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GOOD MORNING. DAY TWO OF THE AGENDA. >> TODAY WE HAVE A FULL SLATE OF DEPARTMENTS . KNOW BETTER DAY THAN A FRIDAY TO TALK ABOUT BUDGETS. THIS MORNING WE START
[Building Services and Code Enforcement]
OFF WITH BUILDING SERVICES AND CODE ENFORCEMENT. JUST A REMINDER, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ANY OF THE FINANCIAL OR BUDGETARY INFORMATION RELATED TO THESE PRESENTATIONS, THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE , FY 2026 BUDGET. THERE IS A PAGE. YOU CAN OPEN UP THE WORKBOOK AND SCROLL THROUGH ANY OF THE DEPARTMENTS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. WITH THAT,TO YOU. >> THANK YOU , EVERYONE, FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. JOEY, THANK YOU FOR SETTING UP THIS FORUM. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT AND HOW WE OPERATE. WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS A LITTLE BIT ON THAT IN THIS PRESENTATION. AT THE END, WE WILL SHARE SOME BUDGETARY STATISTICS. I WILL TELL EVERYONE A FRONT WE DID INTEND TO STAY FLAT WITH THE BRIDGET -- BUDGET THIS YEAR. PRETTY BENIGN IN TERMS OF THE BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS. WITH THAT, I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE SOME INFORMATION THIS MORNING. I WILL TRY TO MOVE THROUGH FAIRLY QUICK OVER THE YEARS, WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED IN TERMS OF WHAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND CODE ENFORCEMENT -- BUT BEFORE I BEGIN THAT, I WANT TO MAKE SOME INTRODUCTIONS. TO MY RIGHT IS KATHLEEN NICHOLS, AND SHE IS THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR, AND ALSO MANAGES THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION. TO MY IMMEDIATE LEFT IS CODE ENFORCEMENT MANAGER . TO SAY HE IS A BUSY MAN WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. TO HIS IMMEDIATE LEFT IS CHARLES, ALSO KNOWN AS BUBBLE. HE MANAGES THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF INSPECTIONS AND PLAN REVIEWS. A LOT TO DO THERE. LET'S GET INTO IT. THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY REGULATED BY STATE STATUTE. WE FALL UNDER STATE STATUTE 553. THE PRIMARY ASSIGNMENT , -- IS TO ENFORCE THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE. IT IS INTERESTING TO ME, OVER THE YEARS, MANY PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAVE THEIR OWN BUILDING CODE, BUT WE DO. IT IS NOT JUST A SINGLE BUILDING CODE. IT IS BUILDING CODES THAT INCLUDE NINE VOLUMES OF CODES. OF COURSE, IT IS THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING CODE, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE, AND THEN WE GET INTO PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, FUEL, GAS. WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN EXISTING BUILDING CODE WHERE BUILDINGS CAN BE PERMITTED THAT CURRENTLY EXIST. ENERGY CONSERVATION, AND A BIG ONE IS THE ACCESSIBILITY .
WE ARE IN CHARGE AND HAVE TO REGULATE ALL ASPECTS OF THAT. TO WORK IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT ON THE REGULATORY SIDE OF THE COIN, WE ALL MUST BE LICENSED UNDER STATE STATUTE 468. AS BUILDING OFFICIAL, I HAVE TO BE LICENSED AS A CODE ADMINISTRATOR. THE EMPLOYEES THAT PERFORM INSPECTIONS AND PLAN REVIEW ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED THROUGH THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE REGULATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION. ANYBODY THAT IS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEAL WITH THEM UNDERSTANDS WHAT THAT MEANS. ONE ITEM I DID WANT TO BRING TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION THIS MORNING -- AND JOY, YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS OVER THE YEARS -- MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT, IN 2002, THERE WERE PROVISIONS PUT INTO
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STATE STATUTE THAT ALLOWED FOR ALTERNATIVE INSPECTING AND PLAN REVIEW. ESSENTIALLY, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT OWNERS AND/OR CONTRACTORS HAVE A CHOICE. THEY CAN ACTUALLY CHOOSE WHO THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO BUSINESS WITH, EITHER THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT EVENTUALLY, OR THEY CAN CHOOSE 1 TO USE PRIVATE PROVIDER SERVICES. WE FEEL REAL STRONG ABOUT WHAT WE DO , AND THE QUALITY OF WHAT WE DO. WE HAVE BEEN REAL FORTUNATE OVER THE YEARS THAT WE DON'T HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF PRIVATE PROVIDER USE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY , BUT WE DO. I WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN SOME WAYS IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR. BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS NOT THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN. THAT IS A POINT I WANTED TO MAKE. SO WHAT IS THE OVERALL MISSION STATEMENT? I WANTED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU. IT IS PRETTY HUGE . WE ARE ASSIGNED TO ENSURE ALL PLANS, CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS, SPECIFICATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ARE PROPERLY REVIEWED, PERMITTED AND INSPECTED AND COMPLY WITH FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS. WE ARE TASKED WITH ALL THREE OF THOSE ACROSS-THE-BOARD FOR THE SAFEGUARD OF LIFE, HEALTH AND SAFETY. PEOPLE ASKED ME OFTEN WHAT FALLS UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. I THINK THIS SLIDE IS HELPFUL, BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY MASSIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT HER RESPONSIBILITIES ARE. THE OBVIOUS IS THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PLAN REVIEW OF NEW CONSTRUCTION AND ADDITIONS. ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERMITTING , INSPECTIONS , AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT WITHIN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT WE HAVE CONTRACT LICENSING DIVISION. I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AS WE MOVE DOWN THE ROAD SOME. WE ACTUALLY REGULATE THE CONTRACTORS WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY FOR SAFEGUARDING OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE PUBLIC. WITHIN THAT CONTRACTOR LICENSING DIVISION WE HAVE WHAT IS CALLED CONTRACTOR REVIEW BOARD. I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT IN A MOMENT. WE ALSO HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION . UNDER THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, WE HAVE THE CONTRACTOR BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF THAT. THAT IS A BOARD WE UTILIZE , ACTUALLY, FOLKS CAN CHALLENGE A DECISION I MAKE AS BUILDING OFFICIAL. BUT FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE ABATEMENT CASES FOR DILAPIDATED HOMES AND THAT TYPE OF THING THAT FIND THEIR WAY TO THE ADJUSTMENTS AND FUELS BOARD. WITHIN THAT , UNDER THE BUILDING PERMIT, WE ALSO HAVE THE RECORD MANAGEMENT DIVISION THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER, WHICH I WILL TALK ABOUT VERY SHORTLY. MOVING ON. THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND . WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT? IT MEANS THAT WE LIVE AND DIE BY OUR PERMIT FEES. THAT IS WHY CUSTOMER SERVICE IS PARAMOUNT IN OUR OPERATIONS .SIMPLY STATED, IF WE DON'T PERMIT PROJECTS AND PERFORM A PLAN REVIEW AND INSPECTIONS, THEN DOESN'T GET PAID. WE'VE HAD SOME VERY GOOD YEARS IN THE PAST, AND WE HAVE HAD SOME NOT SO GOOD YEARS. THE IMPORTANT TAKE AWAY HERE IS THAT WE ARE A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND THAT OPERATES PRETTY MUCH ON THE PERMIT FEES. I DID WANT TO MENTION ONE THING VERY QUICKLY .
I DID STATE WE HAVE HAD SOME GOOD YEARS, AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA DOES REGULATE THE RESERVES THAT ARE ALLOWED TO BE BUILT UP IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT . WE HAVE TO MONITOR THAT VERY CLOSELY . CURRENTLY, FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE HAVE PROVIDED A 30% DISCOUNT FOR
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ALL PERMITTING PRETTY MUCH ACROSS-THE-BOARD . WHAT THAT DOES IS, IT KEEPS OUR RESERVE MONEY IN CHECK TO MEET THE STATE OF FLORIDA REQUIREMENTS ACCORDING TO STATUTE. ONE THING I AM VERY PROUD OF AT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT, AND YOU WON'T SEE THIS -- IN FACT, IT IS VERY RARE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BUT WE ESTABLISHED ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO A LICENSE INSPECTOR AND PLAN REVIEW PROGRAM . WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT BUSINESS MODEL, BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE IS ONE INSPECTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR FOUR DISCIPLINES , BUILDING, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING, AS OPPOSED TO FOUR INDIVIDUAL FTES. WE WORKED VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN THAT PROGRAM . IT SERVED US VERY WELL OVER THE YEARS. INSTEAD OF HAVING FOUR BENEFIT PACKAGES AND FOUR VEHICLES, WE HAVE THAT DOWN TO ONE . OF COURSE, IT KEEPS US VERY LEAN AND MEAN. ONE THING I WILL MENTION IS THAT WE ESTABLISH AN ELECTRONIC PLAN REVIEW PROGRAM MANY YEARS BACK. NOT MANY YEARS, MORE RECENTLY, ACTUALLY. PROUD TO SAY THAT IT IS DOING VERY, VERY WELL. THE PUBLIC UTILIZES IT TO A LARGE EXTENT. THIS STATISTIC IS PRETTY MUCH FRESH OFF THE PRESS. WE ARE DOING APPROXIMATELY 40% OF OUR PERMITTING AND PLAN REVIEW ONLINE THESE DAYS. VERY PROUD OF THAT PROGRESS. THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT ALSO WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. MANAGING FLOOD PLANE PROGRAM FOR BOTH BUILDING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT , BECAUSE WE PLAY A VERY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN OUR DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM AFTER WE HAVE A DISASTER WITHIN THE COUNTY. WE HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO THAT. AND WE COMPILE DAMAGE THE STATISTICS THROUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT THAT ARE GIVEN THROUGH OUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER , AND ULTIMATELY TO ADMINISTRATIONS. THAT IS A BIG DEAL. WE THINK WE HAVE MADE SOME GOOD PROGRESS WITH IT OVER THE YEARS. THAT TOO IS ALSO DONE ELECTRONICALLY NOW , WHICH IS VASTLY EXPEDITING THE PROCESS . PEOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME ABOUT THE ISO AND COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM. THE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM LINKED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , THAT IS OUR FLOODPLAIN PROGRAM. THERE IS A GRADE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, GIVEN TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM. I WILL JUST SAY THAT IT IS LIKE GOLF , THE LOWER THE SCORE, THE BETTER. I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY A FIVE IN THE GRADING. BY THE WAY, IN MY JUDGMENT, THAT CAN BE CHALLENGE, BUT FOR A COASTAL COMMUNITY LIKE WE HAVE HERE WITH THE ST. JOHNS RIVER AND THE INTRACOASTAL IN THE OCEAN, FIVE IS PRETTY REMARKABLE. WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF HELP GETTING THAT SCORE. WHAT THAT DOES IS, IT TRANSLATES INTO 25% FLOOD INSURANCE REDUCTION FOR CITIZENS, WHICH IS A REALLY BIG NUMBER. THOSE CITIZENS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE ENJOY ABOUT THE 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUM REDUCTION. IT IS ONE OF THOSE PROGRAMS THAT IS BENEFIELD TO CONSTITUENTS . IT IS REALLY SOMETHING YOU CANNOT NOT DO. PROUD OF THAT. WE ALSO ARE GRADED BY THE INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA . AGAIN, VERY HIGHLY REGULATED . THE INSURANCE SERVICES SCORE IS ALSO , YOU KNOW, TIED TO OUR RATING. THAT IS ALSO TIED TO INSURANCE REDUCTIONS. IN THIS CASE, IT WOULD BE FOR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE REDUCTION. AGAIN, I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT OUT OF A SCORE[00:15:06]
OF 10 WE HAVE A FOUR IN RESIDENTIAL , AND WE HAVE A THREE IN COMMERCIAL . I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY, BECAUSE EVERY INSURANCE COMPANY KIND OF WAYS THE SCORES DIFFERENTLY IN THE REAL WORLD, BUT IT DOES PROVIDE FOR FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT PREMIUM REDUCTIONS, EVEN FOR HOMEOWNER INSURANCE . THOSE ARE SOME THINGS I'VE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS DIRECTLY TIED TO, BUT WE ARE. MOVING ON, STATISTICALLY, I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE ARE PRETTY LEAN AND MEAN IN MY JUDGMENT. FOR THE AMOUNT OF WORK WE DO. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT AND THINK WE DO A PRETTY DOGGONE GOOD JOB. IN FY 2024 , I PULLED THE STATISTICS FROM THAT YEAR, BECAUSE THAT IS A COMPLETED YEAR. WE DID 16,625 BUILDING PLAN REVIEWS OUT OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT. WE ISSUED A TOTAL OF 54,652 PERMITS . THAT IS RIGHT AT THE TIME SOME OF THE RECORDS WE'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS . THIS TEAM OF GOOD-LOOKING YOUNG MEN RIGHT THERE YOU SEE IN THAT PHOTOGRAPH SOMEHOW WERE ABLE TOCOMPLETE 252,094 INSPECTIONS IN FY 24. >> WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? I MIGHT HAVE BEEN LATE THAT MORNING.
>> YOU ARE DOING AN INSPECTION.
>> JUST A COUPLE MORE STATISTICS. WE HAVE 34 BUILDING INSPECTORS AND PLAN EXAMINERS.
TOGETHER , I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE MULTI-LICENSE BUSINESS MODEL , THEY HOLD AN INCREDIBLE 159 STATE LICENSES . IT IS A CONSTANT TRAINING EFFORT, AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE . WE HAVE A COMBINATION OF 15 BUILDING INSPECTORS AND PLANS EXAMINERS CURRENTLY IN THE STATE TESTING PROCESS . ANY OF YOU THAT OF TAKEN STATE TESTING OVER THE YEARS NO THAT IS NO EASY TASK.
WE ALSO HAVE A COMBINATION OF 11 BUILDING INSPECTORS AND EXAMINERS IN THE STATE CROSSTRAINING PROGRAM . IN OTHER WORDS, THAT MEANS THEY ARE CURRENTLY LICENSE, BUT WE ARE GETTING THEM MORE LICENSES , AND THEY LOVE ME FOR THAT. I AM CERTAIN THEY DO. WE HAVE 15 PERMITTING STAFF THAT DO JUST AN OUTSTANDING JOB EVERY DAY. WE HAVE A CONSTANT FLOW OF CUSTOMERS IN THE PERMIT CENTER . JOY, I THINK YOU BEEN THERE FROM TIME TO TIME AND HAVE SEEN SOME OF THAT WORKLOAD THAT COMES THROUGH. WE HAVE 62 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES . AND I WANTED TO START WITH SINGLE-FAMILY. I THINK THIS REALLY DEMONSTRATES WELL HOW FICKLE THE PERMITTING BUSINESS CAN, AND IS . THIS IS A FIVE-YEAR ACCUMULATION OF SINGLE-FAMILY PERMITS YOU SEE VERY HIGH POINTS BACK IN 2021, 2022, BUT MORE RECENTLY, IT IS GOTTEN TO WHAT I WOULD CALL A MORE MANAGEABLE INFLOW . YOU CAN SEE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT EVERYTHING IS KIND OF STABILIZED IN TERMS OF OUR PERMITTING. THE SINGLE-FAMILY VOLUME HAS SLOWED DOWN . AGAIN, THIS IS VERY CYCLICAL. IT IS HARD -- I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO READ TEA LEAVES AND MY CRYSTAL BALL. VERY DIFFICULT TO PREDICT HOW THE YEAR MAY END. SO FAR, WE HAVE HAD A MORE STEADY YEAR THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF SINGLE-FAMILY. LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT COMMERCIAL. THE COMMERCIAL
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PERMITTING IS RELATIVELY AN ANOMALY. SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME WILL REALIZE THAT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, REALLY ST. JOHNS COUNTY WAS A BEDROOM COMMUNITY FOR OUR BRETHREN TO THE NORTH IN JACKSONVILLE. ARE COMMERCIAL PERMITTING , I WOULD SAY IT WAS SPARSE IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS. ABOUT 95% OF EVERYTHING WE PERMITTED AT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT WITH SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES , TOWNHOMES AND RESIDENTIAL. THAT HAS CHANGED. I THINK IT HAS CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. COMMERCIAL PERMITTING HAS GROWN VERY MUCH OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS . YOU CAN SEE, YOU KNOW, IT STAYS MORE MODERATE AND STEADY NOW . WE ARE PERMITTING MORE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS THAN WE EVER HAVE. YOU KNOW THE OLD SAYING, YOU BUILD IT, AND THEY WILL COME. NOW WE ARE SEEING THE COMMERCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE STARTING TO FIND A HOME HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. BY THE WAY, EVERYTHING FROM HOSPITALS TO BIG-BOX STORES TO GROCERIES TO PRIVATE PRACTICES, BUSINESS , STOREFRONTS , THAT HAS BEEN REAL STEADY AND HAS FILLED IN VERY NICE. I THINK WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT , AND I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN>> TO YOUR POINT, AND GOOD OBSERVATION, COMMERCIAL IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR US TO SEE THESE
NUMBERS. THOSE NUMBERS ARE VERY NICE IN TERMS OF COMMERCIAL. >> WHAT DO YOU THINK ATTRIBUTES TO THAT? WE'RE ALL HEARING ABOUT THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION AND HEADING INTO A BIGGER RECESSION. WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THE RECORD NUMBER IN MARCH IN MARCH 2?
>> FOR MY PERSPECTIVE, I TRY NOT TO PAY TOO CLOSE TO THE MEDIA STORIES. I DO WATCH IT, BUT I LOOK AT HOW THE INFRASTRUCTURE HAS FILLED IN , WHERE THE HOMES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED , AND INEVITABLY, THE COMMERCIAL HAS TO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA, CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHICS, BEFORE THEY WILL BEGIN TO FLOW IN. I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW. I THINK A LOT OF THE RESIDENTIAL , A LOT OF THE SUBDIVISIONS, HAVE GOTTEN TO A GOOD PLACE WHERE THE DEMOGRAPHICS START TO MEET THE COMMERCIAL CRITERIA, WHETHER IT IS A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT OR A BIG BOX STORE. I THINK WE HAVE HAD THIS BIG UPTICK IN RESIDENTIAL . THAT HAS SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE BIT. A LOT OF THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED NOW. SO HERE COMES THE COMMERCIAL TO SERVE
THE POPULATION. >> IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH
>> CERTAINLY. ONE OTHER THING. THESE COMMERCIAL PROJECTS ARE YEARS IN ADVANCE. BACK AND HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH IT. THEY MAY BE GAMBLING TOO AT THIS POINT FROM WHAT YOUR CONCERNS ARE.
>> THEY ARE TOO FAR INTO IT. >> A LOT OF THE DETERMINATIONS ARE MADE BY THE RESIDENTIAL
PROJECTS . >> THAT IS SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WHEN WE GO AROUND AND SPEAK TO BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS. THE ROOFTOP IS REALLY THE BASIS OF THE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY. MAYBE WE HAVE REACHED A THRESHOLD WHERE THESE COMMERCIAL
ARE SEEING THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT. >> ABSOLUTELY. WELL SAID. MOVING FORWARD. I WANTED TO THROW THIS IN. OUT OF ALL THE GOES ON IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, THE ONE THING THAT REALLY REMAINS CONSISTENT IS OUR INSPECTIONS. YOU SEE THERE IS NOT THIS TREMENDOUS FLUCTUATION IN TERMS OF OUR INSPECTION WORKLOAD. THERE IS ALWAYS SOME INSPECTION REQUIRED ON THESE PROJECTS. WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF THEM. PRETTY MUCH, WE STAY CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD . YOU KNOW, ANYWHERE FROM, REALLY, 20,000 INSPECTIONS TO 25,000
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INSPECTIONS A MONTH. THAT IS A PRETTY HUGE WORKLOAD FOR OUR BUSINESS MODEL. BUT WE MANAGE IT . WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR SUCCESS IN MAINTAINING THE INSPECTION SIDE OF THE HOUSE.>> THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT COME OUT OF 22,000 INSPECTIONS A MONTH. A LOT OF
QUESTIONS. >> YEAH. >> OKAY. I MENTIONED CONTRACTOR LICENSING EARLIER. WE DO REGULATE CONTRACTORS HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WHETHER THEY ARE STATE CERTIFIED OR OTHERWISE. I WANTED TO SHARE THESE STATS WITH YOU. WE DO HAVE 8816 LICENSES IN THE DATABASE CURRENTLY THAT ARE ACTIVE STATUS . THAT IS A HUGE NUMBER , ANYONE FROM STATE CERTIFIED, LOCAL , REGISTERED OR LOCALLY LICENSED . 102 CONTRACTOR LICENSES HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD LAST YEAR WE HAD 901 OPEN PERMIT INVESTIGATIONS THAT WERE COMPLIED OUT. I KNOW IT MIGHT BE HARD SOMETIMES CONTRACTORS , NOT ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING, OR WHAT THEY INTENDED TO DO. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN SET OF PROBLEMS, BUT WE ARE CHARGED WITH INVESTIGATING THOSE, AND I HAVE A WONDERFUL TEAM UNDER EJ HOBBS IN THE CONTRACTING LICENSING DIVISION THAT RUNS THAT DIVISION. WE HAVE RESPONDED TO 733 COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO -- UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE HAD FOUR LICENSING CASES THAT HAVE GONE IN FRONT OF HER CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD FOR DISCIPLINE THIS PAST YEAR. IT IS KIND OF A NECESSARY
EVIL THAT GOES WITH REGULATION. >> THE LICENSING CONTRACTORS IS CONSTRUCTION ?
>> YEAH. THEY WOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO ELECTRICAL PLUMBING, MECHANICAL
CONTRACTORS, SOLAR. THE LIST IS PRETTY EXTENSIVE. >> AND WE HAVE SIX PEOPLE.
>> WE HAVE SIX PEOPLE THAT REGULATE ON A DAILY BASIS. CORRECT. CODE ENFORCEMENT THAT EVERYBODY LOVES. CODE ENFORCEMENT IS MANAGED HERE --
LAUGHTER ] >> NO MORE HAIRCUTS FOR ME. >> REAL QUICKLY, AND I WILL LET TALK A LITTLE BIT. THE MISSION STATEMENT IS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ALL COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER . ONE THING WE WORKED HARD ON IS TO BROADEN PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT CODE ENFORCEMENT CAN AND CANNOT DO. BECAUSE AGAIN, PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT WE ARE REGULATED IN CODE ENFORCEMENT BY STATUTE 162. A LOT OF TIMES WHEN FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO -- IT DOESN'T GO HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE STATUTE AND WHAT IT ALLOWS US TO DO. RODERICK AND HIS TEAM JUST DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB . WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BILLS CODE ENFORCEMENT OUT OF NECESSITY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. WE PRETTY MUCH ARE ABLE TO HANDLE WHAT COMES OUR WAY. WE DON'T SOLVE EVERYTHING IMMEDIATELY, UNFORTUNATELY , AND I WILL SHARE A STATISTIC WITH YOU IN A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT THAT AS WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE. I WANTED RODERICK TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS SLIDE. I WILL BEGIN WITH INDICATING THAT WE NOW HAVE 12 PEOPLE , AND IT WILL BE 13 , INCLUDING RODERICK, IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION. THAT IS GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT IS OUT OF NECESSITY TO HANDLE THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE FACED WITH.
RODERICK, DO YOU MIND? I KNOW THIS CAN SOMETIMES BE A LITTLE CONFUSING TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS THAT, FOR INSTANCE, WE DID IN FY 24 VERSUS WHAT WE HAVE COMPLIED
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OUT. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? >> SURE. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I WANTED TO POINT OUT IS THE FTES. HE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE REQUIREMENTS AND LISTENING -- LICENSING. CODE ENFORCEMENT RIGHT NOW HAS THE 12 FTES, NOT COUNTY MYSELF. OUT OF THE 12, 10 OR OFFICERS. AS HE STATED, WE HAVE GROWN OUT OF NECESSITY TO COVER THE ZONES WE HAVE. WE ADDED ADDITIONAL OFFICERS . AT ONE POINT, WE WERE AT SIX, AND NOW WE'RE AT 10 FOR THE OFFICERS. WE HAD TO ACTUALLY MAXIMIZE THE ZONE COVERED SO WE CAN KEEP UP WITH THE ACTUAL INSPECTION COMPLAINTS THAT WERE COMING IN. WE ENDED UP SWITCHING FROM SIX ZONES TO 10 ZONES SO EVERY OFFICER HAS A ZONE, AND THEY'RE NOT TOO BIG FOR THEM TO COVER IN A DAY. WE HAVE A FAIR NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO COME IN.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS ON THE SLIDE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS COMPLIED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, 9848 -- IT SHOULD BE 41, THE TYPO IS 48. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS COMPLIED FOR THAT FISCAL YEAR WAS 9000. ON AVERAGE, FOR WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING, THAT IS ABOUT -- WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 2021 WHEN THERE WAS A SPIKE FOR THE NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS COMPLIED AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED SHOT UP DRASTICALLY . IT HAS SINCE COME BACK DOWN TO WHAT THE NORMAL AVERAGE RANGES ARE. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSPECTONS CARRIED FORWARD FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WAS 9736. YOU MAY LOOK AT THAT NUMBER , AND WHEN YOU ADD THEM, YOU GET THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, 90,577. LOOKS A BIT DISPIRITING TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WOW, WE HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THE 700 CASES CARRYFORWARD, AS OPPOSED TO 9800 THAT WERE COMPLIED. THE REASON BEING IS THAT WE DON'T SOLVE EVERY CASE WITHIN A DAY OR TWO. SOME CASES THAT WE HAVE HAVE TO CARRY FORWARD. THERE ARE HEARINGS THAT GO INTO EFFECT . WE DON'T JUST GO IN AND HIT PEOPLE OVER THE HEAD HEAVY-HANDED FOR COMPLIANCE. THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE. IF WE CAN'T, WE TRY TO WORK WITH THE RESIDENTS TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR COMPLIANCE.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, AS LONG AS PROGRESS IS BEING MADE, SOMETIMES WILL GIVE EXTENSIONS AND STRETCH CASES OUT SO WE GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITHOUT IT BEING SOME TYPE OF A DRASTIC ISSUE ON THEIR POCKETS FINANCIALLY, OR ON THEM WITH THEIR LIFESTYLES. THAT NUMBER IS REFLECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT WE ACTUALLY CARRY FORWARD , AS OPPOSED TO THE ONES THAT WE HAVE COMPLIED OUT. NOW, LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE, WE RECEIVED A REALLY LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING PAGERS . SOME OF YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE. THERE WAS ABOUT 550 CASE COMPLAINTS THAT WERE PUT IN JUST FOR PAVERS ALONE. THAT SITUATION HAS CAUSED US TO CARRY OVER SOME CASES A LOT LONGER THAN WHAT WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO. WHEN YOU LOOK AT SITUATIONS LIKE THAT , COMPLAINTS THAT SEEM TO HAVE WHAT WE WILL CALL THE FLAVOR OF THE MONTH , THEY SOMETIMES END UP BEING THE FLAVOR OF THE YEAR. I WAS HAVING A DISCUSSION WITH BUBBA BEFORE WE GOT STARTED ABOUT ELEVATOR COMPLAINTS. WOW, WE'VE GOTTEN ABOUT THREE OR FOUR COMPLAINTS HERE WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR YOU FIND CERTAIN COMPLAINTS AMP UP AND WE GET SOME, AND THEN PEOPLE KIND OF GET ON A ROLL, BECAUSEA NEIGHBOR COMPLAINED ABOUT SOMETHING , AND NOW OTHER PEOPLE SEE THAT THE NEIGHBOR COMPLAINED, SO IT HAS THAT SNOWBALL EFFECT. WHAT WE FIND IS THAT ALL IT TAKES IS THAT FLAVOR OF THE MONTH TO COME IN . THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS KIND OF SKYROCKET, THEN WE STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP COMPLYING THESE CASES. WE DO THE INSPECTIONS TO MAKE SURE WE DO THEM IN A TIMELY FASHION, BUT WE DON'T ALWAYS ET THE NUMBER OF COMPLIANCE TO ACTUALLY NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WHEN THEY COME IN, BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S SITUATION IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. SOME PEOPLE HAVE MORE MONEY THAN OTHERS AND CAN ACTUALLY SPEND MONEY AND COMPLY OUT COMPLAINTS AT A FASTER RATE. WHEREAS, OTHERS, IT MAY TAKE THEM A WHILE . IF IT IS AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF JUNK AND TRASH ON THE PROPERTY THAT IS ACCUMULATED OVER NUMBER OF YEARS, THOSE ARE CASES THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME FOR US TO ACTUALLY GET AN COMPLIANCE ON THOSE, BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING WITH THOSE PEOPLE TO MAKE IS YOUR PROGRESS IS BEING MADE , AND THAT THEY CAN
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COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITHOUT IT BEING TOO MUCH OF A HARDSHIP OR BURDEN.>> IN FACT, I WILL ADD TO THAT. SEVERAL CASES MIGHT HAVE TO FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM AS WELL. THAT CONTRIBUTES TO A GREAT NUMBER OF CASES THAT FIND THEIR WAY TO THE SPECIAL
MAGISTRATE. >> THE SPECIAL MAGISTRAE PROGRAM YOU INITIATED HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED, POSITIVELY, THE PROCESS AND EFFICIENCY. SO THAT IS
WONDERFUL. >> THANK YOU. WE ARE PROUD OF IT. IT IS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION.
