Board of County Commissioners (Budget)

Polk County Board of County Commissioners (Budget) Meeting Minutes - Final September 09, 2024 Public Hearing on FY 24/25 Budget In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the Communications Office not later than 48 hours prior to the proceeding. Their office is located in the County Administration Building, 330 West Church Street in Bartow. Telephone (863) 534-6090 or TTY (863) 534-7777. If hearing impaired dial 7-1-1 for Florida Relay services or call (800) 955-8771 (TTY); dial (800) 955-1339 if you are using a computer. Any invocation that may be offered before the official start of the Commission meeting shall be the voluntary offering of a private citizen, to and for the benefit of the Commission. The views or beliefs expressed by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved by the Commission, and the Commission is not allowed by law to endorse the religious beliefs or views of this, or any other speaker. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. 1st Hearing - Tentative FY24-25 Budget CALL TO ORDER (Bill Braswell, Chair) A. FINAL ASSESSMENT RESOLUTIONS AND NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLLS (Randy Mink, County Attorney) A.1. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Street Lighting Assessments. (No fiscal impact) Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov discussed the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Street Lighting Assessments. He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.2. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Skyview Utility Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). (No fiscal impact) Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov discussed the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Street Skyview Utility Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Martha Santiago Page 1 of 9 SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.3. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Island Club West Utility Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). ($67,105.70 estimated assessment revenue) Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov discussed the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Island Club West Utility Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.4. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 East Bimini Bay Utility Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). ($65,369.88 estimated assessment revenue) Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov discussed the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 East Bimini Bay Utility Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Martha Santiago SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.5. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Fire Services Non-Ad Valorem Assessments. ($64,874,674.00 estimated assessment revenue) Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov discussed the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Fire Services Non-Ad Valorem Assessments. He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.6. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Rate Resolution and Assessment Roll for the 2024-25 Nuisance Abatement Assessments. Page 2 of 9 Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov reviewed the Final Rate Resolution and Assessment Roll for the 2024-25 Nuisance Abatement Assessments. He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.7. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Residential Waste Program Services Final Assessment Resolution and Setting the Assessment Rate for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov reviewed the Residential Waste Program Services Final Assessment Resolution and Setting the Assessment Rate for Fiscal Year 2024-25. He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing. Shannon King said for the collection it is an 80% increase this year. She said it is a 30% increase for the disposal. She asked if we are building a new dumping facility and she asked for the justification of the cost. Chair Braswell said it is a 6% increase every year since the last time we raised it. He said there has not been an increase in seven years. He said he does not like the way we do that and we are not going to do it that way anymore. The Chair closed the public hearing. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Martha Santiago SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.8. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Assessment Resolution and Assessment Roll for the 2024-25 Excessive Bulk Waste Assessments Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov reviewed the Final Assessment Resolution and Assessment Roll for the 2024-25 Excessive Bulk Waste Assessments. He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago Page 3 of 9 AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.9. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Central Inwood Street Lighting Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). (No fiscal impact) Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov discussed the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Central Inwood Street Lighting Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.10. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Southwest Inwood Street Lighting Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). (No fiscal impact) Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov discussed the Final Rate Resolution for the 2024-25 Southwest Inwood Street Lighting Municipal Service Benefit Unit ("MSBU"). He recommended approval. The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Martha Santiago SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago A.11. Request the Board designate Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov to certify the 2024-25 Final Assessment Rolls to the Tax Collector. Minutes: Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov requested the Board designate Assistant County Attorney Noah Milov to certify the 2024-25 Final Assessment Rolls to the Tax Collector. