[Call to Order by Chair]
[00:00:41]
THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WILL THE CLERK TAKE THE ROLE.
>> CHAIR COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST.
>> . >> VICE CHAIR SARAH ARNOLD.
>> PRESENT . >> COMMISSIONER HARRY DEAN.
>> PRESIDENT. >> COMMISSIONER ROY ALAIMO.
>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER KRISTA JOSEPH
>> LET'S PRAY PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS. HEAVENLY FATHER,WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY, THIS MEETING AND ITS AGENDA. WE ASK YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM, YOUR UNDERSTANDING, KNOWLEDGE AND GRACE DURING THIS TIME. WE THANK YOU FOR THE CLARITY OF THOUGHT AND CLARITY OF PURPOSE DURING THIS MEETING.
WE DO PRAY FOR THIS COUNTY AND PROTECTION , YOUR PEACE AND PROVISION AND IT. WE PRAY THIS IN JESUS NAME AMEN .
>> NOW TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
>> COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR OF UNITED STATES ARMY.
>> GOOD EVENING. PLEASE JOIN M IN THE LEDGE .
[Approval of Special Agenda]
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. > ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE SPECIAL AGENDA? COMMISSIONER ARNOLD .
>> NONE, MR. CHAIR. >> COMMISSIONER DEAN.
>> COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. >> NONE.
>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> NONE
>> SO MOVED TO APPROVE? >> JUST TO RENEW WHAT WE DID THIS MORNING, I WOULD AGAIN ASKED THE BOARD QUICKLY FOR CONSENSUS FOR COMMISSIONER ARNOLD TO ATTEND REMOTELY FOR THE SAME REASONS AS THIS MORNING, JUST TO PUT IT ON THE
RECORD. >> FOR WE TAKE A VOTE ON THE CURRENT MOTION ON THE FLOOR, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE
[1. Public Hearing * 5:01 p.m. Public Hearing -- Adoption of Tentative Millage Rates & Budget for FY 2024.]
COMMISSIONER ARNOLD TO JOIN US ON THE PHONE?>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. IN YOUR POST TEXT THAT PASSES 5-0 ANOTHER MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL AGENDA. MR.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER ALAIMO?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.
>> YES. >> THAT PASSES 5-0. JESSE DUNN
THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> AFTERNOON OR EVENING. JESSE DUNN, DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE O MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET . TONIGHT WE WILL BE GOING OVER THE FIRS PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE BUDGET. THERE WILL BE THREE MOTIONS AS PART OF THIS ITEM THIS EVENING FOR IF THIS IS A PRESCRIBED PROCESS BY FLORIDA STATUTES. THE BEGINNING OF THI DISCUSSION WILL BE AN OVERVIEW , WILL BE AN OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET PROCESS SINCE WE STARTE IN FEBRUARY , KIND OF BRING EVERYONE UP TO SPEED AS TO WHER WE ARE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. I HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT NIN MONTHS NOW, JUST TO BRING EVERYONE UP TO WHERE WE ARE IN THIS PROCESS. THE FIRST TWO ITEMS, AS I HAVE BEEN DOING TH LAST COUPLE OF PRESENTATIONS, THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A COMMERCIAL BREAK OR PUBLIC INFORMATION . BEGINNING THIS YEAR WE HAVE PUT OUR ENTIRE BUDGET , OUR ENTIRE BUDGET DOCUMENT ONLINE . IT IS IN A NE FORMAT AND WE INVITE THE PUBLI
[00:05:01]
TO PERU'S IT IT IT IS AN EASIER DOCUMENT TO GO THROUGH.YOU CAN REALLY ACCESS IT BY YOUR PHONE OR TYPICAL COMPUTER IT IS SCROLL FRIENDLY . YOU CAN JUMP AROUND AND LOOK BY SERVIC AREA. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A ACCOUNTING DEGREE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. AS WELL, PART OF THIS, IT IS TOUGH TO SEE ON HERE , IF YOU GO ON TO THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY WEBSITE GO TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WEBPAGE , CLICK ON THE TENTATIV BUDGET , YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET TO A SEPARATE WEBSITE , YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE YOUR BUDGET . IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND PARKS AND RECREATIO AND LIBRARIES , BUT YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN GENERAL GOVERNMENT OR SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS YOU CAN CLICK ON AND THERE IS A SECTION TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR BUDGET BOOK AND IT WILL SEND YOU A PDF OF ANY OR ALL INFORMATION IN OUR LINE ITEM BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET. MOVING INTO THE ACTUA BUDGET ITSELF . I MENTIONED THE PROCESS STARTED IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR WITH THE INITIAL PROJECT GUIDELINES, CERTAINLY NO ACTION LOOKING TO RECEIVE DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD AS TO WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE PRIORITIES AS WE MOVE INTO 24. WE START PLANNING IN FEBRUARY FOR THE NEXT YEAR FOR OCTOBER 1ST. WE HAD OUR WORKSHOP THREE DAYS , WE ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND WE GET DOWN INTO THE DETAIL WE HAVE EVERY DIVISION AND EVER DEPARTMENT COME IN OVER THE COURSE OF THE THREE DAYS OF THA WORKSHOP AND WE ASK QUESTIONS, WHAT IS GOING ON NEXT YEAR, WHAT'S GOING ON THIS YEAR? WE DID ASK MANY QUESTIONS OF DEPARTMENTS AND DIVISIONS AS TO WHAT THEY ARE PLANNING FOR THE NEXT YEAR. AT THAT POINT WE RECEIVED DIRECTION FROM THE COMMISSION AS TO WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET GO TO MOVE , OMB GOES BACK AND WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT AS WE WAIT FOR THE PROPERTY APPRAISERS AND CERTIFIED VALUE IN JUNE. WE RECOMMENDED A BUDGET TO THE COMMISSION IN JULY. THE FIRST MEETING AND AUGUST WE ESTABLISHED THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES AND WE HAD FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGE INCLUDING ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR LIBRARY SERVICES AS WELL AS FO FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT . THAT BRINGS US TO THIS EVENING . THI IS THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE BUDGET. GOING THROUG SOME OF THIS INFORMATION, SINC THE LAST TIME WE HAD A BUDGET DOCUMENT , THE BUDGET WAS APPROXIMATELY 1.2 BILLION FOR OUR BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 24 A I MENTIONED AND I HOPE I MENTIONED ENOUGH , AT THE END O THIS PROCESS, THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WORKS WIT THE DEPARTMENTS TO INCORPORATE WHAT ARE CALLED MULTIYEAR CAPITAL AND GRANT CARRYFORWARDS. THOSE WERE ALREADY APPROVED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 23 BUDGET. THOSE ARE MULTIYEAR APPROPRIATIONS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS A ROAD PROJECT WILL NOT TAKE 12 MONTH TO DO, IT COULD TAKE 18 TO 24 MONTHS. SUMMARILY WE HAVE SOME VERY LARGE GRANT PROGRAMS AND WE UTILIZE THOSE OVER MULTIPLE YEARS. IN THIS PROCESS , THIS IS PART OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS , WE INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL $473 MILLION THAT ARE ALREADY APPROVED APPROPRIATIONS FROM 23 INTO TH 24 BUDGET SO THAT OUR TENTATIV ADOPTIVE BUDGET , I WILL GIVE YOU THE EXACT NUMBER 1,665,000,000 SIX 64,000 -- A OF THIS EVENING'S TIMEFRAME. A I WILL REITERATE A COUPLE OF TIMES THE LINE ITEM BUDGET DOW TO OFFICE SUPPLIES, DOWN TO COMMUNICATIONS, UTILITIES CAN ALL BE FOUND ON LINE FOR ANY
