask that you approve funding of the $2,82,557 for the upcoming fiscal year. Doing so will allow us to preserve the level of

491
02:35:19.840 --> 02:35:39.439
service our community demand depends on and continue providing safe, reliable, and award-winning public transportation for the residents of this community. And thank you for your continued support and consideration. >> Thank you.

492
02:35:39.439 --> 02:35:55.439
>> I I I I appreciate that. I don't I don't think anybody wants to see a reduction in service. You've built an an amazing system. >> We have >> from those 15 passenger vans to the fine

493
02:35:55.439 --> 02:36:12.800
fleet and connectivity that are provided for the citizens. Um I do appreciate that. I understand that a lot of the cost burden is with or dependent upon fuel and and hopefully that's

494
02:36:12.800 --> 02:36:27.840
>> declining. Uh we c we can't work on a wish though. So, um I I like the uh county administrator's suggestion uh as far as uh meeting the needs

495
02:36:27.840 --> 02:36:43.359
because they may change and again not working on the wish but or hope but we believe that they will be declining and perhaps that burden will not be as significant.

496
02:36:43.359 --> 02:36:59.040
And uh I do appreciate the county administrator's recommendation. >> The other alternative is we could you could fund it at the recommend level and we could do a budget amendment. You know, similar to what we were talking about with the sheriff as the amount

497
02:36:59.040 --> 02:37:16.080
comes in like we did this year. >> So we have a consensus on a midyear amendment. however is the easiest way to work it out. But I don't I would agree that I don't want to see a reduction in

498
02:37:16.080 --> 02:37:33.920
>> in service hours or days. Um it's really important to my district. I know other districts for people to move around. They use it for jobs and access to resources, especially in some of our um lower inome communities and our farther reaching communities that have

499
02:37:33.920 --> 02:37:49.280
transportation or lack transportation needs or lack of transportation. And I know we fought really hard to get those hours extended, especially those weekend hours. So, the service was more useful to our working CL. I mean, we're a service industry

500
02:37:49.280 --> 02:38:07.439
economy, so everybody's working till, you know, 9 or 10 o'clock and on the weekends. So, if your system closes at 7, you can get to work, but you can't get home. So, >> and and in the spirit, they've already >> eliminated two positions and was itund

501
02:38:07.439 --> 02:38:22.000
>> 168,000 >> I thought 168. So, they're they're asked now, John, is 208. >> Is that what I'm hearing? >> It's an additional 208. So, this number here is should be changed.

502
02:38:22.000 --> 02:38:38.319
>> Well, we would leave we would leave that number and do the budget amendment for 208. Um, maybe wait and see a little longer what fuel does. If fuel comes down, we could use that opportunity as a savings. She might not need as high of a budget amendment. If fuel goes up, then we're in a worse position. But,

503
02:38:38.319 --> 02:38:55.280
>> but leave the option open. >> What if fuel goes way down? Do we get money back? >> Mr. possibly. I'm we're we've talked about that as in knowing what our what our bucket of money is and saying, "Okay, we might just put this aside and

504
02:38:55.280 --> 02:39:12.880
chip away at it." And then if there is um you know, that's that's a possibility, too. >> Or we could expand our >> or we could I'll have to tell you that I am the chairman. >> I wasn't going to be pushy there. >> Well, >> I am the chairman of the traffic disadvantaged

505
02:39:12.880 --> 02:39:28.560
>> and a benevolent chairman. You are >> correct. ation disadvantage local coordinating board >> just >> exactly what she said. >> Okay. Any further discussion everybody? Good. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you for your support. >> So the understanding is we'll leave it

506
02:39:28.560 --> 02:39:43.600
at what we were budgeting recommending and then we'll process the budget amendment working with SRRA in the in the upcoming fiscal year subject to the needs. Right. >> Yeah. I would say you'll you'll work it out whatever the easiest way possible for for for the two of you. We recognize

507
02:39:43.600 --> 02:39:58.640
the critical importance to our community as well. >> The number may change >> and cutting two positions. >> Yes. >> Maybe others should do that >> with that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate.