BUT WE TRY TO AVOID THAT, LIKE RODERICK SAID. WE TRY TO WORK WITH THE PUBLIC, AS OPPOSED TO
AGAINST THE PUBLIC. >> ABSOLUTELY. RODRICK JUST MADE SURE I DID MY MATH RIGHT. YOU HAVE OVER 19,000 CASES A YEAR . YOU HAVE 10 INSPECTORS. IF EVERYBODY WORKS EVERY DAY , 365 DAYS A YEAR, EACH ONE OF THEM CARRY FIVE CASES ON EACH DAY, IS THAT SUSTAINABLE?
>> IT IS. BASICALLY, WHAT WE HAVE, YOU WILL FIND IT IS SUSTAINABLE IN THE SENSE THAT , AS WE GO OUT TO CONDUCT THOSE INITIAL INSPECTIONS, THEN IT BREAKS IT DOWN TO THE CASES YOU WOULD HAVE TWO LOOK AT LOW HANGING FRUIT, SO TO SPEAK. A LOT OF THE CASES CAN COME IN AS COMPLAINTS. THEIR LOW HANGING FRUIT. THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN JUMP ON AND GET COMPLIANCE ON.
EIGHT FOR THE QUICK TURNAROUND TIME IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT NORMAL JUNK AND TRASH. SOMETIMES IT IS SIGNAGE. SOMETIMES IT MIGHT BE A VEHICLE ON A PROPERTY OR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. WE CAN GET QUICK TURNAROUND ON THOSE. WHERE IT BECOMES MORE CHALLENGING IS THAT WE HAVE THE ZONING VIOLATIONS. THOSE VIOLATIONS SOMETIMES TAKE A LOT MORE RESEARCH , A LOT MORE WORKING WITH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, THE ZONING DEPARTMENT, THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, COLD ENFORCEMENT ALL COMBINED SO WE CAN ACHIEVE SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE, AND IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT LONGER. BUT IT IS SUSTAINABLE. THE OFFICERS AT THIS POINT ARE WORKING AND GOING OUT AND DOING THE INSPECTIONS. IT IS ENOUGH RIGHT NOW THAT KEEPS THEM CHALLENGED IN BALANCE, BUT IT IS NOT TOO MUCH ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.
IT IS SUSTAINABLE GOING FORWARD, BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS THE GROWTH OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THE BUILDOUT AND DEVELOPMENTS. ALONG WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, WE FIND THAT THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE BUILDOUT, AND THEN YOU FIND A NEED FOR THE COMMERCIAL , MEDICAL, DENTAL OFFICES AND SERVICES, FOOD RESTAURANTS, BIG-BOX STORES, MOM-AND-POP OPERATIONS. WHEN THOSE THINGS COME IN, YOU SEE AN INFLUX OF CODE ENFORCEMENT COMPLAINTS. AS THOSE THINGS ARE ACTUALLY OPENED UP, THEY START TO STABILIZE, THEN WE SEE THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
COMPLAINTS -- >> TO ELABORATE SLIGHTLY ON THAT, BEAR IN MIND THAT SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS, BECAUSE WE WORK DIRECTLY OFF THE PRIDE SYSTEM, WE SOMETIMES HAVE THE LUXURY OF HANDING THOSE OFF TO OTHER DIVISIONS THAT WILL DO THAT LAY WORK FOR US . THAT IS WHY , ALTHOUGH IT DOES SEEM MONUMENTAL, SOMETIMES WE ARE ABLE TO HAND SOME OF THAT OFF.
RODERICK AND I HAVE A SAYING, EVERYTHING COMES INTO CODE ENFORCEMENT, AND IT IS HARD TO
GET IT OUT. >> I WAS MORE WORRIED ABOUT GETTING MY MATH RIGHT. THE WORKLOAD CAN BE A GREAT CONCERN. IF WE ARE NOT MANAGING THEM SUSTAINABLY, YOU WILL LOSE
PEOPLE. I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT WE HAVE A WAY TO TRIAGE THEM. >> MOVING FORWARD, HERE IS JUST -- THIS GIVES YOU AN IDEA IN THE PIE CHART OF THOSE NUMBERS . MOVING FORWARD, HERE IS ANOTHER
SIDE THAT SHOWS YOU IT IS PRETTY CONSISTENT. >> THIS IS THE COMPLETED CASES BUT AS I STATED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, YOU CAN SEE THIS BIKE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 . FISCAL YEAR 2021 CARRIED SOME THINGS THAT WERE A LITTLE BIT, I WOULD SAY, NOT NORMAL IN THAT PARTICULAR FISCAL YEAR. WERE COMING OFF OF THE COVID STAFF IN DIFFERENT THINGS. THERE WAS A SLOWDOWN, AND THEN AS SOON AS THINGS OPENED BACK UP, WE SAW A LARGE SPIKE IN THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS THAT CAME IN. WE WORKED TO TRY TO MAKE SURE WE STAYED ON TOP OF THOSE CASES, WHICH IS WHY WE HAD SUCH A RARE NUMBER OF COMPLETED CASES. WHAT YOU WILL FIND WITH THE OTHER YEARS AFTER THAT, SUBSEQUENT YEARS, HE FELL BACK DOWN WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF MAYBE 8000 TO 9000 COMPLETED CASES PER FISCAL YEAR IF YOU LOOK AT FISCAL YEAR 2025, WHICH IS IN THE MAGENTA COLOR , WE ARE AT 4594 COMPLETED CASES RIGHT NOW. WE ARE LITTLE BIT MORE THAN SIX
MONTHS INTO THE FISCAL YEAR . >> IT HAS STABILIZED. >> WE'RE ON THE AVERAGE PACE OF
[00:40:12]
COMPLETED CASES. >> MOVING FORWARD, YOU HEARD ME TALK ABOUT CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS. A LOT OF CASES THAT COME THROUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT FIND THEIR WAY. I WANTED TO SHARE SOME STATS WITH YOU . TOTAL NUMBER OF UNSAFE STRUCTURES LAST FISCAL YEAR WAS 49 THAT WE HAD TO ACT ON EITHER BY DEMOLITION OR RE-PERMITTING TO GET RECONSTRUCTED. THAT NUMBER DOES SEEM TO BE ON THE RISE A LITTLE BIT. THE TOTAL NUMBER THAT WE HEARD AND UPHELD WAS 33 OUT OF THE 49. PRETTY PROUD OF THAT. A PRETTY GOOD AVERAGE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THAT. PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING THAT YOU WOULD SEE IN A NORMAL CODE ENFORCEMENT CASE. FOR THE RISE IN UNSTRUCTURED CASES, THERE IS A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT. IS PEOPLE, AND CLEAR PROPERTIES, SOMETIMES IT UNCOVERS SOME OTHER DILAPIDATED OLD PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN HIDDEN BEHIND TREES AND VEGETATION. ONCE THAT HAPPENS, THEN WE GET THOSE COMPLAINTS WITH THE NEW STRUCTURES. AND THEY BECOME A PART OF THE UNSAFE STRUCTURES CASES, WHICH MAKES THEIR WAY TO THE BOARD EVENTUALLY. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF UNSAFE STRUCTURE CASES BEING 49, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER THAT WERE HERDED UPHELD BEING 33, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE THERE. THE NUMBERS THAT YOU SEE MISSING ARE THE CASES THAT WE ARE CARRYING FORWARD FOR THE UNSAFE STRUCTURES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS. THOSE ARE CASES THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE RIGHT NOW. I WOULD SAY, THEY'RE NOT SO MUCH OF A PENDING STATE, BUT THEY ARE WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SYSTEM IN ORDER TO GET TO THE BOARD. SOMETIMES THESE UNSAFE STRUCTURES CASES GO TO THE BOARD MAYBE TWO TIMES OR THREE TIMES OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE WE ACTUALLY GET A RULING ON THAT, AND IT IS EITHER COMPLIED OR A RULING UPHELD FOR DEMOLITION. IT IS A TIME-CONSUMING PROCESS WE GO THROUGH TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND NOT DOING SOMETHING TO DRASTIC OR HASTY AS FAR AS WANTING TO CONDEMN THE PROPERTY AND THEN DEMO IT WHEN THE
PROPERTY COULD'VE BEEN REPAIRED. >> THE BOARD DOES ITS VERY BEST TO ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR NEEDS AND WHATEVER PARTICULAR SITUATION IT MIGHT BE. WE HAVE A GREAT BOARD. THAT IS WHY YOU ARE SEEING SOME OF THAT CARRY FORWARD. I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THIS , BUT IT IS A FACT THAT WE ALSO HAVE SHORT-TERM RENTAL , VACATION RENTALS, UNDER OUR JURISDICTION IN BUILDING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT. I JUST WANT TO SHARE A QUICK STAT WITH YOU, BECAUSE I KNOW I MIGHT BE RUNNING A LITTLE BIT OVER HERE NOW. WE HAVE 1050 TOTAL SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS ELIGIBLE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY , BUT CURRENTLY, WE ONLY HAVE 730 THAT ARE ACTIVE AND REGISTERED. I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE QUICK COMMENT HERE. THAT 730 NUMBER , THAT IS PROBABLY -- HAS PROBABLY CHANGED THREE TIMES SINCE I CAME OVER HERE. WE ARE DOING OUR BEST. IT IS ALMOST AN IMPOSSIBILITY TO KEEP UP WITH THAT NUMBER, BUT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE PROPERTY APPRAISERS OFFICE TO TRACK THAT FOR COMPLIANCE. SHORT-TERM RENTALS ARE A CONTENTIOUS TOPIC. NOT ONLY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, BUT JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE. I DID WANT TO SHARE THAT STAT WITH YOU JUST SO YOU HAD IT ON YOUR RADAR.
MOVING FORWARD, I DID SPEAK ABOUT RECORDS MANAGEMENT. WONDERFUL STAFF UNDER KATHLEEN .
AGAIN, I WANT TO POINT THIS OUT . WERE REGULATED BY CHAPTER 119 FLORIDA STATUTE. YOU SEE THE THEME THROUGHOUT THIS PRESENTATION . STATE STATUTE OR REGULATION SOUP TO NUTS AND A TO Z AT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. ONE THING I THINK IS JUST ASTOUNDING, KATHLEEN AND HER TEAM ACTUALLY RECEIVED AND COMPLIED 4619 RECORDS MANAGEMENT REQUESTS LAST FISCAL YEAR . I DON'T KNOW FOR CERTAIN, BUT I THINK THAT IS AN ALL TIME RECORD. IS IT NOT? PRETTY CLOSE.
AS WE APPROACHED THE END, I WANTED TO SHARE BUDGETARY INFORMATION WITH EVERYONE REAL QUICK. THE FY 2026 BUILDING OPERATING COST, THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT WILL OPERATE ABOUT
[00:45:05]
10,000,396 $527 THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR , AND CODE ENFORCEMENT APPROXIMATELY $1,713,274. WE ARE NOT A SMALL OPERATION. WE ARE NOT A HUGE OPERATION, BUT IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF STAFF , EVEN AS LEAN AS WE ARE, TO REGULATE EVERYTHING UNDER OUR UMBRELLA. SO PROUD OF OUR TEAM ACROSS THE BOARD. I DID WANT TO SHARE THOSE STATS WITH YOU. I WANTED TO SAY -- SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST. WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BUILD THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT UP TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EARMARK FOR AN EXPANSION TO THE PERMIT CENTER OF BUILDING DEPARTMENT , AND THAT IS A RENDERING . YOU WILL SEE A TALLER TOWER. THAT IS THE NEW MAIN ENTRANCE BE AT THE PERMITTING CENTER GOING FORWARD EVERYTHING YOU SEE TO THE LAST OF THAT AND EAST OF THE MAIN TOWER WILL BE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND EVERYTHING IT TAKES FOR OUR OPERATIONS IN THAT NEW BUILDING . WERE VERY PROUD OF IT. . I WILL BE CONSERVATIVE. , BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE HOPEFUL THAN I AM, BECAUSE I KNOW CONSTRUCTION , SOMEWHERE, SOMETIME AROUND THE FIRST OF THE YEAR WHEN WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO TAKE OCCUPANCY OF THAT BUILDING.VERY PROUD OF THAT, AND AT THIS POINT, THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. I'M SORRY IF I WENT A LITTLE BIT OVERBOARD AND OVER TIME. I AM HAPPY -- IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, WE
CAN MOVE FORWARD. >> I DO HAVE QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME, BUT I DO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW PERMIT CENTER, WHICH IS A VISION THAT CAME OUT OF BEING CONCEIVED OF A CONCEPT OF A PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER. I THINK THE TEAM EMBRACED THE CONCEPT VERY QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY LOOKING AT IT -- HOW STRATEGICALLY COUNTY SPACE THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN.
THERE IS ALSO A DREAM OF OURS , COLLECTIVELY, TO HAVE A SPACE WHERE WE CAN OFFER SERVICES AT A ONE-STOP SHOP. THE BUILDING OF THE PERMIT CENTER ALLOWS THAT TO HAPPEN. ADJACENT TO THE NEW PERMIT CENTER IS THE OLD CENTER, WHICH THE STAFF WERE HOUSED AND NOW CAN BE VACATED FOR AN ARRAY OF OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES, INCLUDING MARRIAGE LICENSING, RECORDS AND FINANCE FROM COMPTROLLER . SOME OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT MAY HAVE THE WINDOW AT THE FRONT . THE CONCEPT IS TO HAVE A PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER WITHOUT SPENDING A TON OF MONEY , AND TO CAPITALIZE ON THIS
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OUR RESIDENTS. >> THAT IS THE VERY THEME WE DESIGNED AND BUILT . IT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN ENJOY FOR DECADES TO COME. I DO HAVE ONE MORE SLIDE . THAT IS A QUICK RENDERING OF THE INSIDE . YOU WILL SEE THAT IS THE ENTRY TOWER AND THE CENTER . I WILL SHOW YOU SOME OF THE INTAKE AREAS. IT WILL BE VERY CONDUCIVE FOR THE PUBLIC TO UTILIZE . WE ARE VERY EXCITED AND MOVING FORWARD.
>> THAT'S GREAT. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY TEAM FOR JOINING ME
HERE. EVERYONE , HAVE A GREAT FRIDAY. >> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. I APPRECIATE YOU ARE HERE. MAKE SURE YOU GOT ALL YOUR DATA AND FACTS CORRECT. YOU TAKE TIME OUT
OF YOUR VERY BUSY DAY >> KNOW YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF PERMITS AND COMPLAINTS AND ALL
[00:50:04]
OF THAT. BUILDING THIS NEW BUILDING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO COME BY AND MAKE MORECOMPLAINTS. THAT IS OUR ROLE, RIGHT? >> THAT IS WHAT WE DO.
>> RODERICK, WHEN YOU SAY ELEVATOR COMPLAINTS, NOW I REALIZE IT IS A CONCEPT OF THE BIGGER SPEECH OF SOME HOW PEOPLE JOIN IN WHEN THERE IS A THEME. I THOUGHT YOU ARE LITERALLY TALKING ABOUT ELEVATOR COMPLAINTS. I WANT TO COME CLEAN, I WAS NOT ONE OF THEM,
EVEN THOUGH I COULD'VE BEEN. WE HAVE A LOT OF ELEVATOR ISSUES. >> YES, WE DO. SOME OF THEM ARE
ACTUALLY ELEVATED . >> SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU ALL. HAPPY FRIDAY.
[Growth Management]
PRESENT THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT BUDGET TO EVERYONE HERE. IT WILL BE PRETTY SHORT AND SWEET ON THIS BUDGET HERE. FIRST, I WILL START WITH THE MISSION, AS ALWAYS. AGAIN, EFFICIENT, HEALTHY AND SAFELY BUILT DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT. WE JUST HEARD HOWARD TALK ABOUT, BASICALLY, THE BUILDINGS , WHICH IS THE VERTICAL . WHAT WE DO IS BEFORE THAT.THE DIVISIONS. ENVIRONMENTAL LOOK AT LANDSCAPING . THEY LOOK AT TREE COUNTS, AND ALSO DEALING WITH STORMWATER PONDS AND SAFETY OF INTERSECTIONS. ULTIMATELY, BIG ON THE FOREFRONT NOW IS THE TRAFFIC CONCERNS. WE ARE PLANNING AND ZONING THAT MANAGES A LOT OF THE BOARDS WE HAVE.
THEY ALSO DEAL WITH WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR PROPERTY. EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW THAT. DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW DOES A LOT OF THE INTAKE THAT WE DO, AS WELL AS ENFORCING. THAT IS IN A NUTSHELL. I WILL GET RIGHT TO A. HERE IS THE BUDGET FROM LAST YEAR. IT WAS 8.4 MILLION. THIS YEAR IT IS 8.1 8.4 MILLION. THIS YEAR IT IS 8.1 MILLION. SOME OF THE CHANGES . AGAIN, WE'RE PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. AS YOU KNOW, WE BASICALLY HAVE PAYROLL, AND WE HAVE SOME VEHICLES AND OCCASIONALLY WE HAVE SOME PROJECTS THAT WE DO, SUCH AS THE COMP PLAN AND FEE IMPACTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE POSITION, WE ARE GOING TO ELIMINATE THAT. THERE IS TEMPORARY STAFF, AND SOME OVERTIME THAT WE WILL ELIMINATE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE POSITION -- AND I WILL GET INTO SOME OF THE METRICS OF WHAT WE DO WITH REGARD TO ELECTRONICS -- BUT WE ARE NOTICING LESS PEOPLE COMING IN BECAUSE WE ARE DOING THINGS ONLINE FOR BANKING. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO , AND LISA BROWN IS HEADING THIS UP, WE WILL HAVE EXISTING TECHNICIANS. SHE IS TRAINING THEM TO STEP UP AND FILL THE VOID INSTEAD OF HAVING A PERMANENT PERSON TO HANDLE THAT LOAD. I THINK WE WILL BE OKAY BECAUSE A LOT OF THE SHIFT OF BANKING BEING DONE ONLINE. A
LOT OF PEOPLE NOT WAITING. >> THROUGHOUT THE MEETINGS, WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSION ON ROLLBACK IN SOME DEPARTMENTS , AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE REDUCTIONS. I BELIEVE THE ITEMS LISTED AT THE TOP WOULD BE ROUGHLY AND $80,000 REDUCTION IN THE BUDGET. THOSE ARE WHAT WOULD BE REDUCED IF WE
HAD TO GO TO A ROLLBACK? >> THAT'S RIGHT. IF THAT IS A ROLLBACK, IT IS ABOUT 80 3K -- 83,000. THOSE OF THE ACCOMMODATIONS WE WOULD ME. IF YOU GO DOWN, YOU CAN SEE THE
NEGATIVE. >> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY YOUR REQUEST.
YOUR REQUEST IS TO MAINTAIN THOSE OPERATIONS. >> THAT'S RIGHT. IN ORDER TO
MEET THE 6%, THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO REMOVE THE BUDGET. >> JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT.
>> WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT FOR REDUCING THE CUSTOMER SERVICE POSITION?
>> AGAIN, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO USE EXISTING TECHNICIANS TO FILL OUT. MAYBE ONE OF THEM DOES HALF A DAY AND GOES UP THERE. THEN ANOTHER TECHNICIAN GOES UP THEY ARE. WE WILL HAVE A FULL-TIME
[00:55:01]
PERSON DOING EVERY DAY. IT WILL BE IN PERSON. RETAKING FROM THE EXISTING TECHNICIANS THAT ARE THERE TO DO IT. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO GAP.>> MY QUESTION WHEN IT COMES TO ROLLBACK INITIATIVES OR MEASURES TO ACCOMPLISH ROLLBACK, TWO THINGS I WANT TO KNOW. ONE IS PUBLIC SERVICES AND TWO , THE WORKLOAD BURDEN OF EMPLOYEES.
WITH THE TEMPORARY STAFFING, OVERTIME AND CUSTOMER SERVICE POSITION, YOU ARE SAYING YOUR
MAINTAINING SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE. >> THAT IS THE HOPE. I WON'T KNOW UNTIL WE GET THERE ESCAPE AGAIN, I THINK SOME OF THE ELECTRONICS WE'RE DOING THAT WILL HELP WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE POSITION. BUT NO DOUBT, IT IS TAKING EXISTING TECHNICIANS THAT MIGHT BE IN TAKING CONSTRUCTION PLANS, FOR EXAMPLE. NOW THAT TECHNICIAN WILL BE FOR HALF A DAY. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MANAGE THAT. THAT IS LISA'S JOB. SHE WILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO GAP IN SERVICES THE BEST WE CAN. IF THINGS GET BUSY. LET'S SAY, RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE LEVELED OFF FROM COVID TIMES, BUT THEY'RE STILL UP THERE ESCAPE. IF THINGS GET BUSY, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TO ENSURE THAT SAME SERVICE, OR THE SERVICE LEVEL DROPS A LITTLE BIT. MAYBE THERE IS A LONGER WAIT. THAT WOULD BE THE RESULT FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE. FOR THE BEACH TEMPORARY STAFF, WE HAVE STAFF THAT AUGMENTS IN ASSISTS FULL-TIME STAFF. BEACH STAFF, FOR US, HAS TO DO WITH MANAGING HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN. THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE TURTLES AND EVERYTHING ARE MONITORED AND TRACKED AND THAT THE NESTS ARE ALL THERE AND WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE AGENCIES. TEMPORARY STAFF DOES A LOT OF WORK, ACTUALL, AS WELL AS THE VOLUNTEERS. THAT IS MORE WORK , OBVIOUSLY. WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN TO ENSURE WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONSERVATION PLAN. I DEDUCTED 7000 FROM THE OVERTIME. THE HOPE IS THAT WE DON'T DIG INTO THE RESERVES TOO MUCH. WE STILL HAVE SOME OVERTIME, BUT IT HAS TAKEN OUT 7000. BUT IF WE WERE TO INCREASE WALK INS AND OVERALL WORKLOAD, AGAIN, IT COULD GET TO THAT POINT WHERE WE POTENTIALLY MIGHT NEED TO ASK FOR SOME MONEY. BUT AGAIN, I THINK 7000, TO GET TO THE 83,000 REDUCTION, THOSE ARE THE AREAS WE CAN BEST
PULL FROM TO HURT THE LEASE. >> ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN BUDGET. WADE ADVISED ME THERE WERE THREE ONE-TIME EXPENSES IN 2024 , THE IMPACT AND STUDY FEE, AND THE TECH CONSERVATION PLANNING CONSULTANT FEE. IF YOU DON'T MIND, GO BACK ONE SLIDE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS THAT. IT IS NOT A SERVICE REDUCTION, IT IS REALLY A ONE
TIME SERVICE. IN 2026, IT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED. >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE 2025, IT IS 8.4 MILLION TO 8.1. WE HAD A CONTRACTUAL CHARGE, I BELIEVE, FOR THE IMPACT FEE STUDY. THE COMP PLAN WITH A DIFFERENT BUDGET. IT WAS A BIG CHUNK. I THINK IT WAS 400,000. WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THOSE ANNUAL. THIS YEAR, WE DON'T HAVE ONE. THAT CAN BE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE.
>> THAT CANNOT BE USED FOR ROLLBACK ACCOMPLISHMENT, BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING FOR RECURRING
REDUCTION. >> THAT'S RIGHT. A ONE TIME FEE.
>> OKAY. >> GOING DOWN TO A COUPLE OF THINGS WE ARE ASKING FOR .
AGAIN, THE TWO THINGS, ATV AND UTV . AT THE BEACH, THEY OFTEN HAVE TO TRANSPORT . THE UTV WOULD BE A FOUR PERSON. THEY OFTEN HAVE TO DRIVE THE LENGTH OF THE BEACH AND HAVE TO TAKE VOLUNTEERS OR DEP STAFF , ARMY CORPS STAFF, TO LOOK AT ISSUES. IF YOU ONLY HAVE TWO SEATS, HOW ARE YOU GETTING THERE? IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT IN THE ADDITIONAL ATV.
IF ANYBODY KNOWS BASEBALL, YOU COME OUT IN THE SEVENTH INNING STRETCH AND THEY DRAG THE LITTLE CHAIN TO SMOOTH OUT. THAT IS WHAT I THINK OF. THEY COME OUT THERE AND DO THE SAME OUT ON THE BEACH. THAT CAN INHIBIT TURTLES FROM GETTING OUT THERE. THE PV PLANNING POSITION IS BEING TRANSFERRED FROM THE BUILDING , BECAUSE HE FIGURED OUT IT ACTUALLY NEEDS TO BE MORE IN THE PLANNING ROLE AS OPPOSED TO BUILDING ROLE. WE WILL STILL WORK HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, BUT THAT ALSO IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE --
[01:00:01]
>> THAT IS A POSITION REQUESTED FOR A LONG TIME. >> THAT'S RIGHT. MUNICIPAL SERVICES IS STRICT -- DISTRICT WANT VISIBILITY. THEY WOULD LIKE REPORTING WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR COMMUNITY. SO THEY CAN HELP THEIR COMMUNITY AND INTERFACE. WE HOPE THAT WILL BE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP TO EDUCATE THEIR COMMUNITY ON THE REGULATIONS. WE CAN ALSO GIVE THE SERVICE THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THEIR COMMUNITY IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THE IDEA, THAT ONE OF THE THOUSAND, THAT IS THE TOTAL . IT IS LIKELY WE WILL GET MAYBE
THAT IS IN DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW. >> NOT NECESSARILY A NEW REQUEST. IT WAS APPROVED IN 2025. IT WAS IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET.
>> WE TALKED TO BUILDING. GROWTH MANAGEMENT TALK, AND WE UNDERSTAND THEIR NEEDS MORE. IT DOES FEEL MORE THAT IT FITS INTO PLANNING COMPARED TO BUILDING. IT BLEEDS OVER, BUT THE 66 FTES IS STAGNANT. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ANY MORE POSITIONS WITH THAT.
>> GOOD. HOW ARE WE DOING WITH THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING POSITION?
>> MANAGERS WITH DO A LOT OF THE MODELING. WE HAD A PERSON IN THE HOPPER WHO LOOKED LIKE IT WOULD WORK OUT, BUT IT DIDN'T. THOSE ARE HARD POSITIONS TO FILL, STRAIGHT UP.
