[Music] Oh, by the way, you're a great little screen there. [Music] Interesting. Not quite as not quite as spacious as a 60
days about a week. [Music] [Music] See it from there. How long? All right, we'll go ahead and get started. Commissioner De us in prayer. Father, please.
Father in heaven, we come again now thanking you for life, health, and strength. We come blessed in your name because your name is the only name we've been taught that man could be blessed. We thank you, Father, for your goodness and your mercy. We thank you for your living and your dying and your rising on the very day you might have a right to
the tree of life. We ask you right now as we go through this business of the county, the city, the state, and this country, you would be with us that we make good decision. And we thank you. Help us now, Father. These decisions are not
personal, but they must be made and we are here to do it. Thank you, Father, for what you've done before, what you're going to do in the future, and what you're doing right now. These blessings and all the blessings we ask in Jesus name. Amen.
To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Welcome everyone to our workshop this
Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, 6 p.m. We have a conference line set up. Number there is 1 1917 9001022. Access code is 32347 pound. This is not a toll-free number. You may be subject to long-distance charges
according to your long-distance plan. When the chairperson opens the meeting for public comment, please follow the below instruction. If you wish to speak, please dial star five. The moderator will unmute you all. It's your turn to speak and notify you by announcing the last four digits of your telephone
number. Please announce your name and address. You will be allowed to speak for three minutes. Any person wishing to address the board regarding that agenda item will be given three minutes for comment. a commentary. I only speak one time for each agenda
item. That said, this is a workshop, so there will be no voting. Uh we'll move on to item three. The board did further discuss permit fees for residential and commercial demolition permits.
So we have Terry McKver who is our building official. I don't know that everyone's formerly met him. Um Mr. This is the board of county commissioners and he's going to further the conversation about the demolition permits tech review and I got together
and our basic templation fee for everything is $104 and it's too low. It doesn't cover the cost for our vehicles clerical and our building inspector. So, we we didn't raise it up a bunch, but
the the residential demo fee should be about $125 for 1500 square feet and 2 and 12 cents for everything over 50, 1500 square ft. The commercial should be about 250 up to 5,000 square ft. And
then from from uh 5,000 or 5501 to 10,000 should be $500. And above 10,000 it should be 2 1/2 cents above that per square foot. And that's reasonable. It's less than
most of the municipalities in the state of Florida charge. And we just haven't been charging it. We have to cover like the mill. You know, we have a lot of stuff there that we got to make sure it's all taken out. Asbestous. I
mean, so somebody's got to do it and we got to cover the cost for it or it's going to it'll end up getting up, especially, you know, commercial buildings. I mean, there's a lot of stuff inside the building, let alone outside. And things that I noticed that we don't do. We don't think we even
sprinkle buildings here and we're going to demo them. They got to be wet. You can't have that stuff traveling around. And this is just a basic. And I think here will cover what we spend. And we're certainly not covering it right now.
We did just come up at the last meeting and there was a vote and we did four commissioners. So we did have a tie did not pass through work. So right and we just wanted to I wanted to have Mr. McKver here for an opportunity to answer
any questions about you know what what we would do during an inspection and basically just the need for it. I know this is something that we started after the hurricane um to be diligent and Terry if I'm not
mistaken um so a residential demolition what we do is we ensure that the electrical is is completely um is safe is safe right and we make sure this septic tank is
capped you know and another thing that has just happened A lady bought a piece of property. She came to us and it wasn't inspected as it should have been. There's a a well, a banner well right on
the property line. Well, somebody's got to deal with that. And they should have been dealt with at the time of the demolition permit. You know, our inspector should have walked the whole ground, made sure that this thing wasn't abandoned because we can't issure a permit until it gets taken care of. It's
it's it's not not just in the setback. It's on the property line. It should have never been there. So, those are the type of things that need to be addressed. We charged that particular individual neighbor they did take on the
$104 charge at that time. I don't know that, you know, this place has already been demolished before I ever got there. But this is what we're trying to stop and it takes time to look at the property or to make sure it's suitable
for the next person. You know, you know, you find something on the property that shouldn't be there. You know, somebody buried something. If you see something's wrong during the demolition, you can go, "Hey, what's this pipe here? Why is it here?" And you know, you just can't
really do a little job for $104. we really need to, you know, make sure that we cover our costs and that's I would just say in the last meeting just I just re reiterate what I had. I just wasn't for imposing more
government on citizens and businesses. So that's why I had voted no not move forward and with that particular additional charges and really today I just had I can't say that any different at this point. It's not that much money.
You're talking 104 versus 125. It's just when the building gets up bigger then we're going to be charging 2 and a half more cents a foot. I mean it's not a lot of money but we're not covering our cost now. Um, you know, some people don't want to look at
it this way, but building department's a business. You know, we at least got to cover our costs. I can just see areas that we hadn't been, and now we're trying to so that, yeah, we make up the difference.
When was the inspection done that this autumn was missed? When when was that done? I don't I don't know when it was done. It's just a lady came through the door. She had bought a piece of property and it had obviously it had a building on it at one time cuz it had a well on
it and nobody ever, you know, went out there to to look. And I mean, whenever we take something off of a piece of property, we should be inspected to make sure. You don't want to buy something you can't, you know. Do you know? I don't think that from what I
understand. um up until just recently, we have not been performing demolition inspections. So, it could have been any time previous to that, but that's a good example of why our professional staff feels like we should do that moving
forward. Ultimately, it's up to the board, but um I do understand their their point in thinking that it's a it's a necessary service. It's I've been in this business for 43 years and I've never whenever I demoed a
building did I ever not get a demolition permit. And uh ser city of Clearwater takes it so seriously if you demo something interior or exterior because it's easy to say let's just tear all this out and we're going to put a bar in here. Well, they want to know where all
this went, you know, because some of this stuff may have asbests in it. And to not do that, I think we're doing a greater injustice to the public than we are by charging this little bit of money to go out there and make sure that it's done correct. Mr.
The reason that I voted the way I did last week is my concern over um any potential industry that were to come in if I um set up shop that we don't do anything
that's going to um discourage them from coming here. So, if it meant that they needed to demolish a building that they wanted, uh, I'm thinking that they could come back to this board and if it meant
them coming here or not coming here, we could wave we could wave these fees, right, comrade? But that's that's my only concern. But I mean, I think the whole idea is driven toward just generating more money
is what it is. I mean, well, it's not just generating more money. Um, Mr. English, I think it's establishing that we need to do demolition inspections. Um, because they they were not listed in the
previous resolution and it's just recently that we have started um conducting these inspections. So, it's it's not only, you know, setting a fee for it, but it's making sure that we
this is a service that we offer our residents. How many different counties did you check with and get from everyone around here? Well, you all do it. Did you check with Leon County? Did I did I I had to check my notes. I don't
know if I think I did. I did. Yes, but it it's it's it's this is really small compared to a lot of counties. I mean I don't know anywhere where you can do it and not you got to have a basis and
everything in face it everything's used. I mean, there's old buildings. We tear them down before or after. And um a company that's coming to build a building, a $500 demolition fees not going to deter them. If they're going to build a million dollar building, they're
going to build it. And 500 bucks. It's not going to make the difference. But what it does do, it gives us money, you know, that we should be charging so that we can have an extra employee, let's say, in the building department because we're short-handed as it is. And we're just giving stuff away.
And I don't know why because it's not going to deter anybody. If I want to build a house here, I'm going to build it and 500 bucks and a demo fee is not going to stop me. In Leyon County, I run into that same thing. a huge demo of
anything up there. They going to make sure they want to see a paperwork where you got a dumpster coming. Absolutely. Put every bit of it in. And some counties make you or cities make you put it in their dumpster. You got to rent it from them. And I tell you a short story.