508
02:39:58.640 --> 02:40:16.399
>> So, Mr. Chair, I'll now turn it over to yourself and the board to go over the street lighting district assessment rates. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Mr. Mr. Administrator, if we could uh take a 5minute recess,

509
02:40:16.399 --> 02:47:30.880
the time is 11:34. We will make it 6:00 and we'll meet back at 11:40. What? We offici >> wait we good we don't have >> the time now is 11:41 we are reconvening our July 8th 2026 budget workshop

510
02:47:30.880 --> 02:47:48.080
>> welcome and good morning still Mr. Administrator. >> Yes. I just want to point out the nonad number 13 nonadvalorum assessment charges. Uh that's going to be covered under number 15. So we can strike 13. >> Okay.

511
02:47:48.080 --> 02:48:03.520
>> That brings us to >> street lighting districts. >> Street lighting districts. >> I think the outgoing member was >> Oh my god, there's a change this year. Somebody is >> generally at the workshop. Uh

512
02:48:03.520 --> 02:48:18.160
staff presents it. >> Oh, I can't I have no problem with that. >> Okay. >> You don't want to present it like for >> No, that's okay. We have two more at the hearings. >> Okay. >> What we have to >> Oh, the hearings. Okay. All right. >> Enumerate. >> I just want to give you every opportunity.

513
02:48:18.160 --> 02:48:34.319
>> Okay. >> For the street lighting district assessments. Uh we have all of them are maintaining the same except for Exora Park uh because of electric electricity costs going up. has gone from 325 32 $32

514
02:48:34.319 --> 02:48:52.880
parcel per acre uh to $35 and I'll go through the Do you want me to go through the rest? But they're all making >> I kind of like the way you just did it. So, >> okay. You like the way right to the point. There's only one that's going up. Exora Park. >> If you're good with that, we can move

515
02:48:52.880 --> 02:49:08.080
on. >> I can read them all off if you want. >> All items as reflected. >> I think it's since his last budget hearing, he needs to read them. at the budget hearing. Maybe you can you that'd be >> Oh, at the end. >> We'll make him do it in September. >> Yeah, he'll do it. >> Be happy to do be honored and proud.

516
02:49:08.080 --> 02:49:24.279
>> Just remember Exora Park. You're going to have to >> I'll make a cheat sheet for you. >> Okay. Comes with a wheelchair. >> Moving on before the tear gets mad at us. >> Easy. >> Try the V. I'll be You'll be here all week.

517
02:49:25.279 --> 02:49:40.960
>> Thank you, sir. >> All right. Next we have MSBUs and other assessments. Uh VO Lake Estates MSBU flat at $50. East Gford Stormwater MSBU flat at $10. Rainree Corners Clover assessment. This is the first year for

518
02:49:40.960 --> 02:49:59.760
that assessment. There's 16 parcels there and the payback period will be for 10 years. The proposed amount is $2,927.93. Water's edge covert assessment um going down to $37743. The reduction here is because the number

519
02:49:59.760 --> 02:50:17.439
levied last year, the amount levied last year was based on budgeted estimates and then we tred up this year for the actuals >> on those MSBUs. I would like to recommend and I will bring forth a policy that the board no longer support

520
02:50:17.439 --> 02:50:35.200
these MSPU assessments. This last year has shown how difficult and I think it's going to be more of a challenge in future years because essentially the county is fronting the money and then assessing for for private infrastructure improvements. The county is fronting the money and then you know

521
02:50:35.200 --> 02:50:51.760
going through the assessment process. >> That's not accurate for all of them. >> No, I'm just saying the rain tree and the waters. >> Okay. The culvert on the culvert ones. The culverts >> before I have a mutiny. >> Yes. >> Those that are new to the game. Yeah. >> Thank you.

