Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Budget Workshop

June 12, 2018

5:00 p.m.

Present:              

                                Brenda Holt, District 4, Chair - Present 

                                Dr. Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2, Vice – Chair - Present

                                Sherrie Taylor, District 5

                             Eric Hinson, District 1- Present

                             Gene Morgan, District 3

                             Brad Johnson, Assistant County Administrator

                             David Weiss, County Attorney

                             Beryl H. Wood, Deputy Clerk

1.	INOVOCATION, PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE Chair Holt led in a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. WELCOME  Chair called the workshop to order.
2.	OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED 18/19 BUDGET AND PRESENTATION  Mr. Johnson said this was the first Budget workshop of the year.   He said staff is happy at this time of the year. He said today lays foundation to discuss the financials.  Mr. Price welcomed them all to first FY 2018/19. Will start with financial trends. · General Fund Budgeted Revenue – he said the hope is to improve, he said it mirrors the expenditures. · General Fund Budgeted Expenditures – dropped down to 4million general fund balance (Stevens School Insurance proceeds moved). · General Fund Balance – Auditors have said for years that the fund balance under 3 million ·  Building (some big ones are in here). · Fire(most ongoing cost) · Library – computer books, security to maintain · Public Works – equipment, radios, flatbed trucks (field tanks and trucks need to be replaced). · Constitutional Officers -  (page 16) · Transfer to EMS · General Fund Transfers to EMS · Transfer to Library · Gadsden County 2019 Budget (Capital Improvement Projects) · He said there needs to be something drastic with Library ·  List of possible revenue sources · 1. Increase Ad Valorem taxes · 2. Raise Gas Taxes and Fuel (business can benefit) · 3. EMS/Fire Assessment fees · 4. Bank loan for one time expenditures · 5. Fund balance – 4 million ·  Commissioner Taylor arrived at this juncture at 5:29pm    Dr. V commented on the Library (page 23). What lead to the $37,000.  Mr. Price said we transferred less general fund monies, but he would check. Mrs. Holt discuss with department heads for future meetings. Dr. V. asked that they reach out to other counties to get creative sources to approve the quality of life for citizens.  Holt commented on revenue generating side, the gas tax is the less painful. She said that is normally it is what the AOC recommends. She said it would be the less painful for the citizens.  She asked staff to look at that to generate funds.  Dr. V commented on the need for service station on Hwy 27. He asked would they be able to compete with Georgia. He said their gas tax is much lower than Florida. Mrs. Holt said the companies would look at that and if it is not feasible they won’t do it.  Holt – 1, 2, 3, cut across the Board. The reason why is because of Medicaid and the write off of EMS. We have to find ways to save. She asked about employment of positions: Planner, Building Inspection (2), Housing, and the numbers to hire should be reflected in the numbers.  Dr. V said he would like to see reorganization whatever it takes. He asked about the Health Department such as septic tanks. He said there is a problem in the system. They are already paying on construction loan. Mrs. Holt said they are governed by the State and we have little input. They cut back on all of them throughout the state. He asked could they absorb those duties and cost to keep the program going. Mrs. Holt said they would probably love it, but they would have to fund it and they can’t afford it. She mentioned they tried to give it to them in the past. Mrs. Holt asked that they give us  Holt contract of the hospital- we are in the process of looking at the contract.  He said he wasn’t sure but it was his belief that they have over a year to notify.    Mrs. Holt commented on the hospital stays; she said $980,000 to pay back for the Medicaid. (It is included in the budget). County can run hospital or bring in someone to run. Reduce Medicaid output. Wherever card is used we  EMS writeoff  - 1.4 million to find away to fund  Dr. V said there are equipment decencies. He mentioned the sources of grant they need physical building to write noncompliance equipment at fire stations.  Is it factored in this budget. He asked was it considered in the  Mr. Johnson – Capital Improvements they are working together to address cost, we do try to stay in compliance.  Mr. Johnson do we still rotate vehicles out. On page 9, it is time to look at rotate some of the vehicles. 32 transportation, 68 over 100,000 miles. Working on trying to improve fleet. He said they are looking at other contractual agreements. It is important to look at public works and building officials. Mrs. Holt said do we have a policy in place, to rotate out every 3 years. There is a plethora of options.  He said he can bring to next meeting.  Holt anything in Capital Outlay – Radio System and Tower is reflected in the budget Woodham Building  Dr. V mentioned the Butler Building Generator asked rotten windows, etc. Is it included in this budget to beautify? Historical Funds (put that down – Holt to see if we can get any funds).  Hinson wish list, would like to sleep on it first. Economic Development Council should be present to spearhead and help parks and rec and economic development at next workshop.  Holt – Stevens School page 11 – questioned the $50,000. I thought there was a grant. There is still some other things that need to be done, next phase is duct work (HVAC).  Consensus to have staff to reach out to Commissioners after they have looked over the budget.
3.	COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS – N/A
MOTION TO ADJOURN@ 5:54pm