I demoed a an old bar in Clearwater, just the interior. And the guy was under a time constraint. He goes, "I I don't have time to wait." He said, "Can you demo it?" And I was young. And I said, "Yeah, we demo it. No problem." We went and stripped it all out. When that lady
came that handled the demolition, she wanted be in jail. And that's how serious it is because you don't know what's in those buildings. And it's not just the building you tear down. It's what's inside the building. You know, all that asbests, tile, and everything
that's in some of these buildings. You want somebody to go in there and look at it. Go, "Yeah, you should have that looked at. We want to do a study on that." Did you tear it out? Some guy comes in here and gets cancer from tearing that kind of stuff out. That's why buildings are sprinkled when you tear them down. So that you can't read
that dust. It's serious. It is. This is small. And I I promise you anybody's coming to this county and they're going to build they're going to build this doesn't make any difference. It's not that big amount of money. Let me say this, Mr. Jeff. There is building
recently built in the last year and a half that was pull holes on that property and they're wondering what those holes was. That difference in that soil. The soil had a different color and that was four of them. And you know what the
previous owner knew but the buyer doesn't know. And that's who we want to protect. Any discussion or any other questions for So we can just place this back on the next agenda for a vote.
Sure. For a vote. You want to place it on the next agenda for a vote? I need to. Okay. Thanks, D. We move on to item four. The board to further discuss the fiscal year 2025
2026 budget. Now I think administrator has given a handout out here. I did not catch the sheriff department. He did have if you want to come on go ahead and give your presentation. We'll go ahead
and start there if you want to. Thank you. I appreciate that. Um, excuse me. At the time, public speaking isn't normally my thing. So, um, I prepared something, you know, the sheriff wanted me to bring over just to kind of clearly discuss what we're
facing with our budget and where we stand, what we're looking at. So, uh, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight. Um, I'm here to share our serious concerns about proposed budget cuts and explain why after reviewing our operations
carefully, uh, we simply don't have the room for them for that large of a cut. Our updated budget stands at just over 9.25 million. Of that, about 84% goes directly to personnel, our deputies, correction officers, and staff
keeping Taylor County safe every day. The other 16% covers everything else. fuel, equipment, uniforms, maintenance, and the basic cost of staying operational. A 15% cut, about 1.4 million, would not come from turning excess. It would come from cutting
people. It means fewer patrols, slower response times, fewer deputies and correction officers ready to serve our community that needs it the most. Since 2019, we've only added one new position. We haven't expanded services beyond what's needed. We worked hard to operate efficiently and stay
vigilant, even as demands on law enforcement and correction meth continue to grow. When we purchase patrol vehicles, we do so knowing that later they can be handed down to the county fleet for broader use. We don't buy specialy equipment that can be reused. We make
every effort to stretch taxpayer dollars further, not just for the sheriff's office, but for the whole county. It's also important to point out the increases you've seen in our budget in the past years mainly come from county approved raises and FRS contribution
increases not new spending expansions because we are classified as a high-risisk agency. Our FRS rates are higher than any other county office and have gone up nearly 30% since 2019. That's a major cost increase we're required by state law to absorb and
directly impacts how far our increases are. That's an unavoidable cost of supporting those who take risks to protect our community. Other counties face these same realities. Madison County with fewer people operates with a $9.5 million budget. We'll call a county
while larger they still operate with a $16.5 million budget. If anything, we are doing more with less. One thing I want to be clear, the sheriff does not want to raise taxes. Nobody here today wants to put that burden on the
taxpayer. But public safety must come first. It's not something optional. The sheriff said plainly, "If raising the millage cap is what it takes to preserve the safety of Taylor County, then blame it on him." He's only Taylor responsibility because protecting your
citizens the most important job we have. We recognize that the board is in a very difficult spot and we respect the work you're doing to balance these needs. But coming into public safety isn't a solution. It's a risk and it's not a risk we believe we can take. Thank you
for your time. Anyone have any questions? Thank you, sir. So I have um prepared a report that's really just an overview of um the majority of our departments that are
funded with adalorm tax or solid waste assessment, boat ramp fees, tourism revenue, etc. And what I've attempted to do is separate it by general fund um and then separate account for personal
services the percentage of the budget that is personal services the number of FTEES and the total cost just to try to organize the information in a way that I feel like may be helpful. Um, I also included um our county parks, boat
ramps, buildings that are funded by tourism revenue um just so we can keep that separate when we're talking about reducing our expenditures. and also did put in um mandated departments and services MSTU
departments and solid waste airport bridge um just to just to help I needed it organized as we talk through this I have identified some possible reductions it's really no different than what we
discussed before but what I would like to do is ask give y'all an opportunity to review this information and ask any questions. And you know, this is something that we can keep in mind as we go through our our budget workshops or
even our budget prep. Um, this may be a little premature because we have not gone out to bid on our health insurance or our property liability insurance yet. um that has a potential impact that is
more than um you know this feels like a drop in the bucket. It's about it's a little over $200,000. What I and this is without any reductions in force. Um, we're currently looking at combining um or reducing the
hours in two different um in two different departments because of um pending separation with employees who are leaving to go to other jobs. But I haven't identified in this document, you know, if if we feel like we need to
reduce staff because I feel like that's the last thing that we want to do is to reduce the staff until we have to. But we also don't know um what the impact of maybe changing our health insurance would be or changing our or you know
trying to negotiate rates for our for our other insurance lines. So, we just want to take this information and review and that's up to y'all what whatever would be most helpful. I I just didn't want to spring it on you and then, you know, try to go
through it. What I did do is separate out say the charitable contributions so we could keep that straight. Um we do have some cost for um you know for services that are not mandated that we
may want to consider reducing. Um I you know we discussed it before we have we pay for um shuttle service for for different transportation. Um you may want to consider reducing that and we can change schedules. We, you know,
there are different things that we can do if you don't want to completely discontinue something like that. So, London, what percent does this reflect that you're cutting the budget? Asked for 10 to 15%. So, where are you
at with with that you've given up? What percent is it? I Okay. I can go do that real quick. Okay, we'll get that. I I just didn't put it on the report. Look, you know, as
I've stated many times before since we since we started this process, we we must cut expenses. It's not a matter of we want to. We have to cut expenses and we need to do that before
we even think about other options to to balance next year's budget. Um, you know, and I'm talking about cutting back significantly, not five or six%, but we're going to have to make significant cuts
to before we should even think about raising taxes or fees or um implementing more special assessments. And I think that the county government should follow the lead of our
citizens in Taylor County that have had to cut back and make ends meet and do what they had to do. And I think that we should be the model for that. We should do the same thing. And just because we've gotten comfortable in the last few years
because, you know, we have good money coming in. Um it doesn't mean that that that that we don't need to cut back or do without. We need to we need to look at that heavily. And I'll tell you another thing. You talked about
insurance, employee insurance, and I'm not I am absolutely not in favor of lessening our employee insurance benefits or requiring them to pay more for their premiums. And I I'll tell you
the obvious reason is that we have employees that work for us that their salaries are on the poverty level. And I fear that making them pay more for their premiums and cutting their
benefits. I fear that some of them may just drop their insurance. And then you've got adults and you've got little children that are going to suffer. And I don't want to go home and go to bed at night and try to go to sleep when I know that I'm responsible for that. What I am
in favor of is that you at the insurance company don't take the easy way out, but I want for y'all to work hard to try to get our premiums, work with the insurance
companies to reduce our rates. Let's don't put it off on our employees that that surely they they realize they're not going to get a raise. But if we increase their premiums or decrease their benefits, that's just another slap in the face of these people and and I'm
not willing to do that. At least what we can do for our employees, if we can't give them a raise or anything else, is to keep their insurance so it's affordable and that the the benefits are are are still good.
