May 12, 2026 Fiscal Year 2027 Administrator's Budget Session

[Building Services and Code Enforcement]

[00:00:24]

>>> COULD YOU INTRODUCE YOUR STAFF FOR THE BENEFIT OFT

CLERK'S OFFICE LISTENING IN? >> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S MY INTENTION. >> LET'S HAVE A WAY TO REVIEW.

>> SO GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. FY '27 BUDGET SESSIONS JUST KIND OF A REMINDER FROM YESTERDAY THAT THIS IS A REQUESTED BUDGET. THIS IS NOTHING THAT IS RECOMMENDED AT THIS POINT. IT'S JUST REALLY THE DEPARTMENTS PRESENTING THEIR FISCAL YEAR '27 REQUEST TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. IT IS INTENDED TO BE JUST A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE COUNTY.

AND ASK THAT YOU JUST LISTEN AND SAVE ANY COMMENTS FOR OUR BREAK. THERE ARE SOME THINGS I'LL TELL YOU IN THE BUDGET THIS IS KIND OF A GOOD PROCESS FOR US.

WHERE WE ARE IDENTIFYING THINGS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED AND PUTTING INTO THE BUDGET OR ERRORS OR TYPOS.

SO WE'LL GO THROUGH THAT. A AND-- SOME ITEMS AS PART OF THE BUDGET THAT ARE NOT YET COMPLETE. SEW SPECIALLY FOR THE GENERAL FUND THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER BUDGETS ARE NOT DUE TO THE BOARD UNTIL JUNE 1ST. SO THAT INFORMATION IS NOT YET AVAILABLE AS WELL AS OUR PROPERTY TAX VALUATIONS ARE NOT REALLY SOLIDIFIED UNTIL JULY 1ST.

SO ESTIMATE ON JUNE 1ST. BUT A FINAL VALUE ON JULY 1ST.

SO-- THOSE REVENUES RIGHT NOW ARE ESTIMATED.

WE DO HAVE A COUPLE ITEMS THAT WE'RE UNCERTAIN AS TO WHAT THEIR FINAL-- ESPECIAL FARE BENEFIT AND BENEFIT RATES AND RETIREMENT RATES AND EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURACE RATES.

AS WELL AS SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE JUST KIND OF MONITORING OVERALL AND IN GENERAL FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS LIKE FUELS.

RECENTLY DON'T KNOW PRICES SPIKED.

DON'T KNOW WHEN OR IF THEY'LL COME DOWN.

WE WERE HOPING IT WOULD BE SHORT TERM THING BUT IT LOOKS LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN THAT. AND FINALLY MENTION THE GENERAL FUND. THERE ARE SOME OTHER FUNDS.

THAT ARE NOT IN BALANCE AT THIS POINT.

SO THE REQUEST EXCEED THE ESTIMATED REVENUES.

AND THEN THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT THEY MAY BE IN BALANCE, BUT THE LEVEL OF RESERVES MAY NOT BE AT A LEVEL THAT WE'RE QUITE COMFORTABLE WITH GIVEN FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS SO WE'LL HIGHLIGHT THOSE AS WE GO THROUGH. WE'LL START OFF THIS MORNING WITH HT WAIT AND THE-- SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

I'LL START BY INTRODUCING MY STAFF.

I AM AGAIN HOWARD WHITE THE BUILDING OFFICIAL.

TO MY LEFT IS KATHLEEN NE-- SHE ACTUALLY IS IN OUR RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION. TO HER LEFT IS--.

RUNS OUR COENFORCEMENT DIVISION AND TO HIS LEFT IS CHARLES CRANE DEPUTY BUILD OFFICIAL AND DOES ABOUT EVERYTHING I THINK IS FAIR TO SAY. HAPPY TO BE HERE THIS MORNING.

I'LL START OFF BY SAYING WE ARE PROJECTING A DECREASE OF REDUCTION IN THE BUILDING CODE BUDGET AND JUST A MILD INCREASE IN CODE ENFORCEMENTS. WHICH WILL BE ALL SET BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT REDUCTION WHICH I WILL EXPLAIN TOWARDS THE END OF THE PRESENTATION. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

SHARE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS DAY ONE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FUNDAMENTALLY OUR OPERATING PROCEDURES AND HOW THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT CODE ENFORCEMENT AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT ACTUALLY FUNCTION WITHIN THE COUNTY HIERARCHY.

SO I WILL SHARE SOME STATISTICS THAT I THINK YOU'LL FIND INTERESTING. AND I INTEND TO SHARE A FEW FACTS THAT I FOUND OUT OVER THE YEARS THAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT. SO WITH THAT I'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED HERE. SO WE BEGIN WITH STATUTE 553.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS ACTUALLY REGULATED BY STATE STATUTE.

AND THIS IS THE STATUTE THAT REGULATES THE BUILDING.

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IT'S NOT-- UNFORTUNATELY, FOR US, IT IS NOT JUST CALLED THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE. IT ACTUALLY CONSISTS OF NINE VOLUMES THAT WE ARE CHARGED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO ENFORCE. AND I CAN GO THROUGH THOSE VERY BRIEFLY BUT IT IS A FLORIDA BUILDING CODE COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, GAS EXISTING BUILDING CODE. LET ME TALK A SECOND ABOUT THE EXISTING BUILDING CODE. SO FLORIDA RECOGNIZES THAT IF YOU HAVE AN EXISTING BUILDING, THAT YOU CAN MAKE SOME CONCESSIONS. IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE RENOVATING THAT BUILDING OR DOING CHANGES TO THAT BUILDING.

SO THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT VOLUME.

WE ALSO HAVE THE ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE ACCESSIBILITY FOR.

FLORIDA ACCESSIBILITY CODE. USED THAT MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND WE ALSO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE. AND SO TO ENFORCE ALL THE AFOREMENTIONED ITEMS, WE ARE ALSO REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO BE LICENSED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS. SO AS BUILDING OFFICIAL I AM REQUIRED UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE 468 THAT YOU'LL SEE THERE ON THE SCREEN. AND NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO BE LICENSED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA, ALL OF OUR INSPECTORS AND PLANS EXAMINERS MUST ALSO BE LICENSED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THIS NEXT ITEM I FIND INTERESTING IS PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY.

WAY BACK IN 2002 REALLY AND TRULY AT THE INCEPTION OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, THERE WERE SOME AMENDMENTS MADE TO STATE STATUTE. AND ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT GREATLY AFFECTED BUILDINGS AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS, IS THE ALTERNATIVE PLANNING REVIEW AND INSPECTIONS OPTION THAT CONTRACTORS OWNERS HAVE HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT BASICALLY MEANS THAT THERE'S AN OPTION FOR CONTRACTORS AND HOMEOWNERS OUT THERE TO CHOOSE A PRIVATE PROVIDER.

SOMEBODY OTHER THAN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

AND WE SEE THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT WE PROVIDE SOCIAL GOOD SERVICE THAT WE DON'T SEE A GREAT DEAL OF PRIVATE PROVIDERS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

I WOULD SAY ABOUT 20% OF THE VALUE IS BY PRIVATE PROVIDEERS.

AND IN DIRECT COMPETITION FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY PHONE CALLS I'VE RECEIVED OVER THE YEARS FROM PEOPLE WHO WOULD SAY WELL FIRST OF ALL THEY START OFF WITH BEING UPSET THAT WE DIDN'T SEE SOMETHING ON THEIR PROJECT OR MISSED SOMETHING ON THEIR PROJECT THAT COME TO FIND OUT WASN'T US AFTER ALL.

SO THAT'S ALWAYS AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

NEXT ITEM PLEASE. SO WHAT IS WHAT IS THE CORE OF WHAT WE DO AT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

OSO THIS IS OUR MISSION STATEMENT THAT IS ON OUR WEBSITE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

WE ARE CHARGED TO ENSURE ALL PLANS, CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS, SPECIFICATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ARE PROPERLY REVIEWED.

PERMITTED AND INSPECTED TO COMPLY WITH ALL FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS TO SAFEGUARD LIFE, HEALTH AND PROPERTY WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

I WANT TO POINT OUT ASPECTS FEDERAL AND STATE.

IT IS NOT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUILDING TO CODE.

I WISH I HAD A NICKEL FOR EVERY TIME I HEARD THAT.

IT IS ACTUALLY THE STATE CODE AND WITHIN THAT STATE CODE, WE ARE CHARGED W GREAT DEAL OF FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL.

I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT JUST A LITTLE BIT DOWN THE ROAD HERE.

BUT AN EXAMPLE OF THAT WOULD BE THE FLOOD PLAN PROGRAM.

AND I'LL SHARE THAT IN JUST A MINUTE.

[00:10:07]

AND WE ALSO HAVE CONTRACTOR LICENSING DIVISION.

VERY IMPORTANT AND I'LL CHAT ABOUT THAT IN JUST A MINUTE.

AND WITHIN THAT DIVISION WE HAVE THE CONTRACTOR REVIEW BOARD. NOW THAT IS A BOARD THAT ALSO LICENSES CONTRACTORS IN ST. TIME WOULD ALSO-- WELL WE HAV HEARINGS CONTRACTORS THAT CHOOSE NOT TO BE AT.

SO WE HAVE THAT FUNCTION. WE ALSO HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT AND WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT DOWN THE ROAD.

WHERE UNDER CODE ENFORCEMENT WE HAVE THE CONSTRUCTION AND ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS. THAT BOARD IS ACTUALLY HOUSED UNDER STATE STATUTE. BUT WE UTILIZE THAT UNDER OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION. I'LL CHAT ABOUT THAT IN A SECOND. AND THEN WE HAVE OUR RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION. ALL UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUILDING. SO FACTS ABOUT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT THAT I FOUND OUT OVER THE YEARS THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST UNAWARE OF. SO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND. AND ALMOST COMPLETELY FUNDED BY OUR PERMIT FEES. SO I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT ASPECT. SO WE KIND OF LIVE AND DIE BY OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE. AND IF YOU ASK HOWARD WHAT'S THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IT IS JUST THAT. CUSTOMER SERVICE.

WE GET UP IN THE MORNING AND WE-- FIRST THING THAT SHOULD BE ON OUR MIND IS CUSTOMER SERVICE.

BECAUSE THAT'S HOW AT THE END OF THE DAY WE MAKE OUR LIVING.

JUST THAT SIMPLE. IN ORDER TO STAY IN LINE WITH STATE STATUTE REQUIREMENTS, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THIS MESSAGE HERE. WE CURRENTLY DO HAVE A 30% REDUCTION WITH OUR PERMIT FEES ACROSS THE BORDER RIGHT NOW.

AND THE PURPOSE OF THAT REDUCTION IS SO THAT OUR RESERVES DON'T OUT-MATCH WHAT IS REGULATED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. SO WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVE THAT IN PLACE. AND THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A BENEFIT TO THE CITIZENS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT.

SOMETHING I'M VERY PROUD OF AND I DO WANT TO TOUCH BASE ON THIS AND IF I GO TOO LONG POKE ME. MANY YEARS AGO I ESTABLISHED WHAT'S CALLED WHAT I NAMED MULTI-LICENSED INSPECTOR PLAN REVIEW BUSINESS MODEL. AND SO WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, ALL OF OUR PLANS EXAMINER, ALL OF OUR INSPECTORS ALL MULTI-LICENSED UNDER THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT MEANS THAT THEY ARE ALL AT MY REQUIREMENT, ALL THE DISCIPLINES WITHIN THE STATUTE.

IN OTHER WORDS THEY HOLD BUILDING, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING LICENSES.

SO AT THE END OF THE DAY INSTEAD OF US SENDING FOUR INSPECTORS TO A JOB SITE, WE SEND ONE.

INSTEAD OF HAVING FOUR PEOPLE REVIEW A PLAN, WE HAVE ONE.

AND THE MESSAGE IS A LOT OF SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

A LOT OF SERVICE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

AND A LOT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

THE FAMILIARITY OF WORKING WITH ONE INDIVIDUAL AS OPPOSED TO FOUR. SOMETIMES FIVE OR SIX.