522
02:50:51.760 --> 02:51:06.640
>> All right. Next, we've got the North County Water Assessment. The scheduled amount is $275.78. That's down $744 from last year. They are in year four of their 10-year payback period. Next, we have the solid

523
02:51:06.640 --> 02:51:22.080
waste disposal districts. Um residential and commercial are per waste generation unit. No change there. They're proposed um at $1256 for residential and $79.12 for commercial. The readiness to use fee

524
02:51:22.080 --> 02:51:38.479
also remains flat at $46.62. Um the next proposed assessment rate is for universal collection. This is what John mentioned earlier. Um going from $181.70 in the current year to $183.92.

525
02:51:38.479 --> 02:51:57.840
That's because of the CPI uh requested increase we have from our waist hauler. So um the residents will pay an additional $222 cents for next fiscal year. Next we have our enterprise enterprise funds. We'll start with solid waste disposal district. The proposed budget

526
02:51:57.840 --> 02:52:16.399
is $44,356,119. That's a roughly $2 million or 4.6% increase there. Um the budget is rising there due to increased costs of recycling processing and transportation as well as increased convenience center and landfill operating contracts.

527
02:52:16.399 --> 02:52:33.520
Golf course proposed budget is $8,59,138. We're up about 2.9 million there or 55%. That is mainly due to the opening of the new clubhouse restaurant and banquet facility. Um that's roughly $2 million of those expenses.

528
02:52:33.520 --> 02:52:54.479
Next we have utilities. The proposed budget is 66,659,344. This is a $1.8 million decrease or $2.7%. Utilities water impact fees proposed budget is 1,682,39 um up $86,53

529
02:52:54.479 --> 02:53:11.760
or 92%. That's mainly due to the fluctuation of um capital projects that are programmed and approved in the CIE each year. Um, the same holds true for the sewer impact fees. They are up $76,693 or 63.7% for a proposed budget of

530
02:53:11.760 --> 02:53:30.800
$1,816,500. >> And again, just to point out what we talked about at the beginning of the meeting, these funds are generated by these departments and then spent by these departments. So, they're like many businesses. These are

531
02:53:30.800 --> 02:53:46.160
not taxpayer dollars. >> Yes. We can't take any revenue generated at the golf course and give it to uh the general fund or or vice versa. >> Right. And you can't obviously co-mingle. >> No, >> because I think that discussion may come up

532
02:53:46.160 --> 02:54:06.800
>> next year. >> All right. Next, we have the internal service funds. Fleet management proposed budget is $4,82,581. They're up only slightly 0.3% or 14,000. Um that increases to cover the additional health insurance costs. Next we have risk management, our self-

533
02:54:06.800 --> 02:54:21.920
insurance fund. The proposed budget is 9,28,550, a decrease of about 1.5 million or 14.4%. The reduction there is um mainly from our property and casualty premium decreasing. The board approved that back

534
02:54:21.920 --> 02:54:37.840
in um on April 21st. That was about $900,000 of the reduction there. And then we also have the fact that this is the first year the budget is reflective of the sheriff going out on his own for his workers comp coverage. Next we have the employee health insurance fund.

535
02:54:37.840 --> 02:54:55.439
Proposed budget is 39,500,23 up 4.3 million or 12.2%. Um, this reflects the cost presented to the BCC on June 16th regarding the rising medical and pharmacy claims as well as the rising cost of the employee health clinic.

536
02:54:55.439 --> 02:55:11.359
>> Chris, do with the uh elimination of certain things that we voted on last month, I don't want to make you guess or anything. Would you see potentially being flat next year?

537
02:55:11.359 --> 02:55:26.960
>> Flat flat is is the goal. flat is is the plan. Obviously, anything can happen. We can have high cost claimments, you know, that we that we don't count on. I think that's kind of what's pushing us this year. But yes, it's it's designed to be >> basically flat. >> Thank you.

538
02:55:26.960 --> 02:55:44.720
>> You're welcome. Uh and lastly, we have information technology. The proposed budget is 6,933,579, a decrease of 261,000 or 3.6%. and this decreases um in other professional service as well as software

539
02:55:44.720 --> 02:56:06.240
expenses. Next, we'll start with our miscellaneous funds. Um first we have fund 102, our traffic impact fees. The proposed budget is zero. That's a reduction of $753,133. Um these traffic impact fees are no longer being collected. So, we're

540
02:56:06.240 --> 02:56:22.040
basically just spending down the balances that we've accumulated in those districts. Fund 103. Um, additional impact fees. These are impact fees for law enforcement, fire, public buildings, and parks. The proposed budget is $1,483,615.