And we have worked with um the carrier for years for rate passes or I know one year we were lucky and we got a reduction in our premium. But um and and there have been little tweaks that have
been made in the coverage to try to to either get a rate pass or a little bit of reduction. But I and maybe I misunderstood it, but I thought the direction of the board was us for us to go out to bid to try to to
go shopping for maybe a different plan or a different carrier to get a reduction in it what it cost us. And I and you know it just when every time we talk budget we're someone is always looking
how can we you know we're looking at employees. Well let's let's make them pay more or let's cut their benefits or we're looking at at at our citizens. Well let's raise taxes and fees and and implement special assessments before we
even try to cut. To me, we have to cut expenses before we lay it on our employees and our citizens. And it doesn't seem to me like there's very many people that I've seen or heard from yet that's willing to really try to do
that. You just have one to sit here and basically tell us, we've heard over and over, we're not going to cut. We've had some I'll cut five or six%. That's not going to get us to where we need to be. And and let me make sure that I
understand. So now in some of these departments, if they are not funded out of the general fund or the MSTU, I didn't attempt to make any cuts because that's not where we're going to have the loss in
revenue. Correct. So, so I didn't I didn't even try to reduce their budgets or look for, you know, because though we know that they're already there, you know, these departments are ones that are their
capital is funded out of 1 cent sales tax because there are no additional funds in these departments for capital purchases such as solid waste and road bridge. So I didn't try to reduce those budgets because I was concentrating on
general fund and MSTU because I knew that that's where we're having the crisis. Okay. So let me make it clear again. We need to cut expenses first. Percentage wise we need
to get to where the board had asked everybody to get to. and some of these departments, there are things that you can do. Nobody wants to cut. I don't want to have to cut. And and services, there's some things that
we could do with a little less of, not completely do away with it, but maybe work around it, but we've got to cut. So, the total of all the reductions that I have on this
sheet is $245,896. What percent is that? I She's going to calculate that for me. Thank you. You're welcome. I'd like to get Wendy to kind of go over this pretty big sheet, but it's good
information sheet kind of look at not tonight, but just I'd like to have each one of these departments be able to even bring a legitimate suggestion, recommendation back to the
board. Well, I would like that person with you wonder when you go over you with this. Now, I can understand you said that sales tax, not sales tax, but abalone tax and
MSTU, the other department you hear them talking about. I don't know what group we are talking about when we say they just get arbitrary give you the insurance figure but my insurance won it this year too and that I don't know how
in the world you get without it is no one here in Taylor County done it. I think it's the system doing it to us. A lot of it. What I'm trying to say, commissioner, is
that let's cut back in areas where we can cut back and maybe we won't have to do that to our employees. But I've got suggestions, too. But why do we want to do it behind closed doors? Why can't we why can't we go through this budget
right here and and and instead of behind closed doors? I don't have nothing to hide behind closed doors, but I mean it gives me time to talk about it and think about what's what what it affects each department, each budget and bring it back to the board and I say this what I'll say what I'm going to say behind
the closed door right here time to look at it and think about it suggestions we do the same thing I'm talking about doing. I encourage you to do the same thing. You got plenty of time. Sure. You have to take it. I know she got other things
on her plate. I mean you got to do it. I mean, somebody's coming sitting on it, not doing nothing on you, not doing that's kind of what I expected her to bring back was, okay, let's do this and let's do that, but maybe that wasn't
clear. So, I can I can give you what I've identified if that would be helpful just just as a starting point. So as an example and under the general fund so I listed out the amount for personal
services the percentage of the total budget that's personal services the number of FTEES and the total cost. So it's difficult to reduce cost in a budget for personal services is 97%.
without without affecting the number of employees in that department. And so if it's a oneperson department, you really can't reduce it without just you know ceasing those services. So that's the reason I went through that
exercise. So everyone would be on the same page as far as the number of employees and the the department it is. So as an example in our purchasing department there is it's one FTEE it is
half funded out of the general fund and half out of road and bridge but there is a potential to recruit for a part-time position versus a full-time and that's the exercise we are going through now. So there is, we haven't identified the cost savings yet because that person
just submitted their resignation, but we are looking to see if we can fill that with a part-time position, which would which would be a cost savings. Okay, let's go back to grants for instance, right? As I look at that and we've got
1.5 1.5 for many years we operated with one person and then when things were really good it was requested that it would be good it'd be nice to have um an
assistant for the grants runner. So at that time we said okay we'll do that but we operated for many years with one person. Now, what's the difference in today than it was then? Why do you How
can you justify another person for grants? Well, this isn't this is a full-time person and a part-time person, right? But how can you justify that to me? Well, because nothing has changed as far as the number of open grants that we
have. There is a a lot of reporting and there I mean we are constantly asking her to to you know write grant applications and submit all the quarterly reports. It is it takes a lot
of effort to run that department and you know I I think it would be difficult to accomplish that with with reducing the staff. I don't see why it worked before and why it won't work now. We we used to
get lots of grants. We still get lots of grants. And so we made it work before and and I still haven't heard why. But I don't want to argue about it tonight. I'm just pointing that out that that the county got along many years
with one person and it worked fine. So, in the county extension department, we have come up with a $25,000 possible reduction by reducing summer camp staff and buses. and the
current staff would hold camp at at horse capital hall instead of transporting to other locations. Um, another small reduction that we identified was um, and this is lowhanging fruit is possibly reduce the
funding for the Veterans Day lunchon and try to make sure that we get donations to cover that cost. Okay. Sure. Let's go back to cemetery maintenance. Have we Okay, you've got
down here $7,063, right? And that's a pot. I mean, that is a potential. I mean, anything that's not mandated is a potential. That is that, you know, if we stop mowing cemeteries, yes, that is a potential.
That's a nice thing to do. I know it's appreciated, but it's not something that we absolutely have to do. There's a lot of things on this list here that we don't have to do, right? But the general
public expects a lot of them. They do. And they going to be jumping up and down and keeping it up. And they will. Well, just like, you know, county extension a and all them. You could get by without them. You could cut them off. You could
cut a lot of people and you But you not going to get people are not going to put up with that. They want that. I believe what people don't want, sir, is they don't want their taxes raised and their fees and all that. I'm not
suggesting anything with 4. So, we're not comparing apples to apples. But in terms of cemetery maintenance, y'all, they're going to be mad, but they'll get used to it. If this county cannot afford to maintain cemeteries for people, I'm sorry, but we we have
something before us that we're charged to do, and that's to balance the budget without putting it on the backs of people that are already struggling. The reason I didn't list the cemetery maintenance, I had a question about that, Mr. Conrad, I think we the the
there was a special act that was passed years ago, many years ago, that allowed for the maintenance of cemeteries. Is that something that would have to be um that would have to be retracted or how how would that work if and we have
to look at the the language of it. I don't know that it was such that there's the way you put it would allow us to do it then don't have to do it right. Okay. But if it says shall
uh do the maintenance on uh the cemeteries private cemeteries the cemeteries in the county then it would have to be repealed. Okay. Um, and it's a research that needs to be done probably to determine exactly what the
wording is on that particular I don't remember exactly what it was. I think it probably said will I mean I I don't know that it would say u you know shall can't imagine it saying that you just you have to Well, I know that we
have an approved policy that basically mirrors that. So, is that something the board could just reverse a policy? Yes. Okay. But I know it was based upon the special act, right? Well, the special
act, you know, you're working on private property, right? You have a special act that allows you to do it. Correct. I mean, we don't own all the cemeteries. Answer that question. Yes. Private I think the wording is it's private
properties that are open to the public. Yeah, you know where I'm coming from on that. That's something that would need to be researched to determine whe whether and of course if you you know if you did it I don't think you can pick
and choose which cemeteries you're going to do and which cemeteries you're not going to do. It would have to be all of them. You see what I'm saying? That would you know that would probably get some torn feather out.
I I want to say said one other thing to the commissioners and to Lwanda. I'm I'm not trying to argue points. I'm just bringing up where I'm asking questions. bringing up things that might be potentials to cut and I'm
asking questions to try to understand to justify why do we for instance why do we need a a 1.5 in the grants department when we used to get by with one and the cemeteries I I you know I don't want to
I don't want to do away with these services either but I'm here to do my job and my job is to try to balance this budget without putting it on the backs of our people. And you know, whatever we
do, whatever we do in terms of cutting back, there won't be one entity that's going to be happy about it. Nobody's going to like it. But this, sadly, is where we are.