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: George Lindsey AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago B. PURPOSE OF PUBLIC HEARING B.1. Discuss the purpose of Public Hearing for the FY 24/25 Budget - Randy Mink, County Attorney Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink discussed the purpose of the public hearings. Page 4 of 9 B.2. Budget Presentation - Bill Beasley, County Manager Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley said these past 12 months reflect unprecedented growth dynamics. He said coupled with labor shortages and inflationary impacts there continues to be a strain being placed upon local governments throughout the state including Polk County. He said Polk County continues to be a stabilizing factor in providing core services to the businesses and citizens. He thanked staff, the Constitutional Offices, the State Court System, and the Medical Examiner's office. He said all of these entities have worked for the last six months helping to prepare their portions of the budget. He thanked the citizens who have participated in helping to shape this budget. He said by participating on citizens' advisory committees, participating in public hearings, making phone calls, sending emails, or through other social media contacts; he said their voices have been heard. He said the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) budget totals $2,984,670,147. He said this budget does reflect the 1% decrease in the current countywide general fund millage rate. He said this budget reflects receipt and distribution of federal and state funds associated with our Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Emergency Solutions Grant funds, the HOME/SHIP funds, the American Rescue Plan funds. He said this budget maintains the Board's commitment to public safety, public health, infrastructure, technology, tourism, and community support by way of adding critical positions and maintaining current priority programs and services. He said this budget will continue to make investments in technology upgrades. He stated this budget will maintain commitment to capital infrastructure to support public safety, public health, public water supplies, transportation capacity, intersection improvement projects, stormwater management, water quality improvement projects, and environmental stewardship. He said the budget reflects the voter approved .2 millage assigned to the 20-year Environmental Lands Management program. He said this budget continues to address quality of life issues. He said this budget reflects a continuation of a cost indexing of the current fire assessment fee. He said this budget will allocate $60 million of one-time funds to address capital project needs directed towards public safety, transportation, recreation and related support facilities. He said this budget reflects an increase in the residential waste collection and disposal fees to reflect current pricing consistent with new collection contracts to begin in October 2024 with future adjustments to reflect a 5% indexing for the remaining contract term. He said this budget reflects an updated comprehensive utilities rate structure to address increases in demand for water, waste water, reclaimed water, and to address growing regulatory compliance for alternative water supply initiatives. He said this budget invests in our employees by way of a 4% phased salary increase beginning in October. He said there will be no increase to the health insurance premiums for the third consecutive year. Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson showed slides and said the total proposed budget is $2.985 billion, the general funds is $653.4 million, and there is a 11.39% property value increase. She said this budget is built around growth. She discussed the 1% decrease to the county-wide millage rate, the 5% index to the Fire Assessment, the Waste Collection Assessment increase to $264.21 for collection and $73 disposal fee. She said they are anticipating a 5% index over the next 5 years for waste collection, and a 6% index to water/waste water rates. She discussed the one-time funding projects. She reviewed a chart of the budgeted revenue from millage. She said the millage rate is lower than what was certified and does reflect the 1% Page 5 of 9 reduction to the general fund component of the county-wide millage rate. She gave a breakdown of the total proposed budget. She said the hospital assessment is between $70-80 million. She reviewed the general fund operating budget revenue and expenses. She said there are 45 days of operating reserves and she said this is the policy maximum. She said that this is a result of fiscal stewardship, planning, and financial solvency. She gave an overview of the Five-Year CIP Budget of $1,793,990,896. She discussed the staffing requests and said there will be a net position increase of 81 with the offset of staff from the closing of the ROHR Home. She said we are exceeding our peak positions from 2007/2008. She said the total budget is $2,984,670,147. Mr. Beasley said Polk County is changing and it is a direct reflection of the demands for services for a growing population. He discussed the growth dynamics. He thanked the Board for providing policy guidance, for allowing staff to think creatively and for having confidence in the staff to rise to the occasion during the unprecedented growth demands. He said the budget is a formal expression of our plans, goals and objectives of the upcoming year. Ms. Johnson said $74.5 million is in the local hospital provider program. C. DISCUSS PROPOSED TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES FOR FY 24/25 (Christia Johnson, Budget and Management Services Director) C.1. Discuss the FY 24/25 Board of County Commissioners proposed tentative operating millage rate. Minutes: Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson reviewed the proposed tentative operating millage rate and the tentative budget. She discussed the current year millage rate and said the proposed fiscal year 2024-2025 proposed tentative millage rate is 6.6348 and she said that is a difference of 0.3585 mills. She reviewed the rolled-back rates. C.2. Discuss the FY 24/25 proposed tentative millage rate for Polk County Parks Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU), Polk County Library MSTU, Polk County Stormwater MSTU, and Polk County Rancho Bonito MSTU. Minutes: Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson discussed the fiscal year 2024-2025 proposed tentative millage rate of 0.5286 for Polk County Parks MSTU; the proposed tentative millage rate of 0.1985 for the Polk County Library MSTU; the proposed tentative millage rate of 0.0941 for the Polk County Stormwater MSTU. She said there are no difference in these rates from fiscal year 2023-2024. She said the proposed tentative millage rate for the Polk County Rancho Bonito MSTU is 9.1272; she said there is no difference from the current year. She said the total proposed tentative MSTU millage rate is 9.9484. She reviewed the rolled-back rates and the revenue for the millage rates. D. DISCUSS PROPOSED TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FY 24/25 (Christia Johnson, Budget and Management Services Director) D.1. Discuss the FY 24/25 proposed tentative budget totaling $2,984,670,147. Page 6 