541
02:56:22.560 --> 02:56:38.640
That's a decrease of 7.3 million. Um, this is due to what John mentioned before. We have the ongoing projects that we fund via budget amendment once we know what that rollover amount is. Um, so this 1.4 48 million is the amount that you all approved in the CIE for

542
02:56:38.640 --> 02:56:56.240
year two. Any of that 8.8 million in the current budget that is not complete at the end of this current fiscal year will be added to that $1.4 million for next year. Fund 104 traffic impact fees 2020 um proposed budget is 7,50,000

543
02:56:56.240 --> 02:57:11.359
a decrease of 9.2 million. Again, um these are our active traffic impact fees where we went down consolidated to the two districts and the um the budget fluctuates due to the CIE projects. Next we have fund 108 rental assistance

544
02:57:11.359 --> 02:57:29.359
$3,738,830 a decrease of $254,500. Um this is reflective of the grant revenue we're scheduled to receive for our section 8 housing for next year. Fund 109, secondary roads construction or gas tax fund. Proposed budget is

545
02:57:29.359 --> 02:57:49.680
9,585,973,000. This is a decrease of about 4 million. Again, um largely programmed into our CIE projects and that's why there's a big fluctuation there. Special law enforcement, the proposed budget is zero. Um, this fund is funded be via

546
02:57:49.680 --> 02:58:04.399
budget amendment once we know what the dollar amount is that we've collected and then that money is given to the sheriff tree ordinance fine fund 117. Uh, the proposed budget is $280,000 a reduction of $15,000.

547
02:58:04.399 --> 02:58:22.560
Um, this is because um, Halstrom, Southprong Lagoon and Cypress Ben were in the CA for last year. Next we have tourist devel tourist development fund 2,361,451 an increase of $112,816.

548
02:58:22.560 --> 02:58:40.800
Uh this reflects the TDC's recommended funding award that the board approved back on June 16th. 911 searchcharge fund fund 120. The proposed budget is 1,218,128, a reduction of about 1.7 million. Um

549
02:58:40.800 --> 02:58:57.359
that reduction is largely due to the NextGen 911 software that we have in the current fiscal year. So that will be removed for next year. 121 drug abuse fund proposed budget is 90,000. Uh this reflects the request that the county received from the 19th

550
02:58:57.359 --> 02:59:16.319
judicial circuit um for what they would like to spend in that fund for next year. Fund 123. Our SHIP fund proposed budget is $1,734,196. A large decrease there of 1.8 million. That's just reflective of the county's SHIP allocation that's planned for next

551
02:59:16.319 --> 02:59:30.960
fiscal year. Mo proposed budget is $719,132, a decrease of $93,68. Um there is the elimination of one position there. Native Uplands

552
02:59:30.960 --> 02:59:46.240
Acquisition Fund Fund 127. The proposed budget is $26,000 in increase there of 106,000 and this is for invasive species control and also fire brakes. And then last on this slide, fund 128 coastal engineering

553
02:59:46.240 --> 03:00:04.720
proposed budget is 3,351,637. That's a decrease of about 5.9 million. There are no beach reourishment projects planned in this upcoming year, which is the reason for the decrease. In the current fiscal year, um, we had 6 million planned in for the reourishment

554
03:00:04.720 --> 03:00:22.880
of sector 5. Um, continuing on with the miscellaneous funds, next we have our neighborhood stabilization plan three fund, uh, level at $10,000, followed by the Florida Voting Improvement Program. Proposed budget is

555
03:00:22.880 --> 03:00:41.439
140,000. That's a 311 thou $311,300 decrease. Um, and that is due to the current year having the $250 thou $555,000 budgeted for the anchoring limitation update. We won't need to do that again next year. Fund 135, disabled

556
03:00:41.439 --> 03:00:56.479
access program. The proposed budget for next year is zero. That's a decrease of $34,638. And that's because um the current year we are spending the balance of that fund down for an ADA accessibility study.

