Leon County
Board of County Commissioners

Agenda Item#26
 
July 12, 2022
To: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board
  
From: Vincent S. Long, County Administrator
  
Title: Ratification of Board Actions Taken at the June 21, 2022, Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Workshop
  

 

 

Review and Approval: Vincent S. Long, County Administrator
Department/Division
Review and Approval:
Alan Rosenzweig, Deputy County Administrator
Ken Morris, Assistant County Administrator
Wanda Hunter, Assistant County Administrator
Scott Ross, Director, Office of Financial Stewardship
Lead Staff/
Project Team:
Roshaunda Bradley, Budget Manager
Jelani Marks, Senior Management & Budget Analyst

 

 


Statement of Issue:

This item seeks the Board’s ratification of actions taken at the June 21, 2022 Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Workshop concerning the development of the FY 2023 Tentative Budget.

 

Fiscal Impact:  

This item has a fiscal impact.  It establishes Board direction for preparation of the Fiscal Year 2023 Tentative Budget.

 

Staff Recommendation:

Option #1:       Ratify the direction provided by the Board during the June 21, 2022, FY 2023 Budget Workshop.

Option #2:       Approve the new pay plan (Attachment #1) establishing a minimum wage of $15/hour effective October 1, 2022 and approve the associated revisions to the Leon County Personnel Policies (Attachment #2).

Option #3:       Approve the hiring of an Affordable Housing Coordinator in FY 2022 to immediately begin implementing the County’s increased SHIP funding allocation.

Option #4:       Authorize the County Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Kearney Center, subject to legal review by the County Attorney, approving the use of CARES funds to reimburse the Kearney Center for expenses incurred housing homeless clients during the pandemic subject to the County being reimbursed by FEMA, as specified in the preliminary budget overview item.

Option #5:       Authorize the County Administrator to execute a contract with the Interim Medical Examiner, subject to legal review by the County Attorney, and adopt the related Fee Schedule (Attachments #3 and #4).

Option #6:       Approve the FY 2022 Resolution and Budget Amendment which funds capital improvement projects, purchasing new ambulances and the Sheriff’s additional unanticipated off-site medical expenditures as specified in the preliminary budget overview item (Attachment #5).

           

Option #7:       Direct the County Administrator to include 5% raises for County and Constitutional Officer employees in the Preliminary FY 2023 Budget. Additionally, employees who have reached the ceiling of their current pay grade range will receive a one-time 5% pay out.

Option #8:       Approve the FY 2022 Budget Amendment allocating $25,000 from general fund contingency for Frenchtown Rising events (Attachment #6) and bring back a budget discussion item during the FY 2024 budget process to consider future funding.

Option #9:       Approve $60,000 to America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend for the purchase of a truck for the Mobile Pop-up Pantry Program.

Option #10:     Direct staff to bring back an agenda item on the establishment of the Trusted People Neighborhood Engagement Steering Committee in partnership with the City of Tallahassee and Children Services Council of Leon County as a focus group comprised of leaders and stakeholders of the neighborhood with the highest food insecurity rates to connect human service providers and resources with residents of the neighborhoods for greater awareness and access.

Option #11:     Approve $5,000 annually to conduct programming and events in partnership with the City of Tallahassee, Children Services Council of Leon County, and the United Way of the Big Bend that directly engage neighborhood leaders and stakeholders to raise awareness of available resources in the community for basic needs, enhanced quality of life, and economic prosperity.

Option #12:     Direct staff to participate in the Florida Department of Health in Leon County’s “Grow Leon” Initiative and partner with agencies such as Florida A&M University and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) to support the collaboration and coordination of the local food system to address food insecurity in the community.

Option #13:     Establish the Neighborhood Engagement and Community Partnerships Manager position within the Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships to fully realize and implement the recommendations and solutions identified during the neighborhood meetings on food insecurity.

Option #14      Accept the status report on County boat landing improvements and renovations.

Option #15:     Accept the update on the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Option #16:     Approve the creation of a Grants Coordinator position within the Office of Financial Stewardship in the FY 2022 budget.

Option #17:     Approve the option agreement for the Thomasville Road Property (which affords the County the opportunity to purchase this property within the next 12 months), direct staff to continue to work with the City/School Board to assist financially in the purchase of the properties associated with the Lake Hall School House and encourage the Friend of the Lake Hall School House to continue to identity other possible funding sources. 