How often do you do the cemetery? Um, as often as we need to. I mean, I I don't think if we if we stop maintaining the cemeteries, I don't think it's enough to not have the work squad that
that we pay for the correctional officer for because there is so much in this county that we have to keep up with as far as mowing. But it would it would free up some of their time. But I think we probably depending on the time of the
year at least once a month. Well, talk about PL not doing it. You do research on how often you do each cemetery. Then you say, well, can't do it three times a
year any longer, but we can do it one time a year or the worst period. I'm just throwing that out. I'm not saying y'all understand what I'm saying. Good. And there is at least one cemetery
that we will allow us to for indigent burials because we do maintain that cemetery. There's one or two that um allow us for for that. But that's that's few and far between. I mean, we don't have that many of
those. There one place we could start off real quick and would make a big difference when we the people of this county pays for their garbage to be taken away. All we're all
that money that they pay is supposed to be for household garbage only. We can do it like it was down to do. We can do household garbage only and save us a world of money right off the bat. That's what they're paying for to get stood up
household garbage. In other towns, you want big stuff hauled off, you want lumber, you want trade move, you hire somebody to do it and they haul it off. We are people of county could get by
with save us a world of money starting soon. Just do it like it was written down to do household garbage on top all that up. And I mean that's one thing we could do. It would make a lot of people mad, but that's I mean it's it's
reality. It's household garbage only what they're paying for. You see what the city does, they charge more than we do and we get a third of the cities at our office. That's true. And that is a fact.
And right off the bat, we could do that. After the next meeting, we can stop that. So willing to do it, that'd be one good cut right off the bat that you could and police the dumps and police like it should be done and get that going.
That would only be a savings at the solid waste department as to the assessment. So that's not for the general fund per se. It's a savings. I would agree, but that's only going to impact that part, not the general fund. Only those that are paying that
assessment. Look at the money. You could say about talking about saving the money and doing things like it should be done. We going to follow the rules and do it thing like it should be. We need to follow the rules and save the money where it can be saved. Nobody wants to cut the fire department short. Nobody
wants to cut the sheriff. I'm listening to the general public telling me don't put the sheriff's department where they can't come to my house in a hurry if I need them. And if you got and don't pick the ambulance where we can't get an ambulance out here in case I have a heart attack and they want the hospital
to be there for if they have a heart attack or a stroke they'll have quick service and they I mean people are telling me that and they're not really they would rather have a little more taxes than lose things like that is what I'm that's straight out I mean and I'm
not just talking about one person telling me that. I've had a good bunch of people explain that to me. Every time I talk about the budget to people, that's what they say. Things like the stuff at Forest Capital Hall. A lot of that we could cut, we could cut
the library, we could cut it animal control, we could cut money all the way around, but we just got to pinpoint the things that would be the most effective and and getting that done. Yeah. And I don't think anybody has told anybody to
not have law enforcement was not asked the sheriff to cut his deputies back. He made that suggestion. I don't think anybody has asked for us to cut back on the fire department. That's ridiculous. And that's not what I'm talking about. I'm
talking about looking at things that will have the least amount of impact that we potentially could do without. We could sensationalize anything if we wanted to, but that's not what we're trying to do. We're trying to
work cohesively through this budget to make it work knowing that nobody nobody is going to be happy if they get any kind of cut at all. But it's coming. I think uh what the
sheriff's financial officer just explained was that apart from reducing their staff, there's no way you're going to attain that type of percentage. So I'm pretty sure I was clear in understanding the the
statements that the largest percentages to their staff. So in order to attain that type reduction, it equals layoffs or staff reductions. So I I do think I've heard from the sheriff and from Mr.
Katherine at this point that there's no way in their department to arrive at that tight percentage without those losses. And I agree with Commissioner Moody. I have heard from a host of folks who are not interested in less law
enforcement officers or a longer response time in any of the emergency services. So I I've gotten that message also, but that's what I understood I believe very recently from Mr. catching it and from the sheriff himself is that
the only way they could get to that type reduction is I believe by 12 to 13 staff member um layoffs. So I'm I'm not getting that message as to the desire from the public or folks that I've talked to. One man
told me he said you cut the things you got to have. He said, "You you don't cut things you got to have with your budget or anybody's budget. You cut the things that you don't have to have. Instead of going out to eat, you can belong. You
know, instead of instead of buying a new car, you can fix the one that you got. I mean, you you cut the things that you you know, you don't have to have. You're preaching to the choir. I know, but this list here got a bunch of stuff we can cut. preaching to the choir and then and
and somebody would have to be totally out of their mind to say I don't want law enforcement I that I want law enforcement reduced. Nobody wants that. So what's the point? So move forward
everyone can cut their budget to an extent. I mean everyone can cut I mean everyone can do it. I mean we can do it with public works and and and other things that we do fund. So everyone can cut. So you it's just up to them to go find it and do it right. Um well I did
have some questions a couple of questions I'll ask real quick on some items that you didn't have as a cut looking at states attorney uh bill are we required that $44,000 aren't we required to fund the state
attorney's rent and any of the court services I think are all considered mandated. Yeah, there's more than that. Yeah, that's all. Now, you don't you don't you can provide other space to any other option like I mean what I'm really saying is uh what
building is that they're in? They're in the old consolidated. So, right under that we have the tag office $13,000. Is there any reason that we couldn't
ship those folks all in courthouse? And I think eventually we could, but the last time from what I recollect when I talked to the tax collector, that would he would he it wouldn't be this
year, but but maybe next year after some folks retire. He could consolidate, I believe, in the courthouse. I mean, like upstairs, downstairs, I mean, there's not room to move people into the courthouse. Now, are you talking about the state attorney for tax collector? My next question
going to be is do we have any vacant locations in the courthouse for the state's attorney or if there any reason the state's attorney couldn't be out of the high control station? They can consolidate if they want to. I'm just looking for options. I mean,
we may had that $13,000 cost, but it's not you get rid of a $44,000 cost that states attorney to patrol patrol station if we don't have another location in the courthouse that they can accommodate. Let me tell you something. What
happened? The state's attorney's office used to be in the courthouse until the new state's attorney was elected. the one that's in jail now. I forget his name. Who is it? Conrad Sigmeister. But he's been released.
He came over and he demanded that he have more space and he had found this office over there, the old telephone company. And so, um, you know, we kind of ignored him the first couple of three times that he came. And then he was very
persistent. And so we kept coming back then and uh he gave us all kind of um numbers and all kind of things of how he um how did it go? He could uh he was entitled to so many square feet
uh of office space and he wasn't getting it. So that's how we got ramrotted into into doing that. But the states attorney before him was perfectly fine over there. Okay. So, I mean, how many people occupy that
state building? Oh, it's Let's see. I can't give you an exact figure, but it's um you know, you walk in there, there's a couple of ladies that greet you when
you ring the bell, and then there's three assistant state attorneys that they have there. Um, and then each one of them would have some some staff. So, you multiply that probably by two. And then there's some
other ones. So, you're looking and there are a lot of those offices. Wouldn't want to work there. They don't have any windows. Yeah. Um, but uh I I think
probably 20 people. Oh, yeah. At least. I think um I may be wrong but that's you know I usually go over there maybe twice a month three times a month you know I'm just thinking even all offices you
know we got sheriff's department and the the courthouse clerk clerk tax collector is there any consolidations that can be done that these fol I mean they would need to do this I mean I don't I mean they know the dynamics of the business that that place is leased le you know I
mean it port me doesn't own it so lease that lease can be negotiated uh maybe downward I want to say the last time that was
negotiated did did we enter into the lease agreement or is that entered into by the state attorney's office maybe that I think we re we reimburse a reimburseable thing it didn't used to be that way But I think it was changed several years ago. So I
think we reimbured it. I I believe so. And I don't So that's why I don't know the terms of that the last agreement because that was between I thought it was directly between the state attorney and the owner of the Yeah.
So okay I mean that's just folks that sit in the courthouse. They know where the room's at. So if there's any consolidation that could be done to move people in type in state attorney offices in I mean that that's the thing they need to put their head together and
think about the only state attorney's office in the um in the courthouse is occupied by the public defender on the third floor. Okay. So it's not space that's not being used.