557
03:00:56.479 --> 03:01:13.279
Fund 137 Dory Slothsburg Driver Education Safety Act. $49,000 level funding there. That is the request that we received from the Indian River County School District for their driver's education program. ARP funds. Um the proposed budget is

558
03:01:13.279 --> 03:01:29.279
zero. Those are due to be spent by the end of the calendar year. Um so hopefully there won't be anything that needs to be rolled over there. CAR's Act um proposed budget is zero. It's a reduction of $83,175.

559
03:01:29.279 --> 03:01:44.800
Um that's the remaining balance that we have in the car's act fund as of now. Fund 140 court facility searchcharge fund. The proposed budget is $150,458. That's an increase of $29,634.

560
03:01:44.800 --> 03:02:02.319
Um, this fund funds court facility related expenses from the state attorney, guardian, edit, and public defender, and court administration. Fund 141, additional court cost fund. Proposed budget is level there at 95,000. Um, this fund funds the access

561
03:02:02.319 --> 03:02:16.960
to justice program, teen court, and court administration. But I do want to mention, as John said, some of our mandates that we have earlier. Um, this fund does not support all of the requested expenses that we've received from those agencies. So, unfortunately,

562
03:02:16.960 --> 03:02:34.080
the general fund had to pick up the remaining $56,325 um that fund 142 or fund 141 cannot cover. Next, we have fund 142 court technology fund. The proposed budget is 325,000, an

563
03:02:34.080 --> 03:02:52.080
increase of 25,000 there. Um this budget covers the IT portion of guardian adidum state attorney and public defender. Again not able to support the expenses requested there. So the general fund is picking up 650,291

564
03:02:52.080 --> 03:03:08.800
of those dollars. Next we have the land acquisition fund 145. Proposed budget is zero. This is from the land acquisition bonds issued back in 2006. There's just remaining um leftover grant reimbursement funds there, but we are scheduled to spend

565
03:03:08.800 --> 03:03:24.479
those down in the current fiscal year. Bund 147, opioid settlement fund. Uh the proposed budget is zero, a reduction of 513,000. That's because we handle those via budget amendment as the salary proceeds are received each fiscal year. They're a

566
03:03:24.479 --> 03:03:40.800
little uncertain. And then last, we have fund 155. This is our current land acquisition bond proceeds from the first issuance. There is um $24,610,154 in the current fiscal year. The proposed budget for next year is zero. And that

567
03:03:40.800 --> 03:03:56.160
is because once the fiscal year is closed, we'll know how much balance remains after we purchase the proposed um land acquisitions that are going through now. And then we'll roll the balance so that we know the exact amount that we have to work with for next year. >> Any questions?

568
03:03:56.160 --> 03:04:11.520
>> That is an example of how the budget becomes amended and bigger than the approved original budget. >> Yes. of obviously a large portion of that will roll over. >> Commissioner M. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just had a question on the additional I guess it's

569
03:04:11.520 --> 03:04:26.880
co court court cost funds. >> So what what happens with that? That's a a state mandate that what we have to pay a certain amount and then if it goes over that amount what we just have to pay that whatever it is and they just send you a bill. How does that work? I'm

570
03:04:26.880 --> 03:04:42.960
trying to picture it. So the agencies um give us their budgets and then we use these revenues to offset. So um these are are fees that uh are collected at the courthouse when you pay like a ticket or

571
03:04:42.960 --> 03:04:59.040
a certain kind of charge that you have to pay. A portion of of what you pay goes into these funds and it's intended to offset those costs. Unfortunately, it does not. So when you know Guardian Enlighten presents their budget, we fund what we can out of these special revenue

572
03:04:59.040 --> 03:05:15.760
funds to keep the pressure off the general fund, but ultimately if the county is to continue providing guardian and light item services, we do cover it from the general fund. Now, we work with those agencies and we often ask, you know, if there's a new position, can they phase it in or have they looked at other cost-saving measures? Um, and we