Option #18:     Approve the Florida Civil Rights Museum, Inc.’s funding request in the amount of $60,000 and direct the County Administrator to increase the use of General Fund Balance in the Preliminary FY 2023 Budget.

Option #19:     Establish the maximum countywide millage rate for FY 2023 at 8.3144.

Option #20:     Establish the maximum Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for FY 2023 at 0.5 mills.

Option #21:     Authorize the purchase of new ambulances from Rev RTC, Inc. d/b/a Hall-Mark RTC utilizing the Florida Sheriff’s Association cooperative purchasing agreement (Attachment #7) and authorize the County Administrator to execute any relevant documents and agreements and any future modifications, subject to legal review by the County Attorney.                       

 

 

Report and Discussion

 

Background:

As specified on the Board adopted Budget Calendar, a FY 2023 Preliminary Policy Workshop was conducted on June 21, 2022.  The purpose of the workshop was to provide staff direction regarding the development of the FY 2023 Tentative Budget.

 

Analysis:

In accordance with the direction provided taken during the June 21, 2022 Budget Workshop, a summary of proposed action is summarized below:

 

  1. Workshop Item #1: Fiscal Year 2023 Preliminary Budget Overview

The Board provided direction regarding the following options, as amended:

  1. Accept the report on the Preliminary Budget overview.
  2. Approve the new pay plan (Attachment #1) establishing a minimum wage of $15/hour effective October 1, 2022 and approve the associated revisions to the Leon County Personnel Policies (Attachment #2).
  3. Approve the hiring of an Affordable Housing Coordinator in FY 2022 to immediately begin implementing the County’s increased SHIP funding allocation.
  4. Authorize the County Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Kearney Center, subject to legal review by the County Attorney, approving the use of CARES funds to reimburse the Kearney Center for expenses incurred housing homeless clients during the pandemic, subject to the County being reimbursed by FEMA, as specified in the preliminary budget overview item.
  5. Authorize the County Administrator to execute a contract with the Interim Medical Examiner, subject to legal review by the County Attorney, and adopt the related Fee Schedule (Attachment #3 and #4).
  6. Approve the FY 2022 Resolution and Budget Amendment which funds capital improvement projects, purchasing new ambulances and the Sheriff’s additional unanticipated off-site medical expenditures as specified in the preliminary budget overview item (Attachment #5).
  7. Accept the status report on the FY 2022 – FY 2026 Strategic Plan.
  8. Direct the County Administrator to include 5% raises for County and Constitutional Officer employees in the Preliminary FY 2023 Budget.  Additionally, employees who have reached the ceiling of their current pay grade range will receive a one-time 5% pay out.
  9. Approve the FY 2022 Budget Amendment allocating $25,000 from general fund contingency for Frenchtown Rising events (Attachment #6) and bring back a budget discussion item during the FY 2024 budget process to consider future funding.
  1. Recommended Actions to Address Findings from the Food Insecurity Neighborhood Meetings

The Board provided direction regarding the following options:

  1. Approve $60,000 to America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend for the purchase of a truck for the Mobile Pop-up Pantry Program.
  2. Direct staff to bring back an agenda item on the establishment of the Trusted People Neighborhood Engagement Steering Committee in partnership with the City of Tallahassee and Children Services Council of Leon County as a focus group comprised of leaders and stakeholders of the neighborhood with the highest food insecurity rates to connect human service providers and resources with residents of the neighborhoods for greater awareness and access. 
  3. Approve $5,000 annually to conduct programming and events in partnership with the City of Tallahassee, Children Services Council of Leon County, and the United Way of the Big Bend that directly engage neighborhood leaders and stakeholders to raise awareness of available resources in the community for basic needs, enhanced quality of life, and economic prosperity.
  4. Direct staff to participate in the Florida Department of Health in Leon County’s “Grow Leon” Initiative and partner with agencies such as Florida A&M University and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) to support the collaboration and coordination of the local food system to address food insecurity in the community.
  5. Establish the Neighborhood Engagement and Community Partnerships Manager position within the Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships to fully realize and implement the recommendations and solutions identified during the neighborhood meetings on food insecurity.