AND ALL DEPARTMENTS. >> GETTING INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS , THIS IS CERTAINLY A SLIDE OR VISUAL THAT WE HAVE USED OVER THE YEARS. WE HAVE BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH AND IT'S
[00:10:06]
HARD TO LET GO OF THE HISTORY O THIS. THIS REFLECTS THE CERTIFIED TAXABLE VALUE THAT THE BOARD CONSIDERS WHEN SETTING MILLAGE EACH YEAR. YO CAN SEE BACK IN 2006, 2007 WE WERE AT 22, 26% VALUATION. WE WENT THROUGH THE GREAT RECESSIO AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE WE EXPERIENCE NEGATIVE VALUES AND AT THAT POINT IN THE PROCESS THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER HAD TO CONSIDER ATTRACTING SERVICES . AS WE DREW OUT OF THE GREAT RECESSION YOU CAN SEE THAT WE EXPERIENCED POSITIVE TAXABLE VALUES CERTAINLY OVER THE LAST DECADE WITH APPROXIMATE 16.5% RATE BELIEVE IT WAS 16.51 TAXABLE VALUE INCREASE FOR FISCAL YEAR 24 . THAT 16.5 PERCENT INCREASE IN TAXABLE VALUE RESULTS IN INCREMENTAL 43.6 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THAT IS IN THAT MIDDLE COLUMN. I ROUNDED THE NUMBERS FOR EASE OF UNDERSTANDING, I GUESS EASE OF UNDERSTANDING, YOU CAN SEE THE INCREMENTAL TAXES FOR THE GENERAL FUND ARE 29.8 MILLION, 8.3 MILLION FOR FIRE DISTRICT FUND, 5.4 FOR TRANSPORTATION TRUST AND ABOUT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE HEALT DEPARTMENT FUND. WE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSING THIS THIS EVENING AS REQUIRED FLORIDA STATUTE IS A DISCUSSION ON THE INCREMENTAL TAXES AT THE ROLLBACK RATE. YOU CAN SEE IN THE LAST COLUMN , IF THE DECISION WERE TO MOVE TOWARDS ROLLBACK RATE INSTEAD OF MAINTAINING FLAT MILLAGE RATES THE INCREMENTAL DOLLARS WOULD B REFLECTED AS SUCH A .7 MILLION INCREMENTAL FOR THE GENERAL FUND . 2.4 MILLION FOR FIRE DISTRICT, 1.5 MILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION TRUST , A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FUND. THAT WILL BE PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THIS EVENING AS WE MOVE FORWARD.>> WHEN I TALK ABOUT 16.5% INCREASE IN TAXABLE VALUES , I THINK THIS IS ALSO A BIT OF A COMMERCIAL BREAK, I WANT THE HOMESTEAD OF PROPERTY OWNERS T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS NOT APPLY A 16.5% INCREASE IN THEIR TAX BILL. THE STATE OF FLORIDA SAV OUR HOMES PROVISION PROTECTS HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES , WHICH IF IT IS A COMMERCIAL BREAK IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY PUT A HOMESTEAD ON THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY , I RECOMMEND YOU DO SO WHAT IT DOES IS PROTECT YOU FROM THE FULL PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE ASSESSED VALUE AT THE 16.5% TAXABLE VALUE INCREASE , A HOMESTEAD PROPERTY OWNER WILL ONLY EXPERIENCE ABOUT , THAT SQUIGGLY LINE AND PRINT OF THE THREE IS APPROXIMATE 3% INCREASE ON THEIR TAX BILL AT THE FLAT MILLAGE RATES PROPOSED THIS EVENING. NON-HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES , BY FLORIDA STATUTE ARE CAPPED AT 10% ANNUALLY.
GETTING INTO SOME OF THE ITEMS WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 24, TENTATIVE BUDGET SALARY RECOMMENDATIONS, WE LOOKED AT 7%, BUT THERE WAS ALSO ALTERNATIVE 4% PLUS ONE DOLLAR THAT THE COMMISSION ASK WE ACCOMMODATE OR FACILITATE A COMBINATION OF THOSE , CERTAINL NOT AND BUT ONE OR THE OTHER THE BUDGET REFLECTS THAT. WORKING WITH THE HEALTH INSURANCE COMMITTEE OVER THE COURSE OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, THE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION WILL BE 11% AND I WILL TELL YOU THE INSURANCE COMMITTEE WILL GET RIGHT ON HOW TO ADDRESS INSURANCE PROBABLY BEGINNING RIGHT THEN AND OCTOBER. WE ARE CONTINUING LOOKING AT HOW WE MANAGE OUR SELF-INSURED PROGRAM. RETIREMENT RATES ARE MANDATED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WE PARTICIPATE IN THE FRS SYSTEM. OVERALL IN THE COUNTY BUDGET WE HAVE INCORPORATED 45 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS, 18 WERE BROUGHT IN AT A LADDER
[00:15:06]
DISCUSSION. THOSE 45 POSITIONS WILL ADDRESS BOTH THE STATION 11 WHICH IS ON STATE ROAD 207 AS WELL AS MOVING FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT TOWARDS THE NFPA 1 STANDARDS.>> PART OF THE DISCUSSION ALSO INCLUDED LIBRARY POSITIONS TO ADD 35 SERVICE HOURS PER WEEK WHICH THE DISCUSSANT ENSUED AND IT IS NICE TO SEE AGAIN TH INCLUSION OF SUNDAY AND MONDAY HOURS AT MANY OF OUR LIBRARIES
>> SOLID WASTE ASSESSMENT INCREASE FOR RECYCLING COLLECTION IS $18 FOR NEXT YEA , CONSTITUTIONAL BUDGET CERTAINLY WORKED WITH THE CONSTITUTION THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. THEY INCLUDE AND I WILL HIGHLIGHT WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OPERATION 18 ADDITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOUR CORRECTION POSITIONS WHIL STILL COMING IN BELOW THE TARGE THAT WE HAD FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE . THAT WAS GREAT NEWS.
OPERATING BUDGETS WE HAVE TO ADDRESS, AS WE ALL DO AT OUR HOMES INSURANCE AND IN CHANGES IN INSURANCE SO WE HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGHER PROPERTY LIABILITY AND VEHICLE INSURANCE THAT WE HAVE INSURED ARE IN TH OPERATING BUDGET. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE TRENDED FUEL AND UTILITIES BASED ON FY 23 PROJECTIONS AT THE 8.5 AND 7. PERCENTAGE UP ON THE SCREEN. W CONTINUE TO ADDRESS OUR EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE. THERE IS CERTAINLY NEED FOR ADDITIONA ASSETS AND ADDITIONAL PARKS AND FIRE STATIONS . CERTAINLY THERE HAS BEEN A PRIORITY TO MAINTAIN EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL. WE HAV A VERY RIGOROUS PROGRAM THAT W FUND EACH YEAR AND THAT IS INCLUDED IN OUR BUDGET BOOK. SEE WHERE IN FISCAL YEAR 24 WHERE ARE DOLLARS WILL BE PLACED. WE ALSO MAINTAIN A FIVE-YEAR COMPUTER REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS SUMMARIES FOR OUR EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES. CERTAINLY WE ARE SEEING BETTER PROGRESS IN VEHICLES SINCE COVID. I THINK WE SAW THE NONEXISTENCE OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY FOR A WHILE AND IS CERTAINLY IS PICKING BACK UP. THERE ARE STILL DELAYS IN TERMS OF ORDERS AND PART OF THE CARRYOVERS AS WAS REFERENCED EARLIER IN THE PRESENTATION INCLUDE VEHICLES AS WELL. WE AR ORDERING THEM EARLY INTO THE FISCAL YEAR , BUT WE ARE SEEIN THAT THEY ARE NOT RECEIVED BY THE SCHOOL YEAR AND CARRIED FORWARD BY APPROPRIATIONS. WE STILL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT INDUSTRY IMPROVE SO THAT WE COULD GET THOSE VEHICLES TO TH APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS. WE AR INCORPORATING WHAT WE CALL CIP THERE ARE SO MANY ACRONYMS AND GOVERNMENT AND THAT IS OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN . PROGRAM FUNDING IS AVAILABLE.