SO THAT BUSINESS MODEL HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL FORKER US OVER THE YEARS. ANOTHER THING THAT I'M VERY PROUD OF, ALL THE BUGS AREN'T QUITE WORKED OUT YET AND WE'RE FINISHED UP, WE CONTINUE TO IS- IMPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR ELECTRONIC PLAN REVIEW PROGRAM.

CURRENTLY THAT PROGRAM SERVICES RESIDENTIAL AND MANY OTHER COMPONENTS OF PERMITTING ACROSS THE BOARD.

THE ONE AREA THAT WE HAVEN'T PERFECTED TO OUR LIKING IS THE COMMERCIAL ASPECT. AND THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS FOR THAT, I WON'T GET INTO THE WEEDS ON ALL THAT.

BUT IF YOU CAN IMAGINE COMMERCIAL PROJECTS ARE INFINITELY MORE COMPLICATED THAN RESIDENTIAL AND JUST GENERAL PERMITS FOR WINDOW REPLACEMENT.

[00:15:04]

SO VERY PROUD OF THAT. WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO AND WE WON'T GIVE UP UNTIL IT'S DONE. BUT THAT IS CONVENIENT ONCE AGAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS OUT THERE IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. I MENTIONED EARLIER THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT WORKS VERY, VERY CLOSELY WITH THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. WE MANAGED OUR FLOOD PLAN PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. AND OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION AND BUILDING DIVISION ALSO AT WORK.

DILIGENTLY WITH FEMA. AND PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN OUR PROGRAM. FOLKS DON'T REALIZE THAT UNTIL WE GET AN EMERGENCY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT MAY KNOW EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. AND AS I SAID, THAT'S JUST WHERE THE COOKIE CRUMBLES. SO AS A RESULT OF WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT THE FLOOD PLAN PROGRAM IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS, I DIDN'T TELL YOU THAT THE CURRENT RATING SYSTEM.

THE CRC PROGRAM. THAT IS THE PROGRAM THAT RATES THE QUALITY OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AS IT INTERACTS WITH FLOOD PLANE PROGRAM. IT IS CURRENTLY A FIVE WHICH IS EXCEPTIONAL FOR A COASTAL COMMUNITY.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT OUTLOUD. SOME PEOPLE SAY YOU SAY IT THREE TIMES PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT.

I DON'T DO THAT. IT'S A FIVE OUT OF TEN.

NOW THE WAY THIS WORKS IS IT'S JUST LIKE GOLF.

THE LOWER THE SCORE, THE BETTER THE SCORE.

SO WE HAVE CURRENTLY A FUND NEXT CRS AUDIT.

IT WAS DELAYED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT.

AND WE'RE ALSO ANTICIPATING SOME BETTER NEWS THAT MAY COME FROM OUR NEXT AUDIT. SO WE'RE ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THAT. SO WHAT DOES THAT SCORE OF FIVE PRODUCE? THAT SCORE ACTUALLY PROVIDES THE CITIZENS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE. A 25% FLOOD INSURANCE REDUCTION IN THE PREMIUM. THAT'S BIG STUFF, FOLKS.

WHAT DOES THAT EQUATE TO IN TERMS OF SAVINGS FOR OUR CITIZENS? ABOUT $2.5 MILLION AND THAT'S ANUALLY. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT.

SO THAT'S WHY WE WORK SO HARD. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE CAN AVOID OR BURY OUR HEAD IN THE SAND OVER.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE SO DILIGENT ABOUT MAINTAINING.

EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT TO OUR CRS PROGRAM COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM IS OUR INSURANCE SERVICES, OFFICE, AUDIT.

AND I KNOW YOU'RE TIRED OF HEARING ME SAY I'M PROUD OF THING, BUT I'M GOING TO SAY IT ONE MORE TIME.

SO WE JUST COMPLETED OUR ISO AU AUDIT. AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO MENTION THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE A THREE IN RESIDENTIAL AND A TWO IN COMMERCIAL. SO AGAIN THAT'S THE SAME PROCESS. LOWER IS BETTER.

AND VERY PROUD OF THAT AND THAT GRADE IS DIRECTLY TIED TO EACH HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE PEOPLE ASK ME OVER THE YEARS, WELL HOW IS IT TIED TO MY INSURANCE PREMIUM REDUCTION? AND I HAVE TO TELL THEM, ONLY BECAUSE IT'S THE TRUTH, I HAVE NO IDEA.

BECAUSE THAT MYSTERY REMAINS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE IN THE INSURANCE WORLD. JUST GET AN IDEA OF THE LAST AUDIT WE HAVE. ACTUALLY FOUR IN RESIDENTIAL AND THREE IN COMMERCIAL. SO WE'VE COME DOWN A FULL POINT IN EACH ONE OF THOSE CATEGORIES.

SO GOOD NEWS ON THAT FRONT. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE? SO I WILL SHARE SOME BUILDING DEPARTMENT STATISTICS WITH YOU.

BECAUSE I DO THINK THEY ARE IMPORTANT.

AND I WILL REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE A VERY LEAN ORGANIZATION IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS. BY OUR BUSINESS MODEL.

[00:20:04]

WE ISSUED A TOTAL OF 49,182 PERMITS.

FOLKS THAT'S A HEAP OF PERMITS. AND IT'S GOOD INSURANCE BECAUSE IT'S AGAIN HOW WE GET PAID. AND WE PERFORM 207,558 INSPECTIONS. AND WE DID THAT WITH 33 BUILDING INSPECTORS AND PLAN EXAMINERS HOLDING 149 LICENSES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. COMBINATION OF 16 BUILDING INSPECTORERS AND PLANS EXAMINERS ARE IN TESTING PHASES RIGHT NOW. WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

NO COMBINATION OF BUILDING INSPECTERS AND PLANS EXAMINERS IN THE STATE ACROSS TRAINING PROGRAMS WHICH I AM ACTUALLY A CHAIRMAN OF THAT PROGRAM. AND WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING PERMITTING STAFF. CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THEM, THAT GET THIS DONE EACH AND EVERY DAY AT OUR INTAKE COUNTER AND TOTAL OF 62 FTES. SO I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU IN A GRAPH FORM JUST HOW FICKLE OUR INDUSTRY ACTUALLY IS.

AND THIS IS THE BEST WAY I THINK I COULD PRESENT IT TO YOU. SO THIS FIRST SLIDE IS OUR SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED AND DETACHED PERMITS.

SO THAT IS ESSENTIALLY TWO FAMILY HOMES AND TOWN HOMES.

SO THIS IS A FIVE-YEAR GRAPH PROGRAM THAT GOES BACK TO 2022.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN QUITE SEE THE CODE BUT I THINK THE TAKE AWAY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN FROM THIS SLIDE IS YOU SEE WHERE WE WERE. JUST FIVE YEARS AGO.

THOSE WERE SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS IN TERMS OF OUR SINGLE FAMILY PERMITTING. DEPENDING ON THE SIDE OF THE FENCE YOU'RE ON THAT'S GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT AT ANOTHER TIME.

BUT I WANTED TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO IS THIS YEAR.

AND THIS IS THE FICKLENESS OF OUR INDUSTRY.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT FY 2026 LITTLE MORE THAN HALFWAY THROUGH, THAT IS THE YELLOW LINE OR ORANGE I GUESS THAT'S DOWN THERE AND YOU SEE WHERE IT IS TODAY.

IT'S BASICALLY A FLAT LINE. ISSUING 200 OR 230 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES A MONTH. SO SOME WOULD CALL THAT MANAGEABLE. I THINK IT IS BUT IT'S NOT WHERE WE'VE BEEN USED TO. SO IT'S BEEN QUITE A CHANGE TO US. AND I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT THE RESULTS OF THAT ARE FOR THIS PRESENTATION.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. ALL RIGHT SO THIS IS BUILDING PERMITS IN GENERAL. THESE ARE ALL THE INCIDENTAL BUILDING PERMITS THAT WE ISSUE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

THIS IS EVERYTHING FROM WINDOW REPLACEMENTS TO ROOFING PERMITS TO SMALL JOBS TO GAZEBOS THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

BUT AGAIN THE ORANGE LINE I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION.

IT'S BASICALLY A FLAT LINE. SO EVEN THAT COMPONENT OF WHAT WE DO AT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT HAS COME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY. SINCE THE PAST PREVIOUS YEARS.

I THINK THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES. GIVES YOU A VISUAL OR WHERE THE PERMITTING IS TODAY. FOR YEARS PAST, CERTAINLY MANAGEABLE. YOU SEE THAT WE'RE DOING OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH. 13,000.

14,000. SIGNIFICANT NUMBER INSPECTIONS

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SO ONE OF THE LICENSES WOULD SAY BETTER-- THAN LAST.

SO THIS GRAPH CONVERSE LY IS SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T BEEN USED TO IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THIS GRAPH DEMONSTRATES COMMERCIAL PERMITTING TAKING PLACE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

AND THAT IS YOUR ORANGE LINE, YOU'LL NOTICE HOW THE LINE IS PROJECTING UPWARDS, SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T BEEN USED TO.

AND I CAN TELL THAW A COMMERCIAL PERMITTING IS SIGNIFICANT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

I ALWAYS USE THIS TERM I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE.

TO SAY IF YOU BUILD IT, THE COMMERCIAL FOLKS WILL COME AND THEY HAVE-- AND THIS IS A LITTLE BIT KIND OF CORNUCOPIA.

EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE FROM BIG BOX STORES TO GROCERY STORES TO HOSPITALS TO MEDICAL CLINICS.

SMALL RESTAURANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

IT IS JUST ACROSS THE BOARD RIGHT NOW.

AND YOU SEE THAT TRAJECTORY IS UP.

SO IT'S AN EBB AND FLOW IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT. AND THE CRYSTAL BALL IS A LITTLE FOGGY SO THANK GOODNESS THE COMMERCIAL PERMITTING IS ON THAT TRACK. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO MENTIONED CONTRACTOR LICENSING EARLIER.

I DO WANT TO SHARE SOME STATISTICS.

WE PUT A LOT OF STOCK IN CONTRACTOR LICENSING.

SO WHY IS THAT? SO WE WANT TO BE COMFORTABLE THAT WE'RE IN A CITIZEN IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY HIRES A CONTRACTOR TO DO XYZ ON THEIR HOUSE, THAT THAT CONTRACTOR IS PROPERLY LICENSED FIRST AND FOREMOST. HAS THE INSURANCE THAT THEY NEED. WE DON'T-- AREN'T FOND OF CONTRACTORS DOING FULL GAINERS OFF OF SOMEBODY 'S ROOF AND HAVING A LEGAL ISSUE. SO PROPERLY INSURED AND THAT THEY ARE COVERED. AND THAT'S A BIG PIECE OF IT.

SO WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME MAKING SURE THAT THE STAFF AND THE CITIZENS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY ARE-- WE DO EVERYTHING TO ENSURE THAT. SO JUST A FEW STATISTICS HERE.

I'LL GO THROUGH THEM VERY QUICK.

WE ISSUE 9 STSHTHS 672 LICENSE. THEY ARE IN THE DATA BASE CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW AS ACTIVE STATUS.

IS 13 CONTRACTORS AND JOURNEYMEN LICENSE HAVED BEEN APPROVED IN OUR CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD.

I MENTIONED EARLIER. 869 OPEN PERMIT INVESTIGATIONS TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER.

AND THEY WERE COMPLIED WITH. THAT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.

THAT WE RESOLVED THOSE CASES. WE RESPONDED TO 487 COMPLAINTS FROM OUR PRIDE SYSTEM ONLY ON THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT SIDE.

MY COLLEAGUE WILL TALK ABOUT THE PRIDE SYSTEM ON THE CODE ENFORCEMENT SIDE MOMENTARILY. WE CLOSED TOTAL OF 557 AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL. THE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD HEARD THREE LICENSING CASES REGARDING DISCIPLINE.

I MENTIONED THAT EARLIER VERY BRIEFLY FOR PEOPLE THAT HAD NOT BEEN TREATED PROPERLY. 1,125 CONTRACTOR LICENSES WERE RENEWED. AND WE PROCESSED 279 APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSING TESTING.

