BRADENTON -- At the budget reconciliation meeting Thursday, commissioners voted to not change the county's millage rate of 6.2993 for FY2013. Children's services, substance abuse, indigent care and economic development dominated the concerns of the commissioners and the public. With an increasingly shrinking budget, commissioners struggled to fund all of the pressing issues, as the interested parties wait to see what gets written in stone.
The budget submitted to the Manatee County Commission on May 31, 2012 was based on an early estimate of taxable property value. That budget was in the amount of $458,131,802 and no funding changes were made as of Thursday's meeting except for some corrections and adjustments that were based on updated information.
Those adjustments were a mid-year increase to the 14th Street CRA, in the amount of $174,514 and an increase to the South County CRA in the amount of $157,409. At that time, they were funded from county reserves to allow the continuation of their current programs. The budget is now adjusted upward by $331,932, to a total of $458,463,725.
Thursday's Budget Reconciliation meeting was to revisit nine flagged budget items that could possibly affect the millage rate, and propose the county's millage rate for FY2013. The proposed TRIM rate (Truth in Millage) will be mailed to property owners in August.
The nine flagged items and the amounts of concern:
1. Children Services Tax Fund -- Does the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) have to be funded from this fund? -- ($1,700,000) All of the commissioners agreed that funding for the DJJ needs to be weened from the Children Services Tax Fund. Commissioner Gallen wants to look into the billing by the state for the county's participation in the DJJ program. The county owns the facilities that all counties use to house those in the DJJ program. Possibly millions of dollars could be returned to Manatee County if refunded by the state.
2. Can funding be discontinued for the Suncoast Community Capital contribution? -- ($10,000) Will be reviewed.
3. Can additional funding of $545,000 ($195k for baker act and $350k for Adult Detox) be found for Manatee Glens? -- ($545,000) If the additional funds are provided then funding is projected to last until the second quarter of FY15. Commissioner McClash said, "Healthcare for the mentally ill should be a high priority."
4. Can funding be found for Drug Court Counseling/Case Management expenses and Public Defender staffing cost? -- ($139,000) Jim Seuffert, Director, Financial Management Department informed commissioners that with the help of the Sheriff and other departments they managed to secure the needed funds.
5. Can the $1million reserve in the General Fund for CIP R&R in FY14 be used in FY13 to expedite projects and create jobs? --($1,000,000) Staff recommends the funds remain in reserve.
6. What is the cost of the inter-library loan program, and should it be continued? -- ($93,161) At two library locations, hours will be reduced to 40 hours a week. At the Main Library, hours will remain 48 hours per week.
7. What are the current revenues for the CRAs and what are the plans for the use of available funds? -- ($187,698) . Ed Hunzeker, County Administrator, said, for economic development we may need "more revenues" adding "Éthere are a number of things we can do." Commissioner Whitmore emphasized that she was against the program from the beginning, expressing skepticism that they could add revenues, to which Commissioner McClash responded, "The big picture is in 2004 there was zero in the bank, today it's got $3.1 million. What affects have we had? There have been a lot of changes -- we are bringing crime down in the area. The community center, is an incubator for the economy."
Commissioner DiSabatino added, "I was surprised how many attended the conference, Allison (Hewitt) is working hard and with crime reported down we are only spending $100k a year for extra policing, instead of $200k. Residents are energized."
8. In the General Fund, what is the reason for the increase in reserves for Beach Improvements, from $200k in FY12 to $330k in FY13? -- ($130,000) Hunzeker advised, "There are things that will happen on the beach. Leave the reserves there for the future.
9. Should the Longboat Key Trolley service continue to be funded? -- ($281,826) Donna Hayes was the only commissioner who suggested to end funding for the Island Trolley. Suggestions as to how the Trolley can be better marketed was the topic shared by the rest of the commissioners.
Motion to authorize county administrator to take all actions necessary to certify proposed millage rates approved to the Property Appraiser. -- Approved, Unanimous
Upcoming Budget Public Hearing Dates:
Sept. 6, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 13 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
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