VERY AGGRESSIVE STATE PROGRAM THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF UTILIZIN WHAT IS OUR PRIMARY CIP FUNDIN AND THAT IS IMPACT FEES.
IMPACT FEES LOOK VERY GOOD AS WELL IS THE PROGRAMMING OF IMPACT FEES. WE ARE RELYING HEAVILY ON THOSE IMPACT FEES FOR PARK INFRASTRUCTURE , AND FOR FIRE RESCUE. WE ARE MAXING THOSE OUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD. WE WILL MAINTAIN HEALTHY RESERVES AND CREDIT RATINGS. THAT IS THE POINT THAT ALLOWS M TO PUT MY HEAD ON THE PILLOW A NIGHT IS TO MAINTAIN THOSE RESERVES. CERTAINLY WE TALKED EARLIER TODAY ABOUT HURRICANE RESPONSE EFFORTS AND HAVING THOSE RESERVES ALLOWS US TO RESPOND AND ACTIVATE THE EEOC AND GET OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND TRULY RESPOND AS WELL AS THE PERMANENT WORK THAT IS WORKED ON THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. A LOT OF THE LEVERAGING OF FEDERAL AN STATE TODDLERS NECESSITATE LOCAL MATCH AND WE USE ARE
RESERVED FOR SUCH ITEMS. >> CERTAINLY TO BRING THIS INTO THE PROCESS, THE STATE OF FLORIDA AWARDED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY OVER $59 MILLION IN STATE OF FLORIDA APPROPRIATIONS
[00:20:01]
THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM THIS YEAR FOR TRANSPORTATION, LAND CONSERVATION AND COASTAL PROTECTION . AS A RESIDENT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY I INKED THE COMMISSION FOR THOSE INITIATIVE AND BRINGING THOSE DOLLARS IN LOCALLY. FTES FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR INCLUDE 51, AND I'M HIGHLIGHTING IT HERE, 51 POSITIONS FOR FIRE EMS, 45 AR FIREFIGHTERS, FIVE OF THOSE AR FULL-TIME MARINE RESCUE. 13.58 POSITIONS FOR LIBRARY, 6.3 ALLOW US TO EXPAND HOURS SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY AND ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE PARK POSITIONS, UTILITY POSITIONS, PUBLIC WORKS, COASTAL AND HOUSING AND I WOULD SAY ALL OF THESE WERE RECOMMENDED BASED ON DEMANDS ASSOCIATED WITH GROWTH.>> CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, THIS INCLUDES THE CARRYFORWARDS . THIS PROGRAM I OVER $656 MILLION AGREEMENT CHAIRMAN WHITEHURST , I KNOW THAT THERE WERE VARIOUS NUMBERS OUT THERE. I AM SURE A SNAPSHO IN TIME THOSE WERE ALL ACCURAT NUMBERS. AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCESS BEGINNING ON OCTOBER 1ST IT WILL BE ABOUT $656 MILLION BROKEN DOWN AS FOLLOWS THAT WARRANTS SOME EXTRA NATIO ABOUT 260 MILLION OF THAT IS RELATED TO UTILITIES WITH THE LARGEST BEING A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT OFF OF STATE ROAD 207. PUBLIC WORKS HAS ABOUT $230 MILLION. I HAD TO GLUE ON SOMETHING TO THE PRESENTATION JUST TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC WORK LIST. WE HAVE IN EXCESS OF 50 MILLION TOWARDS VARIOUS CR 210 PROCESS INCLUDING LEGISLATIVE DOLLARS AS WELL AS $35 MILLION FOR THE CR 2209 PROJECT . LONGLEAF PINE PARKWAY $18.8 MILLION . AGAIN, A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS CAME UP WITH THE COURSE OF FISCAL YEAR 23 AND APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION AND WE ARE SEEING THOSE PROJECTS CONTINUE INTO 24. $12 MILLION FOR OUR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAYBE ABOUT $12-$13 MILLION ON STATE ROAD 16. THIS ENTIRE PROGRAM IS ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE ON OUR DIGITAL BUDGET BOOK. THE COASTAL INCLUDES ABOUT $40 MILLION ON COASTAL PROJECTS. DR. IS MANAGING AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF PARKS AND RECREATION PROJECTS INCLUDING MILLCREEK PARK . PUBLIC SAFETY AT 25.8. I REALLY SHOULD CALL THAT FIRE RESCUE BECAUSE THERE IS WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANOTHER PUBLIC SAFETY . WITH IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY THERE IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE STATION 11 AS WELL AS A REPLACEMENT FIRE ENGINE PROGRAM AS WELL FOR 20 ADDITIONAL APPARATUS FOR THAT STATION. PUBLIC SAFETY INCLUDES -- I'M SORRY GENERAL GOVERNMEN AND CONSTITUTIONAL ADDRESSES AND INITIATIVE THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE , I THINK BACK IN 22 THAT IS SPACE NEEDS . LOOKING AT 24 , WE ARE ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS , $10.6 MILLION FOR THE SHERIFF'S TRAINING FACILITY TO MOVE SOME OF THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE OUT TO THE CURRENT TRAINING FACILITY AND PART OF THAT IS CARRYFORWARDS THAT IS NOT ALL NEW DOLLARS PE THERE IS A CARRYFORWARD FOR SUPERVISED ELECTIONS. $2.1 MILLION TOWARDS RENOVATIONS FO THE TAX COLLECTOR AS WELL. AND 1.1 FOR THE COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS AS WELL AS THE JUDGES AND AS WELL AS THE OIG
[00:25:06]
DEPARTMENT AS WELL. IN THE LIBRARY WE INCLUDE $10 MILLION THAT IS FOR THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE AREA LIBRARY AS WELL $6.8 MILLION TOWARDS THE HASTINGS LIBRARY. THAT WILL BE FORTHCOMING IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. CERTAINLY A PRETTY AGGRESSIVE AND LARGE CIP PROGRAM AS WE CONTINUE THESECAPITAL PROJECTS INTO 24 . >> FISCAL YEAR 24 MILLEDGE FUNDS, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU T LOOK AT ANY OF THE FUNDS ONLINE THE ONES I WILL TALK ABOUT ARE RELATED TO THE MILLEDGE FUNDS RATE THEY ARE ALIGNED WITH BOARD POLICY. THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES INCLUDES RESTRICTED DOLLARS BUT THE TARGET RESERVE ARE FOR 90 DAYS AT 44.6 MILLIO AS WELL AS UNRESTRICTED RESERVES AND 26.1 MILLION. I WILL STOP THERE. THAT ONE IS A LITTLE BIT LARGER AND THERE IS NOTE BELOW AND THAT TARGETED AND UNRESTRICTED RESERVE IS T SUSTAIN THE COUNTY CREDIT RATINGS AND TO PROVIDE THE COUNTY THE ABILITY TO RESPOND T VARIOUS INITIATIVES AND THOSE THAT COME UP THROUGHOUT THE YEA INCLUDING HURRICANE RESPONSE. W ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE SEASON . AS MUCH AS I TRIED TO DENY THAT , TO MYSELF , I IMAGINE AT SOME POINT , KNOCK ON WOOD DR. JIA MARCO COMES BACK AND NEEDS TO LEVERAGE THAT FEMA PROCESS AND THAT'S WHERE WE WILL GO THE FEDERAL FUND RESERVE. LOOKING AT THE TRANSPORTATION RESERVES , ONE O THE THEMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS BEEN ROADWAY INFRASTRUCTURE BETWEEN TRANSPORTATION TRUST WHICH IS A MILLEDGE THAT FUNDS ROADWAY INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPACT FEES WE ARE MAXIMIZING OUR USAGE THERE. YOU CAN SEE THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST RESERVES ARE , AND WHILE IT SEEMS LIKE A BIG NUMBER FOR US FOR A COUNTY WITH DEMANDS OUT THERE, WE HAV $8.7 MILLION ABOVE RESTRICTED RESERVES. IN MY OPINION WE ARE MAXIMIZING THE ROADWAY USING OUR TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND . ARE FIRE DISTRICT RESERVES ARE UNRESTRICTED ABOUT $2.3 MILLION. MAXIMIZING THE USE O THOSE DOLLARS FOR ADDITIONAL STATIONS AND ADDITIONAL
FIREFIGHTERS. >> THAT IS THE BACKGROUND TO CATCH US UP SINCE THE BILLING. I THINK THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS DISCUSSION, THIS IS FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS AN 40,000 FOOT OF DISCUSSION SINCE FEBRUARY. WE ARE GOING T GET INTO THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING, THE PRESCRIBED PROCESS THIS PROCESS PRESCRIBED BY FLORIDA STATUTE THERE ARE FIVE ITEMS, THE FIRST IS THE DISCUSSION OF THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE FOLLOWED BY PUBLIC COMMENT , FOLLOWED BY THE ADOPTION OF THE MILLAGE RATE RESOLUTION, THESE ARE THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES. AND THEN FOLLOWED BY TH ADOPTION OF THE TENTATIVE BUDGE RESOLUTION AND NUMBER FIVE, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DATE , TIM AND PLACE OF THE BUDGET HEARING. THERE WILL BE TWO HEARINGS TO ADOPT THE BUDGET AN THIS BEING ONE. FIRST ITEM UP IS THE DISCUSSION OF PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE THE ROLLBACK RATE IS THE MILLAGE RATE NEEDED TO BE LEVIED IN A NEW FISCAL YEAR TO GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAX DOLLARS ADOPTED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THIS DISCUSSION IS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATUTE.
THE ROLLBACK RATE IS 6.176 , O 6.176 0%. THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE FROM THE ROLLBACK RATE IS 10.53%. I AM TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR OUR INCREASE OR RECOMMENDED INCREASE OVER THAT ROLLBACK RAT FOR EACH OF THESE UNITS, AGAIN GENERAL FUND, FIRE DISTRICT, HEALTH FUND AND TRANSPORTATION
[00:30:05]
TRUST. I HAVE LISTED THAT PURPOSE UP ON THE SCREEN THIS MORNING. THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR THE INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE IS TO ADDRESS REALLY A CONTINUED DEMAND FOR SERVICES AND GROWTH COMMUNITY INCLUDING ROADWAY INFRASTRUCTUR AND PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.>> JUST TO BRING BACK THAT SLIDE I PRESENTED EARLIER GOING TO THE ROLLBACK RATE REFLECTS AN INCREMENTAL $12.6 MILLION .
WILL USE AN EXAMPLE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FOR ROADWAY INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS GOING TO THE ROLLBACK RATE WOUL PROVIDE THIS $1.5 MILLION ADDITIONAL TOWARDS OUR ROADWA INFRASTRUCTURE. WE HAVE RECOMMENDED AND PLANNED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS TO GO WITH THE $5.4 MILLION TOWARDS ROADWAY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SIMILARLY FOR EACH OF THOSE FUNDS PROVIDED UP ON THE SCREEN. NUMBER TWO AT THIS POINT WE OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT UNDER THE TENTATIVE BUDGET
HEARING. >> WE OPEN IT UP TO PUBLIC
COMMENT. >> PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. >> BEFORE WE HEAR THE FIRST
SPEAKER -- >> I WANT TO REMIND YOU ALL THA TODAY'S HEARING AND THE NEXT ARE THE TWO TIMES HEREBY STATUT THAT THE PUBLIC ARE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS AS PART OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT. THE WAY WE HAV HANDLED THIS IS EVERY SPEAKER GETS THREE MINUTES . IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS DURING THE THREE MINUTES OF PUBLIC COMMENT THEN MR. DUNN WILL ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS RAISED DURING TH PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> MY NAME IS CARL I LIVE AT 3201 AUDRA ROAD , ST.
AUGUSTINE, 32084. I GOT, LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE AREA THI NEW TAX BILL -- I WAS PAYING 7000 EASY. I LOOKED AT THIS AND I CALLED THE TAX OFFICE AND FOUND OUT I AM CATEGORIZED AS A HOUSING DIVISION . I LIVE IN INDIVIDUAL LOT AND EVERYONE ON THE ROAD IS AN INDIVIDUAL LOT. WE ARE BEING TAXED AS A UNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUDRA ROAD HAS NO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WE HAVE ONE TO THE LEFT AND ONE T THE RIGHT. IF YOU GUYS ARE OVE BUDGET ON EVERYBODY. WE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ADDRESSES. I HAVE BEEN IN THE NEW HOUSING COMPLEX, THAT IS FINE AND DANDY. I LIVE IN A MANUFACTURED HOME THAT IS 30 YEARS OLD, YET I'M BEING TAXED AS IF I AM A BRAND-NEW HOUSE. I WANTED THE HOUSE , I OVERPAID BY 30 GROUND GRANT. OUR COUNTY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAX US BECAUSE WE OVERPAID ON THE HOUS VERSUS A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT . THAT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT THING. I'M HAPPY WHERE I WENT AND I'M HAPPY I'M NOT PAYING 7000 IN TAXES WHICH I HEARD THE ADDED ANOTHER SOME TYPE OF LIO ON THE PROPERTY . TO INCREASE MY TAXES FROM LAST YEAR BY ALMOST $400 SEEMS A BIT MUCH FO IT MY WIFE AND I ARE DISABLED, I TAKE CARE OF MY DAD WHO IS 8 AND NOW I HAVE TO COME UP WITH $400 MORE BECAUSE THE GUY THAT I BOUGHT FROM WORK FOR THE COUNTY HE GOT NINE DIFFERENT WRITE-OFFS . I CANNOT AFFORD A $400 INCREASE , SOCIAL SECURITY DOES NOT GIVE YOU THAT MUCH.