SO WE'VE GOT THE CODE ENFORCEMENT AND WE'LL DO THIS QUICKLY HERE BUT OBVIOUSLY OUR MISSION STATEMENT ON THAT IS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ALL COMPLAINTS. AND I DO MEAN ALL COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER AND BROADEN PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OF ENFORCEMENT. THAT IS THE IMPORTANT COMPONENT. WE DO A LOT OF REACH OUT PROGRAMS FOR THE CITIZENS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT THE PARAMETERS OF CODE ENFORCEMENT ARE.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT ARE LIMITATIONS ARE.

PEOPLE HOLD US IN VERY HIGH REGARD AND I APPRECIATE THAT BUT WE ALMOST DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY THAT THEY WISH THAT WE HAD. AND COMMON THEME IS REGULATED--

[00:30:07]

NEXT SLIGHT PLEASE. AT THIS POINT I'D JUST LIKE TO TURN THIS OVER TO HEAR A FRESH VOICE.

IN A MINUTE. AND COULD YOU PLEASE GO THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE SLIDES AND JUST EXPLAIN HOW THIS CODE ENFORCEMENT PIECE OF IT WORKS WITH REGARD TO OUR PRIDE CASE?

>> SURE, GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.

I'M RODERICK-- FROM THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT.

BASICALLY AS SAID OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT IS REGULATED BY STATUTE 162. CURRENTLY WE HAVE 13 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES IN OURER DEPARTMENT. BEING CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND TWO ADMIN CLERICAL STAFF WE SPLIT THE COUNTY UP INTO TEN DIFFERENT ZONES SO EACH OFFICER GOES OUT AND CONDUCTS ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN. WHICH KEEPS US VERY BUSY.

CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT, WE RECEIVE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 8 00 AND 1200 COMPLAINTS PER MONTH. RIGHT NOW WE'RE AVERAGING JUST OVER 800 ABOUT MAYBE 805 OR 810 COMPLAINTS PER MONTH.

SO IT KEEPS US US VERY BUSY THROUGHOUT THE SXHONGTH WE TRY TO GET TO THEM AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

THE PRIDE SYSTEM IS WHAT WE USE AN ONLINE SERVICE THAT ALLOWS US AND THE CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO ENTER CASES.

TRACK THOSE CASES. DOCUMENT WHAT GOES ON.

AND MAKE SURE TLA WE RECEIVE A FAVOURABLE OUTCOME HOPEFULLY TO MITIGATE THE COMPLAINTS AND RECEIVE THEM IN THE ISSUES THAT OUR CUSTOMERS ACTUALLY REPORT TO US.

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT GET INVOLVED THE BETTER IT IS FOR US. THE BETTER IT IS FOR THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN MAKING SURE WE HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE WORK AND PLAY AND THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CANNOT GET OUT AND SEE EVERYTHING.

SO IT IS VERY GOOD WHEN CITIZENS BASICALLY JOIN IN AND LET US KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. PUT THESE COMPLAINTS INTO THE SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN GO OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND MAKE SURE WHETHER IT'S IN COMPLIANCE OR NOT.

THE PRIDE SYSTEM GIVES US A WEALTH OF INFORMATION TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TO THE RESIDENTS SO THAT THEY KNOW THEIR COMPLAINTS THAT THEY REPORT ARE BEING HANDLED AND WORKED THROUGH. IT IS AN ONLINE SYSTEM AS I STATED BEFORE. SO CUSTOMERS CAN GO ONLINE AND REGISTER COMPLAINTS IN THAT MANNER.

OR THEY CAN CALL OUR OFFICE AND PUT THE COMPLAINTS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR THEMSELVES.

THEY'VE EVEN SENT US AN E-MAIL AS SO.

SO JUST TO GO THE NUMBERS A LITTLE BIT.

AS I STATED WE ARE 13 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

TEN OFFICERS. OF THOSE TEN OFFICERS EXACTLY FIVE OF THOSE OFFICERS HAVE RECEIVED ALL LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION. WHICH IS AS FAR AS YOU CAN GO UNDER THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT.

THE OTHER FIVE OFFICERS ARE WORKING TOWARDS RECEIVING ALL LEVELS OF CODE ENFORCEMENT. BUT RIGHT NOW EVERY SINGLE OFFICER THAT WE HAVE IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT IS CERTIFIED. AND HAVE THESE LEVEL ONE CERTIFICATION. LEVEL FOUR IS THE HIGHEST THAT YOU CAN GO. AND THEN YOU HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.

WHERE IT'S ALL INCLUSIVE. REVIEW THE COLLEGE ESSAY.

WE HAVE FOUR OFFICERS THAT HAVE PROFESSIONAL.

SOME OF THE NUMBERS HERE. TOTAL NUMBER OF INSPEKCTIONS FR FY 2025 IS 26,537 AND TOTAL NORTHBOUND LANES INSPECTIONS COMPLIED 1 IS 1,535 AND TOTAL NUMBER INSPECTIONS CARRIED FORWARD 15,002. THIS PIE CHART GIVES AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. SO YOU CAN GET A BETTER IDEA.

AND MOST PEOPLE WOULD LOOK AT THAT AND SAY WOW THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF BLUE THERE. THERE'S 15,002 CASES THAT ARE CARRIED FORWARD. WHICH IS MORE THAN THE ACTUAL TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES THAT WERE COMPLETED.

BUT THAT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF CASES THAT ARE CARRIED FORWARD.

THE ONES THAT WE HAVE PENDING. SO THOSE CASES ARE EITHER TIED UP RIGHT NOW IN SPECIAL MAGISTRATE PROCESS WHERE THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE SPECIAL MA

[00:35:04]

OR EITHER CASES WHERE THE CUSTOMERS BASICALLY ARE THE ACTUAL VIOLATORS HAVE REQUESTED EXTENSIONS AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM TO TRY AND GAIN VOLUNTARIER COMPLIANCE RATHER THAN KIND OF HITTING PEOPLE OVER THE HEAD WITH CITATIONS.

VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE IS WHERE OURER ACTUAL GOAL IS SO THAT'S WHAT WE STRIVE FOR FIRST AND FOREMOST.

SO THIS CHART THOUGH IT LOOKS A BIT OUT OF LINE, IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO ME WHEN I LOOK AT THAT.

BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT WE ACTUALLY COMPLETE EACH YEAR IS GOING TO INCREASE AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE COUNTY AND HOW THE COUNTY IS PROGRESSING. BUT THE CARRY FORWARD CASES A LOT OF TIME THEY INDICATE EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CASES AND THE TYPE OF COMPLAINTS THAT WE RECEIVE.

AND I'LL GO INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE IF WE GO INTO THE NEXT SLIDE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS COMPLETED CASES CHART HERE, YOU'LL NOTICE THERE'S BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLETED CASES FROM 2022 GOING FORWARD. IF YOU LOOK AT 2022, IT WAS A BIT HIGHER THAN THE FOLLOWING YEAR 2023.

THAT'S 2044 IT WAS PRETTY CLOSE.

NOW 2022 BASICALLY WE RECEIVED A LOT OF INFLUX OF CASES WERE-- COMPLAINTS. THAT DROVE US UP A BIT FOR THE NUMBER OF CASES WE ACTUALLY RECEIVEED.

NUMBER OF CASES THAT WE WERE PROCESSING OR COMPLETED.

ENJOY THAT A LITTLE BIT SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET FULL COMPLIANCE ON THOSE CASES OR GET THEM THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THAT SLIGHT INCREASE IN 2022 WHICH WAS HIGHER THAN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

BUT ALL THE MORE WE CAN SEE WHERE THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF COMPLETED CASES GOES UP EVERY YEAR.

AND FOR FISCAL YEAR 26 RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 6,556 CASES WHICH WE STILL HAVE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS LEFT IN THE FISCAL YEAR.

SO THAT NUMBER IS DEFINITELY GOING TO EXCEED WHAT WE HAVE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025. AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT AS A DIRECT RESULT FOR GROWTH IN THE COUNTY.

SO AS THE POPULATION INCREASES, THE COUNTY GROWS, THEN SO DO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT WE RECEIVE.

AND SO DOES THE NUMBER OF COMPLETED CASES THAT WE RECEIVE. SO WITH THAT STEADY INCREASE, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO STAY ON TOP OF THESE CASES AND PROCESS THEM THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

AND FOLLOW OUR PROTOCOLS. WE DO WORK WITH OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR CUSTOMERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GAIN VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE. BUT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WE STILL HAVE TO STICK TO OUR PROTOCOLS AND WORK THESE CASES THROUGH OUR SPECIAL MAGISTRATE SYSTEM SO WE MAKE SURE WE GET CLOSER AND COMPLIANCE IN ORDER TO MITIGATE ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED EACH MONTH. NEXT SLIDE.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONSTRUCTION BOARD APPEALS PROCESS. TO TAKE OVER ON THAT TO SPEAK TO THOSE NUMBERS AS WELL. EVEN THOUGH IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY HOUSES.

THE CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS IS BASICALLY DRIVEN BY A BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

>> THANK YOU. I WOULD ADD ONE THING.

WELL DONE. CONTRARY TO-- WE HAVE TO REMAIN TO BE COMPLIANCE OF THE STATE STATUTE.

SO WE DON'T HAVE COMPLETE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO. AND I JUST THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT. SO CONSTRUCTION ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS I MENTIONED THAT EARLIER.

THIS BOARD ACTUALLY IS DRIVEN BY THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE AND THE STATE STATUTE. IT SERVES-- TIMES CITIZENS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND CONTRACTORS.

IF A DECISION IS MADE BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, THIS IS KIND OF THE CHECKS AND BALANCES ISSUE, THAT THEY DISAGREE WITH, THEY HAVE A FORM TO GO TO. TO TELL US WHY THEY DISAGREE.

IT'S AN INDEPENDENT BOARD OF THEIR PEERS THAT ARE USUALLY HAVE CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE THAT SET OUT IN THE ORDINANCE.

AND THEY CAN CHALLENGE AND WE WELCOME THAT.

OR ALL DECISIONS ARE UPHELD. SO THAT'S PRIMARY REASON.

SECONDARY REASON SI THINK ROBERT SAID, HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT. IT DOES DO GO THROUGH A LOT OF ABATEMENT PURPOSES FOR ON SITE STRU STRUCTURES WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

[00:40:01]

JUST A FEW STATS I'LL SHARE WITH YOU.

TOTAL NUMBER OF UNSAFE STRUCTURE CASES WAS 48 CASES.

PERMANENT NUMBER OF UNSAFE STRUCTURE CASES SXHAERD WHEREUPON HELD WERE 19. SO ALL THOSE CASES DON'T REFLECT ON SAFE STRUCTURES. BUT JUST A FEW QUICK STATS COMING OUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE? EVERYONE'S FAVORITE TOPIC. MAYBE NOT.

SHORT TERM-- WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

STILL OUT THERE. 1078 TOTAL SHORT TERM VACATION RENTALS ELIGIBLE. WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

AND CURRENTLY WE HAVE 685 THAT ARE ACTIVE AND REGISTERED WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. AGAIN I'LL TURN TO RODERICK REAL QUICK. DO YOU WANT TO ELABORATE.

I THINK BEST UNDERSTOOD WITH THE PUBLIC AS WELL IF YOU CAN CHAT A LITTLE BIT ON HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS.

>> YEAH, BASICALLY WITH THE NUMBERS WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT RIGHT OFFHAND A QUICK GLANCE. 1078 TOTAL SHORT TERM VACATION RENTALS ELIGIBLE IN THE COUNTY. THAT'S BASICALLY HOW MANY ARE ELIGIBLE WITHIN THE COUNTY. THAT'S 685 ACTIVE AND REGISTERED. THAT NUMBER IS INCLUSIVE OF THE ONES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR SYSTEM THAT ARE REGISTERED AND ACTIVE.

HOWEVER, THAT NUMBER DOES NOT REFLECT THE ONES THAT ARE EXEMPT. SO THERE ARE MANY MORE CASES THAT WE HAVE WHERE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS ARE IN THE COUNTY. THEY ARE RUNNING, THEY ARE OPERATING, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM.