So go back again now to that what it used to be. Is it does it take more now to run it than we did before? At the grant department is one person one and a half. It used to be run
by one. Can that one person is it possible for that one person to run it again? that the state attorney's office and the public defenders office run by six 10 years ago run the six today. We're not we're not funding the actual people there. We're just funding the
facility. Yeah. So I mean it's far as the number of people that's not for us to decide on how many they have. The facility is what our cost is that we're required to and that's just while I'm trying to consolidate and talking about this 44,000 and 13. Can we get some
potentially get $31,000 out of it? Um, moving on down. I mean, really to you, the Hannah Springs Park, $30,500. What are we doing? So, part of that is capital for this year. So, I think $15,000 for the current year was
capital. So, that that budget request will go down next year. I just I didn't I didn't mark that as a cost savings, but that will go down. Right. And then I mean, looking at I'm just looking at the these boat ramps.
keeping off sale of it looks like $475,000. What are we? So the the boat ramps and the parks that is all funded by tourism revenue. So um that doesn't come out of the general fund and and we try to
utilize that revenue every way we can by third, fourth and fifth since bed tax. So that that doesn't come out of the general fund. I did I did notate that um a part-time attendant is not needed at this time at Hodgees Park until it's
rebuilt, but um $475,000 worth of cost, right? Well, that's in a second been generated. So, that's what she's saying. Some of those boat ramp fees and all those things that have accumulated, those aren't budget tax
dollars per se, but that's revenues that have been generated within the calculator. They're sitting in a reserve. Yeah. You mean the fees come through the clerk and they they've accumulated and as they'll continue to do is we'll just change those fees. So that's that's not
tax revenues per se. That is out of general fund, but that comes off this one. So the 40,000 57,000 boat ramp, what is that? So that is for boat ramp attendance.
That's a cost. That's what I'm talking about. I'm not I'm not worried about I'm talking about cost. I mean boat ramp attendant. I mean $48,000 we spend $48,000 on attendance. Keep be No, that's why I put to the side. I'm not worried about revenue. I mean I'm
talking about cost. Okay. Now this is funded by by bed tax. So it's not going to affect our general fund or MSTU at all. But the 408084 is what is in the expenditure budget because it includes the sinking
fund in reserves of $356,000. So we're not spending that at the key at the boat ramp. That's just that's how it's reported in the expenditure budget because it includes the sinking fund and the reserves.
So it's a 40804 minus the 356 232. And so that's only, you know, 50 $52,000. 27,168 of that is for your your
attendance. Okay. That's all I have right now. Um I did note that another potential reduction is um in the big bin transportation shuttle but the board
funds of that which is $57,600 that is not mandated. It does not affect our transportation disadvantage program um and 5500 for SNAP transportation. Um we identified
$23,054 in the library grant um where um the consortium will fund the books, demonstration materials, and some office equipment. um in concessions. That that is a concerning
budget because you have to watch concessions almost constantly to make sure that you're keeping up with the expenditures. Um as we discussed before, you may want to consider getting out of the concessions budget the business
completely. And I I don't wish a negative effect on our citizens. I hate that. But we do not have a concessions leave for that. Right now it is being, you know, backfilled by some folks who are working from other department. Our
um recreation, our parks and recreation manager is helping to backfill that, but that's not a good long-term solution. Plus, the person who's helping is one who's leading us. So, um, you know, we might want to consider for next year
either, you know, reducing that budget, um, and to ensure that we do not overspend or or just again getting out of the concessions business. I would be for just getting out of the concession
business. That's been a nightmare for years and years and years. We could let them food trucks that wanted to go to Hot Park handle that concession business and we wouldn't have to have anything to do with it. You could let Well, if you do that though, then you open the door
for them to go to other places too. But the teams and and I know way back when my children were um in sports and that's been quite a long time ago uh the teams uh ran the concession stands and they
did everything and there was you know no expense to the county and that's that's where we need to go if they want it and if they can manage it so they can make a little extra money uh that would be great with me
and no matter how much that would be $100,000. That's a lot of money. But the liability part of that would be throw it in our lap if one of them got hurt out there. The best thing to do is let somebody like a food truck got their own liability insurance and let them out.
Wait, now what about getting hurt out there? I didn't catch on that. What? If some you let the people go to out there and you said they individuals could go out there and and make the money and and handle it. You don't want just anybody out there serving food to somebody. What
I'm talking about is the teams. Let the teams run the concession and if we have to, we can have a whole harmless agreement. Um, but that's how a lot of people do it. They let the teams run the concessions. That's the way it used to be years ago, I believe. Yeah, that's
what I just said. And and but you know why quit that? They them people stretch to just get the job done by hand on the team. They ain't got time to run and get high and hand with confession and people not going to help them like they used to. People just going to work as hard as
they used to. No. Well, you back then parents did it and you know parents took different weekends. We do that at our school and I still we do the same thing. Parents uh you know we we have a schedule and parents uh run their concession stand. But anyway, $100,000
that's a lot of money and a lot of headache too, right? Yes. Well, and the other potential for that is um by the end of 2026, Gary, I think is the last we have to have the minimum wage
mandate. That has what that's what has caused part of the issue trying to make ends meet as and concessions is steadily raising those salaries. So, those salaries would continue to go up another $2, I think, eventually, which just
makes it more difficult to recoup um our cost. Yeah. Let's go back to the library. Yes. Okay. Because we could reduce the hours at the library. Are people going to be happy about that? No. They're going to be mad.
They're going to be calling us. Yes. But if we reduce those days to uh say a couple of days a week or three days a week and then people they won't like it but they'll get used to it and they'll plan around
that. So we can potentially say that's that's almost 300,000 there. And I'd say you know cut that back to two days a week. People will adjust. And um I know a lot of people use the library for
internet services. What we could look at, I believe the way it's set up now, you don't actually have to go in the library. You can sit in the parking lot and use use the Wi-Fi. So um you know that that is something and again I
didn't include any reductions in force. If that is the way we need to go, then we will plan accordingly. Um, so but that's something that we can continue to look at. Now, one question that I've got and we go back all the way up to
technology. Yes. And as I read Erin's um article in the paper last week and he had said something, I reread it again last night
about all departments being on the same um system for lack of a better word. Uh instead of this one having this and same thing with phones, you know, this constitutional officer's got this, the next one's got that. We've got this. Why
can't we streamline that? Everybody have the same. Is that possible? As far as in the county departments, I think we're pretty consistent. But the courthouse then for instance, I am not Gary.
Um, now are you talking about the actual hardware or software? I don't know. Go. You'll have to read yourself. I can I can talk if you can look into that and see if there's a possibility there of of streamlining that and if it
would what it would save us and how much angst would it would it cause for people to have to change [Applause] um okay so TCDA is $100,000 em local match is
52,311. I double checked with Mr. Glover today and my understanding is that is something that is necessary. It's mandated basically and what that number is is the average of the last three years. What page are
you on? I um [Music] two yes. Okay. So, I don't believe that can be reduced. Um, I did talk to the county health department today and ask um, you
know, we have a core contract with them which is we pay for the insurance on the building which is $21,159 or I think it's all insurance, Gary, right? The vehicle and the and the building and contents. Um, but within
that 71159, there was a $50,000 payment to the health department. I did talk to the department director and ask her, you know, potentially for next year's core contract, how much of an impact would it be if we could reduce that and what
services would be affected? And I will that's something that we can work through with with our planning sessions because that's optional. the way I understood it. I believe it is. And I because and I asked her that and she said she wasn't, you know, I caught her
off guard, which is my fault. I I called her. But I asked her to look at some of the other counties, you know, who are in the same situation that we are to see how other counties contribute. But my biggest question is, would this impact
you? And and she did not feel like that it would cause a reduction in in her staff. and you know because I I just hate for hate for people to lose their jobs you know we do and I just want to identify that but she's going to get
back with me on that um 21,159 is the insurance but it's that's not just the property insurance is it isn't that vehicle as well so the notes I have says it's budgeted for property insurance property okay
Um, okay. So, um, the next reduction that, you know, and this is kind of lowhanging fruit, there's $10,000 in the budget for the administrative complex that can be reduced next year. That was an additional amount for some repairs.
Um, the VA clinic is um something that is funded by a lease payment. So there is an offset for that and that is negotiated with the VA so that we we receive enough to cover whatever we
spend on that building which isn't that much. Okay. Why why are we spending $500 a year on the old hospital? Oh, I I'll take that out. That was um that was just for when the tower was there because there were lights that we had to
maintain. But that tower's gone now. So I actually I didn't even move it to the savings because I knew I was going to take that out. Now the jail, do we have the jail or do we not have the jail? Operation of the jail.