SOONER OR LATER , I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WILL SPEAK, I AM IN A 30-YEAR-OLD HOME AND YOU CAN TELL ME WHERE IT IS JUSTIFIED TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY BY $400 TO PAY BUDGET AND EVERYTHING ELSE . I DO NOT MAKE 80 GRAND A YEAR. THE MOST EVER MADE IS $34,000 NOW I MAK LESS THAN $1400 DISABILITY. MY WIFE, SAME THING , MY DAD GETS MAYBE 1400. WE ALL WORKED OVER 40 YEARS OF OUR LIFE. SORRY I D NOT LIVE IN A RUSH HOME AM I DI
[00:35:01]
AND I COULD NOT AFFORD IT. SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE HOW YOU CATEGORIZE ALL OF US AND WE ARE ALL INDIVIDUALS. I CAN HONESTLY SAY , I HAD SOME HEALT ISSUES A WHILE BACK , VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE , THE HOSPITAL , THE WERE THERE IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES FROM THE PHONE CALL THA WOULD NOT HAPPEN IN ST. JOHN'S.>> THANK YOU >> COMMISSIONER DEAN .
>> SIR , BEFORE YOU LEAVE , LET ME ASK JESSIE THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ASSESSED VALUATION ISSUE THAT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER HANDLES , I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ASSIST OR
HELP THIS MAN. AM I CORRECT ? >> THIS DOES SOUND LIKE AN ASSESSMENT TYPE QUESTION. IF YO WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE END I CA ALSO LOOK AT YOUR TRIM NOTICE WITH YOU TO UNDERSTAND.
>> I AM JUST TOTALLY SHOCKED BY $400 INCREASE. I EXPECTED A
COUPLE HUNDRED. >> I WANT TO TRY TO HELP YOU BUT I THINK YOUR HELP HAS TO COME FROM THE PROPERTY APPRAISE
>> I SENT YOU EARLIER TODAY SOME QUESTIONS AND I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST RESPONSIVE ANSWERS UNDER OATH AND ON WRITING AND EFFICIENT TIME FOR LIFE CROSS-EXAMINATION ON THE 19TH.
786,000 , $785 IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OVER FIVE YEARS BECAUSE OF LAX AND INTERNAL CONTROLS WE SUIT THE AUDITOR AND WE ONLY GOT $325,000 THE SHERIFF TOLD US W WILL GET ALL THAT MONEY BACK. I'M WAITING FOR ANSWERS. I AM WAITING FOR DOCUMENTS. YOU ALL HAD A MEETING AND YOU ASKED REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS AND I REA THE TRANSCRIPT AND I ASKED FOR DOCUMENTS AND NOT ONE YET WAS PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WE HAVE VERY LAX INTERNAL CONTROLS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.
DID YOU ALL KNOW PRIOR TO YOUR MEETING WHAT A WAS? DID YOU KNOW COUNTY CHECKS ARE SIGNED B AUTO PIN RATHER THAN BY LIVING BREATHING PEOPLE? I NEVER ENCOUNTERED IN AUTO PIN UNTIL I WAS 17 1/2 YEARS OLD AND I WAS AN INTERN FOR TED KENNEDY. YOU USE AUTO PIN TO DESIGN CORRESPONDENCE FOR POLITICIAN, YOU DON'T USE IT FOR CHECKS I THINK IT VIOLATES GASPING. I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COUL TELL US WHAT IS THE STATUS OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY USING THIS. WHERE WE DOLING OUT MONEY IN WELFARE ? CORPORATE WELFARE, SUBSIDIES, FAVORITISM TOWARD PROPERTY OWNERS , FAVORITISM TOWARD PEOPLE WHO WANT MONEY FROM THE COUNTY TO BRING IN A NEW BUSINESS. I THINK WE OUGHT TO HAVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION FOR A CHANGE OF CUTTING WASTE , FRAUD AND ABUSE GOING WITH THE ROLLBACK RATE , WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME ST. JOHN'S COUNTY EVE VOTED TO DO THE ROLLBACK RATE?
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL US? >> 2020 .
>> IMPACT FEES ? WE ARE NOT CHARGING ENOUGH.
>> 2021 , I APOLOGIZE. >> IMPACT FEES. WHY ARE WE NOT CHARGING AS MUCH AS WE CAN? WE ARE LETTING CORPORATIONS IN HER TO CONSTRUCT PROPERTIES THEY ARE TAKING US TO THE CLEANERS.
WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH OLIGOPOLISTIC OR HAD TO DO WIT BIG CORPORATIONS AND THIS IS TH DIRECT RESULT OF THE ONE-PARTY RULE WE HAVE HAD IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SINCE THE YEAR 2000. IF THERE WERE SITTING UP THERE WE WOULD NOT SEE THIS KIND OF WASTE. AND THEN TELLING US REALLY GET THREE MINUTES FOR TO AND YOU ONCE GAVE US 12 MINUTES IS THAT YOU GET EXTRA TIME BECAUSE I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COUNTY CHARTER , I DON'T THINK IT'S LEGAL TO LIMIT PEOPLE TO THREE MINUTES. WE WILL CONTINUE THIS WHEN WE GET THE ANSWERS UNDER OATH.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DR. LAURA WATKINS MY ADDRESS IS 10 SOUTH WHEN CIRCLE. I AM HERE O BEHALF OF THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE COUNTY . I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SUPPORT FOR THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED BY RYAN AND HIS TEAM FOR RECREATIO
[00:40:04]
AND PARKS IN THE COUNTY AND ASKED THAT YOU SUPPORT THE BUDGET AS PREPARED BY THE TEAM. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND INVESTMENT IN PARKS AND RECREATION FOR THE COUNTY RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS AS WELL.FOR OVER 20 YEARS I'VE LIVED I ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND I HAVE SEEN AMAZING IMPROVEMENTS AS TH COUNTY HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY.
THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE DEDICATION OF COUNT STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS SUCH AS YOURSELVES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ADD SO MUCH VALUE TO THE QUALIT OF LIFE OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. ALSO A VALUE TO THE COUNTY AS AN INCREDIBLE DESTINATION FOR VISITORS. FINALLY, I LIKE TO SHARE APPRECIATION AND SUPPORT FOR RYAN AND THE IMPACTING FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHILE KEEPING USERS SAFE. THE TEAM IS AN INCREDIBL ASSET AND HAVE HAD THE PLEASUR OF INTERACTING WITH THEM SINCE WAS 18. I AM EXCITED TO SEE THE RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT GROW AND BE SUPPORTED BY ALL O YOU PRAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIM AND SUPPORT.
HAVING US. -- MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD THE LUXURY OF LIVING HERE FOR 10 YEARS, IT IS A GREA PLACE TO RETIRE. I HAVE ENJOYE THE HECK OUT OF IT. ON THE OTHE HAND WE HAVE SPENT SOME TIME DOING VOLUNTEER TAXES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE WITH UNITED WAY .
WE GET TO SEE A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN 10,000, $12,000 A YEAR MAYBE THEY ARE WORKING FULL TIME AT MINIMUM WAGE IN TRYING TO GET BY. WE DECIDED TO GO TO MAKE A CHANGE SO SOME OF OUR STORIES HAPPEN T BE WE HAVE FOUR COLLEGE KIDS LIVING THERE. RENT IS 800 BUCK AND IT SHOULD BE WE ARE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I HAVE A GUY , SINGLE DAD LIVING IN A TOWNHOUSE, HE'S A GUY IF YOU NEED GALLSTONES DONE HE WILL DO THAT, -- THE CHEAPEST ONE IN THE AREA IS $1800. THE BETTER ONE IS A TRAILER THAT WE BOUGH A FEW YEARS AGO, A 19-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO IS PREGNANT AND SHE IS PAYING 800 BUCKS FOR THIS LACE. NOTHING NEARBY FOR LESS THAN TWICE THE PRICE. THE REASO I'M HERE IS TALKING ABOUT THE 10% INCREASE THAT WE CAN HAVE WHERE THE COLLEGE KIDS LIVE INCREASES 11.5 THIS YEAR THAT HAS DOUBLED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE TOWNHOUSE IS 6.11% INCREASE IT HAS DOUBLED IN THE LAST SIX YEARS , THE RATES THAT YOU CHARGE ME FOR AT THE TRAILE THAT I BOUGHT IS UP 13.8%.