 

  1. Status Report on County Boat Landing Improvements and Renovations

The Board provided direction regarding the following option:

  1. Accept the status report on County boat landing improvements and renovations.

                                 

  1.  Update on the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The Board provided direction regarding the following options:

  1.  Accept the update on the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
  2. Approve the creation of a Grants Coordinator position within the Office of Financial Stewardship in the FY 2022 budget.

 

  1. Consideration of Options to Purchase Properties Associated with Lake Hall School House Preservation Efforts

The Board provided direction regarding the following option:

  1. Approve the option agreement for the Thomasville Road Property (which affords the County the opportunity to purchase this property within the next 12 months), direct staff to continue to work with the City/School Board to assist financially in the purchase of the properties associated with the Lake Hall School House and encourage the Friend of the Lake Hall School House to continue to identity other possible funding sources. 

 

  1.   Florida Civil Rights Museum, Inc.’s Funding Request

The Board provided direction regarding the following option:

  1. Approve the funding request in the amount of $60,000 and direct the County Administrator to increase the use of General Fund Balance in the Preliminary FY 2023 Budget.

 

  1.    Establishing the Maximum Millage Rate for the FY 2023 Tentative Budget

The Board provided direction regarding the following options:

  1.  Establish the maximum countywide millage rate for FY 2023 at 8.3144.
  2. Establish the maximum Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for FY 2023 at 0.5 mills.

 

Final Budget Changes

As directed by the Board at the budget workshop, the tentative budget includes funding to support 5% raises for all County and Constitutional Officer employees and $60,000 to support the Florida Civil Rights Museum funding request.  The Board approved using fund balances to support these changes.  In addition, the Property Appraiser has provided the final values for countywide property, the EMS MSTU and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Districts.  Based on final values increasing 9.33%, property tax collections are estimated to increase $149,924.  At the workshop, the preliminary estimates had values increasing 9.24%.  This increase in property tax collections allows for a lower use of fund balance.  Table 1 shows fund balance usage for general fund supported positions, and fund balance use for special revenue fund positions (i.e., Tourism, Building, etc.)  In addition, the State has provided a minor adjustment in the SHIP allocation for next year which is also reflected below.  Final estimated Tax Collector commissions are also reflected in the table.  Based on these changes, the FY 2023 Preliminary Budget is $317,904,222 or an 8.1% change from the FY 2022 Adopted Budget.  Table 1 reflects these budgetary changes.

 

Table 1: Post June 21, 2022 Budget Workshop Revenue and Expenditure Changes

Budget Category

Amount (+/-)

Revenues

 

General Fund - Fund Balance

$1,228,874

Other Fund Balance

$238,426

Property Taxes

$141,419

EMS MSTU

$8,504

SHIP Funding

$10,980

Total Change in Revenues

$1,628,203

Expenses

 

General Revenue Salary Increases from 3% to 5%

$1,316,890

Special Revenue Salary Increases from 3% to 5%

$237,501

Florida Civil Rights Museum

$60,000

SHIP

$10,980

Tax Collector (Property Tax Commissions)

$5,074

CRA Payment

($2,242)

Total Change in Expenses

$1,628,203

 

Vehicle Purchases

Consistent with Board direction and the budget amendment which provides funding for ambulances, this item seeks Board approval to utilize cooperative purchasing (piggybacking). The utilization of cooperative purchasing agreements must be authorized by the Board when the value exceeds $250,000.  Pursuant to the Purchasing Policy No. 96‐1, Section 5.12, the County may take advantage of cooperative purchasing agreements when it is in the best interest of the County as determined by the award thresholds authorized in the policy.

This item requests Board authorization to purchase new ambulances from Hall-Mark RTC utilizing the Florida Sheriff’s Association Contract #FSA 20-VEF 14.01 (Attachment #7).  The contract contains cooperative purchasing language, allowing the County to utilize this contract.  The EMS, Fleet Management, and Purchasing Divisions agree that this is the most cost-effective and efficient way to procure the ambulances. The terms and conditions of the Florida Sheriff’s Association Contract will be added into the County’s purchase order terms and conditions.