BUT THEY ARE EXEMPT BECAUSE THEY EITHER HAVE A LANDLORD PRESENT OR PROPERTY OWNER THAT'S PRESENT ON THE PROPERTY OR IT MAY BE A CONDOMINIUM THAT HAS AN ASSOCIATION THAT ACTUALLY PROVIDES THE ENFORCEMENT OR ANY TYPE OF VIOLATIONS THAT GO ON. SO THE NUMBER IS A LITTLE BIT TRICKY TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND HOW IT RELATES WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.

NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS, THE NUMBERS AGAIN ARE A LITTLE TRICKY BECAUSE IT'S A CONSTANT MOVING TARGET. BASED ON THE GROWING NUMBER OF SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS IN THE COUNTY AS THE COUNTY GROWS, PEOPLE ARE BUYING LOTS. THEY ARE BUILDING HOMES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COASTAL AREA ARE BUILDING THESE HOMES SPECIFICALLY TO BE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.

SO AS THEY INCREASE ON A WEEKLY OR MONTHLY BASIS.

AND IN DIRECT RELATION TO BUILDING PERMIT WES SEE NUMBER OF TOTAL SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS IS ELIGIBLE GOING TO INCREASE IN DIRECT PROPORTION TURNED INTO VACATION RENTALS.- ANOTHER WAY IT CAN BE A LITTLE CRAFTY BECAUSE OF ADVERTISEMENTS. WE WORK WITH THE THIRD PARTY COMPANY THAT BASICALLY SCOURS THE INTERNET.

SOCIAL MEDIA. THEY LOOK FOR ADVERTISEMENTS FOR ALL SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS WHICH ALLOWS US TO DO OUR JOBS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALL REGISTERED.

PEOPLE GET A LITTLE CRANKY THESE DAYS SO WHAT THEY'LL DO IS THEY'LL DROP AN AD. THEY ADD AN AD.

DROP AN AD AND ADD AN AD. WHAT THAT DOES IS IT SKEWS THE NUMBERS AGAIN BECAUSE I MAY DROP AN AD AND SHOW THAT I HAVE A VACANT SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.

I MAY BOOK IT FOR A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS OUT.

AND THEN I REMOVE THE AD. SO WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN OUR COMPANY GOES AND DO THESE SEARCHES, THEY CALL THEM CRAWLS, THEY DON'T SEE THESE PROPERTIES AND IT'S LIKE OKAY THE PROPERTY DROPPED OFF. SO THE NUMBERS DROPPED.

BUT THEN AFTER THE TWO WEEK BOOKINGS ARE UP AND THEY PUT THE AD BACK ON, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT POPS BACK IN.

SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COMPANIES TRYING TO TWEAK THE PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE AND PICK UP THESE ADS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TOTAL BOOKINGS OUT FOR MONTHS IN ADVANCE OR EVEN IF THEY DROP THESE ADS, WE STILL CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS AND WE CAN MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE PROPER REGISTRATIONS.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE WORKING ON IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR NUMBERS A LITTLE BIT MORE STEADY SO THAT THEY MAY SHOW EVERY SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS IS REGISTERED IN THE COUNTY. WE HAVE THE PROPER CONTACT INFORMATION SO IF SOMETHING GOES ON, PARTIES, PARKING ISSUES, ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE, WE CAN GET OUT AND MAKE SURE THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.

IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE THAT WE DO HAVE THEM REGISTERED AND THAT THE COUNTY IS AWARE OF RECEIVING THAT REVENUE FROM A REGISTRATIONS. ANOTHER THING THE ACTIVE REGISTRATIONS THAT WE HAVE, DON'T INCLUDE THE PROPERTIES WHICH ACTUALLY LOWERS OUR COMPLIANCE TOTAL.

[00:45:01]

>> THAT'S PERFECT. LET ME ADD SOMETHING TO THAT IF YOU DON'T MIND. WE DO HAVE 1 ½FTES SPECIFICALLY INVOLVED IN SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.

SO TO THE TO THE POINT, IT IS A MOVING TARGET.

IT TAKES CONSTANT VIGILANCE TO STAY ON TOP OF SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS. THE OTHER ONE THING I WOULD ADD IS IT REFLECTS WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO AFTER BEING PREEMPTED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

SO I KNOW SOME PEOPLE CALL US CONSTANTLY AND TELL US OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE DOING XYZ. AND I'M CERTAIN THEY ARE, BUT WE'RE LIMITED BY THE PREEMPTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS TO WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO. SO IN TERMS OF WHAT IT COVERS.

BUT THERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS WITHIN IT.

>> YEAH. AND ONE LAST THING I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF IT BEING A MOVING TARGET. SINCE THIS PRESENTATION WAS ACTUALLY CREATED, THE ACTIVE REGISTERED NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED TO 824 WHICH IS ACTUALLY A 76%.

SO IT'S UP FROM 685 TO 844 IN A MATTER OF A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> WE REST OUR CASE. >> SO THAT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW THE NUMBERS FLUCTUATE FOR THE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS. THE ONE THING IN TWO WEEKS AND THEN TWO WEEKS LATER THOSE NUMBERS CAN SKYROCKET.

AND THEN MAYBE ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT, THEY CAN DROP DOWN AND BE LOADED AGAIN. WHERE WE ARE FINDING AT THOUGH IS A LOT OF THESE NUMBERS ARE CONSISTENT.

INSTEAD OF BEING UPWARD. MORE AND MORE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS ARE HERE TO STAY.

BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S DIRECTLY-- AS FAR AS HOW THAT MARKET GOES. SO IF THE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS ARE DOING-- AROUND THE COUNTRY, THEN OUR NUMBERS ARE GOING TO CONSISTENTLY BE HIGHER AND THEY ARE GOING TO INCREASE.

THE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS ARE STARTING TO-- BACK TO STAY IN HOTELS OR STAYING WITH FAMILY.

AND AS WELL THOSE NUMBERS WILL START TO DECREASE AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU. WE WILL GO THROUGH NOW IN THE

INTEREST OF TIME. >> CAN I JUST ASK ONE THING? SORRY TO INTERRUPT. THE THAT INCLUDE OR NOT INCLUDE THE CITY? YOUR NUMBERS?

>> THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CITY.

>> THANK YOU. >> LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST OUR RECORD MANAGEMENT DIVISION MANAGED BY KATHLEEN TO MY RIGHT, AGAIN I WANT TO POINT OUT OUR RECORD MANAGEMENT DIVISION IS REGULATED BY THE STATE STATUTE 119.

I WANT TO SHARE A COUPLE QUICK STATS WITH YOU.

BECAUSE THIS IS GONE UP EXTENSIVELY OVER THE YEARS.

SO OUR RECORD MANAGEMENT TEAM RECEIVED AND COMPLIED 5,268 PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS. AND THAT IS EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE WE HAVE PROVIDED. PAPERS, LETTERS, MAPS, BOOKS, TAPES, PHOTOGRAPH, FILMS, SOUND RECORDING.

DATA PROCESSING, SOFTWARE AND EVERY OTHER MATERIAL YOU COULD POSSIBLY THINK OF. SO THIS IS A HUGE UNDERTAKING AND WE SEE IT ESCALATING AS THE YEARS GO UP.

AND PROJECTED BUDGET FOR FY 2027.

AGAIN PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS NOT GOING TO REQUEST. DOES NOT INTEND TO REQUEST ANY NEW FTES FOR THIS BUDGET. AND THE BUDGET AT OUR PROJECTION RIGHT NOW WILL BE REDUCED BY APPROXIMATELY $1,6 $1,656,707.

THE PROPOSED OVERALL BUDGET AT THIS TIME MIGHT BE A BETTER TERM. $20,6 $20,664,864. PROPOSED PROJECTED FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT BUDGET. 2,142,469 AND THERE IS A SLIGHT INCREASE ABOUT 3.7%. AT LEAST THAT IS OUR MATH ON IT RIGHT NOW. AND THAT INCREASE IS THE PRESENTATION ON THE INCREASE WORKLOAD.

OVERTIME SPECIAL CASES. PROJECTS THAT WE'VE HAD TO WORK ON WEEKENDS AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.

AND WE'VE HAD A SIGNIFICANT UPTAKE IN SPECIAL MAGISTRATE

[00:50:02]

I THINK THE TOUCH DOWN AT THE INCEPTION OF THIS PRESENTATION.

I WOULD BE REMISIF I DIDN'T MENTION TO EVERYONE HERE THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTRE OF-- I INVITE EVERYONE IF THEY HAVE A MOMENT TO COME BY BECAUSE I LOVE SHOWING OFF THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTRE.

AND HERE'S A RENDITION OF THAT COMPLETED BUILDING.

NOTED THE ENTIRE BUILDING. IT WAS FROM THE LEFT OF THIS PHOTO. AND I DID WANT TO INCLUDE SOME INTERIOR PICTURES. THAT IS THE MAIN ENTRY TO YOUR LEFT. MAIN ENTRY FOR CARRIER.

AND OUR INTAKE. WITHIN THE FANTASTIC PERMITTING STAFF. AND A PICTURE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTRE SPEEDWAY. AND WHOLE TEAM OUR ENTIRE TEAM YOU HAVE A GO BUT THE WHOLE TEAM OUT IN FRONT.

OUR INSPECTOR REVIEW. ENFORCEMENT.

LICENSING PERMIT AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT STAFF.

SO THAT COMPLETES. CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION.

I THINK I WENT OVERTIME. YOU EXPECT THAT.

AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANYONE HAS AT THIS TIME. AND I'LL OPEN IT TO THE FLOOR.

>> I APPRECIATE THE VERY THOROUGH PRESENTATION AND I NEVER EXPECTED ANYTHING LESS. JUST FOR THE OTHER 22 DEPARTMENTS COMING UP THAT IS NOT EXPECTATIONS.

99 PAGES OF 100 PAGE OF THE CITIZENS ACADEMY 101 AS AN ADDITIONAL SESSION TO THE TWO SESSIONS THAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR. BUT I THINK THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE BECAUSE IT IS YOUR DEPARTMENT OF MULTIDIVISIONS AND AMOUNT OF WORKLOAD. AND I WILL SAY-- BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND THE TWO THINGS ON THAT? N' JUST THE ENTIRE COUNTY OPERATION.

SOMEONE YOUR CULTURAL OCEAN CUSTOMER SERVICES.

SO WE GENERALLY TALK ABOUT DEPARTMENTS THAT EITHER IS SERVICE ORIENTED WHICH PUBLIC WORK, LIBRARY, PARKS.

TRADITIONALLY WE THINK ABOUT THOSE DEPARTMENTS.

SERVICE ORIENTED. WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE SERVICE.

THEN WE HAVE DEPARTMENT THAT IS REGULATORY.

WHICH IS ENTIRE BUILDING SERVICE DEPARTMENT.

YOUR BUILDING PERMIT. YOUR INSPECTION.

YOUR CODE ENFORCEMENT. EVERYTHING ABOUT BUILDING SERVICES IS A REGULATORY DEPARTMENT.

BUT WHAT IS OUTSTANGD OF YOUR CULTURE IS THAT YOU REGULATE AS THE FOUNDATIONAL FUNCTION OF THE DEPARTMENT WITH A PRIORITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICES. THAT IS SOMETIMES CAN BE A DYCOTOMY BUT YOU DO IT REALLY WELL.

EVEN CODE ENFORCEMENT. YOUR CODE ENFORCERS RODERICK ARE RESPECTFUL EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE OUT THERE DOING THINGS TO KEEP PEOPLE IN COMPLIANCE OF THE CODES WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BE WELL RECEIVED. BUT I THINK MOSTLY ESPECIALLY BEING ENFORCED ON WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

NOT TO MENTION THE LARGE POPULATION OF THE COUNTY RESIDENTS. YOU ARE THERE TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS FROM VIOLATION FOR OTHER VIOLATIONS OF CODES.

SO I WANTED TO MEPGS THAT. THAT IS NOT TO BE UNDERSTATED.

I THINK YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR NOT LONG ENOUGH WITH THE COUNTY, AND I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE LONGER.

INSTILL THAT CULTURAL IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND I THINK CODE ENFORCEMENT HAD NOT ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF BUILDING SERVICES. AND THERE WAS JUST THE RECENT FOUR YEARS TRANSITION. I THINK THE ABILITY TO PARTNER WITH YOUR TEAM RODERICK TO BRING ALSO THAT CULTURAL TO THE CODE ENFORCEMENT IS INCREDIBLE. THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION THAT IS FOLLOWING THAT NOTE TO EVERYBODY, KATHLEEN, SHE NOT ONLY IS THE HEAD OF PUBLIC RECORDS.