of 9 Minutes: Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson said the FY 24/25 proposed tentative budget totals $2,984,670,147 D.2. Discuss the FY 24/25 Polk County Parks MSTU proposed tentative budget totaling $44,425,096, Polk County Library MSTU proposed tentative budget totaling $10,177,281, Polk County Stormwater MSTU proposed tentative budget totaling $12,881,579, and Polk County Rancho Bonito MSTU proposed tentative budget totaling $55,387. Minutes: Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson said that FY 24/25 Polk County Parks MSTU proposed tentative budget is totaling $44,425,096 of which $19,377,844 is from property tax; the Polk County Library MSTU proposed tentative budget is totaling $10,177,281 of which $7,276,773 is from property tax; the Polk County Stormwater MSTU proposed tentative budget is totaling $12,881,579 of which $3,449,594 is from property tax; and Polk County Rancho Bonito MSTU proposed tentative budget totaling $55,387 of which $8,952 is from property tax. E. PUBLIC HEARING ON FY 24/25 PROPOSED TENTATIVE BUDGET AND MILLAGE RATES (Bill Braswell, Chair) E.1. Requests from the public to speak regarding the FY 24/25 Proposed Tentative Operating Budget and Millage Rates, which include the Parks MSTU, Library MSTU, Stormwater MSTU, and Rancho Bonito MSTU. Minutes: The Chair opened a public hearing. Michael Freitag said he received his notice of property tax form. He said this it is deceiving that it is not being discounted for the millage rates when it has in the past . He said there is over a 1,500% increase on his taxes. Chair Braswell said Deputy County Manager Todd Bond can explain the tax bill to him. Mr. Freitag said they moved here two years ago and they think everyone is doing a great job. Chair Braswell said for seven years the garbage fee was not raised and that is why that jumped up so high. Craig White said he received his tax notice and said it is a significant increase on what he was paying before. He said there are more expenses with more people and he asked if there is going to be more tax revenue with more people moving in. Chair Braswell said building a house makes a big difference in your taxes. He said Mr. Bond will look over his tax bill. The Chair closed the public hearing. F. SET THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES FOR FY 24/25 (Bill Braswell, Chair) Page 7 of 9 F.1. Recommend Board adopt the resolution establishing the FY 24/25 tentative millage rate of 0.0941 mills for the Polk County Stormwater MSTU, which is a 7.1% increase over the rolled-back rate of 0.0879 mills. Minutes: Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson discussed the resolution establishing the FY 24/25 tentative millage rate of 0.0941 mills for the Polk County Stormwater MSTU, which is a 7.1% increase over the rolled-back rate of 0.0879 mills. She recommended approval. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: George Lindsey SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago F.2. Recommend Board adopt the resolution establishing the FY 24/25 tentative operating millage rate of 6.6348 mills, which is a 5.7% increase over the rolled-back rate of 6.2763 mills; the tentative millage rate of 0.5286 mills for the Polk County Parks MSTU, which is a 7.0% increase over the rolled-back rate of 0.4940 mills; the tentative millage rate of 0.1985 mills for the Polk County Library MSTU, which is a 7.0% increase over the rolled-back rate of 0.1855 mills; and the tentative millage rate of 9.1272 mills for the Polk County Rancho Bonito MSTU, which is a 1.6% increase over the rolled-back rate of 8.9803 mills. Minutes: Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson discussed the resolution establishing the FY 24/25 tentative operating millage rate of 6.6348 mills, which is a 5.7% increase over the rolled-back rate of 6.2763 mills; the tentative millage rate of 0.5286 mills for the Polk County Parks MSTU, which is a 7.0% increase over the rolled-back rate of 0.4940 mills; the tentative millage rate of 0.1985 mills for the Polk County Library MSTU, which is a 7.0% increase over the rolled-back rate of 0.1855 mills; and the tentative millage rate of 9.1272 mills for the Polk County Rancho Bonito MSTU, which is a 1.6% increase over the rolled-back rate of 8.9803 mills. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: George Lindsey AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago G. SET THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FY 24/25 (Bill Braswell, Chair) G.1. Recommend Board adopt the resolution adopting the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $12,881,579 for the Polk County Stormwater MSTU, which is included in the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $2,984,670,147. Minutes: Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson discussed the resolution adopting the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $12,881,579 for the Polk County Stormwater MSTU, which is included in the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $2,984,670,147. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: George Lindsey SECONDER: Martha Santiago Page 8 of 9 AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago G.2. Recommend Board adopt the resolution adopting the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $2,984,670,147; the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $44,425,096 for the Polk County Parks MSTU, the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $10,177,281 for the Polk County Library MSTU, and the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $55,387 for the Polk County Rancho Bonito MSTU. Minutes: Budget and Management Director Christia Johnson discussed the resolution adopting the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $2,984,670,147; the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $44,425,096 for the Polk County Parks MSTU, the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $10,177,281 for the Polk County Library MSTU, and the FY 24/25 tentative budget of $55,387 for the Polk County Rancho Bonito MSTU. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: George Lindsey SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago H. SET THE FY 24/25 SECOND PUBLIC HEARING DATE/TIME (Bill Braswell, Chair) H.1. Recommend the Board set the date, time, and place for the Public Hearing to adopt a final millage rate and budget on September 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Boardroom. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: George Lindsey SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Wilson, and Santiago ADJOURNMENT (Bill Braswell, Chair) Minutes: Meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Page 9 of 9