That is up to the board. So is is our decision? I believe so. Well, I guess it could be the sheriff's decision. I don't think that's been I think at this point sheriff handed it back that was part of his savings. I guess you can say that's
what I I thought but I just didn't know um I didn't know exactly what that meant that night when he did that. Was he saying, "I'm giving it to y'all." Or or But this this jail line that you're
seeing is on top of this is on top of the $3 million budget that you just that you saw in that. This is Yeah. This almost $400,000 is in addition that we paid from side. Right. I see that. And
and you know, as I've been thinking about this budget a lot, if we if we end up with the operation of the jail, then I think that one thing we want to do is we want to look at priv
privatizing that. we want to look and talk with DOC and um because I've talked to some other people and the first thing they said was privatize it but you know I don't know what I don't know what all that entails or what that would save us
but I guess we'll have to look at it doesn't hurt to look at different options of what could be done and what the cost savings would be to us. I don't think you're going to save the maintenance costs on the buildings because you're still going to have that maintained. But what I would say is
there's a host of folks that are certified corrections officers that are already part of the sheriff's staff and salaries that we're not currently funding. So, um, before I spoke with Department of Corrections, I would speak with Sheriff Padet to see if we could
try to mend fences so that we can go forth in a positive way, not continue this uh divisiveness. I'm speaking in terms of if we have to take the general over, then we need to look at options. That's what I was
saying. Well, there'd be a host of options and a number of those would either be to have your own staff of certified corrections officers that you're not currently funding, but you're not going to get rid of maintaining that building. Period. I think we are. We are funding, but it's
through the sheriff's office budget. But you're Well, you're you're still going to maintain the county's building because it's the county. No, sir. I'm saying we we are funding we're funding through the sheriff's office, the the correctional officers. stuff. Okay. And
I understand that part, but what what I'm getting to is this. Those calls are are where they're at. Now, you certainly could get to a privatized setting and and that's certainly a different concept, but it is in many ways, not just the sense of saying it's
privatized. Okay. So, there are two departments that are the responsibility of the board of county commissioners that the that the sheriff Well, there's actually more than that. So, the sheriff runs the jail. Um,
we take care of the maintenance and inmate medication, inmate medical cost, which is part of the county jail budget. Um, we have an agreement with the sheriff to run emergency management And that is an agreement that is just
automatically extended from one from one year to the next. And we also fund two correctional officers for two inmate work squads. So the sheriff is budgeted for that. Those are in that jail budget.
Correct. Um yes, that's part of the jail budget. Well, I say that's part of the jail. I believe it's part of the jail budget. Yeah. and not the sheriff's office budget because they were separate. Let me ask you this. How much is the jail budget?
$3 million. Huh? $3 million. Yeah. Do you know the one that be that would come from the nine? Whatever it is come from the nine, right? So, it's not really a reduction. It's just shifting it from it's just separating it from you. But
that would cost us something if we had to go somewhere else, wouldn't it? That would be a kind of like you do with the EMS service. Okay. You've got it contracted out to a private service, I guess, so to speak. This same thing that Commissioner Fig was talking about looking at with
Yeah. Um, so um Okay. So, I tried to list out all all of the buildings that we maintain. Um, these are all buildings that we own and we either pay insurance, a little bit of
maintenance, some repairs. We do try to keep those costs as low as possible. I think the biggest expense um other than the jail is the courthouse building and grounds. You know, that does include your utilities. That is a big building and it's an old building. We have a lot
of repairs that we tried to keep up with. Um, but it's it's a lot. Um, so part of that budget is is our facilities, you know, our facilities maintenance is respons. That's just one
one building that he's responsible for and also the c the custodian is partially charged to that building and grounds. That's something the board is responsible for. So, we pay for custodial services for the courthouse, the majority of the courthouse. Some of
the constitutional officers do augment those services within their own budgets. Um because it's frankly it's just a lot to keep up with. We pay for cleaning the state attorney's office a small amount. Um we pay um we paid custodians to clean
the library, forest capital, airport. um just a little bit on the grants office, our office here, um the um and the courthouse just off the top of my
head. Um so the um the other departments that I listed were they are funded by tourism revenue or boat ramp fees. Again, we did notate that we could reduce the Hodgees Park
budget until that park is rebuilt. Um, so there weren't really a lot of what I would call opportunities there. A lot of those costs are for part-time health or for insurance. Okay. All of the
um springs are Yes. Are we still looking for someone that would be the caretaker? We are. How much would that save if we had a caretaker? I don't as far as dollars. As far as dollars money, I don't know
that it saves. It's more to inhibit um you know damage and I mean how much does vandalism cost us? Depends on how much damage that would that would offset that. So do you know how much that is?
So the hold on. So that budget alone is 30,000, but I think 15,000 of that is for the drain fill that we're replacing now. We put that in this year's budget. That's why the bathrooms are closed right now because the toilets will not
flush. We have portaotties out there until we can get that drain fill replaced. So um so the total maintenance, you know, that we don't pay them to be there. We basically offset
right utilities I think internet I can't remember off the top of my head electricity so it wouldn't save us necessarily any money maybe money on vandalism but that that can be substantial yeah
because you know I mean we hear a lot about vandalism there it used to be a big issue and it is lessened when we have an attend ended there on site. Okay. Um the fourth Capitol Hall building and
grounds that is paid for with um bed tax money. What? With bed tax, tourism tax. Yes. And then under mandated um departments and services of course you have medical
examiner, division of forestry, EMS which half of that is paid out of the general fund, half of that is paid out of 1 cent sales tax. Um I am concerned about um you know when we go out for bid
um if that will stay the same. That's something that we need to be mindful of. Um, forestry management, mental health, those are all mandated departments or services. Um, solid waste recycle is considered a mandated department because
there is a state statute that we that we must recycle materials. Um, and I struggle with this because we pay, you know, a a driver. Um, we pay we
actually pay two drivers. One who picks up cardboard and newspaper, and then we also have our driver that we utilize for the metal bins and containers and shuffling all that back and forth. And then we have someone who actually works at the facility, which is currently
being rebuilt. Um, but we also know that we're mandated to recycle recyclable materials. We do have a revenue offset. We have $118,750 in grant and recycle. Um,
that's fees, but recycle revenue. So, that is partially offset and that does come out of the general fund because it's countywide. So, we do recycle materials within the city limits, but it's only because this it's because this is the general fund
department and we have to think about I mean I don't I haven't delved into it. I don't know that we necessarily have a choice as far as recycling materials, but if you think of it in a holistic way, you know, we either recycle these
materials or they end up in the landfill or the rolloff sites. So, I haven't found any opportunities to reduce that budget, but we'll continue to look at it. Why doesn't the city contribute to that? Because the city residents do
contribute when they pay their their ad balorum because okay so that's countywide. So they do they do contribute but the city would that be any any idea of of this the city's
contribution? I wouldn't expect you to know that right now, but if we could I don't know that I don't know how to I guess I could ask Mark how to separate that out from county residents and city residents how that I mean I would think
it would be something like 7030 like like everything else. Don't you think that make sense? Usually it's usually 30%. Right. Probably 30%. Check on that. Yes, of course. Okay. Then um another big ticket item is
social services. That is $529,000. We have a small um percentage of that is for um hikra. Um that is so our our building tech has a part of
their responsibility is well I think Marsh is doing it now is pro processing hipper claims. Um so a very small part of that salary is charged to social social services but that is hikra Medicaid indigent burial and services
such as that and those are all mandated. Um then under MSTU um we have um a small budget for volunteer fire. You have your county fire um department
uh code enforcement. Um the planning department is partially funded by planning department fees. Um that's funded out of the MSTU. Animal control is partially funded by the city of Perry and the building department is
partially funded by the city of Perry and building department fees. What about the the um code enforcement and planning department? that's uh um shared with the city also not code enforcement and do
they have their own code enforcement officer they do and I don't I don't think that the city makes a contribution towards the planning department at all I think they do their own planning as far as I know they have I think a planning and zoning
