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2 | 2010 Leon CountyAnnual Report

It is with great pleasure that I present the 2010 Leon County Annual Report, which provides Leon County citizens an opportunity to have a closer look at the inner workings of their government and to learn about the extraordinary accomplishments of the County’s award-winning departments and divisions.

This year, we have included photos and biographies of department and division leaders so that Leon County residents can learn more about the public servants who work diligently and tirelessly for them year-round, engineering, developing, maintaining and enhancing our community.

In fact, many undertook theHerculean task of assuming control of Innovation Park’s operations, in addition to their day-to-day responsibilities. Several offces, including County Administration, the County Attorney and Public Information, pulled double duty this past year, establishing policies and procedures that have improved the effciency and effectiveness of the Park.

Even though these past few years have proved challenging for our citizens and our government, the Board of County Commissioners took several strategic steps to focus its limited resources on maintaining jobs, investing in the community, and creating local infrastructure improvements while maintaining high-quality services for residents.

The preparation of the budget took into consideration the continued constraints of the recession and ongoing market adjustments associated with real estate. This included another decline in property valuations in the amount of $227 million on top of last year’s $1 billion decline. County, Constitutional and Judicial offces worked together to evaluate where resources could be reduced while still maintaining necessary services.

The Board was able to reduce the budget by $40.1 million – or 14.25% since FY2008 – while also offering some tax relief to citizens by reducing overall property tax collections by $1.8 million from last year and maintaining

appropriate levels of reserves. Commissioners also restructuredGrowth and Environmental Management, which involved the elimination of 9 positions to compensate for a decline in permitting activity. The FY2011 budget demonstrates theBoard’songoingsupport of community investment projects through the realignment of $2.6 million, set aside for capital federal stimulus grant matches, into necessary stormwater and transportation projects.

In addition to advance funding these projects, the County has committed $23.2 million to the Public Safety Complex that will house joint dispatch, the County’s Emergency Operations Center, the State’s Regional Traffc Management Center and the headquarters for the functionally consolidated Fire/EMS Department. The groundbreaking for the facility is anticipated to begin in the summer of FY2011 and be completed and occupied by 2012.

The Board showed its commitment to job creation by budgeting $97.7million in capital project improvements. Based on an analysis performed through the Economic Development Council that takes into consideration previously funded capital projects, total construction jobs createdwill bemore than 800 .

In the previous year’s budget process, the Board enacted a local economic capital funding program in the amount of $14.3 million. Projects included funding for the completion of Buck Lake Road, Northeast and B.L. Perry Library branch expansions, and the Eastside and Lake Jackson Libraries. These projects were started during the current fscal year, and the County purchased the Huntington Oaks Plaza, the site for the Lake Jackson Library.

LeonCounty also recognizes the importance of creating a quality cultural and recreational environment as a key component to economic development. For example, constructing community rooms at the Huntington Oaks Plaza and the refurbishing of the plaza’s façade – in addition to the expansion of the Lake Jackson Library – adds much-needed amenities to the northwest portion of the County. The effect of these projects has been benefcial to the citizens of Leon County by infusing local funds into capital projects which assists in providing needed jobs in the community. In addition, due to the slowdown in the construction industry, bids received for these projects have been below estimates, which provides the community these capital projects at reduced costs.

During the recession, the County saw a drop in the amount of state-shared revenue provided from statewide sales tax collections, but this year’s budget continues to provide property tax relief to our citizens. Overall, property tax collections for FY 2010/2011 will be $1.8 million less than last year. These savings are a direct result of two factors: (1) theBoardmaintaining the current combined millage rate; and (2) a decline in property values by $227 million.

Over the past three years, the Board has reduced 72 positions, including previous positions associated with contracted visitor services, from its workforce, by reorganizing stormwater, transportation, growth management, tourism and administrative functions. This restructuring has allowed the Board to reduce costs while minimally affecting service levels.

The recession and continuing weak economy, combined with property tax reductions, have placed the County in a tenuous position for future years. But because the Board took strategic steps to put the County in a position to weather the storm, we are maintaining a positive outlook for future years and generations to come.

MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTY ADMINI STRATOR

Citizen Charter Review Committee

On October 13, 2009, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners established the frst Citizen Charter Review Committee, which was charged with reviewing the County Charter and proposing any changes for the 2010 General Election. The Committee met for 120 days to review and evaluate the County Charter and provide recommendations that would enhance the effectiveness and effciency of County government.

The Leon County Charter serves as the local constitution and defnes the role and function of County government. It was frst adopted by the citizens of Leon County in 2002.

Throughout the entire Charter review process, the Board and the Committee placed emphasis on public involvement. A website was established to provide residents with access to agendas, meeting minutes and other Charter documents, and a website also gave citizens the opportunity to email questions and comments to the Committee.

The Committee met regularly on Thursdays at the County Courthouse, alternating between afternoon and evening meetings to provide for greater citizen access. During each meeting, a section was reserved for public input, which was heavily utilized by citizens to express their thoughts on Charter review issues and process.

Additionally, each meeting was broadcast live on the Committee’s website and re-aired on Tuesdays on Comcast Channel 16.

The Committee was made up of 15 Leon County citizens that represented a broad cross section of the community. They

held 14 meetings during a fve-month span, listening to public testimonies and promoting citizen participation through its website and televised broadcast.

The Committee’s work resulted in the development of six proposed amendments for the General Election Ballot, and the Board developed an informational booklet in order to ensure that citizens were well informed of the proposed amendments before entering the ballot booth.

On November 2, 2010, the citizens of Leon County adopted fve of the amendments, which will enhance the effciency and operation of County government.

This marks the frst time that the Leon County Charter has been amended.

For more information, contact Special Projects Coordinator Shington Lamy at (850) 606-5300 or the Public Information Offce at (850) 606-5300 / pio@leoncountyf.gov .

County Administrator

Fire Chief Cindy Dick and EMS Chief Tom Quillin have helped lead the effort to create a Public Safety Complex in Leon County that will house joint dispatch, the County’s Emergency Operations Center, the State’s Regional Traffc Management Center and the headquarters for the functionally consolidated Fire/EMS Department. The facility is anticipated to be completed and occupied by fall of 2012.

Kim Dressel

Senior Assistant to the County Administrator

606-5331 DresselK@leoncountyf.gov

Parwez Alam

County Administrator 606-5300

AlamP@leoncountyf.gov

The County Administrator is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners. Parwez Alam serves as the chief executiveoffcer of theCounty, and it ishis responsibility to implement all policies and programs approved by the Board. The County Administrator leads nearly 800 employees who are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the outstanding quality of life that has made Leon County a desirable place to live, work and raise children. Additionally, the County Administrator recommends an annual County operating and capital improvement budget to the Board and coordinates its meeting agendas and workshops.

Parwez Alam has more than 40 years of management experience in the public and private sectors, and he has served Leon County for more than 20 years. He received his undergraduate degree inCivil Engineering and two master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Management. Alam also served as an adjunct

professor at Florida State University from 1986 to 2005.