We're talking to Welcome
back to the budget workshop.
>> Make the same coming up.
Made every day. We do not have
public comment at this time
because as a workshop, but we
do anyone that wants to speak.
If you raise your hand like a
Stephen, whatever we're always
allowed speak as long some
part to his situation. I would
like to make one comment about
the situation yesterday. You
know, I know the last names
most everybody in this room.
And a lot of people in
Okeechobee. And I don't know
that any of us at our
ancestors were there to meet
the Mayflower. I think we're
all somewhat implants.
Temperature be so that's just
my thought. Thought for today.
Commissioner Carter, would you
lead us in prayer and
commissioner, good vantage
flag salute. Please. It's a
war.
>> Barely. Father GOD, we
thank you for this day.
Keeping a safe and healthy
lord. We just ask that you
would. Be with us through
this. Weekend. Lord, keep us
safe. Also, Lord, be with us
as finalize budget, Florida.
And I was just thank you again
for your many blessings.
Father.
>> a pledge allegiance to the
flag. A United States of
America and to Republic for
which it stands. One nation
under indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
Thank you, gentlemen. Why
folks?
>> Jessica, What she plans.
>> Did we want to start with
the presentation or did we
want to start with The
Constitutional
>> We can do the
constitutional. So if you'd
like to. The share for the
major, whoever's going start
with that one. Good morning,
Boarded.
>> You know, a lot's been said
upon the dice this My budget
statutorily has to be before
you JUNE. The first. So a
Polish, my crystal ball and
sharp as I can get a shiny as
I get it. To try to forecast
what's going to happen in
SEPTEMBER. The following year.
We talked about consistency.
Well, I feel it's important to
pay all our first responders,
the same amount. Making it
easier for all of us to get
through these hard times are
any time for that matter. And
I always say my door is open.
If you don't understand, you
don't know something. Laying
on my 40 years of
institutional knowledge. My 26
years of being an
administrator working on this.
But my 10 years being your
share. I feel like I've been
disrespected. And it bothers
me. What I hear. Some of you,
you 5. Have to answer to the
constituents. So does every
other constitution. We have a
a valuation every 4 years. If
they're not happy. Which it
should be. But that said. I
still a 3rd of what I did. And
my people do. For you. Fi. For
our constituents. And
everybody as Ron stuff. That
is your obligation. That it's
under your purview. That saves
us all money because it's
under my purview and the
structure that we have with
our sheriffs office. Because
there's nobody better to do
that. The me and my people.
But hey, here. That we're not
respected. I feel that that's
how it was present. The lack
of anybody coming to me and
talking to made to say, hey,
let's do 5%. I can't polish
that Crystal Ball player in a
to tell me what you you're my
I've got to hear from. Moving
forward. We can do that. I've
heard of listen. I've got
upset in the same breath I've
taken the fluff. I've taken
the reserve. We've been all
over the place over my 26
years of being minister in
this budget. From three-year
actual going averages.
Shooting from the hip where
we're at today. But we all
have to communicate and we
have not all been doing that.
That said. I've taken my
budget. My increase from the
6.1% increase down to a 5.
Because that's the right thing
to do. My folks are here will
present that and appreciate
your time. Justin, are you
don't give a number from the
clerk's office.
>> Morning commissioners,
believe you guys all received
an e-mail from the clerk
yesterday. Going with this
we're not going away to
different. Just tell us the
numbers I just want to let you
know that he regrets that he
can't be here we also have for
our budget down to the 5%. As
you guys have requested.
>> And our total number now
is. 3 Million. $61,919. That's
a decrease of 32,009, 7, 1,
from the previous year.
>> Thank you so much, Any
questions? No, we appreciate
working with us. As Jessica.
Thank you for not going to
side did today.
>> Good morning. So. Her
presentation today is a
wrap-up of all the requested
items that were discussed the
past couple of So we'll start.
We're going to go any fund.