 

Options:

  1. Ratify the direction provided by the Board during the June 21, 2022 FY 2023 Budget Workshop.
  2. Approve the new pay plan (Attachment #1) establishing a minimum wage of $15/hour effective October 1, 2022 and approve the associated revisions to the Leon County Personnel Policies (Attachment #2)
  3. Approve the hiring of an Affordable Housing Coordinator in FY 2022 to immediately begin implementing the County’s increased SHIP funding allocation.
  4. Authorize the County Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Kearney Center, subject to legal review by the County Attorney, approving the use of CARES funds to reimburse the Kearney Center for expenses incurred housing homeless clients during the pandemic subject to the County being reimbursed by FEMA, as specified in the preliminary budget overview item.
  5. Authorize the County Administrator to execute a contract with the Interim Medical Examiner, subject to legal review by the County Attorney, and adopt the related Fee Schedule (Attachment #3 and #4).
  6. Approve the FY 2022 Resolution and Budget Amendment which funds capital improvement projects, purchasing new ambulances and the Sheriff’s additional unanticipated off-site medical expenditures as specified in the preliminary budget overview item (Attachment #5).
  7. Direct the County Administrator to include 5% raises for County and Constitutional Officer employees in the Preliminary FY 2023 Budget. Additionally, employees who have reached the ceiling of their current pay grade range will receive a one-time 5% pay out.
  8. Approve the FY 2022 Budget Amendment allocating $25,000 from general fund contingency for Frenchtown Rising events (Attachment #6) and bring back a budget discussion item during the FY 2024 budget process to consider future funding.
  9. Approve $60,000 to America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend for the purchase of a truck for the Mobile Pop-up Pantry Program.
  10. Direct staff to bring back an agenda item on the establishment of the Trusted People Neighborhood Engagement Steering Committee in partnership with the City of Tallahassee and Children Services Council of Leon County as a focus group comprised of leaders and stakeholders of the neighborhood with the highest food insecurity rates to connect human service providers and resources with residents of the neighborhoods for greater awareness and access.
  11. Approve $5,000 annually to conduct programming and events in partnership with the City of Tallahassee, Children Services Council of Leon County, and the United Way of the Big Bend that directly engage neighborhood leaders and stakeholders to raise awareness of available resources in the community for basic needs, enhanced quality of life, and economic prosperity.
  12. Direct staff to participate in the Florida Department of Health in Leon County’s “Grow Leon” Initiative and partner with agencies such as Florida A&M University and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) to support the collaboration and coordination of the local food system to address food insecurity in the community.
  13. Establish the Neighborhood Engagement and Community Partnerships Manager position within the Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships to fully realize and implement the recommendations and solutions identified during the neighborhood meetings on food insecurity.
  14. Accept status report on County boat landing improvements and renovations.
  15. Accept the update on the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
  16. Approve the creation of a Grants Coordinator position within the Office of Financial Stewardship in the FY 2022 budget.
  17. Approve the option agreement for the Thomasville Road Property (which affords the County the opportunity to purchase this property within the next 12 months), direct staff to continue to work with the City/School Board to assist financially in the purchase of the properties associated with the Lake Hall School House and encourage the Friend of the Lake Hall School House to continue to identity other possible funding sources.    
  18. Approve the Florida Civil Rights Museum, Inc.’s funding request in the amount of $60,000 and direct the County Administrator to increase the use of General Fund Balance in the Preliminary FY 2023 Budget.
  19. Establish the maximum countywide millage rate for FY 2023 at 8.3144.
  20. Establish the maximum Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for FY 2023 at 0.5 mills.
  21. Authorize the purchase of new ambulances from Rev RTC, Inc. d/b/a Hall-Mark RTC utilizing the Florida Sheriff’s Association cooperative purchasing agreement (Attachment #7) and authorize the County Administrator to execute any relevant documents and agreements and any future modifications, subject to legal review by the County Attorney.
  22. Board direction.

 

Recommendation:

Options #1 through #21

 

Attachments:

  1. Evergreen Pay Plan Recommendations
  2. Revised Personnel Policies and Procedures Section 5.03.1 “Reclassifications”
  3. Contract with the Interim Medical Examiner
  4. Proposed FY 2023 Medical Examiner Fee Schedule, Including Leon County Morgue Use Fee
  5. Resolution and Budget Amendment Request
  6. Frenchtown Rising Contingency Statement and Budget Amendment Request
  7. Florida Sheriff’s Association Cooperative Purchasing Program Contract