Gadsden County Commissioners

Gadsden County, FL

Budget Workshop Agenda

Thursday, May 29, 2014 – 4:00 p.m.

Present:               Eric Hinson, Chair, District 1

                                Brenda Holt, Vice-Chair, District 4 (arrived late)

                                Doug Croley, District 2

                                Gene Morgan, District 3

                                Sherrie Taylor, District 5 (arrived late)

                                Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Court

                                Robert Presnell, County Administrator

                                David Weiss, County Attorney (arrived late)

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

BOARD PRIORITIES AND DIRECTIONS  Chair Hinson called the meeting to Order at 4:02 p.m.  Mr. Presnell welcomed everyone and gave a brief over-view of Board priorities and directions. He explained there was a decline in property taxes of over $258,000.00. Major 8 revenue sources estimated to be same. Major 5 gas tax revenue sources estimated down $100,000.00. Waiting for States estimates-due in June. He read through the Budget items and explained everything. Commissioner Morgan asked questions. Chair Hinson said he would have liked to have had the information ahead of time to review and said he had no problem in postponing this workshop to a later date to give the Commissioners time to review. Commissioner Croley said this was simply a workshop to discuss things, nothing would be decided tonight. Commissioner Croley asked Mr. Presnell to get with the Clerk to prepare a spreadsheet with everything broken down exactly what is being received by the Hospital. Chair Hinson said he would like to see funds added for 10 more slots for mentally handicapped students. Commissioner Morgan pointed out that this originally started out at $50,000.00 and now was at $75,000.00 and NOW asking for more money and where would money come from. Chair Hinson pointed out there was 6.2 Million in the Bank, the county had the money. Commissioner Croley pointed out while that amount of money might be in the Bank, that amount of money was not available to be used. Commissioner Croley asked why the need to employ a full-time grant writer and not use services of companies that have a grant writer on board. CAPITAL OUTLAY Hospital chiller included in current budget and rolling it forward. Fund 112-Trnsportation: Replace mowers and tractors $340,000; Need vehicle for Public Works for public works vehicle for paved and Right of Way vehicle, $20,000; and $20,000 for vehicle maintenance. Mr. Presnell said Option 1 would be 3 cent gas tax increase; Option 2 would be 2 cent gas tax increase; Option 3 would be a 1 cent gas tax increase and Option 4 would be no gas tax.
	Expand Jail and Build Administration Building Sheriff Morris Young approached the Board to answer questions that the Commissioners had. Commissioner Taylor joined the meeting at 4:50 p.m. Commissioner Holt said the Sheriff had appeared before them before, we had chance for federal funds, lobbyists were fired and we missed chance to receive the funds. Commissioner Croley applauded the Sheriff for his leadership and told Sheriff Young he had his support for the Administrative Building, but said was not comfortable doing both the Administrative Building and pod at same time.  There was further discussion concerning the pod and new administrative building. Sheriff Young asked them to consider that the decision they make today will affect things 20 years from now. Chair Hinson said his “thing” was intervention, GED, vocational and would like to see something like that here. Sheriff Young asked them to come view their re-entry program and explained what was offered in their re-entry program. Commissioner Holt expressed the need to go back to Escambia County and review what programs they offered.  Bottom line was, when each one of the inmates left the facility, they had a savings account to help them stand on their own. Sheriff Young stated not fair to the public that once jail was paid for, the money was allocated for other items that was not jail related. Commissioner Morgan said the revenue was there if was used smartly and needed to be prioritized.  Commissioner Holt said the big piece in this was economic development. Commissioner Morgan wanted to be clear he was not in favor of a new tax, was in favor of prioritizing the existing tax. Sheriff Young pointed out he runs the jail, but the Board of County Commission owns the jail and his predecessor pointed out problems with the jail 10 years prior and had just gone downhill since then. Commissioner Taylor said thought would be beneficial to have a workshop with the Board, Sheriff personnel and judicial personnel.  She added she felt both the administrative building and the pod was needed. Mr. Presnell asked Jim Gollahon to come forward and address questions the Board had. Chair Hinson stepped out at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Croley said was very hesitant in supporting a tax increase, as were most citizens. Chair Hinson returned at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Holt asked for clarification that it took 4 votes to have something placed on the ballot for a tax increase.  Mr. Presnell explained that funding this would devastate public works Chair Hinson asked for a spreadsheet of all current expenses of the Sheriff’s Department and once received, could make a better informed decision.  Mr. Gollahon said when inflation kicks up, would be looking at quite a bit more money. Commissioner Taylor thanked the Sheriff for personally appearing before the Board and expressing his concerns and needs. Sheriff Young said it cost to go to jail and they do return funds of the county and do everything they could to keep the seniors along with everyone else in the county safe. Commissioner Taylor said the Sheriff was correct in that was “their” jail and something needed to be done immediately. Mr. Presnell asked to take a few minutes while the Sheriff was present to inform the Board of improvements and updates made at the jail and if there were a jail inspection tomorrow, he was unaware of anything that would be needed.  He also said the program they approved with inmates working with Public Works.
	Non-Profit and Community Organizations  Commissioner Morgan said he would like to see Economic Development placed in its own category. Commissioner Taylor asked when the next budget workshop would be-July 24^th @ 4:00 p.m.
	Employee Compensation
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.