Item manner. So we'll start
with the administration. There
was request to decrease the
conference light. I line items
so within this fund, 0, 0, one
Dash 10, there will be a total
savings of $800. We also have
a few changes needed in
person. Due to the grants
manager position being added
as well as the organizational
structure being effective as
of tomorrow. So those are just
reallocations. So we will
present that at the JULY 23rd
meeting has an update on what
the person quantity in total
will be in the general Fund
for administration as well as
the different allocations
within the additional funds
based on position. And feel
free to stop me at any time.
If there's any questions. The
truck purchase for 45,000 and
is a 50 50 split. This is a
Jeep Patriot replacement and
that will be in the cip and
the public works. Funds. We
have the verified amount for
the communication costs for
the judicial 19 circuit
judicial branch and the 103,
fund at a from a decrease from
130,000 to 43,536. There was
couple discussions on the boat
ramp and the allocation to
assist with that. So we will
have 50,000 allocated to the
Boating Improvement fund as
well as 50,000 allocated to
the Tourism Special Revenue
Fund. And in addition, there
was a discussion on removing
the flag pole amount of
19,000. So that has been
removed. And then we also for
the remaining balance, we will
have the pavilion and boat
ramp restroom still included.
So that will bring the
breakdown for the Boating
improvement fund as follows.
With still remaining at the
128,009, 10. So you'll have
19, not excuse me. 59,400 and
reserves. And that's to repair
any waterway markers when
needed. You'll have 50,000
allocated to the boat ramp and
then 19,500 for the 2
restrooms. For fleet services.
There is a question on the
increase on why it was so
high. So from the amended, the
actual increase will be the
same as the other departments
at 7%. The amended amount in
the fiscal year, column was
incorrect and that will be
adjusted during the mid here.
So it only show the 7% as
other department show.
Additional notes and updates.
So we have parks and
recreation sports complex. So
we are purchasing that gator
utility cart that was
discussed this fiscal year. So
their that won't need a
replacement forthcoming. And
then in senior services were
purchasing. There was a
discussion on 3 vans. 3
transit vans needing
replacement fiscal year. 28.
So to stagger that we're
purchasing one this fiscal
year budgeting for one next
fiscal year. And then fiscal
year. 28, there will be one
budget as well. So that
provides that stagger versus
all 3 needing replacement in
2028. For the airport. There
was a comment on the emergency
repairs, a corrective
maintenance that has been
that's just a ver budget. It's
routine maintenance. So that
has been reflected and changed
for economic development. The
bright marked contractors 3
remaining, including fiscal
year 27. So after fiscal year
27, only be 2 years and for
the cip find the interest
including profit is just an
interest to count again.
That's just a verbiage there.
That will changed as well. And
then general discussion, we
have that was discussed to
maybe do a workshop with them.
But all have Justin Nelson
chime in here a little bit on
what the plan is to get those
rates down a little bit. Thank
you, Jessica. So
>> we have in the work plan We
have a proper expense line and
cip and moving into next year.
We had 2 site locations that
are on city area, gay or
should say city. Water for
irrigation that were already
designated to be have wells
put in those 2 sites this year
this year come this next
budget year. Coming up, I
should say not this year we're
now and those 2 sites. We did
not have the library in there
yet because the library has
normally been a little bit
less than the other 2. But we
are now looking at library.
And if I can find the funding
within my budget that we've
already presented. We will get
the library one done, too. But
most of those high rates that
we've seen in the one that's
the 800 a month is the
irrigation line at the
library. It's not the fired
and no, sir, the fire. The
fire is that's flat rate and
it does not have any
consumption, but it it is
still at a flat rate and it's
based off the based off meter
size and all of that. And I
have the full breakdown of the
chart of what we pay. Those
hire 100 is for fire
suppression or is shows 100.
Was noted in there is the
irrigation. Way with that. So
was the fire coast us.