SURPRISINGLY , MY SON GOT INVOLVED WITH THIS, HE HAS A HOUSE WHERE A GUY WHO RUNS THE PIZZA PLACE WORKS, HIS TAXABLE INCREASE ON HIS PROPERTY 62.58%. WE HAVE HAD RENTALS FO YEARS , WE HAVE LIVED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY UTAH FOR 11 YEARS AND WE HAD A RENTAL THERE FOR 15. THE RENT CHANGED , AND 15 YEARS HAD A FAMILY LIVING THERE THEY RAISE THEIR KIDS AND THE KIDS WENT TO SCHOOL THERE ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND NEVER RAISE THE RENT ONCE I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT FOR MY PEOPLE BUT WHEN I SEE INCREASES LIKE THIS WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO? AS YOU KNOW , WHAT'S THE PRICE OF MY INSURANCE? IS NOT UP 10% IS UP 30%. ANOTHER POOR GIRL WHO IS MAKING MINIMUM WAGE AT MCDONALD'S WHAT DO I TELL HER? I NEED 60 BUCKS A MONTH BECAUSE THE COUNTY NEEDS EXTRA MONEY. IF YOU HAVE A FULL-TIME FAMILY LIVING THERE , I WAS CHARGING LESS THAN 30 PERCENT AND I DID NOT GET A TAX INCREAS I LOOK AT WHAT PEOPLE ARE EARNING AND I DECIDE WHAT TO CHARGE BASED ON THAT. IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR BUDGET, HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN COMPLY WITH THAT? THERE ARE FEW OF US THAT WILL THROW ME A NICKEL OR DIME TO
HELP PEOPLE. >> CAN YOU HAVE SOMEONE FROM HIS TEAM FILTERED THROUGH HIS NOTICE GOT THE 62% ? I WOULD LIKE YOU TO WORK WITH OMP AND SEE IF WE CAN HELP YOU OUT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS POEHLER BRIAN I LIVE AT 393 WILD CYPRESS CIRCLE AND PONDE FEATURE. I MOVED HERE LAST YEAR , JUST OVER A YEAR AGO FROM WES , THE NORTHWEST IN FACT. THAT BEING SAID, I AM STILL A FLORID BOY. I GREW UP IN FLORIDA. MY
[00:45:05]
PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS ARE AL FROM FLORIDA. I TALKED TO THE COUNTY ASSESSOR WHEN I GOT THI NOTICE , IT IS NOT A BILL, I'M HERE WITH HOPES I DON'T GET THIS BILL. WE BOUGHT OUR HOME LAST YEAR AND THE TAXES LAST YEAR , ALL TOLD WERE PAID BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND OURSELVE ON A PRORATED BASIS WAS LIKE $4400. IN FACT, LET'S SEE WHA IT WAS EXACTLY. $4405.50. IF YOU GO BY COLUMN TWO, I AM NO FAMILIAR WITH ALL OF YOUR TERMINOLOGY SO I AM SORRY, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THE TERMINOLOGY THAT YOU ALL ARE USING. IS SAYS WITHOUT THE ROLLBACK, WITH NO BUDGET CHANGE OUR TAXES WOULD BE OVER $6000 THAT IS $1600 INCREASE. THAT IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT. WITH A PROPOSED BUDGET IT WILL BE $6700. THAT IS A 50% INCREASE FROM WHAT IT WAS LAST YEAR. WHAT I AM HERE TO ASK FROM YOU IS YOU CALL A ROLLBACK, ROLLBACK MEANS TO ME REDUCTION I SEE A NEED FOR REDUCTION IN MILLAGE RATES . WITH THE GROWTH THAT IS OCCURRING HERE, WITH TH NEW PEOPLE COMING IN AND CONSTRUCTION GOING ON , YOUR TA BASE IS INCREASING, WHY DO OUR TAXES FOR THOSE WHO ARE HERE HAVE TO INCREASE? I NEED SOME RELIEF. I THOUGHT I WAS MOVIN FROM A HIGH TAX STATE , WASHINGTON STATE , IT IS A COMMON LIST STATE FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES , THEY DID NOT HAVE AN INCOME TAX BUT THEY HAD SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAX. ONE OF THE REASON WE MOVED IS BECAUSE PROPERTY TAXES WERE GETTING RIDICULOUS. THEN WE GET HERE AND THESE PROPERTY TAXES ARE RIDICULOUS. WE NEED RELIEFTHANK YOU. >> I AM ELAINA -- MY ADDRESS IS NOT IN ST. JOHN'S BUT I HAVE FOUR PROPERTIES IN ST. JOHN'S.
MY ADDRESS IS 4774 -- SOUTH , JACKSONVILLE , 3229. I HAVE HERE -- IT IS A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS WITH ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN. I HAVE THAT INVESTMENT FOR MY RETIREMENT LIFE I AM 64, I AM STILL WORKING. WE WORRY ABOUT INCREASE THAT'S WHAT A COME HER TO CLAIM THAT THE TAX AUTHORIT JUST -- AND THAT IS -- APPROVE THAT PROPOSAL . I APPRECIATE SO MUCH ALL THE AUTHORITIES THAT THEY ARE WORKING BUT THE SITUATION IS W ARE LEAVING WITH HIGH ADMINISTRATION. SOME PEOPLE SA -- THEY SAY YOU CAN CHARGE MORE TO THE TENANTS I SAY YES , I AM DOING BUT IT IS NOT EXACTLY THAT BUT IF THE COUNTY CHARGE ME LAST YEAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT I DON'T HAVE EXCEPTIONS AND I AGREE WITH THAT. 17.4% . OF COURSE , I DI INCREASE THE TAXES . THIS YEAR I DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ARRIVE TO THIS HEARING. BUT THIS YEAR, 8.3. WHEN I IN TWO YEARS IS TOO MUCH. I AM ALSO
[00:50:06]
DISAPPOINTED ABOUT HOW IN ST. JOHN'S. ST. JOHN'S WAS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTY NOW IT IS FLOODING AND HOUSES -- I TELL YOU BECAUSE THIS IS THE TRUTH. I HAVE ISSUES WITH NEW TENANTS THEY DON'T PAY. IT IS A LOT OF ISSUES AND I WANT TO INVEST IN HAVING GOOD CONDITION OF HOUSE TO BRING A HOME FOR NEW TENANTS. I HOPE THE AUTHORITIES DO NOT APPROVE THI PROPOSAL BECAUSE IT IS TOO MUCH WITH THIS SPECIAL INFLATION THAT WE ARE LIVING IN AMERICA AND IT HURTS OUR ECONOMY ANDOUR BUDGET. THANK YOU >> THANK YOU.
>> >> MY NAME IS PETER , I LIVE AT 2062 LYNNFIELD CROSSING COUR IN ST. AUGUSTINE, 32092. I REITERATES , I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO SAY SOMETHING TODAY.