573
03:05:15.760 --> 03:05:32.479
have in the past decided that we weren't going to fund certain operations of their budget. Um but the interlocal says that once one county does that out of the four counties that we share we share in these services um Okatobe, St. Lucy and Martin in River County. Um then all of the counties have to reduce their

574
03:05:32.479 --> 03:05:48.640
budgets by that same amount. >> So it's kind of a collective >> well just if something's over budget can can you just send the bill to the state >> Jennifer? I mean, it's their, you know, it's their mandate and if we don't know what the

575
03:05:48.640 --> 03:06:05.200
amount is and if it's over and you can't predict it, you're wonderful, but you're not psychic and, you know, maybe we should just send the bill back to them. >> Well, there there are and I I can provide the board an analysis of what we're actually statutoily required to do

576
03:06:05.200 --> 03:06:21.040
and then what we step up to the plate and try to help with. I think it's I'm seeing that there's both of these at play in these funds. But >> I think, you know, I think I think we're going to need to know, you know, really like like a list as a set, you know, a separate slide. What are we mandated to

577
03:06:21.040 --> 03:06:36.560
pay by the state? What are those amounts? And is it a set amount? Is it a predictable amount? Is it an I don't know amount? Um, you know, I think I think we're going to have to get really, you know, button down with this because

578
03:06:36.560 --> 03:06:52.880
I mean, think about it. These are all state mandates. All right. They they're not worried about it. They just go over and, you know, and send us the bill and then they tell us we're spending too much money. Yeah. So, we need to end that.

579
03:06:52.880 --> 03:07:10.880
So, I would love to see that list. I'm sure the others are curious, too. >> Sure. >> Okay. absolutely work on that. >> Thank you. >> Anything further? >> Next, we have the other debt capital funds. Uh the Dodger bonds. The proposed

580
03:07:10.880 --> 03:07:26.000
budget is 500,000. As John mentioned earlier, um this is the annual debt service to pay for the Jackie Robinson training complex property. Um the bond or the uh debt service will expire in 2031, but the payment for the 500,000 is

581
03:07:26.000 --> 03:07:41.600
funded by our agreement with the state each year. >> Say that again. Say the funded by what? >> The $500,000 uh we receive from the state each year under the retrain spring training facility agreement we have with the state.

582
03:07:41.600 --> 03:07:56.399
So since it is still functioning in a similar manner, um we are able to continue receiving that $500,000 from the state each year, uh which covers the debt service. So no county funds are used there. In >> 2031, this bond's gone. >> That is correct.

583
03:07:56.399 --> 03:08:14.080
>> Okay. So Laura, that's where the 500's coming in from the state >> that they're actually sending to us. So we're kind of just trading money. >> Hopefully we're on the plus >> at least until 30 31 2031. Okay. >> Bund 255, the land acquisition bond. The

584
03:08:14.080 --> 03:08:33.760
proposed budget is $3,982,41, an increase of $2,138,69. Um, again, as John mentioned earlier, we issued that remaining 27 million in the voter approved land acquisition bonds and we just closed uh last week on July 2nd. Fund 308, uh, Jackie Robinson

585
03:08:33.760 --> 03:08:49.840
Training Complex. Proposed budget is $434,112, a decrease of $558,81. Um, this fund is decreasing due to the roll over rollover of unspent funds in 2526. The amount proposed is for the

586
03:08:49.840 --> 03:09:06.920
capital and maintenance expense that includes um a CPI adjustment each year per our facility lease agreement with uh Major League Baseball. And lastly, we have optional 1centent sales tax fund 315. The proposed budget is 51,635,877,

587
03:09:08.240 --> 03:09:26.359
a decrease of about 35 million there. Um, and again, this is due to the fluctuation of those capital projects. At year end, we roll over the balance. And then what is in this fund um proposed for 2627 is in the CIE that you all have approved.