>> I would have to go back and
pull that Exactly goes and
talking to some of the board
of directors of their their
>> They want work closely with
the county and the and
hopefully this can change very
shortly with the. Change in
management. Yes, And that's we
have the workshop. I would
love to see what we can do
reduce some of those utility
costs. So we've got we've got
some significantly high ones
that are base rates. So we've
got we've got a handful of
them that. Just the base rate
is. Around $3,000 a month. I
would love to see. Let's work
on that. If there's a way.
>> So what will continue?
>> Getting an evaluation and
analysis on the fire
suppression matter. But just
wanting to clarify that 800
wasn't for irrigation and then
we'll work with to maybe get a
workshop to my wellness
update.
>> Bring me up to date on the
conversation about the Dede
from them. Did you say in our?
On our day? It's now ready to
go back. What are we doing on
that? I actually sent that to
you. We had a meeting with
legal yesterday just to go
through myself. Chief hastily
and the administrator we met
with legal yesterday. The
administrator had found a few
items that I had missed. And
we've made those corrections.
We sent that over to MR. Hay
for Dan MR. Kennedy this
morning, our goal is we're
going to bring that and from
the board as we have revised
it on the 23rd meeting to our
board, we're trying to get
them to take in front of their
board they have a meeting on
the 20th. So the request is
for them to try to get that in
front of their board on that
by the 20th. And this is a
document, their turn prepared.
And now you've yester. We just
redlined it. That doesn't mean
it's a simple. Simple transfer
over the revision. If you
don't building some many days,
I mean, I can put that in half
the paragraph Yester some
there's there's a lot of back
and forth. The nation
documentation that the time
game. But we need to simplify
and we just went and read them
to him. Please don't think I'm
coming But I go back to your
comment yesterday. One of the
one day this week or Internet
when we were talking about
moving forward with the the
fire station. And you said
we've got to get this out of
the way. Will hopefully this
is going to compete in next in
15 days my weekend. So then
you can do your job. Yes, our
chair and my request an email
this morning still have this
thing closed by the end of the
month to have our clothes that
have just closed out by the
end of the month. So the goal
at the JULY 23rd meeting is
that as long what we've sent
back, there's no further
changes has.
>> Is to have the chair sign.
Once we received the signed
copy from so JULY 23rd as long
as we received the signed copy
before or after that date and
there's no changes we should
be able to have your signature
and move forward long as it's
approved by the remaining
board.
>> If you give us a copy what
you think it won't. And we
will make it a point to attend
a meeting. Yes, sir. So I'm
not sure that the management
change it and I'd rather it
didn't get delayed. Yes, sir.
Definitely can get your copy
of that. Thank you so much.
Okay. Just ok?
>> So the slide here is
discussing the mileage
scenarios at the JULY 23rd
meeting. We do have to set the
tentative millage rate as well
as a special assessment rate.
But this is in regards to the
mileage scenarios are based on
our taxable value of the
5 Billion. As you see in that
first. Table there, it shows
our current fiscal year. 25 26
at 7.8 to give you perspective
as well as what is in the
proposed fiscal year. 26 27
budget book because we
received the updated taxable
value after the budget book
was prepared. So this gives
you an overview and I will be
happy to answer any questions
for discussion on this item.
>> I can see Tell you with the
thought that it could have You
have a ups. Are you have a
copy in front of you as well?
I apologize. Just thank you.
When we started on Monday
before there were these
reductions in a couple of
additions. You said doing the
7 point. 4 states, 9, 1,
What's going to have roughly
half a million dollars or so
to the good. Have you
recalculated that number with
the reductions? And additions
you have that number now
called up.
>> We do not at this time
because we are still there.
Still some values that are
being treated up where are
still pending the audit to
update the cash balance
forward. So we did not want to
provide you with an inaccurate
number because there could be
some fluctuations and that as
well obtaining the revenues
that we're receiving from the
state. As far as the small
county surtax, those items are
usually are provided mid-JULY.