>> IT HAS BEEN OUT THERE THREE YEARS. >> WE ARE WAITING FOR THE RIGHT TIME TO ADVERTISE. THEY OUR HIGH EXPERIENCE. THEY DEMAND MORE IN THAT SECTOR. WE WILL GO BACK OUT WITH IT. ACTUALLY, THERE IS TRAINING FROM THE TPO ON THE NEW MODEL THAT THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND CHIEF ENGINEER ARE ACTUALLY ATTENDING. THEY'RE GOING TO LEARN ABOUT THAT MODEL.
THAT IS THE MODEL WE WILL INTERFACE WITH. YOU WANT THE REGIONAL CONNECT TO THE LOCAL MODEL. IT IS EXCITING, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOMEBODY EVENTUALLY WHERE THAT IS THEIR FOCUS. WE KNOW THE CITIZENS WANT THE BEST POSSIBLE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK WE CAN GET. DEVOTING
THAT PERSON -- YOU PUSH FOR THAT POSITION. I APPRECIATE THAT. >> WE CAN'T HIRE IT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COMPENSATING ENOUGH. I WOULD LIKE TO EVALUATE, AT SOME POINT, THIS IS A VACANT POSITION FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. IT IS REALLY FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE WHOLE VISION OF LONG-TERM TRANSPORTATION PLANNING . I DON'T THINK THIS IS A UNIQUE ISSUE FOR A TRANSPORTATION PLANNER . IT IS REALLY ACROSS THE BOARD , POTENTIALLY COMPETITIVENESS OF THE COMPENSATION PLAN. THIS HAS A GREAT IMPACT FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTY. WE CAN LOOK AT THAT POSITION AGAIN TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT MORE COMPETITIVE.
>> SURE. THIS IS ACTUALLY GOOD TIME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN SCHOOL IS ENDING. IF NOT THAT, MAYBE A SHORT TIME TO SEE. IF IT DOESN'T WORK, WE CAN TALK ABOUT --
>> BRING YOUR KIDS TO WORK WHENEVER YOU WANT TO. >> FREE CHILDCARE.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THEM? >> WE WILL.
SPEAKERS ] >> APPRECIATE THAT SUPPORT. POPULATION GROWTH. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS. WE ARE OUTWARD FACING AND REGULATORY. WE DO , MAYBE A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR SOME OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY, IN THAT WE ENFORCE CODES. WERE NOT BUILDING ANYTHING. WE DO CUSTOMER SERVICE A LOT , WHETHER IT BE A DEVELOPER OR MOM-AND-POP COMING IN. THE POPULATION GROWTH . AND PRIDE AS WELL. YOU HEARD THAT PRESENTATION. AS MORE PEOPLE COME, THAT MEANS MORE WORK FOR OUR DEPARTMENT. EVEN IF YOU STAGNATE DEVELOPMENT FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME, YOU HAVE SO MANY MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL DOING THINGS ON THEIR PROPERTY. THAT IS THE POPULATION GROWTH. THIS IS JUST THE CHART THAT SHOWS YOU THAT IS IS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE CHARTS WITH THE BUILDING PERMITS. THEY'RE NOT EXACTLY THE SAME THING. MIDDLE-MANAGEMEN T, THE GREEN, SHOWS YOU THE NUMBERS OF LOTS OF DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS. APPLICATIONS LIKE CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS. THINGS THAT ARE EARLY ON AND IN
[01:05:03]
THE HOPPER. THE CLEARANCE SHEETS COME AFTER THAT. THEY ARE THE GATEWAY TO GET YOUR VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION . YOU CAN SEE THE CLEARANCE SHEETS WERE HOT AND HEAVY IN 2021 AND 2022. THEY'RE SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT, BUT THEY'RE STILL HIGH. CLEARANCE SHEETS ARE WHEN YOU BASICALLY COME IN FOR YOUR HOME, AND THAT IS A SITE PLAN FOR YOUR HOME. IT COULD BE A POOL OR THE SINGLE FAMILY ITSELF. THAT IS A METRIC TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA ON WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND WHERE WE ARE GOING. WE WILL SEE WHAT THE MARKET CONDITIONS IN THE ECONOMY HOW IT PLAYS OUT FOR 2025. THIS IS JUST INSPECTIONS. THAT IS MORE OF, HEY, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY KNOWS HOW THE INSPECTIONS ACTUALLY A. YOU CAN SEE THE RESIDENTIAL . FOR 2024, YOU'RE TALKING ALMOST 1000.WHEN INSPECTION HAPPENS, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE LOT, IT IS NOT JUST GOING OUT ONE TIME. THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS. IT MIGHT BE THE GRADING AND INSTALLATION OF THE PIPES AND ROADWAY. THEN LATER ON YOU DO A LOT GRADING INSPECTION. SENDINGLANDSCAPING INSPECTION. THERE ARE ALL THESE HOLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE DONE CORRECTLY AT THE RIGHT MOMENT.
AND IMPACT FEES ARE, OF COURSE, PAID. NONRESIDENTIAL AS WELL. YOU CAN SEE IN 2018 FROM NONRESIDENTIAL INSPECTIONS, YOU CAN SEE PRETTY MUCH A GOOD RISE. THAT IS A GOOD SIGN. WE WANT MORE RESIDENTIAL. THE BOARD HAS INDICATED THEY WANT MORE NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TO PROMOTE THAT TAX BASE AND HAVE DIVERSITY. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS THE LAST COUPLE OF BUDGETS , ELECTRONIC PROGRESS. I MENTIONED IT AT THE BEGINNING. HERE IS CAPTURING TRANSACTIONS. WE HAVE A CASHIER THAT TAKES IN MONEY PAYMENTS FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, NOT JUST GROWTH MANAGEMENT. YOU CAN SEE INITIALLY WHEN WE STARTED WITH ONLINE BANKING AND ELECTRONIC WAY OF DOING THINGS , AS OPPOSED TO BRING IN A CHECK, A LOT OF IT WAS INTERNAL MEANS. YOU CAN SEE THE SHIFT ALL THE WAY FROM FY 24. HOPEFULLY THAT CAN HELP US WITH ANY TRANSITIONS FROM THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. YOU MOVE DOWN CLEARANCE SHEETS, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT 22% NOW, THAT MEANS 22% OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO COME IN. THEY CAN SUBMIT ONLINE . SO MIDDLE-MANAGEMENT AS WELL. LOTS OF APPLICATIONS. YOU CAN SEE THE GREEN. THAT IS THE TREND TO LOOK AT . IT IS INCREASING TYPICALLY FROM 2018 THROUGH 2024% WITH A LOT MORE PEOPLE ARE COMMITTING ONLINE. TO MAKE SENSE. THESE ARE THE ENGINEERS, PLANNERS , ATTORNEYS. THEY CAN CREATE AN ACCOUNT AND SUBMIT IT. THE ADVANTAGES FOR STAFF IS THAT YOU GET IT QUICKER. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO SCAN IT, BECAUSE IT IS ALREADY IN AND REROUTE IT, AND IT GETS REVIEWED QUICKER BACK TO THE APPLICANT. IT IS FASTER FOR THEM TOO. THIS PROCESS IS MAKING US MORE EFFICIENT. JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS FOR THE FY 25 MONEY WE RECEIVED. WE GOT THE MONEY FOR THE CONSERVATION PLAN. BY THE WAY, MAYBE EVEN THIS MONTH, WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THE FIRST MEETING WITH THE CONSULTANT. THE CONSULTANT WAS CHOSEN. WE'RE GOING TO GET TOGETHER WITH THEM AND SET THE EXPECTATIONS FOR THEM. THAT IS COMING VERY SOON. THAT IS A LONG PROCESS. I HAVE TOLD YOU, JOY, IT WILL BE A HEAVILY ATTENDED ONE BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LIVE NEAR
THE BEACH. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. >>
>> THE FIRST ONE WAS CREATED , I THINK THE REQUIREMENT CAME IN EARLY 2000, AND WE CREATED IT IN
2006. BUT IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD IT. WHERE UPDATING NOW. >> 20 YEARS AGO.
>> YEAH. IT IS A BIG UPDATE. THEY WILL LOOK AT DEP . THEY WILL TELL US THE NEW REGULATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS THEY HAVE FOR DRIVING ON THE BEACH. DO YOU NEED A MANATEE PRODUCTION PLAN, FOR EXAMPLE? I DON'T KNOW. WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS THEIR ELIMINATION -- THERE OTHER THINGS WE ARE DOING . OF COURSE, THE FEEDBACK WE GET FROM THE PUBLIC. THEY LIVED THERE. THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. YOU ALSO HAVE BUSINESS INTERESTS WHERE A LOT
OF BUSINESSES RELY ON THE BEACH AND PEOPLE GOING TO THE BEACH. >> AND THE SHOPS.
>> FISHING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, FOR SURE. UNDERSTANDABLY SO. WE WILL GET SOME GOOD FEEDBACK.
AGAIN, WE WERE GIVEN THE MONEY FOR THE MONITORS OF SOFTWARE FOR ELECTRONIC PLAN REVIEW. WHEN YOU REVIEW THESE PLANS, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE PLANS ON BIG MONITORS, BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO
[01:10:04]
SEE THE CHECKLIST AND OTHER THINGS ARE LOOKING AT , LIKE COMMENTS. HEAVY BIG MONITORS REALLY HEALTH. EVENTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO WHERE WE ACTUALLY MARK UP THOSE PLANS WITH SOFTWARE WITH THE MONEY WE WERE GIVEN AS WELL TO ACTUALLY MARK THEM UP. IT IS QUICKER AND EASIER. IT IS MORE LEGIBLE FOR THE APPLICANT AND STUFF LIKE THAT. THAT IS REALLY COOL. WE ARE REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. AGAIN, FTES. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, BUT IT IS WORKING OUT VERY WELL. WE BASICALLY HAD ONE INSPECTOR FOR RESIDENTIAL AND ONE ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTOR FOR THE BIG CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND THINGS. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF YOU HAVE AN INSPECTION IN PONTEVEDRA AND IN FIVE OTHER , THERE IS YOUR DAY. WE WERE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. THAT ALLOWS US TO SEGMENT THE COUNTY FOR INSPECTORS AND BE MORE EFFICIENT AND ACCOMPLISH MORE AND GET BETTER SERVICE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO THE BOARD AS WELL. THE CHALLENGES HAVE NOT CHANGED THAT MUCH. WE HAVE BEEN RESPONDING TO THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH GROWTH. THAT JUST MEANS MORE OF EVERYTHING . ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT. I WILL GO INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT AND WHAT I SEE HELPING US OUT. WE HAVE TALKED SOME, JOY. WHEN I SAY NARROW, THAT IS SPECIALIZED.REALLY SPECIALIZE. WE DON'T NEED CHATGPT THAT HAS TO HAVE EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING . BUT I COULD FOR SEE, PROBABLY, INSTITUTED PRETTY EASILY THINGS SUCH AS A NARROW A.I. THAT KNOWS OUR CODES. IF YOU WENT INTO OUR SEARCH BAR AT THE COUNTY WEBSITE RIGHT NOW AND TYPES, I WANT TO BUILD A SHED, YOU'RE GOING TO GET BACK, I BELIEVE, IT WAS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. IS NOT SET UP FOR THAT. IF YOU CAN GET A NARROW A.I. , THEY JUST GET BETTER, BECAUSE IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER AND LEARN FROM ITSELF. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WAS A, I WANT TO DO A SHED, I WILL TALK TO YOU ABOUT SETBACKS. WILL TELL YOU ABOUT SETBACKS. IT WILL ALSO TELL YOU YOU NEED A BUILDING PERMIT. IF YOU SAY, I WANT TO TALK TO PERSONNEL, IT WILL HAVE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. THOSE ARE UP-TO-DATE. WE DON'T NEED THOSE ANYMORE. I CAN SEE HOW HELPFUL THAT WOULD BE. THIS IS A COMPLICATED -- DEVELOPMENT IS A COMPLICATED PROCESS. PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED. WE CAN ELIMINATE SOME OF THE FRUSTRATION, I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL. THAT IS JUST ONE AREA. IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE A.I. CAN EVEN DO REVIEWS FOR US AND DO SOME OF THE MINUTIA. IF YOU HAVE 1000 ENGINES OF TREES ON A SITE PLAN THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL STAFF HAS TO REVIEW, IT CAN REVIEW THOSE AND SAY HOW MANY CANOPY TREES, HOW MANY PINES, ET CETERA. SO THERE ARE IDEAS OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP US. IT IS NOT TO DISPLACE ANYBODY, IT IS TO TAKE CARE OF THE EASY STUFF SO IT FREES UP THE STAFF TO DO THE HARD STUFF, LIKE TALKING TO CUSTOMER WHO IS UPSET AND NEEDS GUIDANCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AGAIN, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THIS, EMPLOYING AND RETAINING TALENTED AND DEDICATED STAFF. CERTAIN CAREER FIELDS ARE DIFFICULT, BUT WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD STAFF. I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM. BY THE WAY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK AMY, BEVERLY AND SHERRY, WHO DID MOST OF THE WORK WITH THE BUDGET. I APPRECIATE THAT, AS WELL AS THE MANAGERS DID A LOT OF THE STATISTICS AND BEHIND THE SCENES TO GET THAT.
THEY DID ALL THIS WORK THAT IS HERE FOR ME TO PRESENT. I APPRECIATE THEM. I THINK I
COVERED EVERYTHING I WANTED TO. >> VERY GOOD.
>> AMY DID A GREAT JOB. A VERY COMPREHENSIVE PRESENTATION. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY, IF YOUR STAFF IS WATCHING, I KNOW IT CAN BE DISHEARTENING TO LISTEN TO SOME MISINFORMED COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE CONSTANTLY -- GROSS MISMANAGEMENT. I WANTED TO USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU AND YOUR STAFF THAT I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST TEAM OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT. IN MY MIND, IT IS GROWTH TRYING OUR BEST TO MANAGE THE BEST WE CAN DEPARTMENT. I WANTED TO AT LEAST SAY THAT. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I THINK MIKE OPENED UP REALLY WELL WITH WHAT THE REDUCTIONS WOULD BE RELATED TO A ROLLBACK RATE. I KNOW THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY YOUR PREFERRED REQUEST, BUT IF WE HAVE TO GO TO A ROLLBACK RATE, THE OPTIONS YOU HAVE PROVIDED FOR THAT, I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> YES, SIR. >> LET'S WORK ON GETTING THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNER .
>> WE WILL JUMP ON IT. >> THANK YOU.
[Medical Examiner]
[01:15:25]
ARE RIGHT. -- ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> LIKEWISE. DO YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF? >> FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW ME, I AM THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER EXAMINER'S OFFICE DOES, WE ARE THE AGENCY THAT IS ESTABLISH IN THE COUNTY TO INVESTIGATE DEATHS THAT FALL UNDER OUR JURISDICTION. BASICALLY, WE INVESTIGATE EVERYTHING THAT IS SUSPICIOUS, UNNATURAL ACCIDENTS, SUICIDES , HOMICIDES AND SO FORTH. WE COVER THREE COUNTIES .
AND SO, THE FUNDING COMES FROM THE STATE WITH ST. JOHN'S PROVIDING ALMOST 50% BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CASES FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT WE RECEIVED FOR A YEAR. LAST YEAR WITHIN 525 INVESTIGATIONS OF CASES THAT ACTUALLY ENDED UP IN THE OFFICE . WE WE HAD ABOUT 1000 REPORTED.
WE REVIEWED APPROXIMATELY 4000 . THAT IS WHAT WE DO. THE BUDGET THIS YEAR , THE REQUEST WILL BE VERY MINIMAL, BECAUSE LAST YEAR WE GOT A POSITION FOR AN ASSOCIATE MEDICAL EXAMINER. WE HAVE 12 PERSONNEL . WITH THE ASSOCIATE, WE WILL BE 13. WE HAVE YET TO IDENTIFY A CANDIDATE THAT MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR WHAT WE NEED IN THE OFFICE. WE ARE WORKING REALLY HARD ON THAT. CAN
I JUMP -- >> CAN I JUMP IN REAL QUICK? HAVE YOU GOTTEN THE CALL FROM ? WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR YOU TO RECRUIT THE RIGHT PERSON . IF WE NEED TO GO THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL VISA PROCESS, WE WOULD. WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR YOU TO GET YOUR STAFF . I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO OBTAIN THOSE TALENTS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THEY HAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH SOMEONE WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA. WE WILL SEE WHAT
HAPPENS. >> GOOD LUCK. >> THANK YOU. AND SO, OF COURSE, EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE MORGUE , BUT THAT IS NOT THE TOPIC FOR TODAY.
>> I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT AFTER YOU'RE DONE WITH YOUR BUDGET. WE WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE
PLAN. >> ABSOLUTELY. WHAT I ASKED FOR THIS YEAR, THE OFFICE IS ASKING FOR, IS VERY MINIMAL. LAST YEAR I EXPLAINED HOW WE ARE CROSSTRAINING STAFF, BECAUSE WE CAN'T REALLY EXPAND PERSONNEL BASED ON OUR PARTICULAR SITUATION. BUT WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. WHERE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO CROSS TRAIN STAFF. THAT WILL REQUIRE SOME EXTRA FUNDING FOR THE OVERTIME . INVESTIGATORS WORK WEEKENDS , 24 HOURS A DAY, AND THEY ALSO WORK WEEKENDS AND AT NIGHTTIME. SOMETIMES THEY GO INTO OVERTIME . WE ARE REQUESTING SOME FUNDING FOR THE OVERTIME REQUIRED. WE ARE ALSO INCREASING THE BUDGET FOR TRANSPORTATION. THE TRANSPORT SERVICE HAS INCREASED FEES. THAT IS REFLECTED IN OUR ASK FOR THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.
THE INCREASES IN MAINTENANCE FOR THE GENERATOR FOR THE FACILITIES, WE HAVE A TEMPERATURES -- 10% INCREASE. AS FAR AS THE DATABASE, WE GOT FUNDING LAST YEAR . WE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING A DATABASE, BUT WE HAVE THE FUNDING THAT WILL MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT KIND OF SOFTWARE. WE WILL POSSIBLY HAVE -- IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO GET
THAT THIS YEAR. >> YOU CAN SEE IF WE CAN MITIGATE THE CONCERNS THEY MAY
HAVE FOR THE PROPERTY AT EACH DATABASE. >> -- WE WERE TALKING YESTERDAY
ON THAT. >> RESTRICTIONS ON HOW WE CAN USE IT AND THE JURISDICTION IF
[01:20:04]
THERE WAS A LAWSUIT. THEY ADVISE WE DID AN INFORMAL RFP AND TO THE SCOPE TO THE SPECIFICATIONSOF THE DOCTOR. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. . >> WHERE ASKING ASKING TO
IMPROVE THE CASES. >> A SIDE EFFECT OF NOT FILLING THE ASSOCIATE THIS YEAR, IT CAN TAKE SOME OF THE FUNDS THIS YEAR AND IT WILL PURCHASE THE SYSTEM THIS YEAR. WE WILL PULL THAT OUT
OF THE REQUESTED BUDGET. >> IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THE RACK SYSTEM IS BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPACE. THAT IS SOMETHING -- MY UNDERSTANDING IT IS THAT THE LAST RESORT.
>> WE ARE MAXIMIZING THE SPACE. IT WILL BE -- AFTER THAT, WE WOULD HAVE MORE SPACING UNITS .
>> JUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, IT IS ESSENTIALLY A BOOKSHOP FOR BODIES. YOU ARE
INSURING THE SHELF SPACE . >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> THE BUDGET, AS PRESENTED IS .
FOR THOSE WATCHING, FOR THIS BUDGET YEAR, 21.5% OF THE TOTAL IS FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY, 29.14
IS A SHARED BUDGET FROM FLAGLER, AND FROM PUTNAM COUNTY. >> THAT'S IT?
>> THAT'S MY PRESENTATION. >> YOUR GIVING AWAY SPACE FOR NEIL COMING UP.
>> HE SAID I COULD HAVE $11 MILLION FROM HIS BUDGET.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. CONSIDERING THE TWO OTHER COUNTIES, WEEDS, -- WADE, HAS ANYONE TOLD THEM WHAT THEIR PORTION WOULD BE? I BELIEVE DOCTOR MAX NEED WENT TO FLAGLER COUNTY , AND THEY WERE INQUIRING THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY EVER HEARD OF IT. WE DON'T WANT THEM CAUGHT OFF GUARD, BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE, BECAUSE THIS IS ÚYEARLY.
>> ANNUALLY. >> I THINK THAT WAS THEIR POSITION.
>> THEY ASKED FOR ONE OF US TO GO AND EXPLAIN WHY THEY GOT IT LATE. THIS IS WHAT THEIR THOUGHT WAS. I EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE AGREEMENTS. I THINK THERE WAS SOME MISCOMMUNICATION FROM THEIR
PART , BUT THAT IS CLEAR FOR THIS YEAR. >> WE ARE LOOKING AT THE UPCOMING ALLOCATION FOR NEXT YEAR. WE HAVE UNTIL JUNE 30 TO PROVIDE THAT TO THE COUNTIES.
>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I ADMINISTERED THEM, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE
THERE'S NOTHING THAT FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO JUMP ON THE CAPITAL PROJECT REAL QUICK WHILE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC OF THE THREE COUNTY COLLABORATION. WE RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR EXPANSION AND THE IMMEDIATE NEED FOR TWO YEARS . WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET STATE FUNDING AND FEDERAL FUNDING. THE LAST SESSION WE RECEIVED HOUSE-SENATE SUPPORT FOR 11 MILLION . THIS YEAR WE'RE TRYING TO PURSUE FEDERAL FUNDING , WHICH THE CLIMATE IS NOT CONDUCIVE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO BE ALLOCATED ON A LOCAL LEVEL. JESSE , MYSELF AND DR. SNEED WE GOT TOGETHER TO LOOK AT THE SITE PLAN . WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A PLAN OF EXPANSIONS , SIDE PLAN EXPANSION PLAN FOR THE CONSIDERATION THE BOARD SOONER RATHER THAN LATER SO IT MEETS YOUR OPERATIONAL NEEDS AND THE ACCREDITATION NEEDS , BUT THE REASON I BRING THIS UP, WE COMMUNICATED WITH THE OTHER TWO COUNTIES. I WOULD LIKE TO MAXIMIZE OUR AGREEMENT AND TERMS OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO PAY FOR THE CAPITAL SHARE OF THEIR
[01:25:09]
SERVICES. IF WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR A BONDING PROGRAM FOR THAT EXPANSION -- WHAT I HEARD IS ABOUT 5 MILLION, GIVE OR TAKE , WITH EXPANSION ON THE CURRENT SITE , AND FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE ENOUGH SPACE ON THE CURRENT SITE. IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE AGREEMENT AND WHAT THE APPLICATION IS FOR THE CAPITAL, AND IF THE LANGUAGE DOES NOT ADDRESS CAPITAL, HOW DO WE ADVERTISE IT TO BE PART OF THEIR OPERATION BECAUSE WE ARE SERVINGTHEM AS WELL >> IT WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO GO WITH OUR NEEDS. WERE ALWAYS
GRATEFUL. I KNOW I AM ALWAYS ASKING FOR STUFF. >> SHE WAS SO EXCITED TO GET A SHREDDER.
BECAUSE THAT SOUNDS CRAZY THAT WE WOULD GET EXCITED.
WE COMMUNICATE WITH THE HOSPITALS BECAUSE OF HIPAA REGULATIONS, WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO EMAIL THE RECORDS. EVERYTHING THAT WE RECEIVE IN HER OFFICE IS THROUGH FAXING. THAT MEANS WE GET RECORDS, IT CAN BE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PAGES OF MEDICAL RECORDS WE RECEIVE. ONCE WE HAVE OPERATION UPLOADED, WE CAN GET RID OF THOSE REAMS OF PAPER RECORDS. REALLY ACCUMULATES.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CREMATIONS , IT IS ALL ON PAPER. YOU MULTIPLY THAT BY PREVIOUS
YEARS, AND WE ARE DROWNING IN PAPER. >> MORE EXCITING TO KNOW YOUR STAFF DOESN'T HAVE TO -- COVER THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE. I WANTED TO SEE THAT HAS PROVIDED ANY TIME TO YOUR STAFF.
>> IT HAS. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT AS WELL. I WAS A LIFE-CHANGING IN ONE CASE.
>> MY GOSH. AMAZING TO HEAR. >> ABSOLUTELY. I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS, BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS CONFIDENTIAL, BUT THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN USING IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
>> THAT MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY. WE WERE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FROM JUST FIRE. THEY HAVE SUCH A GOOD IMPACT ON THE FIREFIGHTERS. I WAS GIVING THE COST ESTIMATE.
IT WAS MORE THAN WE COULD AFFORD. THEY ASKED ME TO MARRY A DOWN. I THOUGHT OF YOU AND THOUGHT OF THE CASE MANAGERS FOR CHILD WELFARE. I'M GLAD TO HEAR IT HELPS.
>> I COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME. >> GOOD. GLAD TO HEAR THAT. WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU. DON'T HESITATE TO ASK . MAYBE JUST COMMUNICATE MORE. YOU MAY NOT
KNOW WHAT WE CAN OFFER . >> ABSOLUTELY. APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU.
>> I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OUR BUDGET . VERY
[Utility Services]
QUICKLY, JUST AN OUTLINE. WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE OF THE UTILITY COME OUT BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. ONE, BECAUSE OF THE BUDGETS LAST YEAR WHAT THEY DID FOR US. ALSO, TO TELL YOU THAT THE STATE OF THE UTILITY, WHERE WE ARE TODAY. SECOND, WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT BUDGETS, THE SERVICE LEVEL WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN. WE HAVE INITIATIVES WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU . WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS . I WANT TO START BY SAYING, I AM PRIVILEGE LOYALTY. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, I WANT TO INTRODUCE FRANK , ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, AND[01:30:05]
FINANCE AND PERFORMANCE OFFICER PUT IT REALLY IS 150 YEARS PLUS EXPERIENCE . ABOUT 90 WITH THE COUNTY. THAT INCLUDES MINE. I AM BLESSED AND PRIVILEGED TO BE AROUND THESE PEOPLE. TO START IT WITHOUT THE BUDGETS AND LAST YEAR AND WHAT THE DOLLARS WENT TO. WE GET TO FUND THESE PROJECTS THAT WE SEE EVERY DAY IN THE SUCCESS THAT COMES OUT OF THEM.ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS THE RATE COMPETITIVENESS. THE FIRST GOAL OF EVERY UTILITY IS TO KEEP UP WITH THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED , CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT TO DELIVER THAT IN A VERY COMPETITIVE BASIS. THE REASON I LIKE THIS IS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE 200 PLUS WORKFORCE CONTRIBUTES TO THAT. WE CREATE A STRUCTURE, AND EVERYBODY CONTRIBUTES. WE SEE THE BOTTOM LINE WITH OUR RATES. THIS IS A THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR UTILITIES. I AM A BIG PEOPLE PERSON. I REALLY BELIEVE IN OUR WORKFORCE AND PEOPLE. THOSE ARE MY NEXT TWO. REALLY, WE FEEL WE ARE OF THE PIONEER AND CAREER PATH. THIS IS A THANK YOU TO ADMINISTRATION AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT IT. TODAY, THEIR SECOND YEAR, WE WILL HAVE COMPLETED OVER 1000 COURSES PER THAT IS THAT MUCH INTELLIGENCE GOING BACK TO THE STAFF THAT MAKES THIS COUNTY UTILITY MUCH BETTER. WE FEEL REALLY PROUD OF MANAGING OUR WORKPLACE. WE ARE ONE OF THE TOP TWO FROM A RISK STANDPOINT , THE LOWEST STANDPOINT. WE HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT WE HAVE NOW FOR THREE YEARS . THE SECOND YEAR IS BETTER THAN THE FIRST AND THE THIRD BETTER THAN THE SECOND. WE CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND MEET WITH OUR STAFF EVERY MONTH. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE WITH STAFF AND HEAR FROM THEM. THAT IS WHY I FEEL IT IS REALLY A BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT AS A DEPARTMENT OF DOING THAT. EMERGENCY RESPONSE IS A PRE-MADONNA HAPPENING EVERY YEAR. THIS ONE YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT, MILTON. WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF WHAT OUR STAFF DID. UNBELIEVABLE RESPONSE FOR THE BIG OVERFLOW WE HAD. AND THE IMPACT IT REDUCED . WE WERE THANKFUL TO STAFF. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. WE HAVE MANY PROJECTS. THE ST. JOHN'S ACADEMY TOLD US THAT WE ARE BUILDING CHAMPIONS. EVERY PERSON AROUND THE TABLE WAS EXCHANGING AND SHARING INFORMATION WITH THESE AMBASSADORS OF THE COUNTY, LIKE THE COMMUNICATIONS , THE BEDROCK OF ANY GOVERNMENTS. THEY DID GREAT. WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO BE A PART OF YOUR GREAT INITIATIVE.