588
03:09:28.080 --> 03:09:44.640
Mr. Chairman, members of the board, now it's time to review the aggregate millet. Again, the aggregate millet is not something that everybody will, but this is just the the the the average, if you will. And uh it's going from uh it's

589
03:09:44.640 --> 03:10:01.960
6.1158. Uh the roll back rate is 5.8554 8554 and the proposal is to go to 6.1155 and the roll back difference is 2601.

590
03:10:05.760 --> 03:10:28.200
So in really in closing here on some of these present the overall budget uh the total proposed budget for 2026 2027 is $614,789,3330 a decrease of 96,944,72

591
03:10:29.840 --> 03:10:49.399
for the general fund. The proposed millage is 3.5475. That's 4.62% above roll back. The proposed budget is $172 172,434,473, an increase of $984,119.

592
03:10:49.439 --> 03:11:06.720
For the municipal service taxing unit, the proposed mil is 1.1506 4.26% above roll back. The proposed budget is $57,1898 $1898 $815,

593
03:11:06.720 --> 03:11:34.880
a decrease of $733,865. And then the transportation fund, the proposed budget is $25,610,535, a decrease of $2,798,846. For the emergency services district, the proposed mil is 2.3531

594
03:11:34.880 --> 03:11:56.000
4.29% 29% above the roll back and the proposed budget is 78,800839,816 a decrease of 9,758,232 for the land acquisition bond series 2024. The proposed millage is 0.1238.

595
03:11:56.000 --> 03:12:17.120
The proposed budget is $3,982,041, an increase of $2,138,69. So, Mr. Chair, uh, members of the board, now would be time to consider any proposed changes to the tentative budget, make a motion to adopt the

596
03:12:17.120 --> 03:12:34.240
proposed, and then make a motion to adopt the proposed milit. >> Mr. Commissioner Flesh, >> I'd like the county ministry. Can you read off that mill rate again? >> It was >> about three slides. >> 3.5475.

597
03:12:34.240 --> 03:12:49.680
>> It sounds very familiar. Is that the seventh consecutive year? >> Seventh consecutive year for that. seventh consecutive year for the municipal service taxing unit at 1.1506 and the sixth consecutive year for the

598
03:12:49.680 --> 03:13:08.720
emergency services district at 2.3531. So that's 3.5475. >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Chair, mo motion to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Flesher and a second by Commissioner Adams. Any

599
03:13:08.720 --> 03:13:24.479
further discussion on this particular military hearing? None. Seeing none, all in favor? >> And the motion carries. >> Good job, sir. >> The

600
03:13:24.479 --> 03:13:39.600
>> municipal service taxing unit proposed milit. Again, that's 4.26% above roll back. >> Commissioners, what's your pleasure? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Second. We have a motion by Commissioner

601
03:13:39.600 --> 03:13:56.239
Flesher, second by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> And the motion carries. >> And the the emergency service district, the proposed

602
03:13:56.239 --> 03:14:16.479
bill, which is 2.3531, and that is 4.29% above the roll back. Commissioner >> Mr. Chim motion to approve. Second proposed motion by >> Commissioner Flesher and a second by Commissioner Man. Any further discussion

603
03:14:16.479 --> 03:14:34.640
hearing? None. All in favor? I. >> Motion carries. >> Mr. Chairman of the board, the land acquisition bond from series 2024. The proposed millillage is 0.1238. >> Move to approve. >> Have a motion by Commissioner Moss,

604
03:14:34.640 --> 03:14:48.720
second by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I. And the motion carries. >> Mr. Chairman, the the two budget hearings are scheduled. The preliminary budget hearing will occur on September

605
03:14:48.720 --> 03:15:08.399
9th, 2016 at 50:01 p.m. right here at the, you know, the border county commissioner chambers. And the final budget hearing will occur a week later, September 16, 2026 at 5:01 p.m. again here at the BCC chambers.

606
03:15:08.399 --> 03:15:24.640
>> Any further comments, commissioners? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I think you just grabbed the record for the the shortest uh budget workshop in the history of any river county. >> Thank you. I will wear that honor

607
03:15:24.640 --> 03:15:36.520
proudly. Thank you staff. Thank you John. Well done. Thank you for those that attended. This meeting is ajourned.