AT A REVENUE/TRANSPORTATION WORKSHOP/ MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HELD IN AND FOR GADSDEN

COUNTY, FLORIDA ON FEBRUARY 19, 2013, AT 4:30

P.M., THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS WERE HAD, VIZ.

Present: Doug Croley-District 2, Chairman

Eric Hinson-District 1, Vice-Chairman

Gene Morgan-District 3

Brenda Holt-District 4

Sherrie Taylor-District 5

Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Court

David Weiss, Assistant County Attorney

Robert Presnell, County Administrator

Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk

Absent: Brenda Holt-District 4

CALL TO ORDER Chair called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
1.	REVENUE OVERVIEW Jeff Price spoke concerning the General Revenue Fund. He explained the maximum that can be charged is 10 mils and currently the County is charging 8.9064%. Transportation Fund Revenues-one option County has never taken advantage of is Local Option Gas Tax (motor & diesel fuel) 1-5 cent tax giving a potential of $1,120,024. Commissioner Morgan asked what was required, if this needed to be done by referendum. Mr. Price stated could be done by ordinance with majority plus one. Chair Croley stated most of the tax revenue came from the 2 truck stops that are located in District 1. Commissioner Taylor appeared at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Taylor stepped out at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Taylor re-appeared at this juncture of the meeting.
2.	PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL WORK PROGRAM 2013-2016 Charles Chapman spoke concerning the Public Works Work Program. He stated the current challenge: · $44 million in deficient infrastructure · No large amounts of available cash to tackle transportation projects within the current gas sales tax structure · Current solution set involves growing reserves, increasing the investment dividends and reducing operating expenses-ALL TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP CASH ON HAND · Current debt payments on remaining $4 million on the OLD bond obligates $800,000 in current gas tax revenues annually · Federal and State grants will not fund a large quantity of the projects needing to be addressed He then spoke of some solutions: · Refinance the current bond to obtain a lower interest rate and lower annual payments · Secure the payments with an obligated additional sales tax · Finance additional funds to address deficient infrastructure with dedicated additional gas sales tax. BENEFIT: One-half of the gas sales tax is paid by non-Gadsden County residents. · A plan is developed to leverage the additional bond funds to their fullest potential-the plan assumes a four cent levy-the Plan maybe modified depending on the Boards direction. · Projects are located in all Gadsden County districts and balance the transportation investment county-wide. · If approved, the Plan and Bond will reduce the amount of deficient-non grant eligible transportation infrastructure projects significantly without reducing current levels of service. · He then spoke of the mathematical solution: · Current Bond Payment: $800,000 annually · Refinance and levy additional gas sales tax to take out additional $6 million (*given 2 cents for math purposes). · Two cents generates approximately $500,000 annually. Reduces currently obligated gas tax payment to $300,000 subsidy. · Frees up to $500,000 of currently levied gas tax revenue for budgeting purposes in the Public Works Operating and Capital Budget. (i.e. It could result in up to $100,000 per district for projects annually). Mr. Chapman said they went aggressive with the plan. Commissioner Morgan had a comment-said this plan probably should be re-worked from 4 cents to a 2 cent plan. Commissioner Morgan asked Jeff where rates were going now; he responded 2-3 ball park. Chair Croley said if cut to 2 cents, could total it up and cut it by half. Commissioner Taylor asked questions of the County Manager. Chair Croley asked for clarification and stated one tax is shared. Commissioner Hinson stated he received e-mails every week, stated we needed to make some bold, uncomfortable moves to hold onto Gadsden County. Commissioner Taylor asked the transportation dollars and if they were specific and could we use some of the monies for parks? Commissioner Hinson asked about gas tax and Mr. Chapman stated gas taxes are restricted. Mr. Chapman stated there was a good operating system set up but was not producing enough revenue. Chair Croley asked if everyone was on board with the 2 cent. Commissioner Morgan stated always good when have healthy discussions. This gives opportunity to communicate this with public. Revenue better word than tax. He asked is this a plan that makes sense and one everyone could benefit from. Really need to get feed-back and not rush into anything. Chair Croley: ask that leave grant applications separately, bond money same way. Should be focused to be in line with other counties in area. Commissioner Morgan stepped out at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Morgan returned at this juncture of the meeting.
3.	DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY Mr. Presnell stated this item. Commissioner Taylor asked if this could be rescheduled until the next workshop.
MOTION TO ADJOURN THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD, CHAIR CROLEY DECLARED THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 5:52 P.M. GADSDEN COUNTY, FLORIDA __________________________________________ DOUGLAS M. CROLEY, CHAIR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ATTEST: ______________________________________ BERYL H. WOOD, DEPUTY CLERK