THE IND KARAT OUT OF THE MONTHLY REPORT THAT I USE AS AN INTERIM IMMEDIATE INDICATOR OF OUR ECONOMY OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THE REPORT THAT WE USE IS A

[00:55:04]

WE'RE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE NUMBER.

1.5 TO 1 RATIO BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL.

THAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHEST RATIO WHEN IT COMES TO COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN.

SO THAT IS A REALLY ENCOURAGING-- I THINK THAT'S A DIRECT IMPACT OF SOME OF THE PUBLIC POLICIES THAT OUR BOARD HAS TO MAKE ENCOURAGING COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

AND ALSO OF COURSE THE MANAGEMENT AND THE RESIDENTIAL GROWTH AS WELL. I WOULD SAY BUILDING PERMITS IS AN IMMEDIATE INDICATOR FOR OUR ECONOMY AND THE EXPECTATION AND BURDEN ON THE COUNTY ORGANIZATION TO DELIVER SERVICES. AND IN CONTRARY, I WOULD SAY INTERIMMEDIATE TO LONG-TERM IPD CATER IS A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. SO WE KNOW TEN YEARS, 10 OR 15 WE'RES FROM NOW. AS YOU START TO HAVE THESE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, FOR IT TO BE TRANSLATED TO THE BUILDING PERMIT, IT TAKES 10 TO 15 YEARS.

SO I THINK TO USE THOSE TWO STATS TO PROJECT THE TYPE OF SERVICES THAT WERE GOING TO BE EXPECTED BY OUR COMMUNITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAIRLY ACCURATE. SO I WANTED TO MENTION THAT.

AND THANK YOU KATHLEN FOR ALWAYS BEING VERY CONSISTENT IN CREATING THOSE PIE CHARTS. THANK YOU.

I WANT TO MENTION ABOUT THE STAFFING.

BECAUSE I THINK MAYBE SOME OF THE RESIDENTS LOOK AT YOUR NUMBER. AND AUTOMATICALLY THINK YOUR WORKLOAD IS GOING DOWN MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR A REDUCTION OF THE WORK FORCE. I WANT TO MENTION THAT TOPIC BECAUSE YOU AND I BOTH LIVED IT AND I THINK I CAN PROBABLY QUICKLY ARTICULATE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING THERE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. ONE IS THAT WE LEARNED FROM 2027/2028 SESSION THE INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION FROM SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES BASED ON THE ECONOMIC STATUS AT THE TIME CREATED A HUGE BURDEN FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETRAINING AND THE COST OPPORTUNITY OF THAT IS WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT WE COULD HAVE DONE WITH THAT KIND OF A STAFFING LEVEL.

WHAT WE HAD TO DO AT THE TIME TO SURVIVE.

BECAUSE THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, THERE'S ONLY WAY TO BALANCE IS THE FEE. THERE IS NO OTHER SUBSIDY.

THERE'S NO OTHER WAY OF GENERATING REVENUES.

AND WE WEREN'T WILLING TO GO TO INCREASE FEES BECAUSE THE FEE ALSO CAN BE A REALLY EFFECTIVE TOOL TO EFFECT BEHAVIOURS AND PUBLIC POLICIES. SO WITH THAT SAID, I THINK YOUR MULTILICENSED MODEL HAS WORKED SO WELL IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

THAT WE ARE NOW SO EASILY REPURPOSING OUR STAFF TO DO THINGS. OUR COMMERCIAL.

OUR RESIDENTIAL. OUR INSPECTION.

SO I THINK THAT WE ARE VERY AGILE AND ELASTIC TO WHAT ECONOMIC STATS, FLUCTUATION IS TODAY.

SO I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO TO BUILD A BUSINESS MODEL THAT IS SUSTAINABLE FOR THE FLUCTUATION OF THE MARKET.

AND THAT IS NOT TO BE UNDERSTATED TO EMPHASIZE THAT AS WELL. WHEN IT COMES TO FEE.

MENTIONED ABOUT COMMERCIAL. RESIDENTIAL TOO.

THAT ALLOWS BY THE STATE STATUE FOR PRIVATE SECTORS.

I KNOW THE BURDEN HAS BEEN PLACED OFF OF-- TALK ABOUT THIS EARLIER BEFORE COMING IN HERE. MANY OF YOUR STAFF NOW IS DEDICATED TO FIX THE ERRORS THAT ARE MADE BY PRIVATE INSPECTORS. I THINK THE INTENTION OF THE STATE LAWS ARE GOOD. WE WANT TO DE-REGULATE AS MUCH AS WE COULD. WE WE HAVE WANT TO RELAX OUR REGULATION METHOD AS MUCH AS WE COULD.

BUT WITH THE FOUNDATION OF HOLDING UP THE STATE LAWS AND GOAL CODES. WITH THAT SAID I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF FEE REDUCTION, YES, WE HAVE A 30% ACROSS THE BOARD FEE REDUCTION IN PLACE.

I THINK THAT IS NECESSARY. IN TERMS OF-- TO BE A TRUE REFLEX OF THE COST OF SERVICES THAT IS TODAY.

AND ALSO OF COURSE MANAGE YOUR RESERVE.

AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE RESERVE A BIT AS WELL.

BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE NOTED TO JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE RESERVE. BUT I THINK THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO MANAGE THE RESERVE TO LEVEL THE STATE STATUTE ALLOWS IT TO BE. SO THAT'S GOOD BUT I ALSO DO THINK THAT FEE IS A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY TO GUIDE

[01:00:04]

SO WHEN IT COMES TO PRIVATE INSPECTION, IF THERE IS A COST FROM OUR STAFF TO CORRECT PRIVATE INSPECTIONS AREAS.

I THINK ABOUT COST NEEDS TO BE CAPTURED.

AND THEY NEED TO BE CAPTURED ADEQUATELY.

SO THE MODEL OF THE COSTS AND SERVICES RENDERED BY OTHER PEOPLE. BUT YOU ARE ALSO DURING THE SERVICE ON THE BACK END. AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT IT ALSO GUIDE OUR CLIENTS TO KNOW IT'S NOT A COST SAVINGS FOR YOU TO USE A LESS COSTLY INSPECTER. BUT THERE IS A BACK END COST THAT HAS BEEN ABSORBED BY YOUR STAFF AND THAT'S NOT REFLECTED ANYWHERE ELSE. AND THAT IS BEING PAID FOR BY OTHER CLIENTS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PRIVATE INSPECTION. SO I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK VERY SERIOUSLY TO IMPLEMENT SOME COST INTRODUCTION FOR THE CORRECTION.

THAT YOUR STAFF HAS. >> WE'D BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT THE PARAMETERS OF THE STATE STATUTE.

MORE IMPORTANT LY-- EXCELLENT TAKE IS THAT IT IS SPECIFIC TO JUST WHAT I SAID. PLAN REVIEW INSPECTION DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE OTHER PARAMETERS.

THAT GO WITH THE ISSUANCE AND THE CLOSING DEPARTMENT.

AND I THINK THAT GETS CONFUSED OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC.

WITH ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS. AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE OF THE SIDE OF THAT.

SO THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT. >> SO YOU DO HAVE-- I MEAN IT'S VERY DISTINCTLY MODEL. SO ULTIMATELY WE ARE THE STATE STATUTE REQUIRED OFFICIALS. SO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY

OF WHATEVER BUILDING. >> I KNOW THAT ALL TOO WELL.

>> AND WITH THAT STILL NOT ENOUGH.

SO-- JUST TOUCH ON THE RESERVE STATE STATUTE ALLOWS FOR-- WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE THAT YOU CANNOT EXCEED YOUR OPERATION

VERSUS. >> WE CANNOT EXCEED AVERAGE OF

FOUR YEARS. >> OKAY SO FOUR YEARS OF OPERATION. SO YOU SHARED THE PICTURE OF I REALLY APPRECIATE THE E.- INNOVATIVE THINKING.

AT THE TIME WE WERE THINKING ABOUT PUTTING A PUBLIC SERVICE CENTRE, WE HAVE A DREAM OF A FACILITY THAT IS A ONE STOP SHOP THAT CAN CREATE A SPACE WHERE RESIDENTS CAN COME IN TO DO ALL THEIR BUSINESS. MAKE A COMPLAINT TO RODERICK.

WAIT AND CHECK OTHER PARTS AND GET MARRIED AND GET DIVORCED AND PAY THEIR TICKETS AND OF COURSE APPLY FOR A PERMIT.

AND I'M AFRAID TO SAY YEARS. THREE YEARS?

IN MAKING? >> 2 ½-ISH.

YEAH. IN THE PROCESS.

>> YEAH. AND SO I WANT TO SAY, THAT IS A VERY FINANCIALLY INNOVATIVE WAY OF INTERPRETING THE STATE STATUTE. WHAT IS ALLOWED TO BE USED WHEN USING THE BUILDING OFFICIALS PERMIT FEE COLLECTION.

ABLE TO AND OF COURSE WORK WITH BUDGET OFFICE AND INDEED MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE INTERPRETING THE DEAPPRECIATION AS YOUR EXISTING BUILDING BEFORE YOU MOVED.

AND CREATING SPACE THAT'S NEEDED FOR ALL STAFF.

OUTSIDE BUILDING OFFICIALS. BUT IT IS A-- I THINK A CONTINUITY OF SERVICES THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE BUILDING SERVICES. SO IT WAS A REDUCTION WITH SOME CHANGE IN THE LAST COUPLE FISCAL YEAR TO ACROSS TWO YEARS TO BUILD THAT. NOW WE HAVE A BRAND NEW BUILDING THAT IS NOT ANYTHING LESS THAN WHAT OUR EVIDENCE

DESERVES. >> AGREE.

AND IN FACT I WOULD ADD THAT IT'S ABSOLUTELY SATE-OF-THE-ART. BACK IN HISTORY A LITTLE BIT.

20 YEARS. I'M HAPPY TO SAY THE REBUILDING IS SATE-OF-THE-ART IN PROVIDING OUR CUSTOMERS WITH EVERYTHING.

>> YEAH AND THEN GRACIOUSLY INVITING NEW NUMBERS.

NOT JUST CRAMMED IN THEIR SPACE.

IT IS A WIN/WIN. >> YEAH, SO THAT'S REALLY.

[01:05:03]

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO IN THE ERA OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, PLANS REVIEW, PERMITS REVIEW.

OUTSIDE OF THE INSPECTION. IN THE PROCESS CAN BE POTENTIAL SUBJECT OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

VERY COGNIZANT. ASSOCIATIONS OF STATE FLORIDA A FEW YEARS BACK. INVESTIGATING AND APPLICATIONS OF THAT. CURRENTLY I CAN TELL YOU.

OUR ENGINEERS HAVE CALLED US AND SPOKE WITH US ABOUT VE VIEWING. AI CONTENT.

AND TODAY I'M NOT-- BECAUSE IT'S SO ADVANCED.

IT'S HARD AND DETERMINED TO COME INTO US IN AI FASHION.

AND AS FAR AS ANY PLANS THAT ARE COMPLETED REVIEW UNDER THE AI STAT. WE'RE STILL DOING THE HUMAN FACTOR OF ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS UP TO THIS POINT.

WE SEE THAT-- IT'S INEVITABLE. SO WE HAVE THE TOIFRNG GO DOWN THAT ROAD. I WOULD SAY TO A LARGE EXTENT.

SO TO LOOK AT WHAT THE GOOD NEWS OF THAT AND BAD NEWS OF THAT IS. WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF THAT.

BUT WE ARE SEEING ON THE OTHER HAND CONVERSELY ON THE INSPECTION SIDE, WE ARE SEEING INSPECTIONS DONE BY A CAMERA AND THAT TYPE OF THING. IT'S INVOLVED IN THE AI CONCEPT. BUT INNOVATIVE.

IS-- FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, IS WHAT THE CUSTOMER DESIRES.

AND YOU KNOW THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT.

>> SURE. AND IN GENERATING KIND OF TALKED ABOUT THAT'S BEEN A YEAR AGO.