THIS YEAR WE DID BETTER, I THINK. NORTH BEACH, WE WENT THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS. THE REASON I AM PROUD OF THAT IS BECAUSE WE CHALLENGE OUR STAFF SAYING, LOOK, WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE MAY NEED YOUR HELP TO SAVE MONEY. WHAT CAN WE DO? THE STAFF TOOK ON THE HEAT OF DOING THE WORK FOR US TO SAVE MONEY, RATHER THAN CONTRACTING IT. IT IS A PETTY PLEA, 400,000 TO 500,000 COMPARED TO THE BIG DOLLARS WE SPENT, BUT THAT IS 500,000 GOING TOWARDS OTHER CAUSES. IT CERTAINLY MADE LESS. STAFFING IMPROVEMENTS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. WHAT I WANT TO POINT OUT IS THE RECLAMATION FACILITY WE KEEP HEARING . IT IS THE LARGEST PRODUCT UTILITY HAS EVER DONE, AND THE LARGEST THE COUNTY HAS EVER DONE. YOU KEEP THIS ON TIME AND BUDGET, WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT THOSE THREE LINES TELL THE STORY ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT. ONE OF MY FAVORITES IS HASTINGS. IT IS A SMALL COMMUNITY. WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE ARPA FUNDING. EVERY PROJECT HAS BEEN INITIATED . WE ARE ALREADY LOOKING FOR THE COMPLETION OF WHAT THAT BRINGS TO THE COMMUNITY, AND THE REVITALIZATION IT HAS. THAT IS A FUN PART WE GET TO DO. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE CAME TO YOU FOR A CONSTRUCTION CREW LAST YEAR. IT
[01:35:04]
TOOK US WAY LONGER THAN -- IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL POSITIONS. BUT IN SPITE OF NOT FILLING THEM, WE HAD A TRIAL RUN , WHICH WE KIND OF DO ANYWAY, WE HAD 4600 FEET OF PIPELINE INSTALLED IN HOUSE. THAT IS A GREAT FEAT FOR US. WE HAVE NOT DONE THE METRIC ON IT, BUT I WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU. LAST BUT NOT LEAST ON THE SLIDE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE REALLY PROUD. WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCOLADES THIS YEAR. YOU HAVE A GREAT STRUCTURE AND THINGS WILL FOLLOW. THEY DON'T HAVE TO WIN AWARDS. I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT REGIONAL PRESENCE. OUR PEERS RESPECT US.WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCES THAT WERE WELL ATTENDED AND APPLAUDED. AGAIN, THE VACANT HOMES HERE , I AM PROUD WE HAVE A STRUCTURE THAT CREATES THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE. THAT IS BUT ANOTHER SLIDE, AND THE REASON IS THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE YEARS OF DASHBOARD. PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
THE REASON I BRING THIS ONE IS BECAUSE THIS ONE IS SPECIAL IN MY EYES, BECAUSE STAFF, AND SPECIFICALLY, JAMES AND THE I.T. MANAGER , VERY INNOVATIVE ON THIS. THIS IS NOT YOUR REGULAR UTILITY AND PUBLIC PORTS DASHBOARD . THIS IS SCALABLE. IT IS DYNAMIC. YOU CAN EDIT VIEW.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS NOT ASKED FOR ANY MONEY. THEY HAVE USE THE TOOLS WE HAVEN'T BUILT THIS. IT HAS TAKEN QUITE A WHILE. IT IS NOT IN THE FULL FACE, BUT IT IS ENOUGH TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT'S A $100,000. WE ELIMINATED THE CONTRACTOR VENDOR TO REPLACE IT WITH THIS. IT DOES MAKE MY LIST. THE NEXT ONE IS SOMETHING AND WORK IN ACTION FOR QUITE SOME TIME THAT PROVIDES TREMENDOUS EFFICIENCIES.
EFFICIENCY IS SOMETHING WE DON'T GET TO SEE. IT IS A SILENT SOLVER OF PROBLEMS. WE GET TO PAY THE BOTTOM LINE. THIS PARTICULAR ONE IS FULL ELECTRIFICATION OF DATA -- ELECTRONIC DATA. WE HAVE SO MUCH DATA COMING THROUGH THE WASTEWATER FACILITIES. THEY WERE REGULATORY DRIVEN. THE DATA HAS TO BE COMMUNICATED AND REPORTED. IT CAN BE USED FOR MORE BENEFIT.
YOU CAN USE ANALYTICS FOR MAKING BETTER BUSINESS DECISIONS. THIS TOOL , WIMS, DOES THAT. IT HAS BEEN A WORK IN PROGRESS. THE REASON IT IS UP THERE IS BECAUSE LOGICALLY CONNECT AND MAKE US FULLY ELECTRONIC RIGHT BETWEEN FROM THE OPERATORS TO COMPLIANCE TO THE COMPLIANCE. LAST BUT NOT LIST, THIS IS THE LAST SUCCESS STORY. IT IS THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVE WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO THE TABLE. WE ARE EXCITED, BECAUSE WE ARE READY. THIS IS A STRUCTURE THAT UTILITY CREATES TO BE READY. WHAT MAY COME HER WAY , WE ARE REALLY EXCITED. THERE TWO THINGS WAITING IN THE PIPE FOR GENERATIVE A.I. THAT WILL SAVE OUR UTILITY CUSTOMERS MONEY THROUGH ENERGY REDUCTIONS AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY.
MANAGEMENT WANTS IT. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> WE ARE ALL GOING TO SIT ON THE SAME PLATFORM. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. IT IS ALL THE SAME PORTAL.
>> YEAH. WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A COORDINATED EFFORT WITH SOME FIRM THAT CAN
HELP US WITH THE ONE PLATFORM. >> ABSOLUTELY. >>
>> ONE MORE. >> GOOD. >> GOOD JOB.
>> ALWAYS GRATEFUL TO -- HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS. AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, WILL MEET WITH ALL THE COUNTY DIVISIONS AND SIT DOWN WITH THE SUPERVISORS. REALLY, THE PEOPLE UTILIZING OUR BUDGETS. I WANT TO THANK CARRIE FOR HELPING US WITH THE BUDGET THIS YEAR. SHE CAME TO A COUPLE OF OUR DIVISION MEETINGS AND GOT TO SEE HOW IT WORKS OFF THE BACKEND. ULTIMATELY, EVERYTHING WE DO IN THE OPERATING BUDGET IS ALSO DRIVEN BY REVENUES. WE ARE
[01:40:01]
FORTUNATE IN THAT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE SEEN A 67% INCREASE IN REVENUES. SOME CUSTOMER GROWTH, BUT ALSO FROM THE ANNUAL CBI INDEX. THAT REALLY HELPS CUSTOMERS MOTHER RATES, A LOT. AND THEN, IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE SEEN STRONG UNIT CONNECTION FEE GROWTH. THAT IS NOT A GUARANTEED REVENUE, BUT SOMETHING OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT HAS CONTINUED TO BE VERY STRONG. WE EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE INTO FY 26. ULTIMATELY, IT IS THIS REVENUE , THE OPERATING BUDGET, THE TEAM, THAT ALLOWS A UTILITY TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG FINANCIAL PRESENCE RE-MAINTAIN THE AAA CREDIT RATING . WORKING WITH OMB, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALL WORKING CAPITAL RESERVES. DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE RESERVES ARE LOOKING VERY STRONG. FINALLY, MEETING ALL OF THE BOND COVENANTS AND REQUIREMENTS FROM A FINANCIALAND REVENUE PERSPECTIVE. >> WANT TO ADD ONE THING. FIRST OF ALL, WHERE GOING TO DO THIS COLLABORATIVE. WE ARE A COLLABORATIVE BODY. ONE THING FOR THE WATCHING AUDIENCE IN THE RESIDENCE AND CUSTOMERS, THE UTILITY IS NOT FUNDED BY TAX. WERE FULLY FUNDED BY REVENUES FROM SALES OF WATER . IT IS CALLED AN ENTERPRISE FUND. JUST TO MAKE A NOTE FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE AN ENTERPRISE FUND, AND IT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE UTILITY BUDGET.
>> ANOTHER GREAT OPPORTUNITY, AS WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER FOR THE 26 BUDGET, WAS INTEGRATING THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR. WHERE WORKING TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION. ULTIMATELY, THE COUNTY PRIORITIES ARE THE UTILITY PRIORITIES. WE FEEL THAT IS PART OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WE HAVE NINE KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW. AS YOU WILL SEE, WHAT IS PART OF OUR KEY BUDGET INITIATIVES RELATED TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN IS KEEPING AND MAINTAINING COMPETITIVE RATES AND KEEPING THOSE AFFORDABLE FOR CUSTOMERS. WE HAVE THE SUFFICIENT CAPITAL REINVESTMENT PROGRAM WHERE WE KEEP UP WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE. WE ARE MAKING PLANS FOR CUSTOMER SURVEYS. CONTINUED CONVERSATION ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION. REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION .
>> THANK YOU , JAMES. REALLY GOING DOWN TO THE BUDGET. IT IS SHORT AND SWEET. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES, AS YOU KNOW, THAT JAMES AND FRANK WORK TOGETHER ON. THEY ARE ALL CONSOLIDATED HERE IN THE PRESENTATION IN THOSE THREE LINES. OPERATING EXPENDITURES , WHICH IS ONE OF OUR BIGGER LINES OR CATEGORIES PER CAPITAL OUTLAY, WHICH IS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT, AND PERSONNEL SERVICES. THOSE ARE THE THREE THAT CONSTITUTE OUR BUDGET.
OVERALL, WE ARE GOING FROM 54 MILLION TO ABOUT 56 . THAT IS MOST OF THE GUIDANCE THAT BUDGET GAVE US . EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT UNTIL WE GOT THIS NEW ENTRY I WILL TALK ABOUT . BUT AGAIN, OVERALL, ON OPERATING EXPENDITURES, THERE IS NOT MUCH. IT IS VERY ROUTINE. SOME OF THE NOTABLES, AS YOU CAN SEE, IT IS GOT UP ABOUT 1.9%, WHICH IS VERY LOW, IS VERY ROUTINE. SOMETHING TO EMPHASIZE OTHER MAINTENANCE . WE ARE EIGHT $1 BILLION ASSET UTILITY, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE REINVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE BACK AGAIN THROUGH MAINTENANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US. THAT IS ALWAYS ACTIVE, OTHER MAINTENANCE, TO MAKE SURE THAT ASSET MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT TO THE UTILITY. ADVERTISEMENT IS A NEW AREA WE ARE TRYING TO FOCUS ON. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE REGULATORY MANDATES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE OUTPACED OUR CUSTOMERS ' EXPECTATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE. THAT MEANS OUR CUSTOMER BASE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THE STATE AND THE MANDATES AND GOVERNANCE HAS GONE FURTHER. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TACKLE THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE UPCOMING MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD. THEY ARE AT A GAP IN UNDERSTANDING WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR WHAT WE ASKED FOR. I FEEL WE NEED TO CATCH UP ON THAT ON THE LONG RUN. THAT IS WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT PARTICULAR AREA. YOU ALSO HEAR ABOUT THE POSITION WE ARE ASKING. TRAINING, AGAIN, YOU SAW MY PASSION ABOUT THE CAREER PATH. WE WANT TO CONTINUE . WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO
[01:45:03]
THAT. TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION, THE NEWS THAT FPL WOULD INCREASE THEIR CHARGES BY 15% . THAT IS AN ESTIMATE OF $425,000 IMPACT TO THE BUDGET . THIS IS COMING AFTER THE BUDGET ENTRY. JAMIE INFORMED US ABOUT THE NOTICE AND THEIR NEW BILL THAT THE RATES HAD GONE UP 37%.IT WAS BROUGHT -- I INFORMED YOU, JOY, THE OTHER DAY IT WAS 90%. THAT WILL IMPACT US 150.
YOU HEARD ABOUT THE BEACON LAKE AND CREEKSIDE COMMUNITIES ON 210. THOSE ARE NEW COMMUNITIES.
THE BUDGET WILL GO UP BY $600,000 . THOSE WILL DO THAT FROM OUR WATER SALES. JUST WANTED TO BRING ATTENTION . I NOTICED FRANK AND JAMES ON HOW THAT WORKS FOR US.
>> WHEN YOU SAY GEA UP 30%, THAT IS WHOLESALE. IS NOT A CUSTOMER INCREASE?
>> THEY ARE CUSTOMER RATE INCREASE IS SAME TO US. THEY USE THE SAME RATES. WE GET THE WHOLESALE RATE, BUT IF THEIR RATE GOES UP, THE WHOLESALE RATE DOES. ECHO SO IT WILL HAVE THE
SAME EFFECT ON INDIVIDUAL USERS. >> EVERYBODY WILL SEE THAT RATE INCREASE .
>> BUT THIS RATE IS FOR WHOLESALE. THEY ANNOUNCE A 7% RATE INCREASE LAST YEAR. THIS IS
ON THE COMMERCIAL SIDE. WE ARE CONSIDERED A COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT. >> WHY IS THAT NOT HIGHER THAN
INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS? >> THE RATE MODELING IS A VERY UNIQUE THING. HOW THE UTILITY LOOKS AT ITS NEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE, JAMES AND FRANK REMINDED ME, THE RECLAIM FOR WATER RATE FOR 1000 IS MORE THAN THE MODERATE PER 1000. IT IS $4.79 FOR 1000 GALLONS OF RECLAIM WATER. IS
$3.11 FOR WATER. EVERYBODY ANNOUNCES DIFFERENTLY. >> THERE IS A COST OF SERVICE COMPONENT TO A. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INFRASTRUCTURE AND RATE ESTABLISHMENT.
>> THAT CAN BE SOMETHING WE CAN RENEGOTIATE WHEN THE TIME COMES FOR SERVICE AREA.
>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT. >> THIS IS IMPORTANT. >> I HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS ON
THAT TOO. >> JULY, THE FPL 50% INCREASE WAS KIND OF A LATE KNOWN CHANGE . IT IS NOT REALLY REFLECTED IN ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT BUDGET. UTILITIES IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CUSTOMER OF FPL IN THE COUNTY. WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT MORE WITH FACILITIES. THERE
PROBABLY OTHERS, FACILITIES AND PARKS AND REC. >> THERE GOES THE SAVINGS.
OUT. >> FPL, THE INITIAL ONSET OF THE BUDGET, PROVIDED ESTIMATED 3% INCREASE. AND THEN, JUST BEFORE EVERYTHING WAS FINALIZED, THEY SUBMITTED TO THE STATE PUBLIC
SERVICE COMMISSION WHAT WOULD AMOUNT TO A 15% INCREASE. >> WHAT IS THE LOGIC?
>> HE HAS WORKED WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE.
>> WE DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC, BUT THE SAME THING, CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, REGULATIONS,
INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF. >> ALSO, THEY WERE PROPOSING TO
GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1. >> WE WILL SEE IT BEGINNING JANUARY 1. THE STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION STILL HAS TO APPROVE. > THAT WAS THE MAXIMUM REQUEST
. >> BECAUSE WE ARE A COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER, NOT EVERY RESIDENT WILL SEE 15%. THEY ARE A LOWER LEVEL OF INCREASE. BUT THE COUNTY IS PRIMARILY ON THE
COMMERCIAL TIER. >> THE SECOND CATEGORY IS REDUCED. THIS IS THE CAPITAL OUTLAY, WHICH INCLUDES NEW VEHICLES, REPLACEMENTS. WE TYPICALLY FOLLOW A NEW POSITION.
[01:50:04]
WE HAVE SEEN A 2.7% REDUCTION . LARRY, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS?>> AS FAR AS THE VEHICLES GO, WE HAVE NEW VEHICLES PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET . THEY ARE PROPOSED REPLACEMENTS RECOMMENDED BY FLEET. AS FAR AS CAPITAL EQUIPMENT, ONE THING WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE MACHINE WE WANT TO GET FOR NEXT YEAR SO CONSTRUCTION CREWS CAN ADD VALVES IN THE SYSTEM WHERE WE NEED THEM WITHOUT IMPACTING CUSTOMERS. IT IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. THIS WILL GIVE US MORE CONTROL TO REALLY HARD IN THE SYSTEM SO WHEN WE HAVE THINGS BREAK, WE CAN ISOLATE THEM TO NOT IMPACT CUSTOMERS SO GREATLY. WHAT THIS LINE ITEM REPRESENTS IS THE EQUIPMENT FOR VALVES THEMSELVES IN THE TRAINING OF ALL TO TEACH OUR STAFF HOW TO USE THE EQUIPMENT SAFELY. JUST A NEW PROGRAM WE'RE PUSHING TO HELP PARTNER THE
SYSTEM. -- HARD IN THE SYSTEM. >> VARIOUS CONVERSATION IS WHAT THE VALVE IS TRADITIONALLY, WHEN VALVES HAD TO BE PUT IN A PIPE, DAYS -- THEY STOP FLOW. IF THE CUT THE PIPES AND PUT IN A VALVE. INSERT A VALVE MEANS YOU CAN PUT A VALVE WHILE THE WATER IS FLOWING. THAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY THAT CAME QUITE A WHILE BACK. SO FAR, WE STILL CONTRACT THAT. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE TRYING TO HAVE AN IN-HOUSE APPLICATION WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR CONTRACTORS. LIKE LARRY SAID, IF YOU HAVE A FAILURE, WE WANT TO PUT IN INSERT A VALVE AND ISOLATE IT, THINK ABOUT THIS. A LINEBREAKS, VALVES ARE 1000 FEET AWAY, RATHER THAN IF WE PUT IT IN HERE, WE ARE REPAIRING THE BREAK, WE COULD HAVE TAKEN OFF 500 HOMES WITH WATER . IF THIS VALVE WILL NOT DO THAT . A TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY AND CUSTOMERS . THE ONLY DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IT LIVE. WE HAVE TRAINING FOR. THE COST TO COVER IT WILL BE EASY. I AM MORE EXCITED ABOUT THE SERVICE AND RESPONSIVENESS. I AM EXCITED THAT STAFF IS BRINGING IT IN-HOUSE. IT IS AN ART. THERE ONLY A FEW VENDORS THAT DO THAT
RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE TO RELY ON THEM. >> VERY MUCH LIKE YOUR INSULATION AND SMALLER PIPES WHERE YOU REQUIRE A NEW CREW, YOU DON'T NEED MORE PEOPLE?
>> OUR CREWS WILL HANDLE THIS. THIS IS TRAINING. >> THE VOLUME IS NOT AS GREAT AS
THE INSULATION? >> YEAH. LITERALLY, WITH THIS MACHINE DOES IS, YOU HAVE A WRAPAROUND SLEEVE THAT YOU PUT IN A VALVE. HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE TRIED TO REPLACE THESE 5 TO
10 VALVES A YEAR IN THE SYSTEM. >> SO IT IS SPORADIC.
>> IT IS BOTH SPORADIC AND REACTIVE. >> OKAY.
>> THE PROBLEM BEING IS, IF YOU HAVE AREAS WITH FAILED VALVES AT THE SYSTEM, LIKE IF WE TRY TO ISOLATE THIS AREA AND CANNOT, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO PACKAGE OUT A CONTRACT AND CALL -- WE COULD CALL IT CONSTRUCTION CREW TO INSTALL THE VALVE TO PROCEED WITH THE WORK.
>> BUT WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, YOU'RE BLEEDING OUT. >> IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, BUT THIS MACHINE WOULD WORK WITH BOTH SCENARIS. IT IS A REAL DILATATION TOOL AND ACTUAL ACT OF , LET'S ADD A NEW VALVE AT THIS LOCATION TO STOP THE BLEED, ESSENTIALLY.
>> OKAY. >> ABSOLUTELY. THE OTHER THING IS THE 500,000 IS FOR THE WASTEWATER CRITICAL. WE ARE BIG ON ASSET MANAGEMENT. AS LARRY AND HIS STAFF PUSHES STAFF TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE WATCHING FACILITIES WITH ASSET MANAGEMENT, AS I SAID, WE ARE MORE THAN $1 BILLION OF ASSETS AND HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEM. HAVING THE COMPLETE PUSH ON THE STAFF TO REALLY ENHANCE AND INCREASE THE ACTIVITY ON THAT. MORE THAN LOOKING INTO IT, BUT MORE THAN NEEDED THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT, WHICH IS GOOD THING. THAT ARE FOR INVENTORY OF PARTS.
>> IS A MAJOR REHAB OF ONE OF THE OLDER PRESSES AND SOME SPARE PARTS FOR LONG LEAD ITEMS. THE BIGGEST TICKET ITEM IN THE LIST IS THE CLARIFIER DRIVE SPARE . IF ONE OF THOSE DRIVES FAILS, IT
[01:55:05]
WILL TAKE MONTHS TO GET A NEW ONE. IT IS A SEVERE IMPACT TO OPERATIONS. WE WANT TO HAVE A SPARE ON HAND. THEY'RE GETTING OLDER. SO WHEN WE DO FAIL, IT IS JUST THE DAY, NOT MONTHS.>> OKAY. >> LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS THE PERSONNEL. WE ARE ADDING FIVE POSITIONS. WE WILL EXPLAIN EACH ONE. THE FIRST IS A WASTEWATER POSITION, WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED THROUGH REGULATORY PERMIT. WE HAD ASKED FOR FOUR POSITIONS LAST YEAR FOR THE NEW WASTEWATER FACILITY, WHICH WILL BE STARTING TO HIRE IN JULY. THEY WERE ONE FTE FOR A QUARTERLY TIME. WE MISSED OUT ON ONE. WE WERE WAITING ON -- WHEN YOU START PERMITTING THIS FACILITY, THEY EITHER GET PERMITTED FOR EIGHT HOURS, 12, 16 OR 24. WE WERE NOT SURE HOW MANY. WE NOW KNOW WHAT IT IS AND ARE MISSING ONE EMPLOYEE. IS A REGULATORY REQUIREMENT FOR THAT PERMIT. NOW THAT WE KNOW THAT, WE ARE ASKING FOR THIS FTE. THE SECOND ONE IS THE ONE I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THE RECLAIMED WATER COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST. THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE WAY BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL. THE BUS THAT WE ARE BEHIND IS THE COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS AND UNDERSTANDING WHY THEY NEED TO CONSERVE, OR WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REVELATORY WORLD. I WILL TELL YOU , I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY SAY THANK YOU, BUT ACKNOWLEDGE TYLER AND WAYNE WHO STEPPED UP , ESPECIALLY AFTER LEFT , DOING MULTIPLE JOBS. WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF THEM. WE ARE NOT SPECIALISTS IN COMMUNICATION , NOR DO WE WANT TO BE. WE WANT TO ASSIGN THIS TO . THIS IS A POSITION WE ARE ASKING THAT WE WANT TO HAND OVER . IT WILL BE A
FULL-TIME POSITION. >> DOES THE COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST ONLY MANAGED
RECLAIMED WATER? >> I WANTED TO CALL IT THAT. THE MAJORITY WILL BE THAT, BUT IT WILL BE MANAGING OUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS. WE DO HAVE 100 PROJECTS, 300 NOW, AND PROBABLY 1 BILLION TO GO IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS. WE NEED CONSTANT MANAGEMENT,
CONSTANT COMMUNICATION. SUBPROJECT COMMUNICATION ALSO. >> CYRILLIC, OVERALL UTILITY
COMMUNICATIONS . >> -- REPLACE HALF OF MEGAN. >> HALF WILL STILL BE . BUT WE DON'T MIND DOING IT A LITTLE BIT. BUT THIS WILL BE A FULLY FUNCTIONAL -- I THINK GREG CHOSE NOT TO HAVE HIS HALF. THE CONVERSATION WAS HALF AND HALF. RIGHT NOW, MEGAN IS HALF OF UTILITIES AND HALF OF PUBLIC WORKS. THE CONVERSATION WAS TO HAVE ANOTHER HALF AND HALF. THEY
CHOSE NOT TO. NOW DURING THE FULL HALF. WE NEED IT ANYWAY. >> BUT HE IS THE FULL. WHAT IS
HE REPLACING? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> THAT MAKES SENSE. >> CUSTOMER RELATIONS, I THINK, FRANK MENTIONED AT THE BREAKFAST MEETING THAT WE HAVE NOT HIRED ANYBODY SINCE 2019. THE CALL VOLUMES HAVE GONE UP. THE CUSTOMER BASE, WE KEEP ON ADDING 3000 CUSTOMERS A YEAR. DO THE MATH, WE ADD 2000 RECLAIMED WATER CUSTOMERS A YEAR. IT IS GOING CRAZING WITH THE ADDITION OF CUSTOMERS, AND WE ABSOLUTELY NEED ANOTHER ASSOCIATE FOR THE CALLS, BUILDING QUESTIONS AND SO FORTH. THIS GOES TO THE MODEL OF STAFF REQUESTS. WE'RE HUMBLY ASKING FOR THAT POSITION TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH. WE HAVE NOT ADDED ONE SINCE 2019. THE NEXT ONE IS UTILITY INFORMATION SYSTEMS. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE WE SEE GROWTH, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ERP INFUSION. WE ALSO WANT TO ATTRACT A NEW AREA ON DATABASE MANAGEMENT. WE PRODUCE MORE THAN 60,000 BITS OF DATA A SECOND. SO THE QUESTION IS NOT USING THAT DATA, THE QUESTION IS HOW WE CAN BETTER USE THAT DATA TO MAKE US FUNCTIONAL. I THINK WE ARE COMPLETELY WITH THIS TO LOOK AT YOUR INITIATIVES. WE ARE EXCITED ON THAT. THIS POSITION WILL HELP US IN THE LONG RUN TO DO THAT, AND ALSO MEET NEEDS. I'M WORKING THROUGH BRAD . WE ARE TRYING TO REALIGN ALL OF THE I.T. AND TECHNOLOGY AREA UNDER DAVID. THAT IS HOPEFULLY GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR RIGHT AWAY, BUT THIS POSITION IS GOING TO ADD ONTO THAT GROUP.
[02:00:09]
>> I DON'T SEE YOUR NO HYDRANT INSPECTORS . >> IT WILL BE COMING.