TAX BILLS ARE EXTREMELY IGNORANT OF TAX BILLS AND HOW YOU PAY THEM. LAST OCTOBER WE MOVED TO THE AREA TO BE A BLOC AWAY FROM OUR GRANDCHILDREN. I AM RETIRED AND I THOUGHT , IGNORANTLY I WOULD BE PAYING THE TAX BILL OF WHAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD FOR THE HOME I GET THIS BILL AND IT IS A 100% IT IS OVER 100% INCREASE OVER WHAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD. THAT IS A BIG JUMP. NOW THEY WANT TO INCREASE ANOTHER 10% ON TOP OF THAT. I THOUGHT , I LOOKED AT THIS AND I SAID I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND AND SOMEONE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT'S WHAT IS GOING ON. AS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED , I THOUGHT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND EVERYONE MOVING IN AND WITH AL THE INFLATION THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH EVERYTHING FROM CLOTHING, FORTUNATELY I HAVE LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT FROM HAVING SURGERY SO I CAN WEAR OL CLOTHES FROM 10, 20 YEARS AGO.
THE PROBLEM OF ADDING MORE TAX AND HIGHER INFLATION , I WOULD RATHER SEE -- OR EVEN GETTING LESS . I KNOW THE EXPENSES FOR THE STATE ARE PROBABLY HIGHER ALSO. BUT THIS EXTRA 10%, 10 1/2% HURTS A LOT OF US MORE THAN ANTICIPATED . I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT -- DAVID FORAN'S CURRENT I AM FROM 330 PALMETTO ROAD 32080. LIKE MOST PEOPLE IN HERE THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE MILLAGE RATES AND HOW IT WENT UP. THE FIRST PUBLIC MEETING I HAVE BEEN TO, THE FIRST SCREENING SHOWED UP HERE SAID YOUR RATE WAS ONLY GOING UP 10% , SO YOU HER PHONE OFF RIGHT OFF THE BAT. MINE WENT FROM 4300 LAST YEAR TO TH PROPOSAL OF 6000, THAT IS A 40 INCREASE. OF COURSE EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW HOW DOES IT GO UP 40% IN ONE YEAR. I THINK YOU NEED TO LOOK MORE AT IMPACT FEE COVERING STUFF COMING IN UP UNTIL NOW , I HAVE NEVER PAID TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO IT, THAT IS MY FAULT. I ASSUME EVERY YEAR IT WILL GO UP A LITTLE BIT YOU NEED MORE SHERIFFS, MORE FIRE DEPARTMENT , MORE ROADS, 40% INCREASE OVER ONE YEAR IS TOUGH BECAUSE THEN YOU START THINKING ABOUT WHAT ABOUT NEXT
[00:55:03]
YEAR THAT GOES UP 40% , 60%, HO DO I COVER THAT? I JUST THOUGH I WOULD SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. FOR MOST PEOPLE IT IS A BIG JUMP FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT. I THOUGHT IT COULD ONLY GO UP 10%. THE NUMBER IS MORE THAN 10%. IT IS MY FAULT FOR NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW IT WORKS. IF YOU'RE -- IS 3% BUT YOU ARE LED TO BELIEVE IT IS 10%. I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST COME DOWN HERE AND SEE. A BIG INCREASE LIKE THAT WHAT IS MY MONEY BEIN SPENT ON ? I NEED TO CHECK IT OUT. IF EVERYONE KEEPS GETTING SOMETHING LIKE THAT MORE PEOPL WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AN WHERE IT'S GOING , SHOW ME WHAT MY MONEY IS GETTING ME CREATETHANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THAT SORT OF SOUNDED LIKE A QUESTION AND I WANT TO TAKE TH OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THAT. W ARE LIVING IN A TIME OF HIGH INFLATION AND I THINK EVERYONE HERE RECOGNIZE THAT . AND WE DO HAVE THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT HERE AND THEY COME TO US AND THEY WANT TO START THE DEPUTIES AT 55,000 A YEAR. 52,000 THIS YEAR AND IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO LIVE. THEY ARE TRYING TO RAISE THAT I SUPPORT THAT AND YOU SUPPORT THAT, WE WANT TO PAY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES , WE CANNOT PAY THEM WHAT THEY ARE WORTH BUT WE ARE TRYING TO RAISE THE RATE OF PAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMEN HAS BEEN WORKING BELOW NATIONA STANDARDS. THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WORKING MANDATORY OVERTIM TRYING TO GET THE FIREFIGHTERS THE NEEDS. THEN YOU HAVE A SITUATION ESTATE WROTE 16 BAC IN 2018 WE HAD A ROAD WIDENING PROJECT THAT COST US $5000 A MONTH. WE JUST GOT AN ESTIMATE ACK THAT SAME ROAD WIDENING PROJECT IS GOING TO COST US $4 MILLION A MILE. WHEN YOU ASK U WHAT THE MONEY IS GOING TOWARDS WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP YOU SAFE, THAT IS MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART FOR US IS THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES , EVERYTHING HAS JUST GOTTEN INSANE , YOUR PROPERTY VALUE HAS INCREASED, WHICH IS WHAT THE ASSESSMENT I THE MILLAGE RATE IS FLAT, THE TAX RATE IS FLAT YET YOUR PROPERTY VALUE IS HIGHER GRADE HERE WE ARE IN THE SITUATION WHERE WE ARE DOING THE BEST TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY. YOU ASK WHAT THE MONEY IS GOING TOWARDS, AT THE SAME TIME IT IS HURTING YOU. YOUR SUCCESS IN ASSET GROWING IS TAKING MORE MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET.
>> A LITTLE BIT, BUT 40% IS A LOT. MY WHOLE BUDGET DEAL, I WORKED 30 SOME YEARS FOR A JAPANESE COMPANY AND THEY LOOK AT THINGS TOTALLY DIFFERENT ON BUDGETS. THEY LOOK AT MORE WHERE YOU CAN CUT AND HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE HOW CAN YOU DO THE SAME JOB AND DO IT MORE EFFICIENTLY. LIKE I SAID, UP UNTIL THIS YEAR 13 YEARS AND I HAVE PAID ON THIS PROPERTY. I HAVE NEVER ONCE, EVERY TIME IT GOES UP EVERY YEAR I SAID I THOUGHT FIRE, POLICEMAN, SHERIFFS , EVERYTHING, IT HAS NEVER BEEN READY PERCENT . LIK I SAID THAT'S WHAT GOT ME OFF.
NEXT YEAR IF IT IS 40% I WILL SELL IT TO SOMEBODY. WE CAN'T
STAY HERE. >> WE HAVE OTHER COMMISSIONERS WHO WANT TO RESPOND. HAVE YOU ASKED THE PROPERTY APPRAISER
WHAT ADDED THAT 40%? >> I HAVE NOT BECAUSE I ONLY GO THIS TWO WEEKS AGO AND I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OUT. IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS AND I HAVE NOT GONE IN. I AM GOING TO I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT GOT 40% IT WENT FROM 4000 TO 6000.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF JESSE CAN LOOK AT THAT. CAN YO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC HOW IT GOES ?
>> I WILL TRY. THE EASIEST OF THEM ALL IF YOUR HOMESTEAD, IF YOUR RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD AND THERE IS THE PROTECTION AND YO SHOULD ONLY SEE 3% ON YOUR EVALUATION. LET ME ADD TO THAT.