WE STARTED EVALUATING-- WHAT AI CAN BE OFFICIAL IN OPERATION IN TERMS OF COST SAVINGS. AND IN MANY INSTANCES CONSISTENCY AND ACCURACY. AND THE COURSE MANAGEMENT IS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE TALKED WITH HR PROCUREMENT.

AND BUILDING SERVICES IS REALLY UNIQUE BECAUSE JUST LIKE YOU SAID MAYBE FIVE TIMES THAT EVERYTHING THEY DO IS SUBJECT TO STATUTES. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE DO VALUE SOMEONE THAT IS CONSISTENT.

WITH THE LOSS. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YEAH, OKAY. YOU KNOW THE QUESTIONS?

>> I'M GOOD. >> KATHLEEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. GREAT PRESENTATION.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU YA'LL FOR COMING.

>>-- 30 MINUTES. >> I DO NOT WANT TO DISAPPOINT.

THANK YOU ALL. >> RODERICK I WOULD SAY ALL OF YOUR CASE--

[Economic Development / Office of Intergovernmental Affairs]

[01:16:36]

>>> GOOD MORNING. JUST WANT TO INTRODUCE MYSELF.

[01:16:39]

I'LL INTRODUCE MY TEAM MEMBER MARY BETH BASH SHE'S OUR MANAGER OVER BOTH PROGRAMS. TWO DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN SEPARATE AND THEY ARE BEING CONSOLIDATED THROUGH THIS PROCESS. AND SO I'LL PRESENT BOTH PROGRAMS AND BUDGET REQUESTS. TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND IN MY INVOLVEMENT, I STARTED AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR IN OCTOBER OF 2025. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I BECAME THE INTERMENT DIRECTOR OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.

FIRST THINGS FIRST I FOUND NECESSITY TO BUILD OUT BOTH TEAMS AND I WAS ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE.

SIX PEOPLE BY THE END OF JANUARY.

THREE FULL-TIME FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FIVE FOR THE INTERGOVERNMENT-- SORRY INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS SIDE.

BOTH MARY BETH AS THE MANAGER AND OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER OLIVIA MOIRIER IS PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO BOTH TEAMS. BEGINNING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I JUST WANT TO SHARE SOME PRINCIPLES AND HOW WE DO THINGS. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS DEDICATED TO FOSTERING RESILIENT ECONOMY THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, WORK FORCE INITIAL AND LONG-TERM PLANNING.

TO FOCUS ON ATTRACTING NEW BUSINESSS.

SUPPORTING EXPANSION OF EXISTING ENTERPRISES AND IN THE WORK OVER FORCE. THE COUNTY WORKS COLLABORATIVELY WITH REGIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS INCLUDING THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

FIRST COAST TECHNICAL COLLEGE. THE U.S. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

USA, UNF, FPO, AND MANY OTHERS TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS. THROUGH THESE PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCES, THE DEPARTMENT HOUSE OF BUSINESS ATTRACTION EXPANSION, WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT.

INFRASTRUCTURE READY SXPS OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. SO AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT OCCUR IN A VACUUM.

WE ARE PART OF A VERY ROBUST NETWORK IN AT LEAST FOUR AREAS NOT JUST ST. JOHNS COUNTY. IN BUILDING THESE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR PARTNERS IS VITAL TO OUR SUCCESS.

THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT THE COUNTY ADOPTED AT THE END OF 2024 REALLY GUIDES WHAT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOCUSES ON. ONE OF THE SIX PILLARS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN IS COMPLETELY OWNED BY THIS TEAM.

THAT'S THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COLOUR.

I HAVE THE SIX OBJECTIVES LISTED HERE.

ROUGHLY NUMBER ONE OBJECTIVE IS TO ENHANCE THE PROACTIVE APPROACH TO IDENTIFY AND ATTRACTING INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES. SO ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO DIVERSIFY THE COMMERCIAL TAX BASE.

THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR ECONOMIC RESILIENCY PURPOSES.

WE'D LIKE TO HAVE A GOOD MIX OF-- TO HELP THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS THAT ARE MORE DIFFICULT FOR RESIDENTIAL

[01:20:02]

THIRD, CULTIVATE A STRONG WORK FORCE PIPELINE THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO EMPLOYERS.

FOUR, BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS AND SUSTAINABILITY BY PARTNERING WITH DEVELOPING NETWORKS FOR ACCESS TO RESOURCES, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

FIVE, PROVIDE RESOURCES AND SOLUTIONS TO LOCAL AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY. AND SIX, CULTIVATE AN INNOVATIVE AND VIBRANT ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM THAT FOSTERS START SWRUP AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY LOUT THE COUNTY. THESE ARE SOME OF THE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT THIS TEAM IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON.

PROJECTS INCLUDE THE CONVENTION CENTRE LEASE AMENDMENT.

SHORTLY AFTER I CAME ON, I WAS INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATING THE LEASE AMENDMENT TO THE NEW OWNER OF THE RENAISSANCE HOTEL IN MOHAWK VILLAGE. WE HAD NEW OWNER PURCHASE A PROPERTY LAST SUMMER. HE-- SOME COMPANIES PURCHASED AND THE OWNER OF THAT BUSINESS WANTED TO INVEST $20 MILLION IN UPGRADING THAT HOTEL IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE NEEDED TO EXTEND THE LEASE TO GUARANTEE AN ADDITIONAL 15 YEARS IN ORDER TO SECURE FINANCING FOR THAT. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION GRANT THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HASTINGS CAMPUS. THAT IS AN ONGOING PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

AND THEY ARE NEARLY COMPLETION OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THAT PROJECT TOWARDS THE END OF THIS SUMMER.

WHEN FINISHED AS ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED.

THAT WILL BE TRAINING CENTRE FOR D.C.AL AND SOLAR RELATED MANUFACTURING JOBS. AND AS PART OF DEVELOPING THIS PROJECT, WE WORK WITH LOCAL AREA EMPLOYERS TO GUARANTEE 500 JOBS TO GRADUATES. IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENT, THAT'S AN ONGOING PROGRAM OR PROCESS THIS IS PICKING UP AND WILL COMPLETE IN-HOUSE.

WE'LL LOOK AT OUR INVENTORY OF PROPERTIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. IDENTIFY THOSE AREAS THAT ARE MOST LIKELY EITHER ENTITLED OR COULD BE ENTITLED FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. AND THEN WE HAVE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE THAT HAS BEEN LAUNCHED AS OF LAST MONTH.

THAT IS A STAND ALONE PREMIER FLAGSHIP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE FOR THE COUNTY. IT HAS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF INFORMATION PRESENTING IN A VERY INTERACTIVE WAY.

AND VERY EASY TO DIGEST WAY. THAT WEBSITE IS INVEST AS JC.COM. AND I INVITE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND GIVE US FEEDBACK. REACH OUT AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON, BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION.

THAT IS FOCUSED ON RETAINING AND OPERATING ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO OUR EXISTING BUSINESSES.

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. WE WANT TO KEEP OUR CURRENT PARTNERS AND WE DO THAT THROUGH A FEW WAYS.

WE ARE HAVING A YEARLONG PROGRAM TO INTERVIEW AT LEAST TWO OR MORE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES A MONTH.

TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE.

WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE. HOW CAN WE BEST SUPPORT THEM? BUT ALSO, WE PLAN TO HAVE A MIXER LATER THIS SUMMER.

SOME BUSINESSES MAY BE THINKING ABOUT EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES AND MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.

SO WE'RE BRINGING TOGETHER BUSINESSES THAT ARE TYPICALLY INVOLVED IN EXPANSION OF THE BUSINESSES AND CONSTRUCTION.

CONTRACTORS, BANKING, PLANNERS IN ONE ROOM.

SO THERE'S BUSINESSES THAT ARE THINKING ABOUT IT.

BUT HAVEN'T QUITE TAKE THAN NEXT STEP WOULD BE CONNECTED WITH PARTIES THAT CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN FOR THEM.

BUSINESS ATTRACTION PROGRAM. THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

WE RECENTLY HIRED ONE OF MY HIRESER IN TEAM IS THAT BUSINESS ATTRACTION SPECIALIST. THAT'S-- MIER.

SHE CAME TO US FROM THE ST. JOHNS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

SO SHE'S ALREADY VERY WELL CONNECTED WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THIS COUNTY. BUT SHE'S LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION THAT WE'VE RECEIVED THROUGH THE STATE FLORIDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM.

ALSO BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR REGIONAL AND STAKEHOLDER PARTNERS. AND LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR TARGETING OUR INDUSTRIES THAT WE WANT TO ATTRACT THAT THE

[01:25:01]

FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND JUST TO TOUCH ON WHAT SOME OF THOSE TARGET INDUSTRIES ARE. THAT'S CLEAN TECH HEALTH CARE.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. MANUFACTURING INNOVATION AND AEROSPACE. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.

THE TRANSPORTATIONAL LOGISTICS DISTRIBUTION.

OMELAND SECURITY AND DEFENSE. RIGHT NOW WE'RE SEEING Select to skip to this part of the video">OMELAND SECURITY AND DEFENSE. RIGHT NOW WE'RE SEEING TREMENDOUS INTEREST IN HEALTH CARE.

BUSINESS IS COMING IN MOSTLY IN HEALTH CARE SERVICE.

AND AVIATION AND AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY.

MANUFACTURING IN PARTICULAR. SO TO HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.

REALLY WE'RE SEEING A BIT OF A RENAISSANCE IN THAT AREA.

WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS WE HAVE SO MANY NEW HEALTH CARE SERVICES COMING ON BOARD FROM NEW HOSPITALS TO HOSPITAL EXPANSIONS. TO THESE NEW PARADIGM STAND ALONE EMERGENCY CARE CLINICS. THEY ARE COMING ON BOARD IN SUCH A DEGREE OF THE NEXT THREE YEARS WE'RE ANTICIPATING A NEED FOR BUILDING 3500 JOBS WHICH IS HUGE.

ONE THING MY TEAM DID IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FLORIDA AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE, OUR FIRST COAST TECHNICAL COLLEGE RATHER AND THE CHAMBER IS IN APRIL WE HOSTED A HEALTH CARE CAREER EXPO. THAT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.

OVER 160 FOLKS ATTENDED INTERESTED IN CAREERS IN THE BURGEONING HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY AND CLINICS THAT SUPPORT THAT INDUSTRY AS WELL. AVIATION AND AEROSPACE IS VERY HOT INDUSTRY COMING NOT ONLY TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA BUT ALSO THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN GENERAL.

WHERE WE'RE DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP TO SUPPORT THE ST.

AUGUSTINE AIRPORT AS IT MOVES THROUGH SPENDING ITS 15 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT OF FEDERAL CORPORATION MONEY TO IMP IMPROVE, AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT NOT ONLY ON THE EAST SIDE BUT ON THE WEST SIDE OF US1.

THE AIRPORT OWNS OVER 700 ACRES ON THE WEST SIDE OF US1 TO REZONE FOR AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT. SO WE WILL BE WORKING WITH THEM TO HELP AN IN PROGRESS DEVELOPING.

ON SITE READINESS AND MARKETING WHEN THEY ARE READY TO DO SO.

THE COUNTY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM IS WHAT THEY ARE TYPICALLY SEEING AS THEIR INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTRACT NEW INDUSTRY.

THAT ORDINANCE HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2014.

THE NEXT SLIDE I'LL SHOW YOU BUDGETED FOR THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION OF WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO AWARD LAST Y YEAR.

GENERALLY WE HAVE THREE CATEGORIES OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE INDUSTRY. EXPANSIONS TO EXISTING AND SPECULATIVE DEVELOPMENT. THE WAREHOUSE IS TYPICALLY IN THAT SPACE. SO THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S NOT AN ENTITLEMENT. IT'S EVERYTHING SUP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

BUT THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCENTIVIZE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PAR PARTIAL-- OF COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES OR IMPACT FEES AND UTILITY CONNECTON FEES.

THEN WE HAVE A NEWER PROGRAM TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM.