>> OKAY. >> THESE ARE ALREADY ENTERING THE BUDGET. THAT IS WHY IT KEPT THEM SEPARATE. THE LAST OF THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATOR. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT CAME THROUGH OMB AND JESSE AT THAT TIME TO SAY, HEY, WE HAVE , ACTUALLY I WILL HAVE FRANK TALK
ABOUT IT. >> FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND PARTS CAME TO US. PARTS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT 15 WELLS AT VARYING PARK SITES, BUTRANS, FAIRGROUNDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. FACILITIES MAINTENANCE HAD A PERSON ON STAFF THAT WOULD GO TO THE MONTHLY SAMPLING AND TESTING AND MAINTAIN THE WELLS. THAT PERSON HAS LEFT. IT IS HARD FOR THEM TO KEEP A LICENSED OPERATOR AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THEY WENT OUT AND LOOKED AT PRICING FOR CONTRACTUAL SERVICES. THEY CAME BACK WITH PRICING ESTIMATES OF ABOUT $150,000 BUT THEY HAD THIS GRAND IDEA THAT YOU ARE LICENSED WATER PLANT OPERATORS, CAN YOU DO THIS? MARY WENT TO TALK TO HIS STAFF LOOKED AT ALL THE LOCATIONS AND WHAT SAMPLINGS REQUIRED. AND SO, REALLY, WITH ONE FTE, WE CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICES NEEDED FOR THEM, DO ALL THE SAMPLING, ALL THE TESTING AND EVERYTHING FOR APPROXIMATELY $90,000. WITH THAT, WE HAVE DRAFTED AN MOU THAT IS SOON TO GO TO LEGAL AND BUDGET AND EVERYONE. WITH THAT, WE WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO -- YOU KNOW, THEY WOULD PAY US THE 90, WE HIRE THE FTE, AND WE TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING FOR THEM.
>> THIS IS THE POSITION RELATED TO THAT? >> CORRECT.
>> THIS POSITION IS NOT IN THE BUDGET YET. >> WE THOUGHT YOU GUYS WOULD BE
>> ONCE THE AGREEMENT MOVES FORWARD. >> THAT WOULD BE THE EXPENSE ON OUR SIDE, AND THEN WE HAVE THE REVENUE COMING IN FROM FACILITIES OR PARKS.
>> THIS IS A GREAT WOOD, SIMILAR TO WHAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT. WE ARE THE FUNCTIONAL DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE NO PROBLEM HANDLING THAT AS LONG AS STAFF IS THERE TO DO THAT. WE UNDERSTAND WATER BETTER. WE UNDERSTAND WELLS BETTER. THERE IS NO NEED WHY DAN SHOULD GO OUT AND FREAK OUT ON NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT AREA. WE ARE HERE TO HELP . IT IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP. THE GENERAL COUNTY SAVES $60,000 A YEAR. I THINK IT IS MORE. I THINK THE 150,000 THAT DAN IS GETTING IS AN OLD PRICE. IS NO WAY HE CAN GET SOMEBODY TO DO THE SAME THING WHERE -- FOR 150,000. WE ARE FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SYSTEM IN PLACE. I THINK IT IS $100,000 OR MORE SAVINGS FOR THE COUNTY. THAT IS A RECURRING SAVINGS.
>> OKAY, GOOD. THANK YOU. >> TALKING ABOUT NEW INITIATIVES. THE FIRST ONE IS AN INTERNAL ONE. I REALLY PROUD OF THIS. LARRY'S STAFF HAS FOUND DEFICIENCIES. NEWLY ACQUIRED NORTH BEACH, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE BOTTOM, THE COLOR IS GREEN. THIS BRINGS THREE THINGS TO THE TABLE. IT PROVIDES EFFICIENCY . WE LOSE A LOT OF TRAVEL TIME. WE HAVE AN 800 SQUARE MILES TO COVER THE COUNTY. WE LOSE A LOT OF TRAVEL TIME WITH STAFF GO IN CHECKING ASSETS. THEY CAME UP WITH AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN DO IT WITH THE SAME STAFF WITHOUT ADDING ANYBODY. NO FTES ADDED. I STILL HAVE A REQUEST. THIS MEANS WE USED TO HAVE WHAT WE USED TO ÚCU CAN SEE THE BLUE AND YELLOW COLOR. NOW WE HAVE THREE ZONES. THIS REDISTRIBUTES IT SO WE ARE GAINING EFFICIENCIES . MOST IMPORTANT TO ME IS THAT WE ARE MAINTAINING A LEVEL OF SERVICE.
WHAT WAS HAPPENING BEFORE WAS, WE HAD ABOUT 53 LIFT STATIONS FOR ONE TECH. THAT IS TOO MUCH.
THAT IS AN INDUSTRY WE ARE LIMITING IT TO 35. TO SOMEHOW LIMIT AND NOT ASK FOR STOP. WE ONLY ASKS FOR TWO THINGS. ONE IS THAT ONE PERSON WILL BECOME A COORDINATOR. SO WE COORDINATE ALL THE ACTIVITIES. TWO, WE NEED THREE VEHICLES TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. IT WILL BE TREMENDOUS COVERAGE FOR US. WILL MAINTAIN OUR SERVICE LEVELS . MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU KNOW, AS I HAVE BEEN REPEATING MYSELF ON ASSET MANAGEMENT, MORE ASSET MANAGEMENT IS MORE WORK FOR
[02:05:03]
PEOPLE. MORE WORK, THE BETTER WE ARE FOR RELIABILITY, BECAUSE OUR EQUIPMENT DOESN'T FAIL. I CAN SEE JUDY HERE IN THE AUDIENCE. SHE WAS THERE YESTERDAY LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR EQUIPMENT. WHAT THE EQUIPMENT DOES AND WHY IT DOESN'T. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THAT WILL DO. THE REQUEST HERE IS A RECLASSIFICATION FOR A COORDINATOR POSITION AND THREE ADDITIONAL TRUCKS. THAT WILL GAIN ALL THESE THINGS FOR US. ON A SIMILAR GROUND, YOU KNOW, FUN THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET CALLED ON THE WEEKEND. JOY CALLED ME ON THE WEEKEND AND TRIGGERED THIS SCENARIO. NEITHER US, MAYBE YOU UNDERSTOOD MORE, WHAT COULD COME OUT OF IT. I AM SO EXCITED ON THIS. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENT OF HOW IT COMES OUT TO BE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CALL, WE MET WITH STAFF AND GAIN THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS MEANS . TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT IS LISTENING , I THINK THIS IS A GREAT FEET. I CALL THIS THE REPURPOSE THINK OF ALMOST 15,000 HOURS FROM WHAT THEY WERE DOING BEFORE , WHICH IS EMS AND 911 CALLS. YES, IT IS EXPENSE FOR THE UTILITY DEPARTMENT, BUT I TRULY BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A UTILITY VICTORY. I THINK THE TIME TO PASS LEADERSHIP, OTHER ECONOMIES OF WHAT THEY WOULD GET, LIKE TRAINING STAFF AND SO FORTH, BUT I THINK WITH WHERE THE COUNTY IS HEADED WITH THE ENORMITY OF CALLS IN EMS AND SO FORTH, THE BOTTOM LINE TO THIS IS THAT A TYPICAL THING , NOT ONE PERSON DOES THIS. A CREW OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ON A FIRE TRUCK GO DO IT. THEY ARE DOING IT, AND ALL THE SUDDEN THEY DO THE JOB AND HAVE TO ATTEND THE CALL. SOMETIMES IT IS NON-SENSIBLE HOW THIS IS WORKING. BASICALLY, IF YOUR WORDS, WE FEEL THAT JUST FOR OUR SERVICE AREA, ST. JOHNS COUNTY UTILITIES, WHICH IS 60% OF THE COUNTY, WE ARE ESTIMATING SAVING 12,000 TO 15,000 HOURS OF FIREHOUSE STAFF TIME I THINK THERE IS FURTHER OPPORTUNITY WITH THE JEA COOPERATIVE TO PUSH THEM. THAT WILL DOUBLE THE TIME, PLEASE TAKE THEM -- THE TIME TO 25,000 HOURS.>> I GOT A TEXT THIS MORNING. THEY SAID THEY WILL DO IT. >> AWESOME. I AM EXCITED.
>> THAT'S AWESOME. >> GREAT PARTNER. JUST SO YOU GUYS KNOW, FUN THINGS HAPPEN WHEN JOY GOES OFF TOUR WITH THE DIFFERENT FIRE STATIONS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP WHEN I VISITED THE PALM VALLEY STATION, A VERY SMALL STATION, IS THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RESIDENTIAL AREA SURROUNDED BY MOSTLY ELDERLY POPULATION , I WAS ASKING THEM WHAT THEY DID TODAY . THE GUYS SAID , ALL OF US AS A CREW OF GONE OUT TO THE SAME HYDRANT 15 TIMES FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO INSPECT IT. THE PURPOSE TO INSPECT THE HYDRANT, BUT EVERY TIME WHEN THEY GET READY TO SCREW THE TOP, THERE IS A CALL. SUMMARY HAD A HEART ATTACK.
SOMEBODY WAS SOMETHING. THE CAT IS IN THE TREE. THE HAVE TO RUN TO THE CALL AND COME BACK TO UNSCREW THE SAME SCREW AGAIN. WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT, DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I ASKED THEM, WHY DO WE HAVE A DESIGNATED INSPECTOR WHO IS NOT DOUBLE DUTY ANSWERING THESE LIFE-THREATENING CALLS? HE SAID THAT THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. IF YOU'RE RUNNING FOR ELECTION, I WILL VOTE FOR YOU. I SAID, I AM NOT. FIRST OF ALL, LET'S GET THAT OFF THE TABLE.
BUT LET'S CALL NEIL. HE SAID, I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT IS, BUT I ALREADY LOVE HIM. I CALLED NEIL
RIGHT AWAY. IS SUCH A GOOD TEAM PLAYER. >> IS A TEAM PLAY. WE MET. THE ENTIRE TEAM MET ON THIS. WE MET WITH ROB. ROB IS VERY PASSIONATE. I LEARNED MORE ABOUT ROB . I'VE KNOWN HIM FOR A LONG TIME. I COULD SEE THE PASSION ON THE ISO RATING. EVERYTHING WAS ABOUT MAINTAINING THE ISO. THINK ABOUT THIS. THREE FIREMEN WORKING ON IT. HE WAS EVEN JOKING THAT TWO ARE WATCHING, ONE IS DOING IT, I MEAN, ALL KINDS OF STUFF. THERE IS NO NEED WHY THREE PEOPLE NEED TO DO IT WHEN ONE CAN. IT IS MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE FLEXIBLE FOR
[02:10:06]
UTILITIES TO DO IT. YES, IT IS A NEW FEE FOR US. I NEED SOME HELP WITH THE STAFF, OBVIOUSLY. WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THAT. JAYS WILL TELL YOU THAT WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION TO ABSORB THIS LATER ON. WE HAVE NO PROBLEM DOING THAT. BRAGGING ABOUT THE STRUCTURE. WE HAVE A STRUCTURE THAT CREATES EMS. THE DASHBOARDS . I THINK WE KNOW WHAT DASHBOARDS ARE. WE HAVE A STRUCTURE TO UNDERSTAND AND MAINTAIN AND MANAGE THIS. IT IS A MATTER OF STAFF TRAINING AND FUSION. DELI BAD NEWS COMING OUT OF THIS GREAT NEWS IS THAT IT WILL BE A TRANSITION. IT HAS TO SLOWLY WORK ITS WAY. WE DON'T WANT TO TOUCH THE ISO RATING. WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A METHODICAL WAY. CANNOT HAPPEN UNTIL OCTOBER WANT TO SAY IT, MAYBE WE SIT HERE NEXT YEAR AND TALK ABOUT THE ISO RATING A LITTLE BIT TOO.I'M NOT SAYING THAT, BUT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. THE RATING HAS A LOT MORE OTHER ELEMENTS.
THIS EQUATES TO 40% OF IT. THAT IS A BUNCH. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> JUST TO OFFER THE SCALE OF WHAT THE UTILITIES WOULD BE DOING, JUST WITHIN OUR SERVICE AREA, THERE IS 6000 FIRE HYDRANTS. COUNTYWIDE, WHAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TRYING TO DO WITH AND ALL THE OTHER SERVICE AREAS. JUST WITHIN OUR AREA, 6000 FIRE HYDRANTS WE WILL TOUCH ANNUALLY, PLUS 1/5 YOU ALSO HAVE TO FLOAT TEST. IT IS A
LARGE FEED FOR WHOEVER IS DOING IT. >> AND YOU HAVE THE TECHNICALITY TO FIX IT IF THERE IS A COVER. THAT IS A REALLY CRITICAL ISSUE THAT CAME OUT OF CALIFORNIA FIRE. THE HYDRANTS WERE UNDER REPAIR AND. FOR SAFETY REASON, IT IS A BETTER JUSTIFICATION.
>> IN OUR PEOPLE WOULD BE DEDICATED. THEY WILL NOT BE CALLED OFF, NECESSARILY.
>> I AM A BIG COUNTY FAN. WHEN ROB SAID HE STRESSES OUT, WHEN HE LOOKS AT HIS DASHBOARD AND IT IS UP 70%, EVERYBODY HAS TO DROP . REMEMBER, FIREMEN, THE MAIN JOB IS TO ATTEND TO FIRES AND SO FORTH. BUT THEY HAVE THIS JOB TO DO. ALL THE SUDDEN, WE ARE BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL. THEY GET IT DONE SOMEHOW. BUT IT IS SO MUCH STRESS. I THINK WE CAN MANAGE THIS MUCH BETTER. YES, IT IS A HIT ON THE BUDGET, BUT I THINK IT IS THE BEST FOUR PEOPLE YOU WILL EVER HIGHER .
>> THAT WOULD BE AMAZING. I THINK IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE TO QUANTIFY THE COST OF SAVING FOR FIRE. THEY ARE IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS. THIS IS SOME EFFORT THE UTILITY HAS OFFERED TO
ALLEVIATE THAT. >> INITIATIVE. THEY WILL IMPACT THE BOTTOM LINE, BUT WE HAVE SOME OTHER SUGGESTIONS . JAMES AND FRANK WILL WORK WITH YOU ON THE BUDGETS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT IMPACTED.
>> WE HAVE SOME IDEAS WE WILL TALK ABOUT LATER ON. >> I WOULD LOVE FOR SOME SORT OF PRESS RELEASE FROM YOU, AND ALSO SOME COMMUNICATION WITH THE FIRE CHIEF TO THE FIRE STAFF. THIS IS REALLY A SHOWCASE OF COLLABORATION. OUR SUPPORT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DID, BUT FROM JEA HAS PARTNERED WITH US, THAT IS AWESOME. THE ONLY THING I FORGOT WAS JEAN JOHNSON, WHO DOES A LOT OF THIS , THAT POSITION WILL STAY. THE ISO RATING IS NOT BY UTILITY. YOU STILL NEED THE INTERMEDIARY TO COLLECT AND COLLATE THE WHOLE
THING. >> WATER TANK, WATER SOURCING, FIRE STATION, HYDRANT , MANY
ELEMENTS. >> WORKING TO MAKE SURE SUBMITTING IT TO THE AGENCY TO GET THAT RATING. THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE FROM THE FIRE SERVICES .
>> MAKES SENSE. >> ECHOING ALL THE GOOD COMMENTS. UTILITY IS UP TO THE CHALLENGE. LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ON THE CAPITAL PROJECT, THE REQUEST IS $52 MILLION . I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED SIX PROJECTS ON THE LEFT I WANT TO POINT OUT ON THE RIGHT, A FUNDING SOURCE, IF WE GET ABOUT 14.$5 MILLION FROM THE
[02:15:06]
CONNECTION FEE TO FUND THE CAPITAL FUND. AS YOU KNOW, MOST OF THE MAIN DRIVERS ARE THE CI PROGRAM ARE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, GROWTH AND SERVICE EXPANSION , RESILIENT PLANNING, AND ALSO TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE WORK ON , AND SOME THE PROJECTS I HAVE HERE. THE FIRST THREE ARE FURTHER INVESTMENT IN REUSE SYSTEMS. ALMOST $20 MILLION. AS YOU HEARD EARLIER, WE'RE GETTING 6000 PLUS CUSTOMERS , 2000 PLUS CUSTOMERS ARE HERE ON THE RECLAIM SYSTEM. AGAIN, PUTTING MORE INFRASTRUCTURE OUT THERE, RECLAIM TANK THAT WOULD PUT IT AT 4.5 MILLION IS A PROPOSED TANK BEHIND THE NEW FIRE STATION ON THE PARKWAY. WILL GET AHEAD AND PUT THAT IN THERE AS PEOPLE THAT FIRE STATION. WANT TO MAKE SURE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THERE AND HAVE THE TANK. THAT IS WHATGROWING SO QUICK, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH IT. >> THE FIRST 10 MILLION IS ANOTHER TANK AT THE WASTEWATER FACILITY. SUMMER ADDING SOME MORE PUMPS DOWN ON STATE ROAD 16 AT THAT FACILITY. NEXT LINE ITEM , WE ARE PLANNING FOR A NEW WATER TREATMENT PLANT OUT IN THE NORTHWEST AREA . THAT IS WHAT THE 4 MILLION IS. WE WILL START THE DESIGN IN FISCAL YEAR '26 AND HAVE A POSSIBLY READY IN 2027, MAYBE A LITTLE EARLY. A LOT OF PRESSURES IN THAT AREA.
JUST HAVING ENOUGH SUPPLY. WE'RE GOING TO PLAN FOR THAT. >> AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING WE
GOT THE PROPERTY FROM THE DEVELOPER. >> THAT IS NEAR MARSH CREEK?
>> NO. THIS IS OFF OF 16. >> SILVERLEAF. >> THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT
NORTH BEACH. >> THE WATER PLANT BOARD TALKING ABOUT TROUT CREEK THAT THE
DEVELOPER GAVE US . >> OKAY. >> INITIALLY, THAT WILL BE A PEAKING PLANT AS WE GET HIGH DEMANDS IN APRIL, MAY AND JUNE. THAT WILL COME ONLINE TO HELP US
MANAGE THE WATER SUPPLY. >> THE ONLY COMMENT I HAD ON HERE IS, YOU KNOW, WE CHALLENGE OURSELVES, BECAUSE WE ALWAYS GET -- WE MAKE SURE WE ARE ENCUMBERING FUNDS A NOTCH IS ASKING FOR FUNDS. THE INITIAL REQUEST WAS 70 MILLION. AND WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU GUYS. WE WENT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S RIGHT NOW, THE CHALLENGES WILL ENCUMBER 100% OF THAT 52 BEFORE MIDYEAR. IF WE NEED MORE, LIKE YOU AND I SHARED, WILL COME TO YOU. BUT WE DON'T WANT TO ASK FOR SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T THINK WE COULD. THAT IS OUR CHALLENGE. THINGS HAPPEN WHERE WE CAN MISSED THAT CHALLENGE, BUT WE WANT TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE TO MAKE SURE 100%
OF THE 52 IS ENCUMBERED. THAT WILL BE OUR CHALLENGE. >> THE LAST TWO PROJECTS WE HAVE OUR WATER SUPPLY WELLS. THE LAST PROJECT LISTED, 3 MILLION. WE STARTED DESIGN OF A NEW WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN NORTH BEACH. THAT IS UNDERWAY. AT LEAST $3 MILLION TO HELP WITH THAT
CONSTRUCTION. >> IS THAT THE ONE YOU'RE GOING TO PAINT WITH THE TURTLE AND
STUFF? >> I WOULD LOVE TO. WE WILL SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT.
>> IT WAS ADVERTISED THAT WAY. >> I REMEMBER THAT . >> BUT THE LOCATION, UNFORTUNATELY, GOT SHIFTED. THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A $6 MILLION PROJECT. THE GROUND THERE, YOU KNOW, WAS RESTARTED, YOU REMEMBER THAT , BECAUSE OF THE PILINGS AND WHERE THE LOCATION OF THE WETLAND IS, IT BECAME TOO EXPENSIVE. WE DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY, AS YOU KNOW.
>> VERY QUICKLY SHIFTED SOMEWHERE ELSE. >> THAT LOCATION MIGHT BE PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE IT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE RV CAMPGROUND. EVERYONE WAS UPSET.
>> THE FAMOUS CHART. NEIL BROUGHT THIS OUT LAST YEAR. WE'RE SPENDING ABOUT $6 MILLION
-- >> WE LOVE IT SO MUCH, IT IS COMING BACK.
>> FOR THE PUBLIC, THIS IS A METHOD WHERE WE ANALYTICALLY LOOK AT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE OF ASSETS. AS A GUEST TO THE HIGHER SCORE, THOSE ARE THE ONES WE SPENT ABOUT $6 MILLION REPAIRING LIFT STATION, MANHOLES, LINE EXTENSIONS. WE LIKE TO HAVE 10%
[02:20:08]
OF THE BUDGET FOR THE R&R BUDGET. THIS YEAR, WE'RE ONLY DOING ABOUT 60% OF THAT. WE HAVECATCH-UP IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS ON THE PROGRAM. >> IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE THIS -- TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE GET THE RESERVE BALANCES. THAT MEANS THE BUDGET IS DONE. VERY CONSISTENT WITH LAST YEAR. ABOUT $68 MILLION IN TOTAL RESERVES. 34 MILLION IN REQUIRED RESERVES.
THAT IS THE WORKING CASTABLE -- CAPITAL. EVERYTHING WE HAVE TO KEEP IN RESERVE FOR UTILITIES.
WE HAVE ABOUT $12.8 MILLION IN CONNECTION FEE >> PORTION IS BEING USED TO FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS. FINALLY, $20 MILLION , WHICH IS ABOUT WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR. THAT IS THE CAPITAL OUTLAY. AS PROJECT COME IN OVER BUDGET OR SOME EMERGENCIES HAPPEN, THIS IS THE MONEY WE CAN USE. IS RELATIVELY UNRESTRICTED. WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH WHERE THE PRESERVE BALANCES ARE THIS YEAR. THEY WILL HOPEFULLY SUPPORT EVERYTHING WE REQUESTED THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET
PROCESS. >> WHATEVER WE ARE ASKING YOU, WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE, INCLUDING THE FIRE POSITIONS, INCLUDING EVERYTHING WE HAVE ASKED YOU. WE FEEL CONFIDENT WITH OUR RESERVE BALANCES. THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE. WE ARE $100 MILLION STREAM RIGHT NOW. WITHOUT THE CONNECTION FEES. WE FEEL COMFORTABLE. IN CLOSING, I TOLD YOU I WOULD BE ON TIME.
ACTUALLY, HOWARD TOOK 30 MINUTES OF MY TIME. YOU NEED TO WORK ON HOWARD.
>> HOW IS HE ON TIME? TO BE GIVEN MORE TIME? >> NEIL IS NOT IN TIME YET.
LAUGHTER ] PERFECT. WE ARE ALWAYS WANTING TO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME WITH THE SLIDE. WE ARE TOP SHELF. THAT IS HOW I LOOK AT IT. STAFF IS TOP SHELF. THERE ARE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENTS. I BELIEVE IN THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT. SOME OF THE THINGS I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON. WE FEEL THAT THE CONSTRUCTION, AS YOU HAVE HEARD, EVERY PROJECT BECOMES MORE AND MORE. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. IT IS A TRIFECTA. RED, CONSTRUCTION. EVERYBODY WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING.
CONTRACTORS . EVERY PROJECT SURPRISES US. WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO HELP OURSELVES BY DOING CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES WITH EXPERTS. I THINK WHAT THAT WILL DO, AT LEAST IT WILL GET US TO WORK WITH OMB WITH LESS CHANGE ORDERS. THAT IS THE GOAL. WE CANNOT AVOID THE PRICE, BUT WE CAN AVOID EXPECTATION OF THE NUMBERS. THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN IMPROVE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE THIS BUS WHEN THE BUS IS FULL. A LOT OF WORKLOAD. THESE THINGS SHIFT.
BUT THAT IS AN AREA OF IMPROVEMENT. PROJECT TIMING IS VERY IMPORTANT. I AM BIG ON THIS. AGAIN, ADDED SOME STAFF THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT HAVE REALLY HELPED US MAKE BETTER. IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT TIMING AND COST. DELIVERY AND CAPITAL AVAILABILITY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON. WITH THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND TIMING, WHAT IT MEANS TO US, IT IS THE FINANCIAL PICTURE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN THE PROJECT IS NEEDED, WHEN THE PROJECT CAN BE DONE. IF YOU UNDERSTAND , WE CAN FINANCIALLY PLAN BETTER. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
ALREADY STARTED IT, ACTUALLY. THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS THAT AREA. WE ARE MANY TECHNICAL AREAS OF PRACTICE THAT WE NEED HELP ON. THEY'RE ALREADY BEEN DONE, BUT WE WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL. I'M GOING TO WORK WITH HR AND ADMIN IN THE COMING YEARS. WE WANT TO MOTIVATE STAFF TO GIVE THEM ENERGY AND CALL THEM PRACTICE LEADERS. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE MID TIER STAFF TAKE THIS TO THE NEXT LEVEL, MEET WITH THEM. A NEW PROGRAM. THE MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP WILL SET WHILE THEY TELL US WHERE TO GO. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THE COUNTY? THERE ONE LITTLE PROJECT. REALLY EMPHASIZES BUILDING MORALE , BUILDING A THING FOR THESE PRACTICE LEADERS TO DO TO COME TO WORK SAY THEY ARE THE LEADERS OF BECKLEY. THEY MIGHT NOT BE CHIEF ENGINEERS OR
[02:25:07]
MANAGERS OR ASSISTANT DIRECTORS, BUT THESE ARE THE NEXT UPCOMING HOURS WHO ARE PRACTICE LEADERS IN THAT GROUP. A GREAT AND INNOVATIVE WAY TO PROVIDE PLANNING AND GIVE SOMETHING TO THEM TO COME TO. HOPEFULLY, THAT WILL WORK. THESE ARE KEY AREAS FOR US. POLICY, I THINK WE DONE WELL. THE ONLY DON'T DO WELL WHEN SOMEBODY KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR AND SAYS, BY THE WAY, YOU ARE MISSING SOMETHING. I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROACTIVELY WORK WITH OMB, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CLERK OF COURTS. I THINK THE CLERK OF COURTS HAS BEEN MUCH BETTER. THE LAST THING WE WANT TO SEE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR THAT SAYS, BY THE WAY, YOU DID SOMETHING WRONG, RATHER THAN, CAN WE HELP YOU? WE SEE YOU'RE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. IF THERE IS A PROACTIVE WAY TO SPEND POLICIES . I WANT TO TAKE THAT ADVANTAGE TO THE NEXT LEVEL TO SEE IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. WE ARE NOT EXPERTS. FRANK AND I SIT DOWN AT THESE MEETINGS WITH THE WORK WE DO. WE LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND SAY, WE ARE NOT THE PEOPLE THAT CAN BRING FRIENDS TO THESE AREAS. WE NEED PEOPLE WHO BRING STRENGTHS. HELP US TO BETTER. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAVE TALKED ENOUGH ABOUT CUSTOMER OUTREACH. THIS IS AN AREA I WANT TO GROW TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITY IS LEARNING WHERE WE ARE AS A GROUP, AS AN INDUSTRY WITH REGULATIONS. THESE ARE OPPORTUNITIES I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THIS IS THE LAST CLOSING SLIDE. THE CHALLENGES. YOU VERY WELL KNOW WE'RE GOING TO START INTERACTING WITH THE BOARD ON TWO MAJOR ITEMS HERE . THAT IS REALLY GOING TO PIVOT WHERE THE -- WERE UTILITIES WILL BE. WE HAVE A CHALLENGE TO MEET WITH THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS AND MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT $1 BILLION OF IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS. FOR THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY FINANCIALLY , FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, TO PLAN IT WAY AHEAD OF TIME. WE HAVE SOME IDEAS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY HIT THE POCKETBOOKS , NOT ALL THE POCKETBOOKS OF OUR CUSTOMERS. WE ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH SOME INNOVATIVE WAYS AND SEE IF THE BOARD LIKES THAT.THESE ARE THE AREAS THAT WE ARE GOING TO CERTAINLY WATCH , BECAUSE THEY ARE CAPITAL DEMANDING REGULATIONS. THERE HERE OR COMING UP. I WANT TO CLOSE DOWN THAT AS MUCH SUCCESS WE'VE HAD WITH UTILITIES, REALLY CAN'T TO DO IT WITHOUT INTERDEPARTMENTAL COOPERATION.