board if I'm not mistaken yeah city $65,000. I mean, do we know how much time we spend in the city versus the county? So, well, and here's the thing
that's that is just so that is what we have captured as our estimate, our estimate for revenue. But at the end of the year, we will do a true up for mosquito control and for animal control and what and then we will give them the
actual total. So the 65,300 is really just for budgeting purposes. If there if there's a different, you know, say it's 50/50, half the calls are in the city and half the county, then that actual, you know, we would go through that formula and it's an intricate formula
we've used for many, many years. So it's not necessarily whether they're working in the city. Yes. So we do a true up at the end of the fiscal year to make sure that we cover those costs. I don't get, you know, I don't get any calls from the
county about animal control. It's all within the city. Well, there's a, you know, there's a concentration and there's probably several reasons for that. So, I would, if I could speculate, I think there are more um neighbor interactions, you know, anytime you have
a congested area, I think that there are more issues with dogs maybe not being where they're supposed to be because there it just impacts a lot more people. you know, out where I live, if one of my dogs were to get out, I don't know that anybody would even notice it. But still
on at the end of the day, my calls come from the city. I rarely rarely get one from the county, right? Partially funded part you looking at there. It says partially funed by the city. They they not doing their half or more than half. Well, no. Now, remember I said that is
only for budgeting purposes. At the end of the fiscal year, we'll do what's called true up. So if they owe more if if they owe more money based upon the calls and the actual budget, then that will be reimbured. But it's based on take each individual call and write down
if it was in the city or in the county and then ended you budgeted out each side. Right. So they might be paying more than that. Absolutely. Okay. And and Right. And it's the um I believe it's the same way with mosquito control because we provide mosquito control
services for the city. The city helps fund the building department. They basically um they basically give us their their um permit fees that they collect and we use that to to fund you know our part of the operations. And
that that happened several years ago where we partially consolidated Right. Um then on the last page I just wanted to list for everyone's information so you can kind of compare the different
departments, the number of FTEEs and the the budget and how it's funded. Just for your information, no reductions in solid waste road bridge oper airport operations is going to help
our our budget deficit. It won't touch it at all. But I wanted you to have the information so you could kind of compare one department to the other as far as the the number of employees and what the budget is and the percentage of that expenditure budget that's personal
services under uh under road and bridge and I've been thinking about this you know how it's been for a long time that 50% of the gas tax goes into the general pot and then
the other 50% is divided five ways. So if we put 100% of the gas tax into the general pot, I think that we could get I think
we could accomplish a whole lot more by doing that. And I don't see any I don't see any rhyme or reason any rationale that 50% of that should be divided between us because that's money
that sits there or it's I just without saying much more I just think that that it would be much more useful to go into the general pot then that way you might be able to if
you had that money, you might be able to pay maybe one mile, but as it stands now, you know, if I get 30,000 a year or 40 or you know, what am I going to do with that? You have to let it build your account and it
builds up and you still don't have enough of money to do anything constructive with it. So I think that that's something that the board should really think about is is putting that in one one pot so it could be better used
on that last page of flood control. What is what does that boil down to? That's a portion of the engineer salary. Okay. So um and I should have listed that out. So, county engineer and flood control is
um those those two positions are allocated out among those two departments. Um airport operations that nothing comes from the general fund for that. Um it's partially funded by airport enterprise fund and the balance is funded by
leases. We have been making some um accomplishments this year in some of the leases that we've been able to secure for the airport which really just gives you know it helps us as far as any increases to airport operations but also
hopefully reduces the portion that comes from the airport enterprise fund. Um so and that fund is self-sufficient but we do have to utilize some of those funds. And then um the last two lines that I notated is our charitable con
contributions that you may want to um consider um a reduction. Um $35,000 to the senior citizen center and $5,000 to um DFW. Does the city does the city still uh
have the um let's see does the city still not give any money to charities? The last I heard that policy was still in place. So they don't give anything to anybody. I
don't believe so unless that's changed and I don't really keep up with it. Well, I mean, you know, this is very this is this is difficult. And then there's some other things that we haven't talked about yet that that I'm sure we will soon later, but difficult
decisions when, you know, that's a that's a hard one, but I know when they have to do what we have to do. Well, and at some point, um, I mean, I did not identify reductions in force
because I I feel like that's the last thing we want to do. I wasn't not trying to cooperate with, you know, reductions. I just um I wasn't sure what was going to happen with health insurance. Um, you
know, and I think in my mind that's that's our last that's, you know, that's the last thing that we do. But um you know obviously I'll there's a certain percentage that we need to cut um across the board. I'll continue to work towards
that. This was just a starting point you know before we know about any potential savings with health insurance. Um, I don't know that, you know, even when we go out to bid for our property and liability, I don't know that that there
will be a huge, you know, cost savings. I I think that, you know, in in many ways, even even I I just feel like that those premiums are are kind of what they are. Um, you know, there there may be a
potential, but I don't think it's going to be $3 million worth. So, a little bit helps. It does, but I I do understand that $245,000 is not 3.3 million. And um and again, I will cooperate however you ask
me to, but I in you know, all these departments, there aren't that many employees. So any reduction of employees is going to reduce the service that we offer. Yeah, we know that. Oh, what's this percent? Did you find out, Marshall? Um, probably not from this
because I I messed up. I think the last time I'll answer. I'm sorry. I think the last time I went through this, it was hovering around 10%, but I will calculate it. she couldn't calculate it because I took the spreadsheet that we first started working on and then I
started adding other funds. So, I think it's going to skew. Um, and I'll I'll explain that. So, out of everything that's on this, it maybe only be a few percent because there are, you know, you've got $2 million budget from public
works. Well, you know, I I didn't reduce public works. I didn't reduce solid waste. Well, I I I wouldn't say to you cut every department by 10 15%. You got to look at the overhaul overall thing
because you know obviously there's some departments that you can't you can't do that with. You might cut a little bit but to say cut 10% or 15% of every department that's not feasible. No, I understand that.
All right. There's uh nothing else on board. Before we move on to the next item, can I can I ask a question before we do that because I I think I need more clarification as far as health insurance
and I don't know how you feel about it, but is there I want to just I just want to make sure that our goal is to not reduce coverage, not increase the employees
contribution. Period. Say that again. Now is the goal to not increase the employees um contribution to health insurance or not and not not
decrease the coverage. From my perspective, for me, I I don't want to see their premiums go up. I don't want them to have to pay anything more. Obviously, they're not going to get raises. And like I said in the beginning, some of our people are on the
poverty level. So I I just couldn't do that. And then I don't certainly don't want to see their benefits reduced or fear that they'll just drop their insurance altogether if they have to pay. And and I I don't want that to
happen either. So that's why I keep on trying to cut where we can so that we don't have to do something that's going to harm our employees or our citizens. Now if they're incon some of
the citizens if they're inconvenienced that's different but not to harm them. I don't think anybody wants to charge the employees more money but you know I think That's not a decision that really look
at make until you see the rates come in, see what see what rates you get and and what that looks like. Okay. I'd like to understand a different number of different options whether that be you keep those things constant as far
as the cost for the coverages or you give an option for different coverages with different employees because some employees may prefer to have different type deductibles that wouldn't cost them as much others not so much so I think in the end which one of those nets the
greatest cost savings but continues to try to extend the services to the employees as far as the insurance. So, I don't think there's a one-sizefits-all, but I do think there's a number of ways that you can move that as far as someone that has a lower
deductible with um different costs or a higher deductible with different costs. They'll still give you coverages and options and maybe that fits the needs of the employee better. We all can go into negotiation.