FROM COUNTIES HAVE A SIMILAR PROGRAM, BUT THAT'S INTENDED TO RECOGNIZE AND REACH OUT TO OUR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND HELP THEM INTERACT WITH THOSE WHO CAN PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND OPPORTUNITIES. SO THEY GO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO USE THEIR OWN DEGREES AND STAY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND BUILD THAT RESILIENCE THROUGH INDUSTRY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS. SO THIS IS THE BUDGET FOR-- PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

WE HAVE ADDED A FEW MORE BUSINESSES.

WE'VE ADDED EIGHT NEW BUSINESSES.

YOU CAN SEE FROM URBAN FLEX DOWN BEING ELIGIBLE FOR REBATE.

STARTING BY 27. SO THE WAY THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM IS BUDGETED, WE LOOK AT ALL OF THE ACTIVE AGREEMENTS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY REQUEST A REBATE.

IN THE FISCAL YEAR. MOST OF THE AGREEMENTS REQUIRE THEM TO HIT CERTAIN MILESTONES. LARGELY AROUND EMPLOYMENT

[01:30:03]

SO THE PAYOUT AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR CAN SOMETIMES BE A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER RATE THAN WHAT WAS BUDGETED.

FOR EXAMPLE FY 25 WAS BUDGETED AT ABOUT $1.1 MILLION.

AT THE END OF THAT FISCAL YEAR, MAYBE THE PAYOUT WAS AROUND $500,000. SO WHATEVER IS LEFT OVER GETS ROLLED INTO THE NEXT REBATE BUDGET CYCLE.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

LIKE I SAID-- BE DISTRIBUTED. $539,000.

FY 25 WE'RE STILL IN A CYCLE FOR FY 26.

BUSINESSES ELIGIBLE FOR REBATES HAVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH TO MAKE THOSE REQUESTS FOR REBATES.

HIGHER BUSINESS ATTRACTION SPECIALIST.

HEALTH CARE EXPO IN APRIL. AND LAUNCHED OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE. MOVING ONTO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFARRIS. A BIT ABOUT WHAT THIS TEAM WAS.

THEY DEVELOP AND EXECUTE STRATEGIES JUST TO SECURE APPROPRIATIONS. COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

IN PROGRAMMING PRIORITIZED BY THE BOARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

AS DREBLTHED BY THE BOARD THEY ADVOCATE FOR OR AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY THAT AFFECTS ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

NEW AND EXISTING STRENGTHENING REALING SHIPS WITH THE LEGISLATURE. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. REGIONAL GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER STAKE HOLDERS. SO AGAIN ANOTHER TEAM THAT'S VERY RELIANT ON DEVELOPING, MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

WE HOSTED ST. JOHNS COUNTY DAY THIS YEAR IN TALLAHASSEE.

THAT EVENT HADN'T HAPPENED I THINK IN A COUPLE DECADES.

IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. THE COUNTY TOOK OVER THE ENTIRE COURTYARD AT THE CAPITAL FOR A DAY.

AND BROUGHT ALL SORTS OF WHAT'S BEST FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

FROM ALLIGATORS TO CUISINE, MUSIC, CIRCUS.

LITERALLY A CIRCUS. SO IT WAS VERY REWARDING.

AND IT'S A PROGRAM THAT WE INTEND TO DO A BRT MOVING ON.

ALREADY PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR. THE AGRICULTURAL ADVISERY COMMITTEE. THAT WILL BE KEY TO DEVELOPING A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY.

TAKING INPUT FROM THEM. FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY ON A REGULAR BASIS. JUST IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY. THERE'S SOME OVERLAP WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY.

OR AD TECH IS THE INDUSTRY IN FLORIDA AND SO WE WOULD NEED TO EXPLORE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

WE'LL ALSO SUPPORT A LOT OF TOURISM AND PUBLIC EVENTS.

TO HAVE FOLKS COME IN AND LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER. RECENTLY WE HAVE THE TOUR.

THE FARMS ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON. I PARTICIPATED.

WHICH WAS GREAT. AND I THINK THE AG COMMUNITY WAS REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE INTEREST IN THE PARTICIPATION FROM THE PUBLIC. THE OTHER SEASONAL EVENTS LIKE THE POTATO AND CABBAGE FESTIVAL.

AND OTHER AMATEUR TOURISM THAT THEY HAVE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AS FAR AS GRANT FUNDING. SO FAR JUST FY26 THE COUNTY HAS SECURED MORE THAN $33 MILLION IN GRANT APPROPRIATION FUNDING.

LAST YEAR THE AMOUNT FOR FY IN 25 TOTALLED $56 MILLION.

SO I THINK WE'RE UP ON A BIT OF TRACK RECORD THIS YEAR.

WITH THE STRATEGIC PLANNING, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DOESN'T HAVE A WHOLE PILLAR TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OTHER ISSUES IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY.

TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDING FOR VARIOUS ASPECTS SUCH AS

[01:35:04]

SO--. SO THIS IS A BUDGET REQUEST FOR BOTH DEPARTMENTS. THE FIRST TWO LINES FOR 26 BUDGETS. AND THE LAST TWO ARE TH CURRENT BUDGET REQUESTS WITH CONSOLIDATING DEPARTMENTS.

WE DO HAVE SOME COST SAVINGS. WE HAVE ABOUT A 15% REDUCTION IN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUDGET AND THE ECONOMIC BUDGET FOR FY26. IT DOES INCLUDE THE $2.89 MILLION OF PROJECT RED BAIT IFS EVERYBODY MEETS MILESTONES AND REQUESTS THIS YEAR THAT'S ALSO FUNDING FOR OUR EXTERNAL PARTNERS THROUGH THE CHAMBER. JACKS USA.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT WITH CONSULTANT WITH A MORE INVOLVED GRANT APPLICATIONS AROUND TRANSPORTATION AND PROJECTS AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

THEY HELP WITH THAT SECTOR OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

AND ONE THING THAT THEY DID MOVE FORWARD IN FY 26 IS THEY DISCONTINUED IMPACT WAIVER FEES.

SO THAT'S NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. WILL BE COLLECTING IMPACT FEES

MOVING FORWARD. >> WHICH IS ROUGHLY SAVING UP TO--. YES.

SO WITH THAT, I WILL TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I THINK THAT FOR ME-- IS HERE.

AND WE HAVE A FULLY STAFFED DEPARTMENTS.

CHRISTINE ARRIVED. WE HAVE CHRISTY AND JOY.

AND-- SO I REALLY AM SO APPRECIATIVE.

AND I THINK THAT YOUR WILLINGNESS TO COME BACK TO ST.

JOHNS COUNTY AFTER YOUR CAREER AS LEGAL COUNSEL.

I HOPE IT IS AS REWARDING FOR YOU AS IT IS FOR THE REST OF THE TEAM. YOUR EXPERTISE IS CRUCIAL FOR ACHIEVING THESE NEW STRATEGIES. AND NEW ORDER OF PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE SAME TIME AROUND THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIR WITH A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL COST SAVINGS. AND OF COURSE I KNOW THE SAVINGS IS THAT YOU'RE DOING TWO PEOPLES' JOBS.

AND WE APPRECIATE THAT. AND WHEN WE SAW THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WITH RURAL CAPACITY, THAT IS NOT THE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU AS INDIVIDUALS. AS A CAPACITY THAT YOU OFFER, IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR THE TWO DEPARTMENTS.

THAT CAN NOT ONLY COST TO SAVE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUT ALSO PRODUCE ON RETURN INVESTMENT THAT IS.

STRATEGIES. AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW N'MENTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND REPRIORTIZING WAS IMPORTANT FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

WHICH WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT. THE AEROSPACE AVIATION, THE HEALTH CARE AND THEN THE NEW CONVERSATION ABOUT THE TECH.

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN TALKING TO MULTIPLE INQUIRIES THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

AND REPRIORTIZING HOW WE PROMOTE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGE OF THE LACK OF PRODUCT TO SUPPLY IF WE WERE ABLE TO ATTRACT A BUSINESS.

SO WITHOUT ANY-- ON THE RIGHT TIME FRAME, AND THE RIGHT APPROACH TO DEVELOP THOSE PRODUCTS.

AND AS I SAID I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY? >> FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE JESSE-- THERE. EVERYBODY'S LIKE YEAH-- JUST COME IN APPLY. SAVANNAH.

YEAH. >> SO THEY ARE ALL--.

>> EVERYONE'S HAPPY CHRISTINE IS HERE.

>> AND MARY BETH OF COURSE. WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE.

COMING BACK. YES.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS.

I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY.

IN THIS ROLE I FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO IMPLEMENTING THE DIRECT GOALS OF THE BOARD AND I FIND THAT VERY REWARDING.

[01:40:01]

>> WELL, WE MADE UP SOME TIME. SO SJC101.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU GUYS.

>> WHO IS NEXT?

[Growth Management]

>>> ALL RIGHT, WE WILL BE STARTING WITH THE MANAGEMENT BUDGET FOR FY 27. I'M-- THE DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT. SO WE'LL TOUCH BRIEFLY ON THE REVISIONS JUST FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE DO.

GROWTH BUDGET SOME-- WITH THE ECONOMY TO SHOW GROWTH IN THE FUTURE BUDGET FY 26 SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE BUDGET THAT WE WERE GIVEN.

AND THEN SOME CHALLENGES. SO THAT-- HEALTH AND SAFETY BUT YOU ALSO HAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE OF THINGS TO TRY AND BALANCE THAT OUT. CULTURAL.

SO TO DO THAT, WE INTRODUCED THE DIVISION TO UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS. YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN EFFICIENT, SAFE DEVELOPMENT. SOME TIME YOU HAVE TO HAVE TRADES ON SITE AND LANDSCAPING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION YOU MAY LOOK AT NEW DEVELOPMENT TO COME THEY HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY TREES IN PLACE. WE ALSO HAVE HISTORIC AND CULTURAL DESIGNATIONS AND CODE THAT REQUIRES THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT HAS A HISTORIC-- YOU KNOW IT'S A LANDLOCK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THERE'S ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS THERE TO MAYBE PRESERVE IT. FORTHEY NEED TO MODIFY IT.

ON THE PROCESS. AND WITH THAT YOU ALSO HAVE A CULTURAL RESOURCE. WHERE WE'RE HELPING MANAGE THEM AND GET THEM THE RESOURCERS THEY NEED.

WITH THAT WE HAVE THE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WHICH MOST PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF. AND THAT'S LOOKING FOR ONE THAT'S AVAILABLE TO PUT IN CONSERVATION.

OR PRESERVE IT TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO USE IT BUT IT'S NOT REALLY DEVELOPED. PARKS AND-- REC-- TECHNICAL TRANSPORTATION. THAT'S OUR ENGINEERS AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNERS. THAT'S AT THE FRONT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR CONCURRENCY.

AND A EFFICIENT ROADWAYS. AND SAFE IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY

[01:45:07]

AND EVENTUALLY DESOUSA AND CLINT WORK WITH JEW BROWN TO MAKE SURE THAT-- HOWARD TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND OUR STAFF HAS MENTIONED THAT PROCESS. PLANNING AND ZONING.

THEY DO A LOT OF REVIEWS. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO OFTEN ARE ANSWERING A LOT OF QUESTIONS WITH THE PUBLIC.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ON YOUR PROPERTY? THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. LIKE CAN I DO A MEDICAL USE.

CAN I DO A SIMPLE COMMERCIAL USE.

THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. WE HAD OVER 250 CONFIRMATION LETTERS LAST YEAR. THAT WERE ASKED OF PEOPLE AND THAT'S BASICALLY WHERE THE PLANNR HAS TO GO AND EVALUATE EVERYTHING YOU ASKEDTOUS DO. TO ANSWER MAYBE THEY ARE LOOKING AT BUYING A PROPERTY OR THING LIKE THAT.

SO THAT TAKES A LOT OF TIME IN ADDITION TO THE PLANNERS TAKING THINGS TO THE MEETING. MOST OF THAT IS PLANNING, RIGHT? REZONING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT. LAND DEVELOPMENT CO-CHANGES.

ALL THAT STUFF. IN ADDITION TO THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF BOARDS UNDER MANAGEMENT OR BASIC GROWTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THE DISTRICTS FOR MID ANASTASIA AND SOUTH ANASTASIA AND NORTH COASTAL.