THIS YEAR HAS BEEN, PROBABLY, THE MOST OF ANY OTHER YEAR. EVERYONE INVOLVED. I WANTED TO PERSONALLY TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK AMY AND HER CREW. IT IS A TIRELESS DAY FOR THEM. I'M NOT SAYING THIS. IT IS REALLY WORTHY OF SAYING THAT WE GET TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FROM THESE PEOPLE . PURCHASING, LAND MANAGEMENT. WE ABSOLUTELY CANNOT HAVE DONE WITHOUT THEM WITH THE PROJECT GORDON HAS BEEN WORKING ON. CORY, DAVID AND EVERYBODY, AND SHERRY HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS.
WITH CORY, YOU ALWAYS JOKE AROUND, THE 14 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS, 10 OF THEM ARE HOURS.
REALLY, THE OCA, THEY HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS HELP. EVERYTHING WE DO NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE. THEY DO A GREAT JOB. LPA, I'VE TALKED ENOUGH ABOUT TYLER AND WAYNE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY MAKE US LOOK GOOD. WE ARE VERY EXCITED THAT HR HAS BEEN SPECIAL TO US, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CAREER PATHS AND RESPONSIVENESS. WE HAVE HIRED A LOT OF PEOPLE. WE HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STAFF. WE REALLY WANT TO APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THEY GIVE US. I WOULD'VE GIVEN THE OMB PART TWO JAMES HERE, BUT YOUR GUIDANCE IS VERY ESSENTIAL. YOU KEEP US KNOWING WHAT WE NEED TO DO. WE APPRECIATE THAT. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS. THEY HELP US LOWER EXPENSES.
MORE GRANTS, THE BETTER FOR US. $1 BILLION TO COME. AS MANY GRANTS AS WE CAN GET. FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, ESPECIALLY BY THE LEADERSHIP THAT DAN IS PROVIDING, WE LOVE IT. I WANTED TO END WITH THAT NOTE SAYING THANK YOU. YOU CAN SEE THE PHOTO IT IS ALWAYS TEAMWORK THAT
[02:30:04]
EXCELS US. >> YOU DIDN'T MENTION BRAD.
>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE. >> IT IS A NEW AND IMPROVED NEIL AND STAFF.
SPEAKERS ] >> THREE FALL STOPS YOU JUST GAVE US. THE ENCORE PAGES.
>> WE HAVE 15 MINUTES LEFT. YOU PROBABLY WANT TO OPEN UP TO THE REST OF THEM, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THIS TEAM. THE UTILITY DEPARTMNT LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH EVERYONE OF YOU, I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN A COUPLE OF THOSE APPRECIATION BREAKFASTS, AND I SEE HOW HAPPY YOUR PEOPLE ARE. I THINK MANAGING THE GROWTH, PROVIDING WHATEVER FACILITY, WHATEVER INFRASTRUCTURE, WHATEVER SERVICES YOU HAVE TO DO TO SERVE YOUR CLIENTS IS ONE THING, BUT YOU DO IT WITH SUCH A LEADERSHIP AND YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE HAPPY. THERE THE HAPPIEST I HAVE EVER SEEN. IN FACT, THIS IS THE HAPPIEST LEADER I HAVE EVER SEEN WITH THE UTILITY. THE BEST LEADERSHIP . NOT THE ONLY LEADERSHIP I'VE WORKED WITH MYSELF. I'M REALLY PROUD OF YOU ALL. WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT AND FACILITATE. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU TOOK THE PHONE CALL FRIDAY NIGHT THAT LED TO ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT WILL SAVE THEM AT THE END OF THE DAY, A LOT OF
LIFE. APPRECIATE YOUR COLLABORATION ON ALL OF THAT. >> ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE HONORED TO BE A PART OF THE COUNTY. I SPEAK FOR ALL OF US. ANY COMMENTS? WE HAVE 15 MINUTES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> HAPPY FRIDAY. IS OUT OF BOURBON?
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> THE CONTACT WITH JEA UTILITIES THAT I CAN GET WITH.
EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE A MISSED CALL. IS EVERYBODY GONE? THEY ARE OVER IN BUDGET.
>> THE 209 NUMBER. >> IT IS ON YOUR CALENDAR. >> WAS IN ON MY CALENDAR. I WOULD'VE BEEN HERE EARLIER TODAY. I WENT TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL SERVICE THIS MORNING INSTEAD OF HANGING OUT WITH YOU GUYS. I HAD SOMEONE CALL ME AND SAY THEY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH WATER PRESSURE . JEA SHUT THE WATER OFF. THERE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO FALL INTO THE NEW GRASS OR LANDSCAPING . SHE WAS MAD. IT WAS MY FAULT, BECAUSE WE ALLOW THEM TO BUILD HOUSES
ANYWAY. >> YOUR ON CAMERA AND ON CHANNEL 3.
>> I AM SAYING THAT SHE WAS NOT HAPPY. I'M TRYING TO FIND SOME ANSWERS.
>> WE WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY -- 200 CALLS LAST YEAR FROM SEVERAL COMMISSIONERS. WE WERE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP THE COMMISSIONER. IF YOU GET THE NAME OF THE PERSON, WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.
IT IS NOT A SERVICE YET, BUT WE WILL STILL TAKE CARE OF IT. >> THAT IS WHAT I SAID. WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO -- WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND MAKE IT GO AWAY, BUT WE CAN'T. I HAVE IT WRITTEN
DOWN RIGHT HERE. >> I WILL TAKE IT. >> THANKS.
>> SURE THING. >> THERE YOU GO.
[Health Department]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> I'M DOING
WOULD YOU START BY INTRODUCING?
>> I'M SHANE LOCKWOOD I'M HERE.
>> LENA, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
>> I KNOW IN THE PAST, THE WAY WE'VE DONE THIS, GIVEN A
BREAKDOWN OF THE BUDGET. >> I CAN DO
>> JUST TO OPEN UP QUICK -- THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS A LOCAL COUNTY MILLAGE, ITS OWN MILLAGE.
IT'S A MILLAGE DISCUSSION ARGUMENT.
>> WHATEVER FUNDS THAT MILLAGE GENERATES ARE TRANSFERRED OVER TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
[02:35:03]
>> SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS HEALTH DEPARTMENT SERVICES, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR BUDGET AND EOC. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE DO IS CLINICAL SERVICES.
THE MAIN THING IN THAT IS CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS, AND BACK TO SCHOOL EFFECTS. SEEN OVER THE YEARS 2,000 TO 3,000 KIDS MOVING INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, USUALLY FROM OTHER AREAS THAT DON'T HAVE IMMUNIZATIONS.
USED TO DO THREE DAYS OF CLINICS TO TRY TO GET THEM UP TO DATE, WE'RE UP TO ABOUT THREE WEEKS OF THAT RIGHT NOW. WE'RE RUNNING THOSE ALL SUMMER LONG SO THE KIDS DON'T MISS OUT ON ANY SCHOOL TIME. ALSO FAMILY PLANNING AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE, LOT OF THAT IS HIV OR SOME STDS.
PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, WE'LL TALK ABOUT STATISTICS LATER ON. BUT THIS IS A PROGRAM FOR HEALTHY FOOD, NUTRITION, EDUCATION AND CANCELING FOR FAMILIES WHO NEED -- FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINE. THIS IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM AND MONEY COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WE ALSO DO A LOT OF BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT.
WE'RE REALLY HAPPY, WE GOT AN AWARD FOR THE PROGRAM.
NUMBERS A FEW YEARS AGO WERE NOT THE BEST, AND WE'RE CLOSE TO 100% LAST AUDIT.
ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH, THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS WE DO ALL ASPECTS OF THAT PUBLIC POOL INSPECTIONS, OVER 600 PUBLIC POOLS THAT WE HAVE TO INSPECT A COUPLE OF TIMES A YEAR. BEACH WATER MONITORING, EVERY TWO WEEKS, 42 MILES OF COASTLINE SAMPLING TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE TO SWIM IN AND WE SELF- PLUSH THAT THROUGH OUR WEBSITE. WE ARE IN CHARGE OF WELLS, WE HAVE CONTROL OF THAT. INSPECT TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING ESTABLISHMENTS AND A FEW ESTABLISHMENTS LIKE LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES, WE DO INSPECTION. EPIDEMIOLOGY, WE INVESTIGATE DISEASE OCCURRENCE AND OUTBREAK, WE HAVE FIVE PEOPLE IN THAT DEPARTMENT AND THEY'RE BUSY AS THEY GET REPORTS OF DISEASE. STATISTICS, WE DO BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. I BELIEVE LAST YEAR THESE ARE NOT UNIQUE, COULD BE MULTIPLE COPIES, BUT WE GAVE OUT OVER 15,000 COPIES OF BOTH. BUSY DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW.
PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS, WE MAINTAIN THE COUNTY HAS ONE, WE HAVE THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN, HOW THE DEPARTMENT WILL RESPOND TO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. WE ALSO -- WHAT WE DO IS UPDATE THAT YEARLY, AND DO DRILLS AND EXERCISES. WE JUST HAD A GREAT ONE LAST WEEK.
COUNTY MANAGEMENT CAME DOWN, CONSOLIDATED IT.
THE DRILL WAS CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE BUILDING, HOW WE WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE. THANK JOE AND HIS TEAM UP THERE, THEY HELPED FACILITATE THIS DRILL. SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER IN TIMES OF ACTIVATION, LIKE DURING A HURRICANE.
WE COMMAND THAT SHELTER. LAST YEAR WE DID TWO OF THOSE FOR SEVEN DAYS, CLOSE TO 50 PEOPLE INSIDE THEM. AND ALSO IN THE ACTIVATIONS OF EMERGENCY CENTER, COORDINATING ESF, EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION. COORDINATING THE HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESPONSE AND OPERATING THE SHELTER.
OTHER PART OF HURRICANES WE GET INVOLVED IN IS AFTER THE FACT.
WE CHECK EVERY NURSING HOME TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE POWER, THEY HAVE HVAC SYSTEMS AND A BUILDING, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE OKAY TO BE OCCUPIED. WE DO THINGS WITH DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, UNFORTUNATELY AFTER HURRICANE FLORENCE, STANDING WATERS, OUR TEAM IS ON TOP OF THAT. COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION, OUTREACH EVENTS. USUALLY WORKING WITH THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OR PARTNER. PARKS AND REC HAS BEEN
[02:40:02]
ON. OVER AT THE CENTER ALMOST WEEKLY AT THIS POINT. FIRE RESCUE.GREAT WITH IT. AND THE CITY HAVE BEEN ASKING US MORE. COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT.
THAT'S NEEDS ASSESSMENT WE DID LAST YEAR.
WE DO A HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN. WHAT WE FIND OUT ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, WE DO A PLAN TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS.
THAT'S A CONTINUOUS CYCLE. AND WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS ALL THE TIME. WE HAVE OUR OWN FINANCE DEPARTMENT THAT MANAGES COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS. SOME STATISTICS, JUST FOR DISTRICTS FOR THE PAST CALENDAR YEAR, 30% INCREASE ININ PARTICIPANTS. AND WE HAVE 4,000 FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR WICK IN THE COUNTY. WE HAD 2,500 INVOLVED IN THIS.
WE'RE PROUD OF THAT. SOME CLINIC VISITS, WE'VE ADDED SOME STAFF TO THE CLINIC USING VOCC FUNDS AND SEEN ABOUT A 20% INCREASE.
WE ATTENDED 110 COMMUNITY HEALTH INTERVENTIONS LAST YEAR.
CONDUCTED OVER 1,200 PUBLIC POOL INSPECTIONS.
THIS IS ONE THAT THE COUNTY HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL ON.
WE DECIDED FOR THE WIC DEPARTMENT. IT'S VERY TOUGH WITH CASES LIKE HASTINGS, TO TAKE A COUPLE OF KIDS, DRIVE THEM DOWN TO OUR BUILDING SO THEY CAN SIT THERE AND LEARN ABOUT IT. NOT EXCITING TOPICS.
WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WORKED WITH THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY. WE TOOK COUNTY FUNDING AND HIRED A NUTRITION EDUCATOR. THEY'RE NEVER IN THE OFFICE BUT OUT EVERY SINGLE DAY AT DIFFERENT COUNTY BUILDINGS OR COMMUNITY SITES.
THAT'S A BIG PART WE'RE SEEING THAT INCREASE LAST YEAR.
REALLY HELPFUL. AND WE TOOK FUNDING AND HIRED TWO APRNS. ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES WHO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER DEGREE OF SERVICE IN THE CLINIC AND EXPANDED CLINICAL SERVICES BECAUSE E THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE.
FUNDING, THE FEES THAT ACCOUNT FOR 20% OF THE BUDGET, AND STATE AND PUBLIC FUNDING IS 60%.
TOTAL IS ABOUT $7. 2 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE COUNTY, 12% IS HUGE.
NOW THIS IS STUFF THAT LENA GETS INVOLVED IN, SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT WE USE THE FUNDING FOR.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST YEAR IS GOTTEN A COUPLE OF SNAP CERTIFIED TO EDUCATE, TRAIN AND PUT IN CAR SEATS.
WE HAVE CAR SEAT CHECKS AND EVENTS.
AND PURCHASED CAR SEATS TO GIVE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NEED THOSE. WE HAD FOUR OR FIVE OF THEM OVEROVER IN PARKING LOT AT THE HHS BUILDING. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.
WE ALSO HAVE A MAMAVA LACTATION POD. YOU SEE THEM IN AIRPORTS. IT'S A STANDALONE ENTITY, A MOM CAN GO IN, THERE'S ROOM FOR A STROLLER. THEY CAN BREASTFEED WHILE THEY'RE IN THE BUILDING. AVAILABLE TO ANYONE, EVEN AN APP, SAY I WANT TO USE IT, LETS THEM IN.
>> AND I RAN THE REPORT LAST NIGHT, PUT IT IN LAST MONTH, AVERAGING CLOSE TO 20 WOMEN A WEEK DO THAT. MOSTLY CLIENTS.
HHS STAFF, TOO, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, CLIENTS.
>> ALSO, PURCHASED A BOOK VENDING MACHINE, EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE.
HAS BOOKS IN IT. IT HAS TOKENS.
WE'VE GIVEN TOKENS TO ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS AND HHS STAFF TO PROVIDE TO FAMILIES FOR A KID. IF THEY COME
[02:45:03]
INTO THE CLINIC AND GET IMMUNIZATION AND WERE GOOD, THEY GET A COIN AND CAN CHOOSE A BOOK FROM THE VENDING MACHINE. WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF EXCITEMENT AND INTEREST IN THE KIDS GOING AND GETTING A BOOK.BETTER THAN HAVING -- IT'S BETTER THAN A STICKER.
>> IT'S VERY NICE GREEN, I THINK IT HAS A BOOKWORM ON IT OR STACK OF BOOKS.
VERY CATCHY. WE'VE PURCHASED TWO NEW TRAILERS FOR ALL OF OUR SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, SO WE CAN GET THAT TO THE LOCATION DEPENDING WHERE IT ENDS UP BEING.
IN A TIMELY FASHION. WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH TRAILERS IN THE PAST, SO THIS WILL MAKE IT A LOT MORE EFFICIENT AND BETTER IN THAT RESPECT.
WE HAVE BECOME A COMMUNITY DROP- OFF SITE FOR SHARPS DISPOSAL. THE PUBLIC CAN BRING THEIR SHARPS IN A SHARP OR STICK- PROOF CONTAINER. LAUNDRY DETERGENT BOTTLE OR A SHARPS CONTAINER, TOO, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THEM FOR THEM.
WE HAVE GONE THROUGH, PRETTY BIG SIZED CONTAINERS.
ONE A WEEK WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE BRINGING SHARPS IN FOR PROPER DISPOSAL. BETTER THAN GOING INTO THE GARBAGE CAN, LANDFILL, OR THROUGH GARBAGE PICKUP WHERE SOMEBODY MIGHT GET POKED.
>> THIS IS JUST RESIDENTIAL, CAN'T BE COMMERCIAL. WE'VE HAD THAT IN THE PAST, THIS IS JUST RESIDENTIAL, A HUGE NEED.
>> INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE DIABETIC THAT HAVE TO DO INSULIN, INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE TO GIVE THEIR DOGS INJECTIONS FOR THINGS, AS WELL AS A LOT OF PEOPLE DO THE INJECTIONS FOR WEIGHT LOSS, TOO.
THIS ISA SAFE WAY FOR THEM TO DISPOSE OF THOSE. YEAH. ADDITIONALLY WITH COMMUNITY OUTREACH WE GO TO THE PARKS AND BEACHES AND PROVIDE SUNSCREEN AND DOTS THAT GO ON TO TELL YOU WHEN TO REAPPLY SUNSCREEN. THEY ALSO INCLUDING A QR CODE TO GO TO A WEBSITE TO SEE THE RESULTS FOR THE WATER MONITORING THAT WE DO, SO THEY KNOW THE WATER IS CHECKED AND SAFE TO SWIM IN.
>> CAN I INTERRUPT ON THAT? ONE THING WE WANT TO STRESS IS BESIDES SERVICES FOR THE RESIDENTS, WE WANTED TO SHOW THE TOURISTS THAT THE WATER YOU'RE SWIMMING IN IS SAFE. WE WANT TO KEEP YOU SAFE AROUND HERE, TOO, SO YOU KEEP COMING BACK.
42 MILES OF BEACHES, THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED FOR RESIDENTS BUT ALSO FOR THE TOURISTS.
>> ALSO PROVIDED AUTOMATIC BLOOD PRESSURE CUFFS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED MONITORING AT HOME.
WE LAST YEAR DID OUR FIRST COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER.
IT WAS A BIG HIT. PLANNING FOR ONE THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE OVER 100 MOMS COME I BELIEVE.
SEVERAL VENDORS TO PROVIDE ITEMS FOR NEW AND GOING TO BE NEW MOMS. IT WAS -- I GOT TO BE THERE AT THE BEGINNING, IT WAS VERY NICE.
VERY NEAT. YEAH. AND SHANE MENTIONED THE BEACH WATER SAMPLING. WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT TESTING IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER, BUT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO EXTEND IT AND DO IT YEAR AROUND NOW.
PEOPLE COME DOWN FROM THE NORTH IN DECEMBER AND THEY GET IN THE WATER. SO WE'RE ABLE TO TEST THAT YEAR ROUND.
AND THEN SHANE MENTIONED THE MOBILE WIC EVENTS.
WE'RE ABLE TO GO TO DIFFERENT PLACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE SERVICES RATHER THAN THEM HAVING TO COME TO US.
>> STOP ON THIS SLIDE HERE. GREAT SLIDE TO STOP ON.
AGAIN, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S FUNDED -- THE
[02:50:05]
COUNTYCOUNTY THROUGH A MILLAGE A PORTION OF FUNDING, 12%. IF THE BOARD WENT TO AA BACK, THERE WOULD BE A REDUCTION OF 30,000 TO 35,000. THESE THINGS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HAPPEN.>> THESE WOULD BE ON THE TABLE. HOPEFULLY COULD OFFER EVERYTHING IN SOME ASPECT BUT REDUCED CAPACITY. AND ALL OF THESE WE CAME UP WITH THIS YEAR, SO FUTURE PLANS
>> WE WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT WE GET AND SHOW YOU WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING AND HOW WE SPEND IT.
>> IT'S A THEME GOING ON THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING. YOU MENTIONED 60% OF YOUR FUNDING COMES FROM STATE AND FEDERAL.
ARE YOU SEEING ANY POTENTIAL CUTBACKS? FOR THE NEW YEAR, ANY GRANT
PROGRAMS? >> WE KEEP HEARING OF IT, HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET. ONE INTERESTING THING IS WE GET HIV SERVICES AS A DIRECT FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. USUALLY WHEN WE GET THE NOTICE, WE GET A DOLLAR AMOUNT WITH IT.
WE GOT THE NOTICE OF AWARD EARLIER THIS WEEK AND DID NOT.
BUT WE STILL THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET IT, JUST NO IDEA AT THIS POINT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET.
>> GOOD QUESTION. THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL BUDGET CUTS HAS NOT BEEN -- WE JUST DON'T KNOW YET.
>> WE'RE PLANNING, RUNNING DIFFERENT SCENARIOS JUST TO SEE, BUT AT THIS POINT WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE IMPACTS MAY BE.
>> I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH, WE SAID IT LAST YEAR, SINCE YOUR ARRIVAL, SHANE, YOU'VE BUILT A TEAM THAT'S THE MOST COLLABORATIVE WE'VE EVER SEEN, AND ENHANCED SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND STRETCHING THE DOLLAR, EVERY ONE OF THEM, TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES, MORE CONVENIENCE, REMOTE SITES, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
I PERSONALLY APPRECIATE A COLLABORATION AT THE EOC WHENEVER WE HAVE A HURRICANE.
THAT IS ALSO A STRUGGLE AND YOU AND YOUR WHOLE TEAM HAVE MADE IT SO EASY FOR US TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS IN TERMS OF SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER, ARE SERVICE THEY NEED. IF WE GET INTO A PINCH, COUPLE OF PEOPLE STILL NEED, YOU MAKE SURE YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM.
WE APPRECIATE YOU. ALWAYS THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.
WHAT CAN WE DO -- NOT BREAK THE RULE BUT DO DIFFERENT THAT IS BETTER AND COST EFFECTIVE.
>> ONE THING I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING, WE HAVE 70 MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH TEAM, THEY'RE THE ONES GETTING IT ALL DONE.
CONSTANTLY BRINGING NEW IDEAS TO US. I'M STAYING OUT OF THE WAY. SEEMS TO BE WORKING.
WE'VE TRY TO BRING IN NEW IDEAS.
PUBLIC HEALTH THINGS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING.
WE DID A HEALTH ASSESSMENT LAST YEAR, AND THERE'S A FEW THINGS WE KNOW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, WE'RE WORKING TO OFFER THAT.
NUTRITION, SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE, SOME OF THIS IS BRINGING ON NEW STAFF WITH NEW IDEAS, LOOK TO IMPLEMENT THAT. BIGGEST THING, WE GET OUTSTANDING COOPERATION FROM EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY.
AS LONG AS WE KEEP THOSE COMMUNICATIONS GOING.
AS WE TAKE HITS, THE COUNTY MIGHT TAKE HITS, WE CAN GET TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT. SOME MIGHT NOT BE EXPENSIVE. WE WERE APPROACHED BY SERGEANT CLARK AT THE RE- ENTRY CENTER. WE BROUGHT TO THEM AN ISSUE WITH BIRTH CERTIFICATES.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL GET BIRTH CERTIFICATES GETTING OUT OF JAIL. HE SAW THAT, SAID WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT. AND WE HAVE A PROGRAMPROGRAM THEY CAN FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK TO GET A BIRTH CERTIFICATE AT A KIOSK THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SET UP FOR US IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.
INMATES ARE ABLE TO APPLY THERE, AND BY THE TIME THEY'RE RELEASED, WE'RE HANDING THEM BIRTH CERTIFICATES SO THEY
[02:55:05]
CAN GO HOPEFULLY APPLY FOR A JOB, GET HOUSING, THINGS LIKE THAT.SOMETHING THEY SAW AS A PROBLEM AND WE GOT OUR BRAINS TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT. WE EXPANDED THAT.
WE'VE SEEN IMPACT SOMEBODY MIGHT BE IN JAIL, IMPACT ON THE FAMILY. THEY MIGHT QUALIFY FOR WIC AT THAT POINT. WE HAVE THE WIC DIRECTOR GOING TO SPEAK TO THE MEN AND WOMEN, SEEING IF YOUR FAMILY NOW QUALIFIES, WE CAN GET THEM SERVICES.
YOU'RE IN HERE UNTIL THINGS TURN AROUND. THE BIGGEST THING IS COOPERATION.
AND -- >> SORRY, NOT TO INTERRUPT.
THOSE TWO THINGS DOESN'T COST.
>> WE TALK TO EACH OTHER. WE STILL HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT DO THE WORK, IT'S JUST WORKING WITH OTHER ENTITIES TO MAKE IT
HAPPEN. >> NOT ONLY NOT COST, BUT LEVERAGING EACH OTHER'S SERVICES BY SAVING DOLLARS. ANY UPDATE ON THE SEPTIC TANK
SITUATION? >> WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO DO IS MOVE -- THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING AS THEIRTHEIR FOR YEARS NOW. THEY STARTED TO SWITCH THE WORK, THE PANHANDLE AND COUPLE OTHER COUNTIES, THEY MOVED THEM OVER. WE'RE IN GROUP TWO.
SOMETIME BETWEEN JULY 1ST AND JUNE 30TH OF NEXT YEAR.
>> '25- '26, WE DON'T KNOW THE DATE YET.
LOT DEPENDS WHEN THE STATE BUDGET GETS PASSED, THEY CAN LOOK TO HIRE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE AND TAKE ON ANOTHER COUNTY. WE'LL DO THE SEPTIC PROGRAM BY THEN.
>> AND SEPARATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE STATE? YOU DON'T USE MILLAGE FOR THAT.
>> STATE. WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT OTHER PROGRAMS TO HELP DIVISION, SUCH AS THE BODY PARASITE, BIOMEDICAL WASTE, WHICH WE WORKED WITH ANOTHER COUNTY TO DO IT BEFORE AND WE'VE TAKEN THAT BACK JUST TO TRY TO FIX THE REVENUE TREE. SO WE CAN MAINTAIN THE EMPLOYEES
WE'RE NOT TERRIBLY SAD TO LOSE THE SEPTIC TANK
INSPECTION? >> WE ARE ABSOLUTELY SAD TO LOSE THAT.
>> WE'RE TRYING TO REALLY SET UP. THE MAIN THING RIGHT NOW IS SET THE EP UP FOR WHEN THEY TAKE OVER TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE.
IF YOU LOOK AT -- SEPTIC SYSTEMS FROM MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, THE PAPERWORK FROM MANY, MANY YEARS AGO IS NOT EXACTLY THE BEST.
COULD BE A COCKTAIL NAPKIN. WE'RE TAKING FUNDING AND USING A VENDOR, TAKING EVERY PIECE OF PAPER IN THE PROGRAM AND CATEGORIZING THEM SO WHEN THEY TAKE OVER, THE NEXT DAY IF A RESIDENT CALLS THEM TO SAY I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MY SEPTIC SYSTEM, THEY'LL HAVE IT IN A NICE FILE, ELECTRONICALLY, WHERE THEY CAN LOOK IT UP, RATHER THAN GOING THROUGH 40, 50 YEARS OF PAPERWORK.
>> OVER 12,000 FILES NOW AND THEY'RE STILL INDEXING.
>> ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO TO BETTER SUPPORT
YOU? >> NO, THE COOPERATION, AS WE COME UP WITH THESE IDEAS, THE WIC, THE LIBRARY, WE CAME IN SEVEN MONTHS AGO, SAID WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IT, NEXT DAY WE HAD THE LIBRARIES CALLING US TO SAY HOW CAN WE HELP.
THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE IS AMAZING.
>> YOUR SPACE NEEDS ARE MET, THE
>> THIS GROUP, BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH.
>> GOOD TO KNOW. YOU'RE LUCKY YOU'RE OUT OF HERE. WE'RE HERE FOR THE AFTERNOON.
[03:00:03]
>> GOT THAT. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
[Administration /Board of County Commissioners / Office of Management & Budget]
>> ALL RIGHT. SO I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THREE AREAS HERE. BE REALLY QUICK ON THESE AREAS BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT TO TALK ABOUT AS FAR AS THE BUDGETS.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BUDGET -- ALL PART OF THE LIST OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.
THERE'S EACH OF THEIR BUDGETS COMPARED TO 2025.
AS YOU CAN SEE, REALLY IS NOT A BIG INCREASE THIS YEAR.
WE'LL GO THROUGH EACH AREA INDIVIDUALLY.
NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES. BCC, THEIR BUDGET INCLUDES PRIMARILY POSITIONS. WE'LL SEE THAT RECURRING THROUGH ALL THREE OF THEM.