So wish there's still some
numbers here were just
estimating, but there's still
some numbers that are needing
a true value. But generally
everything has gone to the
good.
>> But with the exception of
adding on bond, the gator. Go
ahead and buy in the suv this
year. Everything else has been
a reduction. Based off the
numbers we started with on
Monday.
>> Yes, there has been a few
reductions yester. So
generally speaking.
>> We're we're not worse off
of anything. We're better off
than we were as of Monday as
far as thank
>> To do this this point you
won't know Stu, just take
which religion where we're
looking know, just discussion
at this point because that
mileage will be set at the
JULY 23rd Lisa, are needing to
know that before that date to
update the budget book or
>> now, ok, please should we
should? I mean, we should. I
mean, can always cut and can
always until the hearing it
can go up or down. What should
you do? Can't do that. But I
mean, probably be a for our
sake. We should have a
discussion which we were going
Don't you think, commissioner,
carry it just doesn't go ahead
and give you a tentative
number today. Okay. Well, they
do it MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> I think only problem they
have right now is it. I'm
still at the 7.4 know that
based on the fact of the
calculations here. Given what
we have today on the budget,
that's $503, $50500,000. More
than what we need. So given
that I think it's going to be
less. I mean, we're gonna have
more money than what we need
here. Still like to 7.4, but
issue is I'd like to see the I
like to see the final budget.
But a number. Ensure that. And
MR. Chair. Yes,
>> Commissioner Burrows, you
mean the 7.0? 4, 6, 9, 1, I'm
sorry. You mean the 7.4, 6, 9,
not 7.4.
>> just give the last the last
column make sure because were
going like the last call
because I don't want to raise
taxes, but I wanted to see. I
think your numbers. I think
you're. If you're number that
we walked in here on Monday.
He's going to be less. All
right. So with that, that's
going to be more money than
the $503,115. You got city
here. And then that just goes
back. And then you're sitting
at 35.7, 7% in your. Reserves.
>> But keep in mind, no matter
which one of these numbers you
choose, it doesn't raise taxes
unless your Mont went up. If
you stay with us. 7.8 in my
vacating doing that initial
assessment. What up your
taxes? Don't go up.
>> Well, it just means it. We
collect more money.
Absolutely. But your taxes
don't go up on your home
unless your assessment went up
and we know the assessments
went up. What they did, but we
have loved ones on there.
Also. Well, I'm just saying
they up every year in certain
areas, I mean, he he worked.
He MAY work it work in my
neighborhood right now. You
know, and also re special
assessments went up as well.
So even if everything was
equal on the top of the lawn,
the total tax bill would be
higher based on the fact
special shows. Lines I got
that. But I still think in in
the long run we start trying
to lower mileage is a
different perspective to
people in the mine keep keep
this in some iPhone se got
7.8. Now you're just click to
2 million more dollars. Almost
2 Million. Almost 2.1 million
dollars more than what you
need. If that's the case and
we even go through go through
the with clerk court and the
sheriff? Well, I would just
give them what they want and
we would have that problem.
Mean, that's ridiculous.
Exercise. We're going to go
stay with go. Stay with the
millage. It's about what I'm
not asking that. Just think
there's an article Memphis.
Let me finish. If you're going
to stay with same mileage. Are
investors thought process. And
while we in this silly
exercise. Commissioner,
please, I did not advocate
that I just for the record. If
you stay at 7.8 on my house
other than a special
assessments of my assessment
in go up and because they're
doing it right now, so did my
taxes would not go up.
>> I'm not advocating being
there. I'm just trying to
state the facts. If you go to
7 point for most, everybody is
going to get a reduction
unless there a new new
construction or something like
If you go in the middle, then
most everybody is going get a
reduction. Also. You are
talking.
>> We're doing this.