Yeah. So we when is our insurance is it next week? I think it's next week a meeting I think. I just want to make sure that we are clear about what our what our ask is
money. Well, again, you know, I want the best government. So, I know I can't bank on a a big reduction in that line item, but before I said, "Okay, let's cut positions." I did want to see how those numbers come
in just so we can go through that exercise and not start identifying a reduction in in our in our workforce. Let me ask you one more question. When will the EMS contract be up for renewal
again? So, we need we are actually working on that those documents now. Um, but I believe January is when a new service would start. So, we will start advertising for that very soon
and that'll go up again. I guarantee you. So that that you know that's some pretty important information we need because that's going to determine in my opinion some other decisions that we have to
make because we have to pay for that. We do and I think we can we can have an idea of what we think it's going to cost so we can kind of plan on that. But you know for that particular service what
and and you may want to rethink this um since we know there is going to be a reduction in our general fund. We already know that it's a it's a it's a big number. We want may we may want to fund that all out of 1 cent sales tax.
And I think that, you know, that is something the board's going to have to when when all these numbers start coming in, I think that's an important consideration because um that that is an option that we have to to change the
ordinance and use 1 cent sales tax for operations because of our population size. And that's why I say it's really important for us to know that so that we have to make changes because that's that's not optional for us EMS. We have
to do that. So whatever it cost you know of course we'll try to negotiate and get the best best we can the best service and the best price but whatever it is it is and we have to fund it. So we got to figure out where that's going to come from. So if it has to come from the uh
once it sales tax the other 50% then that's you know nobody wants to talk about that. I don't want to talk about it either but it may be a fact that we have to do something there. The ones that's paying the taxes are the
ones that need the animal service and everything else. So they got to understand if you want services you have to pay for them. So if it ends up after we weigh all boat in toward the middle and we have to go up on the
millillage there, we the taxpayers will be paying for our services that we want. So I'm tell you right now, I'm never going to vote this year to go up on the millage rate. Our people can't take that. We've got people that are suffering already. That's not that
that'll be a no for me. We got other options that we can look at besides putting it on the backs of the citizens that are struggling. That's just me and me too. And I here's the thing. We got way we done brought up a lot of them we
can cut right here and and things that need to be cut and we have got some things in this list that we are actually wasting money on. I feel like that can be cut and when we get right down to it,
sharpen the pencil and make things happen really help, you know. But as much money as we have in in reserve, there's a way to make this go.
I mean, we're not going to have to touch services if we spend money out of reserve. But just keep this in mind. We take out of reserves this year, I can guarantee you next year and the year after and
from here on out, we're going to have to take money out of reserves. And at some point come time, you either deplete your reserves or you got to cut it off. That's the reason you have to go up on your millage to make sure you got the
money in reserves. That's why you got to cut expenses across the board. Well, we're going to do that no matter what. Everybody, not just us, but everybody's got to cut. Well, I've already said it and I don't mind saying it again. I'll cut my
salary right off the bat if everybody else will, you know, and I mean that's that's the bottom line. I think we just started talk by ours if we want to set a good example. That's up to
y'all. That's where I'm at with cut right there. There's nothing else here. We will move on to the next item. Item five, county administrator to discuss EOG Doge audit request.
So, I just wanted to update the board on where we are with um cooperating with the office of the governor and the Doge team. Um we we received a letter that spelled out everything that was requested and a proposed deadline. And
from what I understand, you know, I've already asked for an extension of that deadline if we need it because it is a lot of information. Um, Friday, I was sent the frequently asked questions and that's in your that's in your packet
that actually extended the time periods that we were looking at as far as our response. So, it's actually two years worth of data, which um I I was momentarily um stunned. Um but now I think we've got a handle on it thanks to
Marsha and some of our other staff. So, we are diligently working to gather all this information and I have the login so I can start uploading it um when when I feel like we're ready to pass that information along. Now, something that
was spelled out in the FAQs was regarding the constitutional officers. So, I did um ask for some clarification and I have received communication from each constitutional officer that they
are going to work directly with the Doge team and they are going to be sending their information separate from us. So, we will not be a conduit for the constitutional officers. they will work directly with the team. So that's where we get will we get a
cumulative report that kind of on I can ask that question. I think a lot of the questions um you know this is a work in in progress. So, I just got these FAQs Friday, which was one week before the
deadline. Um, that said, we need two years worth of data, not one year, which is not a lot of time. It's it's a voluminous amount of information, which is what prompted my email to um to the Doge team and I also spoke with Ginger
Deagal with FAC yesterday, and she helped clarify some of it. Um, so I think the deadline may be not set in stone. I've already asked for that. I can ask and see if they will give us a cumulative report for the entire county. I don't know if they will or not. Um,
because the constitutional officers are considered separate entities. Okay. From there, we move to item six. Administrator to provide update for county engineer recruitment. So, just to give you an update, um we we are working
with Renee Narlock and Associates. They are out of Tallahassee. Um they have started um this recruitment process. I think it's been going on about a month at this point. We have not received any applications as of today. Um so I ask
her and and so we are she's basically recruiting for the director position and the count and the engineer position. um you know to try to um encourage interest in the position. So I asked her today for you know if she had received any
feedback from potential candidates and she said that what she's heard from the candidates is the pay scale. It's not consistent with with the market. Um, and so I think what we need to do instead of
actually putting the pay scale on the job description is maybe make it clear that, you know, we are willing to negotiate that salary so we can at least maybe get some some interest in the
position. Um because if we have to contract this service out it will be it will be a a big expense and I believe twice as much probably. You know we did that when we were talking about
replacing Danny Grer. Yes. And and we had to do the same thing. But no engineer is going to come here and work for $80,000 a year. You're not going to find them. And if they do
not out of school and just as soon as they can find another job, they'll be gone. No, no engineer is going to work for that. So I think if we just instead of putting the pay range on that, if we if we make it clear that the pay, you know, is negotiable, commiserate with
their experience or something to that effect, that will at least open the door to start talking to people. Um and and just because we say it's negotiable doesn't mean that you know they dictate the salary necessarily. That means it's
negotiable and it would have to be something that was mutually agreed upon. But I think in order to generate the interest, we need to to make it clear that we're willing to negotiate the salary because at at the end of the day,
you know, Mr. Dudley, unless I tie him to the desk, he he is going to eventually want want to retire. He has said that he's willing to work with me, but we've got to get somebody in here. Um, I mean, we really need to get
somebody in here. And I think we have a couple of months to still try to work through this process. So, I'm not throwing in the towel. I just want to bring it to your attention that um she said she had sent out like 1,500
um emails or made contact and we we don't have a candidate yet which is concerning. If the issue in hiring someone for position is the money, then do we have recommendations on the range
of what it would take? I think I have some ideas because you're you just beat your head against the law if you're trying to hire someone for something for the amount of money that we know they're not going to accept. I I do believe that
I you know that they you know it's it's I would say it's probably substantially more than the top of our salary which is 90 99849. So it's going to be more than that. So even if we went to the very top
of our range, it would still be low. So it's it's going to be more than that. I think we should probably look at the recommendations because we'll you have even even when you say even when you say salary is negotiable based upon
experience. Well, what's the She's going to get that for me. So we have some some ranges. But I know if we contract Here's my concern. if we contract it out, um, you know, that's probably going to be
$300 an hour and ev issue task orders for for just about everything. We have so many ongoing projects and so many of them are road projects and I I think, you know, we just have to be honest with
ourselves about about, you know, what the true impact of of our engineer retiring. I think that you know we really whatever happens but if the worst comes the worst that we have to really
look at the amount of grants that we get that ties that person up. Okay. Sometimes you can run yourself out of business so to speak and so we may we may have to start cutting back on some of that just because of the workload.
And then, you know, it just I can't help but say this, but it just bothers me that Kenneth has been here for this many years. He has spent his whole career here, and he could have left and made a lot more
money, probably double or more of what he makes now. But the sad part is we're we're talking about we know we're going to have to pay more and Kenneth is going to retire on $80,000 and then somebody else is going
to come in and make way more than that. uh just and we may see that as you know we do have some senior staff who are nearing retirement and I think that may be a constant theme that we look at you
know because their retirement is going to be based off of of their salary. So here you've got a long-term good employee that's going to have his retirement based off of this amount here. hire somebody probably up here. It
just doesn't seem right to me. That's it's frustrating, right? So, we'll we'll continue that process. And like again, I just wanted to give you an update on that. And um you know we may have to you know he may have to do some
part-time work for us or you know to to make sure that we have a candidate who's well trained but we'll continue to work through that. All right there's nothing further line muted. [Music]