IT'S PERSONNEL. AFDE'S, FIVE COMMISSIONERS, THREE÷÷ SUPPORT STAFF.
OPERATING BUDGET, ONLY INCREASE IS IN TRAVEL UP TO 6,000 FROM 5,000 PER COMMISSIONER. OUTSIDE OF THAT, BIGGEST OPERATING EXPENSE IS POSTAGE, A REQUIRED EXPENSE FOR THETHE NOTICES, PROPERTY TAX NOTICES THAT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER MAILS OUT EACH YEAR.
5. 4% INCREASE IN OVERALL OPERATION FOR '26. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, SAME THING.
5.9 FTES, PRIMARILY PERSONNEL HEAVY ON THE BUDGET.
IMPLEMENTATION OF BOARD APPROVED STRATEGIC PLAN, COLLABORATION WITH OPT IS INCLUDED IN THE AREA. ADDITIONALLY, ANY INITIATIVES THAT THE BCC MAY DIRECT ADMIN TO DO MAY IMPACT THE BUDGET. CURRENTLY 2. 6% INCREASE FOR
'26. >> DOES IT MEET THE ROLLBACK?
>> ALL THREE OF THESE MEET THE ROLLBACK. AND COLLECTIVELY, ALL THREE COMBINED ARE JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN 1% OF THE GENERAL FUND TOTAL BUDGET, REALLY NOT TALKING ABOUT A BIG CHUNK OF THE BUDGET ANYWAY.
>> ALL RIGHT? FINAL BUDGET, 11 FTES, ONE FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT. THERE IS NOT A FILLED POSITION ON THAT RIGHT NOW. SO I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE, SOMETHING YOU WON'T SEE IN ANY OF THE BUDGET NUMBERS, ALLUDED TO IT A LITTLE BIT YESTERDAY, THE LEVEL OF LIFT REQUIRED WITH ARP. IT'S A HEAVY LIFT AT THIS MOMENT, ESPECIALLY OUR DEPARTMENT AND OTHERS AS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK STAFF FOR THEIR TIME RELATED TO THE ERP PROCESS AT THIS POINT.
PRIMARILY IN OUR BUDGET, THE FUNDING FOR THE ANNUAL AUDIT THAT FINANCE DOES, WE PAY FOR IT, THE CLERK MANAGES IT, PROBABLY OUR BIGGEST EXPENSE. AND OUR PUBLISHING SOFTWARE WHICH HOPEFULLY I'LL SHOW YOU IN A MINUTE HERE TO HIGHLIGHT ALL OF OUR BUDGETS. THERE IS A NONRECURRING EXPENSE FOR A CONSULTANT TO GO OVER CREDIT CARD AND POINT OF SALE REVIEW.
IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE'VE HAD A CONSULTANT LOOK AT IT, POTENTIALLY WITH THE SERVICE CHARGES RELATED TO CREDIT CARDS. CURRENTLY THE COUNTY IS ABSORBING ALL OF THOSE SERVICE CHARGES. IN ORDER TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN PASS THOSE SERVICE CHARGES OFF TO THE END USER OR THE PEOPLE REQUESTING THOSE SERVICES, THERE'S CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO THE WAY THE CREDIT CARD IS ESTABLISHED, ALL OF OUR ACCOUNTS, THE VARIOUS CARD HOLDERS.
WE WOULD ASK FOR A CONSULTANT TO HELP GUIDE US THROUGH THAT PROCESS. AND THE BUDGET FOR ONB IS 2. 6% INCREASE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. SO THERE'S NO QUESTIONS ON THAT, I'D LIKE TO GO INTO OUR BUDGET SOFTWARE, PUBLISHING SOFTWARE, AND SHOW --
>> YOU'RE FINE. ANYBODY FROM THE PUBLIC IS
[03:05:01]
WELCOME TO VIEW ANY OF THIS INFORMATION. YOU CAN GET TO IT, IT'S RIGHT HERE, CURRENTLY FROM THE COUNTY'S PAGE.YOU CAN GET TO THE BUDGET 2026 PAGE, AND THEN FROM THERE INTO OUR WORKBOOK. JUST WANT TO GO OVER A COUPLE OF AREAS. I'LL TAKE -- THIS IS VERY HIGH LEVEL AT THIS POINT, ALL FUNDS COLLECTIVELY ON ONE REPORT. HERE IS A BREAKDOWN OF ALL OF OUR FUNDS. CURRENTLY AS REQUESTED, $1.
26 MILLION BUDGET. AND GOING THROUGH EACH INDIVIDUAL FUND HERE, I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT DEBT SERVICE FUNDS BECAUSE IT'S NOT REALLY AN AREA ANY DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT. SO WE'RE CURRENTLY PAYING -- BUDGETING JUST OVER $27 MILLION EACH YEAR IN DEBT SERVICE. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE BOARD JUST APPROVED A REFINANCING, AND YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE HERE. 15 SALES TAX AND 15 TRANSPORTATION BONDS WERE REFUNDED INTO THIS NEW 2025 SPECIAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BOND.
LITTLE BIT OF SAVINGS THERE WE REALIZED, BUT STILL WE'RE PAYING $27 MILLION TOWARDS DEBT SERVICE AND DOESN'T INCLUDE UTILITIES, THAT'S INCLUDED WITHIN THEIR FUNDING. THIS IS JUST GENERAL GOVERNMENT DEBT SERVICE. ADDITIONALLY, I WANTED TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE REVENUES. THESE ARE COUNTY WIDE.
THE FIRST TWO LINES, FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS, YOU CAN SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE, THE LEVEL OF GRANTS WE'RE RECEIVING GIVES AN INDICATION OF THE POLITICAL CLIMATE AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
SOME OF THESE GRANTS IN THE '25 COLUMN WILL BE CARRIED FORWARD INTO '26.
UNSPENT BALANCES, BUT THERE'S DEFINITELY A DECREASE IN THE LEVEL OF GRANTS WE'RE SEEING.
ADDITIONALLY, THE NEXT TWO LINES HERE, THE STATE REVENUE SHARING AND SALES TAX, THESE ARE FUNDS WE RECEIVE FROM THE STATE. THIS ONE THROUGH THE HALF CENT SALES TAX PROGRAM, AND REVENUE SHARING PRIMARILY SALES TAX AS WELL BUT A FORMULA BEHIND IT.
BOTH OF THESE REVENUES, WE BUDGETED $33 MILLION IN SALES TAX IN '25, ONLY BUDGETING 32 IN '26. WE'RE NOT SEEING GETTING TO THIS LEVEL IN '25 EVEN.
WE'RE PROJECTING ABOUT COLLECTIVELY BETWEEN THE TWO ACCOUNTS, $3 MILLION LESS IN REVENUE FROM WHAT WE BUDGETED. WE ARE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF A DECLINE. STILL INCREASING BUT LESS OF AN INCREASE THAN WHAT WE BUDGETED.
THAT'S WHY YOU SEE KIND OF THE REDUCTION FOR NEXT YEAR.
INDICATION OF THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW. ADDITIONALLY, DEVELOPMENT TAX IS KIND OF THE SAME WAY.
HERE YOU CAN SEE WE'RE REALLY NOT -- THERE'S AN INCREASE IN THE BUDGET BUT NOT NEAR THE INCREASE IT'S BEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
AGAIN, SALES TAX, REVENUE SHARING, DEVELOPMENT TAX.
OUTSIDE OF PROPERTY TAXES, THOSE ARE OUR PRIMARY REVENUES WE TREND. WE'RE NOT SEEING THE INCREASES IN THOSE WE HAVE IN YEARS PAST. ANY QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD WAY TO NAVIGATE, SHOW THE WORKBOOK AND HOW IT'S ACCESSIBLE. IS THAT EASIER FOR YOU GUYS NOT TO HAVE TO PRINT ALL THE WORKBOOKS?
>> DEFINITELY. AND EASIER TO BUILD.
STILL TAKES SOME LEGWORK TO BUILD ONCE WE GET ALL THE INFORMATION UPLOADED THERE'S STILL WORK INVOLVED TO GET IT READY FOR PUBLIC FACING.
BUT DEFINITELY EASIER THAN IT HAS BEEN IN YEARS PAST, PRIOR TO THIS.
>> I WISH THERE WAS MORE COMMISSIONERS HERE,
[03:10:01]
BUT COMMISSIONER MURPHY IS HERE, I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK WADE AND LAUREN THIS. HAS BEEN PROBABLY MOST MONUMENTAL TRANSITION TO MOVE JESSE OUT OF BUDGET OFFICE AND DO OTHER THINGS, WADE STEPPING IN, LAUREN, IN THE MIDDLE OF AARP IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS. WHILE WE HAVE TO BUILD TWO BUDGETS, GETTING THE NEW BUDGET, WHAT DO YOU CALL, BUILDING SOFTWARE. I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY IN THIS COUNTY THAT'S WORKED HARDER THAN YOU GUYS. ALWAYS LOCKED IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM STARING AT THE SPREADSHEET. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.>> I'LL NOTE, TOO, ONCE THE ARP IS DONE, ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IMPLEMENTED, WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT NEW BUDGETING SOFTWARE. IT WAS A PACKAGE WITH THE ERP.
BUT IT'S NOT COMPLETELY INTEGRATED, IT'S SEPARATE.
WE'LL BE WORKING AS WELL NEXT YEAR ON NEW BUDGETING SOFTWARE.
NEW BUDGET BUDDIES ON THE WAY.
>> UH- OH, WE LIKE BUDGET BUDDIES.
>> WE'LL HAVE A CEREMONY FOR IT.
>> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. AS A GROWING COUNTY, THIS IS PROBABLY CONSISTENT THEME FOR EVERY DEPARTMENT, CRITICAL OF FUNCTION.
EVEN MORE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE. THANK YOU.
[Office of Intergovernmental Affairs]
>> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE INTERGOVERNMENTAL.
>> I HAVE TO PICK UP MY WIFE AND SOME SOMEPLACE ELSE TO GO
>> MY FAVORITE GUY IN GOVERNMENT.
>>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ALL RIGHT. GOOD TO SEE YOU, JOEL. ADAM WAS HERE LAST YEAR.
START WITH INTRODUCTION AND GO OVER THE BUDGET AND
INITIATIVES. >> ABSOLUTELY. I'M DIRECTOR OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.
>> HAPPY TO BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT FY 2026 BUDGET REQUESTS FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.
JUST TO START OFF, WANTED TO GO OVER A THEME OF THE NARRATIVE HERE, AND JUST TALK ABOUT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY HAS SURVIVED THE TRANSITION CYCLE.
EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTION. USUALLY CHAOTIC TIME IN POLITICS. WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THIS TIME IS A LOT OF POLITICAL POSTURING, A LOT OF AWARDS AND GRANTS.
ALIGNED WITH POLITICAL NARRATIVES. WHEN YOU GET INTO A FOURTH YEAR OF THE ADMINISTRATION, AWARDS TEND TO GO TOWARD THE -- VIEWED TOWARD THE ELECTION CYCLE.
WE EXPERIENCED IT IN 2024. ALSO IN 2025 AS THE NEW ADMINISTRATION COMES IN, WE SEE CHANGES IN POSTURING AGAIN, AND SEE GRANTS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ARE BECOMING CANCELED, DELAYED OR REWRITTEN. A LOT OF THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING, AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF BUDGET DISAGREEMENTS.
EVERYBODY IS DECIDING WHO GETS WHAT, WHEN AND HOW.
WE HAVE DISAGREEMENTS IN TALLAHASSEE, WASHINGTON, DELAYS WITH CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS AND LOT OF VETOES.
>> I THINK THERE'S OTHER TERMS FOR IT.
IT'S BEEN INTERESTING. BUT I WILL SAY THIS, WITH THE CONTEXT OF THAT, I WANT TO GIVE THE IMPACT ON ST. JOHNS COUNTY. 39.9 MILLION OF GRANTS LOST.
LOST IS RAILROAD CROSSING ELIMINATION GRANT.
SUBMITTED IT LAST YEAR. LAST YEAR OF AN ADMINISTRATION. 40% NONFEDERAL MATCH, NOT GETTING AWARDED WITH A PROJECT OF COUNTY WIDE IMPACT IS UNUSUALLY UNHEARD IT, I'LL PUT IT THAT WAY. ALSO THE TRANSPORTATION GRANTS
[03:15:01]
FOR PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS OVER I- 95, OVER 60% MATCH NONFEDERAL FUNDS, AGAIN, NOT AWARDED. FINALLY, WE HAD SOME CANCELED BY THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION. OVER 3. 5 CANCELED FROM THE CLIMATE POLLUTION REDUCTION GRANT.THAT WAS MONEY WE HAD ON OUR LEDGER, AND IT'S GONE, AND PROBABLY NOT COMING BACK. FINALLY, 36. 3 MILLION IN APPROPRIATIONS VETOED OR POSTPONED. OUT OF THAT, A TOTAL OF 24 MILLION IN STATE FUNDS VETOED IN THE 2024 BUDGET SESSION, OVER 12. 5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS POSTPONED.
WE HAD A CONTINUING RESOLUTION IN MARCH, A NUMBER OF FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS THAT THE HOUSE PASSED FOR THE SENATE BUT THEY WILL LIKELY BE SHIFTED TO FY 2026. THAT'S THE LAY OF THE LAND. HOWEVER, THE OFFICE AND OUR FANTASTIC TEAM HAS PERSEVERED. IN 2024, WE BROUGHT IN $47 MILLION. $26. 5 MILLION IS APPROPRIATIONS FROM FY '24, AND $20 MILLION FROM FEDERAL FUNDS. PUBLIC÷÷ SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE, 7.1 MILLION FOR HIRING OF NEW FIREFIGHTERS. TRANSPORATION.
EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN HASTINGS, THE LIBRARY, FUNDING FROM COMPETITIVE FUNDS. COASTAL PROTECTION, CONTINUED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS ON THE COAST.
4. 75 MILLION FOR THAT BEACH. THAT'S THE 47 MILLION WE BROUGHT IN.
THIS IS NOT THE LEVEL WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
I LOOK AT MISSING FROM THE TABLE MONEY WE DIDN'T SECURE AND I WANTED $100 MILLION YEAR.
BUT $47 MILLION YEAR. BEFORE THE INCEPTION OF THIS OFFICE, THE MOST AMOUNT THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAS GOTTEN IS 17 MILLION.
WE'VE MORE THAN DOUBLED THE MOST AMOUNT BEFORE THE INCEPTION OF THIS OFFICE. NEXT, TOTAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS PRODUCTION IS 156 MILLION FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
PREVIOUSLY 169, BUT AFTER THE HITS I WENT OVER, DOWN TO 156 RIGHT NOW.
LOT OF FUNDS ARE POTENTIALLY POSTPONED AND WE'LL GET SOME BACK. 156 MILLION, WE HAVE EXCITING PROJECTS AHEAD. STATE ROAD 16 GRANT APPLICATION, PROTECT GRANT THAT WILL BE REISSUED, FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM TRAINING FACILITY TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, EXCITING PROJECTS ON THE WAY. KEY POINTS I WOULD LIKE TO BRING ABOUT IN THIS DISCUSSION TODAY, THE OFFICE EARNED $66 PER EVERY DOLLAR SPENT FOR A WHOPPING RETURN ON INVESTMENT. WE WOULD LIKE THE NUMBERS UP.
LIKE TO BE OVER 100 IF I CAN. BUT I THINK WE'RE DEMONSTRATING THE NEED AND VALUE OF THIS OFFICE AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK HARD EVERY DAY TO BRING IN EVERY DOLLAR FOR NEEDED PROJECTS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
I WANT TO MENTION THE INTANGIBLES, WHERE WE COULD CALCULATE THE COST BENEFITS INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BRINGS, BUT I'M NOT THAT THE GOOD WITH MATH. WE ACCELERATE THE DELIVERY, TIME IS MONEY, MORE ABLE TO BRING IN ADVANCEMENT OF FEDERAL ESTATE FUNDS TOWARD A PROJECT, IT SPEEDS UP THE PROJECT AND GETS THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE COMMUNITY AT A FASTER PACE. NET PRESENT VALUE OF THE MONEY, IF YOU GET THE MONEY NOW, YOU ACHIEVE REAL SAVINGS.
THAT'S ONE POINT. IN ADDITION, WE TRY TO BUZZ THROUGH THE BUREAUCRATIC OBSTACLES. NUMBER OF TIMES FROM RULES AND NEW REGULATIONS, DIFFERENT POLICY CHANGES, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS IS HERE TO SUPPORT EVERY DEPARTMENT AND TRY TO BREAK THROUGH THAT, AND TO HELP THEM IMPLEMENT THEIR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. WITH THAT SAID, WE LIAISON WITH U.S. CONGRESS, STATE LEGISLATURE, WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION AS WELL. I THINK ON THAT DIRECTION WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY'S AND THE BOARDS
[03:20:02]
GOALS ARE WELL REPRESENTED AND CONTINUE TO BE THE MOST STREAMLINED AND FACILITATED PROCESSES TO MOVE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FORWARD.FINALLY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FORK IN THE ROAD.
FY '26 BUDGET OPTIONS. TWO OPTIONS.
THE FIRST, OPTION ONE, ROLLBACK. REDUCTION OF ONE FTE.
IF THE PROPOSED ROLLBACK BUDGET AMOUNT WAS IMPLEMENTED, LOOKING AT ONE FTE.
>> ONE POSITION, $114,000 TO MEET THE
POSITION? >> GRANT AND POLICY ANALYST.
>> OKAY. AND WHAT SPECIFIC IMPACT WILL IT HAVE ONTHE COMMUNITY?
>> I THINK A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. THE POSITION WOULD BE A POSITION THAT WOULD OTHERWISE HANDLE A LOT OF FEMA GRANTS, A LOT OF GRANTS ADDRESSING THE COASTAL PROTECTION. AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION.
MANY OF THESE GRANTS ARE VERY COMPLICATED AND REQUIRE VCAS AND PRE- DESIGN THIS. POSITION IS ESSENTIAL TO FACILITATE THAT PROCESS ALONG.
YOU'RE MANAGING A WHOLE LOAD OF CONSULTANTS WORKING ON HIGH LEVEL STUFF, AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE IT'S ONE, GETTING DONE, GETTING DONE ON YOUR BUDGET, THE BAR AND LEVEL OF WORK IS THERE TO BE COMPETITIVE, AND IN ADDITION, THIS POSITION WILL ALSO BE KEY IN MAKING SURE WE CAN FULLY MANAGE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
WE ANTICIPATE HIGH LEVEL OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY THE NEXT TWO SESSIONS. A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO CRAM BILLS THEY'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SOME TIME.
AND AS YOU SAW THIS SESSION, IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IS INCREASING.
MORE LEGISLATIVE MANDATES. WE NEED TO BE MORE MINDFUL AND KEEP A BETTER EYE ON IT.
THIS POSITION WILL PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE DOING
SO. >> LOSS OF THAT POSITION, $114,000, GRANTS ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. HIT ONE GRANT THEY'VE PAID FOR THEMSELVES. TO LOSE THAT POSITION WOULD BE A DETRIMENT TO THE COUNTY AND ABILITY TO BRING IN FUNDS. THAT'S VERY
IMPORTANT. >> IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE ABSORBED BY -- DECENTRALIZE THE DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, COASTAL MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, WRITE THEIR OWN GRANTS? DO THEY HAVE THE RESOURCE TO DO
THAT? >> MY ANSWER WOULD BE I THINK IT'S ESSENTIAL COMING OUT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. TO SEPARATE GRANTS FROM POLITICS IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO PUT US AT A LESS OF A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE. BECAUSE THEY'RE SO TIED TOGETHER, THEY'RE ALMOST A LEGAL TERM, NOT SEVERABLE. IF ONE FALLS, ALL FALL.
>> SINCE COMING TO THIS OFFICE, HAD NO IDEA THE CORRELATION BETWEEN POLITICS AND AWARDING THE GRANTS, IT'S A ONE-ON- ONE THING. TO CENTRALIZE WOULD BE GREATLY BENEFICIAL. TALK TO THE SECRETARY IN D.C.
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THAT GRANT. BUT OUT OF REMOTE DEPARTMENT, THEY DON'T HAVE THAT CONNECTION.
>> WE ALSO ELIMINATE -- SERVICES.
IF WE MOVED GRANT WRITING TO THE DEPARTMENT, YOU'LL HAVE DUPLICATED SERVICES IN EACH DEPARTMENT. IT'S CENTRALIZED HERE AND WE'RE ON TOP, AT THE POLITICAL LEVEL, HOW TO ADJUST AND ACT QUICKLY, PUT THE COUNTY IN A BETTER POSITION.
TO THAT END, THAT WAS WHAT THIS SLIDE IS ABOUT.
DIMINISHED EARNING CAPACITY. JUST MENTION IT'S LIKE A SPORTING TEAM. YOU'RE WINNING ONLY HALF OF YOUR GAMES, HAVING LOSING SEASONS, THEY STOP SHOWING UP.
>> GREAT BASKETBALL TEAM. ÚTHEY SIDE. BUT I LOOKED AT IT THAT WAY, TOO. THERE'S A NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES UP HERE.
IF WE ARE GOIG TO HIT ALL OF THOSE, WE WANT TO PACK THE SEATS. PACKING THE SEATS IS PUTTING IN ADEQUATE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUDGET. OPTION TWO, MAINTAINING EXISTING BASELINE. OUR BUDGETS, IT'S SLENDER.
WE HAVE MODEST, SMALL THOUGHT. BUT OVERALL
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BASE LINE. FY '25 WILL ALLOW US TO ACCOMPLISH ALL GOALS.>> AND WE'RE HAVING $32,000 REDUCTION WITHOUT THE ROLLBACK.
>> AND FINALLY, I KNOW I MENTIONED CONTINUING TO GENERATE CASCADE SUPPLIER, THIS IS TALKING ABOUT CONCENTRATION ZONES SURROUNDING THE COUNTY, WHETHER STATE ROAD 16, COUNTY ROAD 20, 209, A LARGE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. IN ORDER TO LEVERAGE FUNDS, IT'S BUILDING ON ONE SUCCESSFUL GRANT APPLICATION AND ANOTHER. GET FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ONE PROJECT, USE IT TO LEVERAGE STATE FUNDS FOR ANOTHER PROJECT. IT BUILDS, GROWS AND IS LIKE A WATERFALL. THIS IS INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS GOALS HAS ALWAYS BEEN HALF A BILLION IN FIVE YEARS. I'M STILL VERY OPTIMISTIC WE CAN HIT IT OR COME VERY CLOSE TO THOSE OBJECTIVES.
>> CAN YOU GO OVER THE BUDGET. VERY IMPRESSIVE.
I WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU GET ALL
THE PICTURES. >> AMAZING, YES.
>> I KNOW WE JUST WENT THROUGH A PROCUREMENT, APPROVED THREE LOBBYISTS AND THREE TIERS, I THINK WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO GO THROUGH, FROM A MONETARY PERSPECTIVE, HOW YOUR DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS, FOR ALL OF US HERE AND THE PUBLIC.
PERSONNEL SERVICES. IT DOES SHOW A DECREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES, HOWEVER WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE CALCULATIONS FOR THE ROLLBACK, WE'RE LOOKING AT RECURRING BUDGET TO RECURRING BUDGET FOR BOTH YEARS.
WHEN WE DO THAT, WE TAKE OUT THINGS LIKE ONE- TIME GRANT, NE RECURRING. IF YOU TOOK THE GRANT OUT, 587,000, THIS IS 683,000. THAT WHERE WE'RE COMING AT.
OVERALL IT'S A DECREASE, BUT LOOKING AT RECURRING EXPENSE SCENARIO, YEAH, THE GRANT COMES OUT AND IT'S AN INCREASE.
THAT'S WHERE THE 100,000- PLUS CAME FROM.
REDUCING. >> CONTRACTUAL -- I SEE A DECREASE -- INCREASE IN CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.
>> I BREAK THEM OUT INTO TWOTWO AREAS, ONE IS THE CORE CONTRACTUAL SERVICES -- STATE AND FEDERAL LOBBYISTS.
OUR FEDERAL LOBBYISTS CONTRACT, WE SIGNED IT EARLIER THIS YEAR, 108,000 CONTINENTAL STRATEGY.
THE STATE, 96,000, ALSO RE-SIGNED THIS FEBRUARY. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE CONSULTANT SERVICES WITH KINLEY HORN. THOSE ARE GRANT WRITING SERVICES. WE HAVE A CORE STAFF DOING GRANT WRITING. BUT THE REALITY IS FEDERAL GRANTS AND SOME STATE GRANTS ARE VERY LARGE, 35- PAGE GRANTS, EXTENSIVE, DETAILED.
AND BUILDING THAT CONTRACTUAL SERVICE ALLOWS US TO APPLY FOR MORE GRANTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THIS PAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO APPLY FOR AT LEAST FOUR LARGE FEDERAL GRANTS.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT EXTRA CONTRACTUAL SERVICE, IT MAKES IT HARD. IT'S LIKE BASKETBALL, HOW MANY SHOTS YOU SHOOT, MORE YOU SHOOT, MORE CHANCES OF HITTING THAT THREE-POINTER. BUT THERE IS ALREADY A LINE. I TALKED ABOUT ELIMINATING CONCEPTUAL OR PRE- DESIGN BOTTLENECK.
WHEN WE FIRST MOVED FORWARD WITH THE OFFICE WE HAD A BIT OF A BARRIER TO ENTRY. A FEDERAL OPPORTUNITY WOULD OPEN UP BUT WE'RE NOT IN POSITION TO APPLY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OR 33% DESIGN OR PCA. OKAY, HOW DO WE GET THIS DONE, THEN GRANT IS OPEN 60 DAYS OR LESS, AND THERE'S NO WAY TO GET TO THAT LEVEL OF DESIGN IN ORDER TO APPLY.
WHAT WE DID, USING OUR READINESS LINE, WE USED THOSE FUNDS TO COMPLETE VCAS, 1 IS ABOUT
[03:30:02]
$25,000, IF IT'S FEMA, COULD BE MORE. IN ADDITION TO SECURING 33% DESIGN, SOME OF OUR CONTRACTORS ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT, THAT'S WHAT ALLOWED US TO APPLY FOR BRICK, FOR PROTECT, AND FOR STATE ROAD 16 RESURFACING.ALL ARE COMPLETE. WHEN THEY OPEN UP, WE CAN SAY HEY -- IT'S LIKE HAVING AN OLD MAP DRAWER THEY USED TO HAVE.
OPEN UP A SHELF, WE HAVE A GRANT FOR YOU.
WE'RE READY TO GO. BEFORE WE WEREN'T.
THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE IN OUR CONTRACTUAL SERVICES AND THE IMPACT THAT IT HAS.
>> GOOD. TELL ME ABOUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'RE DOING THREE TIERS IN LOBBYIST SERVICES. TELL ME ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THE
ORGANIZATION. >> I THINK IT'S CRITICAL.
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE'RE HERE DOWN IN FLORIDA, WORKING WASHINGTON, YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE GROUND, YOU NEED SOMEBODY ON THE GROUND. YOU ALSO NEED TO HAVE SOMEBODY WITH THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS. THROUGH TIER TWO AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, SECURING CONTINENTAL STRATEGY HAS PUT US IN THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE AND ON THE HILL IN CONGRESS. IT ALLOWS US TO MOVE QUICKLY.
THINGS ARE CHANGING LIKE CRAZY UP THERE.
AND BUDGET- WISE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO FEMA, SO WE NEED PEOPLE ON THE GROUND.
ALSO OPENS UP A HIGH LEVEL OF NETWORKING.
WE'RE ABLE TO MEET WITH PEOPLE AT THE SECRETARY LEVEL.
THAT'S CRITICAL, THAT'S WHERE ALL THE DECISIONS ARE MADE.