IF IT IS YOUR HOMESTEAD PROPERTY AND YOU HAVE ADDED A SWIMMING POOL IN ADDITION TO YOUR HOME AND THAT HOME IS
[01:00:05]
REASSESSED OR REVALUED THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR OVERALL EFFECT. WHILE THE MILLAGE RATE WILL STAY FLAT THE ASSESSMENT CAN CHANGE. IF THERE IS NO CHANGE IN YOUR PROPERTY , FOUR WALLS AND ROOF REMAINS SOMEWHA THE SAME THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE ASSESSED VALUE ON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY YOUR VALUATION SHOULD BE AT OR ABOUT 3%. IF YOU ARE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, SAME THING BUSINESS IS THE SAME ASSESSED VALUE ON THAT , I'M SORRY, THE SAME FOUR WALLS YOUR VALUATION IS BY STATUTE, THESE ARE NOT LOCAL RULES THESE ARE FLORIDA STATUTE THREE THAT WOULD BE CAPPED AT 10%. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY THAT IS NOT HOMESTEADED IS REALLY RESPONDED TO WHAT THE MARKET VALUE AND THE ASSESSED VALUE IS AND PART OF THE DISCUSSION OF WHAT THE PROPERTY RAISERS ASSESSED VALUE IS. WHEN THE GENTLEMAN SAYS 40%, I CAN CERTAINLY OFFER , I CAN STATE THIS EVENING AND AT THE VERY LEAST I CAN GET COPIES OF THE TRIM NOTICES AND GIVE THEM SOM ANSWERS, BUT THEY CAN ALSO REAC OUT TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE WHO ARE VERY RESPONSIVE AND CAN PROVIDE DETAIL. WITHOUT KNOWING THE DETAIL , WAS A POOL ADDED? IS THIS A BUSINESS? IS THIS AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY.THE PROPERTY GO FROM VACANT LAN TO PUTTING A HOME ON IT? THEN THE ASSESSMENT CHANGES. EACH ON OF THESE IS AN INDIVIDUAL STORY WHERE THEY EVALUATE A PROBLEM O A SITUATION AND THEY CAN
READJUST IT? >> THERE IS A VALUE ADJUSTMENT THAT IS CORRECT THAT THEIR PROPERTIES CAN BE RECONSIDERED.
EACH OF THESE IS INDIVIDUAL. WILL SPEND SOME TIME OVER HERE AFTER THE HEARING , ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BRING THEIR TRIM NOTICE, I WILL EYEBALL IT INITIALLY, IF I HAVE A PHOTOCOPY OF ITS I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT IN THE MORNING AND SEE AND LIKELY CALL THE APPRAISER'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SEE WHAT MAY HAVE CHANGED. HOPE THAT PROVIDES
SOME HELP. >> THAT IS PERFECTLY THANK YOU.
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS >> THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH. THE FIRST SLIDE ANYTHING OVER 10% IF IT'S NOT HOMESTEADED.
>> IT IS STILL A LONG WAYS OFF. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. >> MY NAME IS ERIC, I LIVE AT NINE EUGENE PLACE 32080. THAN YOU COMMISSIONERS I AM A 20 YEAR RESIDENT AND I OWN A BUSINESS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND I EMPLOY 13 PEOPLE. THREE MINUTES IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GET INTO IT , I SEE A LOT OF AREAS IN THE BUDGET THAT I FEE LIKE CAN BE REDUCED, ESPECIALLY IN THE COASTAL AND LEISURE CATEGORY. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN MY 20 YEARS HERE A NUMBER FAILED PROJECTS THAT HAVE WASTE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. I'M GOIN TO KEEP IT BRIEF AND KEEP IT BIRDSEYE VIEW FOR THE RECORD I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT I AM VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO THIS AND ANY TAX INCREASES. WHEN YOU AD UP THE TAX BURDEN ON AMERICAN FAMILIES WE ARE PAYING OVER 50 OF OUR TAXES, OR 50% OF OUR INCOME TO TAXES WHEN YOU LOOK AT FEES, PROPERTY TAXES, DOWN THE LINE. THAT IS NOT FREEDOM HIM A THAT IS SLAVERY. YOU TAL ABOUT PAYING YOUR EMPLOYEES AND I AGREE, OFFICERS SHOULD GET A PAY INCREASE BUT AS A BUSINESS OWNER I WOULD LOVE TO INCREASE MY EMPLOYEES PAY AS WELL BUT IT IS HARD WHEN I'M UNDER A TAX
BURDEN THAT I'M UNDER. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> NUMBER THREE IS THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSIDERATION OF THE BOARD TO ADOPT THE MILLAGE RATE RESOLUTION. THOSE
[01:05:02]
RESOLUTIONS ARE IN THE AGENDA PACK AND ARE ALSO SUBBED OUT TH BACK AND COMMISSIONERS YOU SHOULD EACH HAVE THIS PACKETHERE . >> I CAN CERTAINLY READ THE MILLAGE RATE AND THE MOTION Ú I CAN READ THE MILLAGE RATE INTO THE RECORD IF THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER.
>> I WILL MOVE IT I WILL MOVE T ADAPT RESOLUTION 23 THREE-333 ESTABLISHING PHYSICAL YOU ARE, SET BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
>> SECOND. >> I WILL LOOK TO LEGAL .
GENERALLY I WOULD READ THOSE MILLAGE RATES INTO THE RECORD.
EARLIER IN THE MEETING IF YOU HAVE NOT PLEASE READ THEM.
>> I HAVE NOT. >> PRIOR TO THE VOTE BEING TAKEN WE NEED TO READ THOSE INT THE RECORD.
>> I WILL READ THOSE INTO THE RECORD. GENERAL FUND MILLAGE OF 4.65 37 MILLS, COUNTY TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND 0.84 MILLS , COUNTY HEALTH UNIT TRUS FUND 0.0160 MILLS . FIRE DISTRICT COUNTYWIDE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE 1.3813 MILLS. ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT 0.135 ZERO MILLS. ALANO STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT 0.030 MILLS . SUMMER HAVEN MS YOU SEVEN POINT 33 92 MILLS.
COASTAL HIGHWAY 0.5000 MILLS PERIODS SOUTH PONTEVEDRA DUNE AND BEACH RESTORATION 2.0000 MILLS. SERENATA BEACH 0.5500 MILLS. THE AGGREGATE ROLLBACK RATE OF 6.1760 AND THE AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE IS 6.8265.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECON GRADE AVOID FULL BY VOICE
CHRISTIAN ARNOLD PEERS >> YES.
>> YES. >> THAT PASSES FIVE TO ZERO. I WILL TALK TO AMEND RESOLUTION - APPROVING FISCAL YEAR 2024 TENTATIVE BUDGET FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY FLORIDA USING CERTIFIED TAXABLE VALUE OF 37 BILLION 591,879,000. GENERATING AN ESTIMATED 324 MILLION $884,476 IN TAXES . AND RESULTING 1,000,000,006 AND 65,000,664TH THOUSAND $624 .
>> SECOND. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? LET'S VOTE PER CHRISTIAN ARNOLD
>> YES PERIODS >> COMMISSIONER DEE PIERCE
>> COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. >> YES PEERS
>> MR. JOSEPH. >> YES PERIODS THEM LASTLY TO SET THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 19 AT 5:01 P.M. TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 MILLAGE RATES THE BUDGET FOR THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
>> 2ND PERIOD >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A 2ND PERIOD LET'S VOTE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.