>> We do that law. I know
reminds me of Monday morning,
little So Let let me to back
it up. I agree with you on one
side. What you just said. What
I'm saying is we went through
this. We went through this
whole last 3 days in order to
get a budget down to something
that was reasonable. If the
clerk of court and the
sheriff. 5%. If I sitting on
their shoes. And I sit there
and say, us how say
hypothetically, we say 7.6.
Because 1.1 million dollars
more. Than what we need.
Sitting in their shoes. Look
at Superior. What do we go
through the exercise? That's
my point. All I'm saying is if
you go down to some to what
you basically need. Take care
of the budget and that that
7.4 right now without these
additions. You half a million
dollars for. 2 Million. 1.6,
not 650. So that's my point. I
agree with you and assessed
values all that stuff. Think
back when. 8 years we could
and mileage. Next year we came
back in got spanked because we
couldn't pay their bills. So
we had had to do that. And the
people.
>> Really get upset when you
raise the mileage. And I don't
I don't like it either. You
know. We don't know what next
year's going bring. We have a
good idea that is going take a
lot away. If you click if you
give a buddy reduction, I'm
just saying and this self
cover. So you give everybody
reduction in their Texas and
you still have amount. You
have amount of reserves and I
know you don't pay tax at a
reserve, but you can always
put it back in the landfill.
Trust and therefore, you're
not you when you have to take
it out of the to pay your
bills, you're not taking that
reserve. So if that makes you
feel better, but if you go
down to 7.8 this year. We
could be at 9.8 next year.
This said that they want to do
that because I am not going to
be one for cutting service.
And I know first responders
are the most the once we have
to have out there. But to me,
senior services. The library.
Playgrounds. Or import it to
the people. Out there. You
know, now it's not the
emergency side of it, but so
important to their quality of
life. Think you go see a big
spike next year and people are
going to be very unhappy. You
can give them a reduction. Is
7.6, but it's going get. Get a
reduction and you still have
You have some cushion. So if
they don't pass this course,
there are the people run for
governor. The candidates
always saying doesn't pass,
we're gonna do something next
year and how you've been to
that. So. But let's just say
they didn't do anything. You
could do another cut next
year. You can do this. You
could cut from from 7.8, 7 0.6
issue. Maybe next year. It
could go to 7.3, 7.4. What is
man you could keep given cuts?
It backfires on us and we have
to go up is not pleasant. Hear
both of you. And both of you
are making. Equally good
points. Believe I can. I can
see the different thoughts.
>> So I will on to it. Just
the fact that if we have to go
up in the future. Well,
aggravate people, then. Is not
as big a concern of mine. And
I know that it will be I'll be
one of the ones running next.
And so likely that would come
in a political year. If we
can. We keep the last last
column as Commissioner
Burrows, but sit. Was that
median number, which I don't
think that we're she's
correctly. I don't think it's
actually a median.
Statistically speaking, but
anyhow that that last drive
number, the 7.0, 4, 6, 9, 1,
For rounding sake, 7.5 still
has us with a half a million
over and above, which is a
reasonable. And would give I
believe. Our citizens, their
best break that we can afford
it. This time. And again, if
if we have to go up there
after and it gets all of our
butts beat, so be it the right
thing to do now for this. 26
27 budget is to do what's
right by this. 26 27 budget.
Just as we asked the sheriff
to do. Just as we ask the
clerk to do. That's Michael.
You would consider 7.5, 7 0.5
would be the number of that
I'd like to see. That's that's
every 10, 7 mill. All. I think
I'm just a month for
discussion. Give me the
difference between that and I
would do. 75.
>> I mean, I'm not argue the
rebels. I would be comfortable
with that. Commissioner Karla.
Okay. That's a compromise. And
I think so proud of this board
compromise and work on things
like
>> Gore.
>> Manning meant heart Your
evidence.
>> the end of the we still
love each other.
>> Well, you and you know, I
appreciate compromise.
Sometimes I do numbers appear
constantly and those 2 and
3.3. Get me a little bit. And
I know the 7, 5, the number. I
just don't want to end up.