GRANTS GO THROUGH TWO STAGES. STAGE ONE IS EVALUATION BY THE TEAM. STAGE TWO, THE END IS THE DECISION BY THE SECRETARY. THE SECRETARY CAN IGNORE ALL EVALUATION AND CRITERIA AND GO ON HIS CRITERIA IN STAGE TWO. YOU WANT TO BE IN POSITION TO ADVOCATE AT THAT LEVEL.
>> HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH
THEM? >> WELL, WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE SOON AN IN- PERSON MEETING WITH THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY REGARDING STATE ROAD 16. AS NEEDED BASIS.
WE TRY NOT TO REQUEST TOO MANY MEETINGS THAT TAKE UP TOO MUCH TIME OF BIG OFFICIALS. BUT WHEN WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT ASK, WE'RE PREPARED TO MAKE IT.
>> IS THIS A LEVEL WE HAVEN'T BEEN TO
BEFORE? >> ABSOLUTELY, 100%, SIR. AS FAR AS I KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAS MET WITH THE SECRETARY OF
>> PHONE CALLS WITH KATIE AND JOSH, IT'S CONSTANT.
>> AND STATE LEVEL, FOR INSTANCE, GROUP IS CRITICAL AT THE STATE LEVEL, IN- DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE LEGISLATURE, POLICIES OF THE GOVERNOR, PUT US IN VERY MUCH A STRANGE, STRATEGIC POSITION.
THEY HAVE ALSO BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE FUTURE. IN OTHER WORDS, SENATOR THAT MAY BE THE SENATE PRESIDENT, THERE'S A STRONG RELATIONSHIP THERE. A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH SENATOR LEAKE, WITH FUTURE SPEAKER GARRISON, ALL PUTS US IN A STRONG POSITION.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT/FEMA, THE GROUP HAS EXPERTISE IN THAT AREA AND A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WHICH IS ALSO CRITICAL. RUTHERFORD VICE CHAIR OF HOMELAND SECURITY, HAVING THAT RELATIONSHIP IS CRITICAL TO SEEK FUNDS FOR FIRE TRAINING FACILITY OR MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.
>> IN ADDITION TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIR IS THE THIRD DEPARTMENT THAT DIRECTLY REPORTS TO ME, WHICH SPEAKS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN A STRATEGIC NATURE. WE'RE GETTING READY TO HAVE A SESSION, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A THOROUGH STRATEGY FOUR CATEGORIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, COASTAL PROTECTION, RESIDENCY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. COMMUNITY SERVICES CAN INCORPORATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS WELL. THOSE ARE THE CORE FUNCTIONS WE
[03:35:03]
IN THE DEPARTMENT NEED TO REALLY FOCUS ON.SOME OF THE WINS ARE NOT NECESSARILY ONE OR TWO YEARS, I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE OPTIMISIC NATURE OF THIS OFFICE, AND TO HAVE THE STRATEGY TO UNDERSTAND THE TIMING, THE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE NEED TO HAVE IN PLACE, WHAT PLACE, AND STRIKE WHEN IT'S TIME.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A SESSION ON THOSE FOUR CAT DEBRISES.
>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO PRESENTING OUR PLAN AND HOW IT HITS ALL THOSE FOUR.
>> THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
YOU GUYS. >> HONOR WORKING WITH YOU.
>> RIGHT BACK AT YOU. ADAM, WORKING TOGETHER SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
SO EXCITED FOR THE HIRING. 2 1/2 YEARS FOR JOEL TO JOIN US FROM PUBLIC SAFETY. LEADER OF FIRE RESCUE, THE VALUE AND PERSPECTIVE THAT YOU BRING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. AND I DON'T MENTION IT AS A CRITICAL CATEGORY ONLY BECAUSE IT'S PART OF INFRASTRUCTURE. YOUR PERSPECTIVE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY VALUABLE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AS
>> STILL WORKING ON THE LAST TWO.
>> GREATLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT. OVER THE YEARS THE SUPPORT FROM BUILDING A FANTASTIC TEAM UP.
>>> GOOD AFTERNOON, YOU'RE THE LAST
SESSION. >> LET'S GET OUT OF HERE,
[Office of Public Affairs]
RIGHT? HOLDING FOR BATHROOM BREAK, I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT. I THINK WE CAN CAN -- IS THAT -- OKAY. WADE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO KICK OFF BY STARTING AN INTRODUCTION, YOURSELF ANDDEPARTMENT. >> I'M WADE LARSON, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE COUNTY. DOING WORK, TELLING STORIES, PRODUCING CONTENT.
GRATEFUL AND HUMBLED TO SHARE OUR STORY OF WHAT WE'VE DONE AND HOPE TO DO IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR. HAVE PUT TOGETHER A PRESENTATION INTO FIVE PARTS. OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT, THE PAST YEAR OR SO, THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND HOW IT IMPACTS OUR DEPARTMENT.
PLANS TO ADDRESS THE IMPACTS AND SUPPORT OF THE PLANS MOVING FORWARD. TO START OFF WITH, BRIEF OVERVIEW OF OUR DEPARTMENT. IT'S BROKEN INTO FOUR DIVISIONS. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OVERSEES MEDIA RELATIONS AND PROGRAMS. ACADEMY DOES EVENTS LIKE GROUN GROUNDBREAKINGS AND RIBBON % CUTTING. PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES. DIGITAL DIVISION OVERSEES THE COUNTY SOCIAL MEDIA AT ACCOUNTS AND MOBILE APP, SJCCONNECTS. THE WEB DIVISION OVERSEES THE WEBSITES. THE MAIN WEBSITE, GOLF WEBSITE AND EMPLOYEE INTERNET. THE VIDEO VISION, GOVTV, RUN THE PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND PRODUCE TONS OF VIDEO CONTENT.
EACH OF THE DEPARTMENTS INTERACT WITH ONE OTHER AND COLLABORATE WITH VARIOUS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION.
THE DEPARTMENT IS BUILT UPON THE PHILOSOPHY OF INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS.
NEVER HAVE ONE SINGULAR USE OF COMMUNICATION OUT THERE.
EVERY COMMUNICATION WE PRODUCE INTERACTS WITH OTHER AND ANOTHER, SO ON, CREATING INTEGRATED CONNECTIVITY ACROSS TACTICS AND TOOLS TO BUILD STORIES.
ALLOWS US TO BUILD CONSISTENCY ACROSS OUR PROGRAMS. THE RECENT COMMUNITY LEVEL WE SENT OUT THIS MONTH, AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL OF THE BLUE AREAS ARE HYPERLINKS TO
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VARIOUS COMMUNICATION TOOLS, WHETHER PRESS RELEASES TO THE MEDIA, WEB STORIES THAT APPEAR ON OUR WEBSITE, VIDEOS PRODUCED BY THE VIDEO DIVISION, NEWS STORIES, PROFILES ON EMPLOYEES AND VARIOUS WAYS FOR THE PUBLIC TO SAY INVOLVED. 30 DIFFERENT LINKS ALONE. THIS APPLIES TO THE COUNTY AND OTHER NEWSLETTERS WE SEND OUT. THE NEWEST IS THE NEW EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER WE STARTED LAST MONTH.OVERVIEW OF WHAT THE TEAM ACCOMPLISHED IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO USING IMC APPROACH.
HAPPY AND PROUD TO SHARE THAT YOU HAVE AN AWARD WINNING COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
THE TEAM EARNED STATE AND NATIONAL RECOGNITIONS THE PAST YEAR. SEPTEMBER, TWO AWARDS FOR THE GET COOKED ANTILITTER CAMPAIGN WHICH GREG MENTIONED YESTERDAY AS PUBLIC WORKS PRESENTATION. A GREAT EXAMPLE THAT DEMONSTRATES TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN TWO DEPARTMENTS. PUBLIC AFFAIRS WON A SAVVY AFFAIR IN GO GREEN TO PROMOTE KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT HEALTHY. ALSO THE PRESTIGIOUS DIAMOND AWARD, ONE OF THE TOP THREE HONORED OF ALL CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY. ONLY THREE GIVEN OUT, AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY EARNED ONE FOR THE CAMPAIGN. STATE LEVEL WAS RECOGNIZED FROM FMCA, ACHIEVED AND SUSTAINED 13 DIFFERENT CORE COMMUNICATION COMPETENCIES AND STRATEGIES OUTLINED BY THE ORGANIZATION. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WAS ONE OF ONLY 16 IN FLORIDA TO EARN THIS CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE.
I'D LIKE TO DIVE INTO THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT OUR TEAM ACCOMPLISHED THE PAST YEAR.
SJC 101 CITIZENS ACADEMY WE LAUNCHED, WE DID A PILOT PROGRAM OVER THE SUMMER, FOUR CLASSES.
AND JUST GETTING READY TO FINISH THE FIRST FULL ECONOMY IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO, 12 CLASSES, 20 TO 25 STUDENTS. WE HAVE 150 RESIDENTS ON OUR WAITING LIST. WE'RE PLANNING ON ONE IN THE SPRING AND ONE IN THE FALL. THE GET HOOKED CAMPAIGN, HAD INITIAL DECREASE IN 50% IN LITTER THAT HAD TO BE COLLECTED ROADSIDE. ENJOY DON'T DESTROY ANTIVANDALISM CAMPAIGN, WE HELPED PARKS AND REC REDUCE REPAIR COSTS BY 60% WITH THAT MARKETING CAMPAIGN.
AND THEN THREE ACTIVATIONS OF THE EOC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION GOT INTO PLACE FOR A PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE IN THE THREE ACTIVATIONS. DEBBIE, HELENE AND MILTON.
GROUNDBREAKINGS AND RIBBON CUTTINGS, NEIGHBORHOOD AND PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR PROJECTS AND EVENTS. PLANNED PRESS CONFERENCES LIKE CELEBRATING PARKS AND RECREATION'S ACHIEVEMENT OF A CERTIFIED DESTINATION. OR PIVOTING ON A DIME TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE PRESS CONFERENCE FOR ANASTASIA STATE PARK DEVELOPMENTS WE RALLIED AROUND WITH THE PARTNERS AND CITY SUPPORT ON THAT.
DIGITAL DIVISION, MANY ACCOMPLISHMENT THERE'S.
SJCCONNECT APP HAS MORE THAN 15,000 SUBSCRIBERS.
ENEWSLETTER, 159% INCREASE IN SUBSCRIBER RATES.
OF THE NEWSLETTERS, 80,000 SUBSCRIBERS TO ALL NEWSLETTERS ACROSS OUR PLATFORMS. WHEN PEOPLE GET THE NEWSLETTERS, THEY'RE VALUABLE.
OPEN RATE OF 67% WHEN THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE IS ONLY 42%. THE CLICK THROUGH RATE WHEN THEY OPEN AND SEE THE STORIES WE'RE SHARING WITH THEM, VIDEOS AND OTHER ARTICLES, CLICK THROUGH RATE ON ALL THE STORIES IS AVERAGING ABOUT 5%, THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE IS ONLY 2%. NOT ONLY INCREASING SUBSCRIBER RATES AND DISTRIBUTION RATES BUT DOING IT WITH VALUABLE STORIES OUR PUBLIC FINDS INTERESTING, SOMETHING THEY WANT TO READ OR WATCH. INSIDE SJC VIDEO SERIES WE STARTED THIS YEAR, PRODUCED BY PUBLIC AFFAIRS BUT MARKETED AND PUT OUT BY DIGITAL DIVISION. A SERIES OF VIDEOS, ONE A
[03:45:04]
MONTH WITH A PARTICULAR THEME OR CALL TO ACTION, CTA. RECENT ONE WAS THE LIBRARY IN LIBRARY MONTH, ALMOST 13,000 IMPRESSIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA OF PEOPLE WATCHING IN THE COMMUNITY.LASTLY, THE EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER IS NEW.
THE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED THE COUNTY'S FIRST EVER DEDICATED EMPLOYEE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, FIRST IN APRIL WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF HR, RISK AND ADMINISTRATION.
THAT'S NOT ONLY NEWS WE COLLECT BUT USER GENERATED CONTENT, WE SEEK EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS AS WELL.
IN THE WEB DIVISION, LOTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THERE IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO. OUR TEAM HOSTED 381, 381 PRESS RELEASES AND/OR WEB ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE, AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 3. 7 MILLION, 3.
7 MILLION PAGE VIEWS OF THOSE STORIES AND OTHER CONTENT ON OUR WEBSITE.
SPEAKING OF WEBSITES, WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE REDESIGN OF THE GOLF COURSE NEW WEBSITE IS CLOSE TO BEING COMPLETED. HOPE TO ANNOUNCE THAT NEXT MONTH. DOCUMENT ACCESSIBILITY, CERTIFICATION, THEY LEARN CERTIFICATION TO AID IN THE TRIAGE OF OLD PDFS THE COUNTY'S HAD ON THE WEBSITE A LONG TIME. AND POWERPOINTS TO MAKE THEM MORE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC TO MEET ADA REQUIREMENTS.
DEPARTMENT TRAINING AND REQUESTS, THE DIVISION HAS TRAINED 45 DIFFERENT PUBLISHERS ACROSS THE COUNTY TO HELP KEEP DEPARTMENT LEVEL WEB PAGES UPDATED AND REFRESHED. TEAM OF TWO TOOK ON 1,600 INTERNAL REQUESTS TO HELP DEPARTMENTS WITH PAGES, GRAPHICS OR CONTENT. COMPLIANCE OF TITLE 2 OF THE ADA. IN 2024, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAD A RULING ON STRENGTHENING THE WEB AND MOBILE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES UNDER TITLE 2 OF THE ADA. OUR TEAM IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS.
IT REQUIRES GOVERNMENTS WITH A POPULATION OF 50,000 OR MORE TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THIS NEW TITLE 2 RULING BY APRIL OF 2026. IN THIS DIVISION, WE'VE BEGUN THIS JOURNEY TO ADDRESS THIS WITH ADDITIONAL TRAINING OF DEPARTMENT STAFF AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REMEDIATION SOFTWARE TO ADDRESS THE PDFS AND DOCUMENTS ON THE WEBSITE WITH THE AID OF MIS. THE VIDEO DIVISION HAS ACCOMPLISHED QUITE A BIT. MORE THAN 200 VIDEOS OF VARIOUS TYPES. BOARD MEETINGS, SPECIAL EVENTS, CEREMONIES OR PUBLIC PROFILES.
EVERYBODY HAS SEEN THE PHENOMENAL UPDATES IN THE AUDITORIUM. NEW CAMERAS, PHONES, VIDEO SCREENS FOR THE MEETINGS, AND BEHIND-THE- SCENES AT GOVTV FOR CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS.
EVERYONE HAS ALSO SEEN UPTICK IN THE PUBLIC USING THE ABILITY TO SHOW THEIR DOCUMENTS ON CAMERA OR USING THE LAPTOP THERE TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE IN THEIR MEETINGS WITH THEIR MATERIAL, VIDEOS AND DOCUMENTS WITH MULTIMEDIA CONTENT. OUR VIDEO DIVISION HAS STEPPED UP EXPANDING THEIR CAPABILIIES. TRADITIONAL VIDEO CAMERA, IPHONES, DRONES. TIME LAPSE CAMERAS, SHARING CONTENT WITH DIGITAL MEDIA TO DO CROSS- PLATFORM PRODUCTIONS.
IN TERMS OF DYNAMIC OPERATIONS, I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN THE VIDEO DIVISION OUT AT EVENTS AND MEETINGS, PUBLIC MEETINGS IN THE AUDITORIUM, RECEPTIONS IN THE ROTUNDA, GROUNDBREAKINGS ON STREET CORNERS, RIBBON CUTTINGS AT BALLPARKS, PRESS CONFERENCES ON BEACHES, FIRE STATIONS, VIDEO SHOWS, FROM THE BEACH TO THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, THEY COVER A BIT OF GROUND. AND VIRTUAL BROADCASTS LIKE TODAY'S BUDGET WORKSHOP. I WOULD LIKE TO TRANSITION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND HOW IT IMPACTS OUR DEPARTMENT ON THE PLANS. AS SARAH FROM THE OFFICE OF TRANSPARENCY MENTIONED, THERE ARE SIX PRIORITIES TO THE NEW PLAN, ONE IS ENTITLED COMMUNITY TRUST. AS YOU CAN SEE, MANY KEY OBJECTIVES AND
[03:50:06]
INITIATIVES AND MEASURABLES CONNECTED WITH THE INITIATIVES IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN IN THE GOAL OF COMMUNITY TRUST.PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION, ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION, UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND CONSISTENCY IN INFORMATION. OUR DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN THAT VERY SERIOUSLY AND PUT TOGETHER A PLAN AND BUDGET TO ADDRESS THIS PORTION OF THE PLAN THAT DEALS WITH BUILDING COMMUNITY TRUST. OUR PLANS MOVING FORWARD INTO THE NEXT BUDGET HERE INCLUDE MORE CROSS PLATFORM IMPROVEMENT VIDEOS AND IMC TACTICS.
WE'VE STARTED PRODUCING VIDEOS FOR NEIL AND GREG AND WILL CONTINUE.
CROSS- PLATFORM, THAT'S US EXPANDING OUR REACH.
WHEN WE DO A VIDEO, IT'S NOT ONLY ON GOVTV BUT ALSO ON THE WEBSITE IN HORIZONTAL FORMAT.
THEN VERTICAL VIDEO THAT PLAYS BETTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
EVERY VIDEO WILL HAVE CROSS- PLATFORM USER INTERFACE, HORIZONTAL ON VERTICAL.
WITH THE PRODUCTION STUDIO, WE'LL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE VIDEOS AND AUDIO PODCASTS WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. AND INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH HR, ADMINISTRATION, RISK MANAGEMENT, TO KEEP EMPLOYEES INFORMED OF PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY HAVE AS COUNTY EMPLOYEES. WITH PARKS AND RECREATION, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES, WE'LL CONTINUE OUTREACH LIKE THE GET HOOKED, MORE PROGRAMS FOR THE DEPARTMENTS, NEW OUTREACH IN UTILITIES WITH WATER CONSERVATION UNDER THE NEW ONE WATER THEME TO SUSTAIN COMMUNITY WELL- BEING, FOOD AND PROPER USES OF WATER, CLEAN WATER ANDAND OUTDOOR WEAR.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. WE'LL CONTINUE TO GROW SUBSCRIBERS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA, MOBILE APP. YOU'LL SEE MORE MARKETING, AND THE USE OF STRATEGICALLY PLACED QR CODES PEOPLE CAN CLICK ON TO TAKE TO A PAGE TO BE A SUBSCRIBER OF OUR NEWS. REACH OUT TO THEM.
REDESIGN OF THE EMPLOYEE INTERNET IS ANOTHER PROJECT TO BROADEN EDUCATION OF OUR EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS AND RESOURCES THEY HAVE FOR THEM AND THEIR SPOUSES. WE'LL UNDERTAKE THAT REDESIGN NEXT YEAR.
DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY WITH THE TITLE 2 RULING WE'LL LOOK TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO ACCESS OUR WEBSITE AND ADDITIONAL TOOLS.
COUNTY BRANDING 2. 0, THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS TAKING OVER ALL THE WONDERFUL WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE THE PAST TWO YEARS. AS WE LAUNCH INTO YEAR THREE, LOOKING TO FURTHER SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENTS WITH BRANDING OR SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY BRAND SO WE'RE CONSISTENT AND ACCURATE HOW WE PRESENT OUR STORIES AND ALL UNDER ONE COMMON THEME TO TELL OUR STORIES. THOSE ARE THE PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO TRANSITION TO THE BUDGET WE'VE PUT TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THOSE PLANS.
HAPPY TO SHARE THAT OUR BUDGET SUBMITTAL IS 8% LESS THAN THE CURRENT BUDGET WE HAVE. A PORTION OF THAT REDUCTION IS DUE TO THE FACT WE DON'T HAVE A MAJOR CIP PROJECT THIS YEAR.
WE'VE ASKED FOR FUNDS TO UPDATE GOVTV, AND ALSO THE BUILDING OF THE NEW PRODUCTION FACILITY. BUT OVERALL, OUR BUDGET IS 8% LESS THAN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
OUR NUMBER ONE ASK IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR IS A DEDICATED VEHICLE FOR OUR STAFF TO COVER STORIES, EVENTS AND PRODUCE CONTENT AND VIDEO THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. A $35,000 BRONCO SPORT SUV FOR THE STAFF. IT'S BEEN DEPENDENT ANDAND OF VEHICLES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THAT'S BECOMING LESS AVAILABLE.
AND CREATES INEFFICIENCY OF FINDING A VEHICLE AVAILABLE AT THE RIGHT TIME, STAFF SET UP FOR THE MEETING, PRODUCTION OR INTERVIEW. HAVING A DEDICATED VEHICLE FOR THEM TO USE TO TRAVERSE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY
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WOULD BE A HUGE, HUGE POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR DEPARTMENT. WE STILL HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS A HAND-ME- DOWN FROM FLEET MAINTENANCE, 2013 VAN WITH 116,000 MILES ON IT. WE STILL WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THAT VAN FOR MAJOR PRODUCTIONS, CIP GROUNDBREAKINGS AND RIBBON CUTTINGS TO CARRY PODIUM, SPEAKERS, HEAVY EQUIPMENT, TENTS AND CHAIRS TO THOSE EVENTS. BUT DAILY USE WOULD BENEFIT FROM AN SUV. THE VAN HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS, ACCORDING TO THE FLEET MAINTENANCE SCORE IT'S CURRENTLY A 43. CLASSIFIES IT AS NEEDS REPLACEMENT. BUT IT STILL RUNS, IS SERVICEABLE WHEN NEEDED. BUT A SMALLER VEHICLE AND NEWER VEHICLE WOULD CERTAINLY HELP THE TEAM TRAVERSE THE COMMUNITY FOR PROJECTS.IN THE WEB DIVISION WE'RE ASKING FOR $50,000 FOR OUTSOURCING REMEDIATION SERVICES FOR LARGE PDFS AND PRESENTATIONS, TO ADDRESS THE TITLE 2 ADA COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE PRESENTATION. THIS WOULD BE ON A NEED BASIS ONLY. OUR STAFF WOULD HANDLE ALL SMALLER PDFS AND POWERPOINTS THAT NEED TO BE ON THE WEBSITE.
THIS IS FOR LARGER PLANNING DOCUMENTS, OUR STAFF CAN DO IT BUT TIME WOULD BE BETTER SPENT WITH DAY IN, DAY OUT MANAGING AND SERVICING THE WEBSITE, SENDING THE LARGER DOCUMENTS OUT TO A REMEDIATION COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN MAKING THEM ADA COMPLIANT.
ALSO WE'RE ASKING FOR $30,000 FOR A NEW AI CHAT FEATURE. CONTINUES CAN TYPE IN A QUESTION AND GET A IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FOR PATHWAY TO THE INFORMATION. PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WE'RE ASKING FOR $30,000 TO CONTINUE TWO CITIZEN ACADEMIES, ONE IN SPRING, ONE IN FALL.
AND LITTLE BIT OF FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS.
IF WE HAPPEN TO NEED TO RENT A FACILITY OR BUY EXTRA EQUIPMENT FOR A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETING, OR GET ADDITIONAL AV EQUIPMENT, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT. ALSO LOOKING FOR $10,000 TO USE A PR NEWS WIRE SERVICE THAT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING FIRMS USE.
TO SELECT 18 SPECIAL STORIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT EITHER THE FLORIDA COUNTY COMMISSION, ADMINISTRATION OR DEPARTMENT WANTS TO PUSH OUT STATEWIDE TO GENERATE GENERATE AWARENESS OF WHAT ST. JOHNS IS DOING.
WE WOULD LIKE THAT TO DISTRIBUTE THE NEWS AND VIDEOS.
THE NEWS WOULD BE WITH THE IMC APPROACH, PHOTOS AND VIDEOS INTEGRATED TO TELL OUR STORY TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
DIGITAL DIVISION, WE'RE SEEKING ABOUT $1,400 FOR ADA COMPLIANT PODCASTING SOFTWARE, TO USE AND PAIR WITH THE NEW STUDIO. WHEN WE DO AUDIO PODCASTS, WE CAN IMMEDIATELY MAKE THEM ADA COMPLIANT AND PUT THEM OUT ON PLATFORMS LIKE SPOTIFY AND OTHERS.
AND WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THE SUCCESS INSIDE SJC WITH A SEASON TWO SERIES OF VIDEOS WITH SPECIFIC THEMES AND TOPICS.
LOOKING FOR $10,000 TO HELP OUTSOURCE THE PRODUCTION OF THOSE VIDEOS WITH A PROFESSIONAL HOST LIKE THE FORMER NEWS REPORTER WE USED FOR SEASON ONE. IN THE VIDEO DIVISION WE'RE LOOKING FOR $10,000 TO REMOVE A VERY, VERY OLD LIGHT TRUSS THAT HANGS OVER THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT'S BEEN UP THERE FOR YEARS, IT'S VERY OUTDATED AND WOULD LIKE FUNDS TO WORK WITH BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO GET THAT REMOVED, PUT THAT OUT THERE WITH THE DEPARTMENT AS FAR AS THEIR SELLING OF OLD COUNTY EQUIPMENT. LASTLY, IN THE VIDEO DIVISION, $5,000 TO PULL THE TRIGGER ON BEING ABLE TO CROSS- PLATFORM BROADCAST BCC MEETINGS LIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WOULD BE ABLE TO BROADCAST THE COMMISSION MEETINGS LIVE ON NOT ONLY FACEBOOK BUT YOUTUBE. THE PUBLIC COULD WATCH ON A PERSONAL DEVICE VIA THE WEBSITE OR A SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM LIKE FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE.
[04:00:03]
WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION OF OUR DEPARTMENT, AN OVERVIEW, WHAT WE'VE ACHIEVED, IMC PHILOSOPHY, THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR NEXT YEAR TO SUPPORT THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND BUDGET REQUESTS IN SUPPORT OF THAT PLAN.WITH THAT, QUESTIONS OR FURTHER CLARIFICATION? ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE TEAM OUT TELLING STORIES, I'M HUMBLE TO PRESENT AND SHARE OUR STORY WITH YOU TODAY.
>> I'LL SAY THAT EVERYWHERE I GO, PEOPLE I SPEAK TO, IT HAS BEEN VERY CONSISTENT, THEY ARE IN ADMIRATION OF THE TRANSFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE WROUGHT IN THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE WITH THEM.
SO CONGRATULATIONS, IT'S GREAT WORK.
YOU ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED THAT TRANSFORMATION WITH LIMITED RESOURCE. TUCKING AWAY TRUSTS, WHATEVER THAT IS, DRIVING OTHER PEOPLE'S VEHICLE IN BETWEEN. LUGGING CHAIRS, WHATEVER THAT YOU HAD TO DO. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE EFFORT.
UNNOTICED FOR SURE. >> I'LL SHARE YOUR COMPLIMENTS WITH THE TEAM. WE'RE HUMBLED AND GRATEFUL TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS FOR THE COUNTY AND HOPE TO CONTINUE.
>> SOUNDS THAT YOUR MODEL OF COMMUNICATION IS WORKING AND YOU HAVE DEPARTMENTS AT MORE OPERATIONAL LEVEL, IF WANTED TO EXPAND THAT. UTILITIES WANTED TO EXPAND THE USE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS BY ADDING RESOURCE FROM THEIR SIDE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTIES.
AND YOU DO HAVE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A UNIFORM BRANDING, THEN YOU HAVE A NEW BRAND TO TAKE CARE OF FOR LIBRARY, GOLF COURSE, TYLER BEING THE MANAGER I THINK OF COMMUNICATION, AND TINA WITH THE WEB REDESIGN, I KNOW YOU HAVE KYLE AND TOM AND NOW MATT AND TRISTAN.
>> GOOD JOB BUILDING THAT TEAM.
>> ALL RIGHT. THAT CONCLUDES OUR FRIDAY BUDGET SESSION. IT'S HAPPY HOUR NOW.
WE'RE GOING TO GO DRINK SOME WATER.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.