Budget Workshop
The Holmes County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Workshop on the above date with the following members present: Commissioner Ron Monk, Commissioner Kenneth Williams, Commissioner Jim King, Commissioner Phillip Music, and Commissioner Monty Merchant, Chairman of the Board.
Alice Vickers, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.
Chairman Merchant opened the meeting with prayer and led the pledge.
Chairman Merchant advised that the State had cut the County’s revenue projections by $41,841 which increased the cuts needed to balance the budget to $133,370.
Cody
Taylor, Clerk, informed the Board that Chief Judge McClellan and the Court
Administrator had met with him to advise that the technology equipment
requested in the Circuit and
The following additions were made to the proposed budget:
Circuit Judge $ 5,460
Roll
Forward - $5,000 from
The following cuts were made to the proposed budget:
Sheriff $ 25,000
Emergency Medical Services $ 11,231
Extension Service -Salaries $ 2,293
-FICA $ 175
-Retirement $ 225
Miscellaneous -Holmes Creek Soil & Water $ 200
-
-Tri County Community Council $ 750
-Chamber of Commerce $ 750
-RSVP $ 200
-Council On Aging $ 2,400
The
Board discussed the Building Department proposed budget. Commissioner Williams stated that changing
one full time secretary position back to a part-time position would save
$16,733 and allow the department to operate within it’s projected revenue. Commissioner King suggested funding a portion
of one secretary’s salary from the Planning budget since this department has
been taking calls regarding planning and zoning issues. Commissioner Music suggested eliminating the
funding for the
Commissioner Monk stated that he was interested in contracting with the West Florida Regional Planning Council to provide the planning for the County. He advised that this had worked effectively for the County in the past and would be an alternative to hiring another planner. He stated that he would gather information and bring it back for the Board’s consideration.
Commissioner King stated that he would like the Board to consider eliminating the supervisor position at the Road Department Shop. He suggested it would be more cost effective to have a “working supervisor” by combining a mechanic position with the supervisor position. No action was taken.
The Board discussed the reduction of the Solid Waste Grant which funds the Litter Control Officer, the Recycling Department, and the landfill water monitoring. The 2008-09 grant was funded in the amount of $277,316 and was reduced to $78,787 for 2009-10. A roll forward of $62,000 in County funds generated by the sale of cardboard, white goods, and waste tire fees is projected which would be used to subsidize the grant along with a projected revenue of $10,000. The Board discussed the following operational guidelines for the 2009-10 fiscal year:
1 – Cardboard would only be picked up locally
2 – Payment would no longer be made to local businesses for cardboard
3 – The remaining Recycling employee would pick up cardboard two mornings each
week and would drive the older truck which does not require a CDL license
4 – Possibly increasing the fees charged for waste tires since it is costing more than we currently charge to dispose of them
Commissioner King
offered a motion to eliminate the Litter Control position and the Recycling
Truck Driver position as of
The Board discussed that approximately $7,200 of unanticipated “administrative funds” from the Emergency Operations Center Building Grant was available. The Board agreed by consensus to use $5,000 of these funds to increase the roll forward of the General Fund to aid with balancing the budget and to allow Emergency Management to utilize the remaining funds for the purchase of furniture.
Holley Segers of the Holmes County Health Department informed the Board that she had not heard from BayCares regarding the Board’s proposal in a prior meeting.
Mrs. Shirley Hawthorne, Chairman of the Ship Committee, advised that the Board needed to hire someone to assist Sherry Fitzpatrick who is currently coordinating the SHIP program. She also spoke regarding the Library budget.
The Board took a brief recess. Chairman Merchant reconvened the meeting.
Mr. Fulton Yancey, citizen, advised the Board that since the County has purchased a new grader, the old grader could be sold and the funds used to help balance the budget.
Holley Segers of the Holmes County Health Department informed the Board that Doctor’s Memorial had declined to allow the use of the old hospital site for additional parking for the Health Department.
The Board agreed by consensus to
hold a Budget Workshop on
Chairman Merchant stated that Eddie Whitehurst, Special Projects Manager, had discussed the port-a-john rentals for the parks again with Mr. Middlebrooks and found that the County would be liable for all damages instead of Middlebrooks Rental as he had first understood.
Chairman Merchant also advised that a meeting should be set to discuss stimulus funding with CEI, county engineers.
Commissioner Music offered a motion to adjourn with Commissioner King offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.
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Clerk Chairman