Doing an exercise that it's
meaningless. That's all
absolutely. Would you like to
put that in the form of a
motion that we don't need a
motion that such as just
written recommendation effort
to try
>> if you have a fire in a
court house burned down can
come back and just so. Well,
me to go grow for well. Is to
put as a recommendation at
this point is what we're going
to shoot for.
>> And obviously your numbers
might change. We haven't seen
the final product yet. But for
discussions say that, think
that that number, that's
Justin Scotia over that median
number. And it looks better
and it's easier to tell your
with Joe come down to in the
mileage. Came down from 7, 8,
7, 5, We came down from 7, 8,
to 7 0.4, 6, 9, program for
7.4, 6,
>> Commissioner, what is what
is the date? The budget's
going to be finally done?
Excuse me, the audit. I'm
sorry of the I'm sorry. Just
because you made a comment
about some of these numbers
are like clothing that could
be JANUARY.
>> The date I'm sorry. Can you
repeat the question? It what
is the odd it?
>> Supposed to be done right
now? We are.
>> Challenging some findings
that they presented to us. So
I believe we should see it
sometime next week. Once we
get through this.
>> So we MAY even have that
before meeting with 23rd. We
hope to have that. Yes, makes
a big difference. But all that
That reason I'm asking that
question. Because if I don't
you know, we can do. We can do
whatever we want your life
with the mileage. But
>> we're shooting and the in
the dark when the Dodgers not
done, we don't. And I don't.
I'm talking for me of these
guys. There's 4 of us up
there. Or between outside of
for additional losses up 4
additional the be in my point
was, is I don't want to sit
here and
>> And not know my bottom line
number, that's that's a bigger
issue for me. So 3rd, Justin
Justin Nelson ensured me that
his account or they're so
comfortable with it.
>> Could I ask one more quick?
This is all this is it is not
in the budget bill is
necessary. Well, really, it is
because I need I need to close
out the airport issue. Okay.
Talked to department com or
just today. That $300,000
Grant, it's not closed out
yet.
>> Yes, all find out for sure.
We've we've sent them all the
clothes out information. The
problem was we had a line item
that could not be and So we
had to modify the grant
agreement to take that out. So
it should be she at the end of
it. She told yesterday because
reason it's come about,
>> we're trying to do another
grant for the water main to
the industrial park off a 70.
And so I've got 3 grants in in
referring to present time
close this one out. There's
not there's not a having more.
Grants them for Okeechobee
County than 3. But I like to
get that one closed out
because and just commissioner.
So you're where where we are
applying for one for the
construction of that project.
Also.
>> know there's another one.
Okay. Okay. I just want to
make sure you understand. We
were applying also because the
odds of us getting that grant
based off of our grant writer
with riff is very good press
to get the money. I think 24
27 million out there. 27 27
yester. We're putting in for
5.6. I think and hopes that we
would get phase one, which is
about 1.7 9. So a little under
one we can pose a swing at
that one closed out that would
help me on. Another issue, I'm
dealing with the Department of
Commerce, a key us or without
I will get with the grants
department. Just make sure
what we've got left. But I
think it was just we are
waiting on them to do the
modification that was about it
was at Cannes become was she
told me is have conned his
night, give them any
information.
>> What else, administrator?
>> That is all surges wanted
to say. Thank you to our
staff. Thank you to you all
and for your support and
understanding as we move
through this budget process,
knowing that there's still
some values that we we are
waiting for confirmation on.
So.
>> Thank you to everyone.
>> So technically, this is the
last day we have schedule if
it's necessary. We will come
back and have another one or
we can do it on the day of the
county commissioner meeting.
So feel free to do what if you
need to do for your time.
Thank to that. And I just I
just want to say thank you to
the board to the staff and the
constitutional Sometimes it
gets head kick tick. But we're
all about a be in. And then
when when this all of which
will still be friends and i