ON THE ADJUSTMENT BOARD AS WELL AS THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY. OVERALL SOME OF THOSE ARE PRECURSORS TO WHAT GO TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, RIGHT? SO THERE'S A LOT THEY DO.

AND THEY PREPARE MOST OF THE TIME THEY ARE DOING THE STAFF REPORTS THAT YOU SEE. THEY ARE GATHERING ALL THE INFORMATION FROM ALL OF THESE OTHER DIVISIONS.

AND THEN FINALLY DEVELOPING THAT'S MOSTLY INTAKE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT TECHNICIANS AND SPECIALISTS THAT ARE DOWN THERE TAKING THEM IN.

AND YOU'LL SEE SHORTLY THAT A LOT OF THIS IS COME NEG ELECTRONICALLY NOW BUT THEY ARE STILL MANAGING THAT TO GET IT OUT. PUT TIMELINES ON IT.

TRACK DEVELOPER OBLIGATIONS. AND A LOT OF IMPACT FEES.

WE HAVE OUR NEW IMIMPACT FEE CHALLENGES THOSE ARE HIGHER FEES RIGHT. SO WE HAVE SOME CONCERNED CITIZENS WITH THE HIGHER FEES THAT WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH.

AND THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE WHICH IS A WEEKLY MEETING THAT HELPS PEOPLE UNDERSTAND MAYBE SOME COMMENTS THAT WE SENT OUT. WE ALLOW THEM TO HAVE A Q&A WITH US. SO THAT'S IN SHORT.

CONSERVATION PLAN RIGHT NOW ULTIMATELY BEACH DRIVING.

AS PER STATE LAW, IT'S GOING THROUGH.

WE DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THAT THE COUNTY WILL HAVE TO IMPLEMENT AT THIS TIME.

WE DID A LOT OF PUBLIC OUTREACH PIP THINK STAFF WENT TO 28 DIFFERENT PLACES AS WELL WE DID AN ONLINE SURVEY.

SO THAT'S IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

I MENTIONED TO JOY THAT WE HAVE A GRANT THAT WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED. BUT IT HASN'T BEEN DISTRIBUTED SO WE'RE WAITING ON IT AND IT SHOULD HELP PAY FOR A GOOD PORTION OF THAT CONSERVATION PLAN.

SO ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR? HERE'S THE BENEFIT.

YOU CAN TELL THOSE MANAGEMENTS PRIMARILY-- SOME PERSONNEL ALL THOSE NUMBERS. THE OPERATIONAL BUDGETS YOU CAN SEE IT'S FROM FY 26 TO FY 27. SIGNIFICANTLY DROP.

WE HAD THOSE-- THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE.

WHICH IS DONE WI A CONSULTANT IMPACT FEE CONSULTANT.

SO THOSE ARE GONE AND THAT'S WHY YOU SEE A BIG REDUCTION.

BUT OTHERWISE IT'S PROBABLY RIGHT ABOUT STANDING AT THE SAME. TO DO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. WHILE WE DO HAVE CAPITAL VEHICLES. BUT AT THIS TIME WE ARE SUFFICIENT WITH ALL THE VOOEBLGS.

SO WITH THAT SAID WITH THE REDACTIONS AND THE ELIMINATION OR COMPLETION OF THOSE CONSULTANT FEES FROM LAST YEAR.

PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD. SO THE REQUESTS AND NO VEHICLES. AND THEN WE'VE CONTINUED.

28K FOR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY CERTIFICATION.

SO WE HAVE A LOT PROF FEGSAL STAFF THAT REQUIRES THERE BE A PE. WE HAVE A ARCHITECT ON STAFF WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. SHE JUST PASSED ALL OF HER TESTS. SHE IS GOING TO BE THE ADVISER TO PONT ECHL VEDRA SO WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF ARCHITECTURAL CONCERNS THERE AND WE DIDN'T

HAVE THAT EXPERTISE. >> IS THAT THE ONE THAT'S PAID

FOR 50% BY--. >> YES FROM THE PONTE VEDRA MUNICIPAL DISTRICT SERVICES. YEAH-- SHE'S IN PLANNING BUT WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT HER. SO THINGS LIKE PAYING FOR THEIR CERTIFICATIONS. AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER CERTIFICATIONS. AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS AS WELL

[01:50:02]

OVER TIME ABOUT 70% OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE NOT EXEMPT.

WITH ALL OF THESE REQUESTS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING RECENTLY AND STATE CHANGES. YOU HAVE TO RESPOND TO THOSE AND THAT'S TAKING TIME. WILL TAKE TIME WE'RE PLANNING FOR THAT TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT OVERTIME.

BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEE I THINK HAS THAT CHOICE.

TO TAKE TIME. THE SUPPLIES.

NOT ASKING FOR MUCH. CURRENTLY WE HAVE 68FTPS.

WE STAND. SO POPULATION GROWTH.

OH-- OKAY. THERE WE GO-- OKAY.

WELL JUST KNOW THAT FY 26 IS THE FAR RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. SO THESE ARE THE PROJECTIONS AND FY 20 WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CENSUS BUT YOU CAN SEE IT'S STILL INCREASING SIGNIFICANTLY. AND YOU KNOW SEE IN A MINUTE THAT THE PERMITS HAVEN'T NECESSARILY INCREASED.

PARTICULARLY INTO THOSE BIG ADVOCATIONS AT THE CONFERENCE AND REZONINGS. WHEN YOU GET-- OTHER AREAS SUCH AS COMPLAINTS. SUCH AS WHAT CAN I DO ON MY PROPERTY. AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS WITH ADDITIONAL GROWTH JUST COMES ADDITIONAL REQUESTS.

SO I THINK DESPITE THE DECREASE IN PERMITS A LITTLE BIT STILL SEEING SIGNIFICANT REQUESTS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSION FORM. THE COMMISSIONER OF COURSE NEED ANSWERS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> JUST SO YOU KNOW IF YOU WATCH LIKE ON TV THEY CAN SEE

EVERYTHING. >> OH OKAY SO WITH THE REVENUE

FACTOR. >> SO ALL THE LEGERS AND

EVERYTHING. >> YEAH SO THAT'S JUST SHOWING

THE POPULATION GROWTH. >> THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

>> ANOTHER CHALLENGE. >> THERE YOU GO.

>> ALL RIGHT AND THIS IS BASICALLY THE CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS. BASICALLY RIGHT AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE HORIZONTAL CONSTRUCTION.

THOSE ARE YELLOW. AND DEVELOPMENT INSPECTIONS.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO GO BACK.

YOU CAN SEE THE INSPECTIONS ARE PRETTY HEFTY.

TO DROP THAT A LITTLE BIT IN 25.

DEVELOPING INSPECTIONS WHICH IS MORE LIKE TECHNICAL INSPECTORS GOING ON SIDE THE MAKE SURE IT'S ACCOMPLISHED APPROPRIATELY ON THE INSTALLMENT AND THE ROADWAY IS SAFE.

THAT SORT OF THING. USUALLY INDIVIDUAL LOTS LOOKING AT THAT LOT CREATED APPROPRIATELY.

BEFORE THEY START BUILDING. AND AGAIN IN THE REVIEWS YOU CAN SEE PRETTY STEADY. THAT'S BASICALLY ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS. TO SEE THAT THE FAMILY HAS GONE DOWN A LITTLE BIT. MAKES UP A LOT.

APPLICATIONS RIGHT THAT RANGE FROM REZONING.

TO A CONFIRMERATION LETTER TO WHAT CAN I DO ON MY PROPERTY AND MANAGEMENT. SO WE HAVE PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS. WE GO BACK.

SO TRYING THE PROCESS THIS IS TO SHOW YOU AN FY 20 YOU CAN SEE TO THE FAR LEFT. TRANSACTIONS.

EXTERNAL WOULD HAVE BEEN ELECTRONIC.

SO YOU CAN MOVE AND THEN WALK INS WOULD HAVE BEEN.

SO IF YOU LOOK YOU CAN SEE HOW SIGNIFICANTLY THAT'S CHANGED WHERE IT'S EASIER A RIGHT TO SUBMIT A DEAL WITH TRANSACTIONS ONLINE. WHICH MEANS WE DIDN'T REFILL OUR CASHIERING POSITION FOR THAT.

WE'RE AUGMENTING THAT FROM OTHER POSITIONS.

AND THEY DO-- YOU KNOW MAYBE THREE HOURS OR FOUR HOURS.

ONE DOES IT THE REST OF THE DAY.

SEEING AN INCREASE.ENT YOU'RE - BUT STILL A LOT BEING BROUGHT IN. HOWEVER, ARCHITECTS.

ENGINEERS THEY TEND TO LIKETHY ELECTRONIC PROCESS AND THEY ARE ALREADY IN THAT WORLD CREATING THINGS THROUGH CAT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO THEN ULTIMATELY THESE SHEETS YOU CAN SEE CLEARANCE IT'S ABOUT 31%.

SO YOU STILL WANT TO BRING IT IN FACE TO FACE BUT IT IS INCREASING AND IT'S GOING THAT WAY.

AND WE ALWAYS HAVE THAT PROCESS AVAILABLE.

[01:55:04]

WE WERE ABLE TO LAST YEAR GET THOSE UTILITY VEHICLES AND SMALL TERRAIN VEHICLES FOR THE BEACH FOLKS.

AND THAT'S HELPED A LOT. THEY HAVE TO COME IN THERE AND SEE. THE SAND-- FOR THE TURTLES THEY HAVE TO DO THAT DALY AND THEY NEEDED SOME VEHICLES TO GET OUT THERE AND TAKE MORE PEOPLE THAN ONE.

SOMETIMES THE ISSUE. SO POSITIONS WE TALKED ABOUT GIS, JOY RECENTLY TALKING ABOUT LAND MANAGEMENT WITH DISCRETION BY THE WAY THEY GIVE US GREAT INTERNAL SUPPORT.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE. AND WE'RE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM NOW TO HELP US FILL THESE POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE.

AND EMPLOYING THAT THEY CAN MAP SOMETIMES IT IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. BUT GETTING THAT POSITION THAT CAN UNDERSTAND GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND NOT JUST BE A SOLE GIS CYCLE IS UNDERSTANDING OUR NEEDS AND BE ABLE TO TELL US WHAT WE COULD USE. BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR SOMETIMES, RIGHT. SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND CORY'S ALREADY EVEN REACHED OUT FROM LAND MANAGEMENT AND HIS

GIS STAFF. >> WOULD THAT POSITION BE HELPFUL FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TRACKING IN TERMS OF OBLIGATIONS? WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION? WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC

SERVICES? >> IT COULD-- ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANTED SOME SORT OF MAPPING COMPONENT.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY LINKED TO THAT.

I DO HAVE OTHER STAFF THAT ARE TRYING TO TRACK ALL THAT.

BECAUSE WE HAVE OLD AGREEMENTS RIGHT THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO TRACK THAT ARE STILL VALID. BUT IT CERTAINLY COULD.

SOMEBODY THAT WOULD UNDERSTAND. AND NOT JUST BE GIS.

THAT WOULD BE A PRIMARY FUNCTION BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND HOW OUR MANAGEMENT AND OUR SYSTEM WORKS.

AND REVENUE-- WHAT YOU COULD CREATE IN THE SYSTEM TO JUST MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT OR BETTER FOR THE CITIZENS.

>> I WOULD JUST ASK WORKING WITH CORY ON THAT POSITION AND MAYBE A DIFFERENT POSITION LIKE AN ENTRY POSITION, THE-- WOULD BE THE CIP PORTAL THAT WE DO HAVE CAN CONNECT TO YOUR SYSTEM WHERE YOUR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, OBLIGATIONS CAN BE LOGGED. SO THAT IT SHOWS OKAY, WELL THIS SECTION TO COMPLETING 30%. OF THE UPCOMING PHASE THREE OR FOUR DEVELOPMENT FOR NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THERE ARE THIS AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT'S GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS KIND OF EXPANSION.

FIVE WOULD BE REALLY COOL TO HAVE.

>> FOR SURE. AND WE'RE ALREADY BRINGING UP-- YOU KNOW WE HAVE A PHD-- WITH US WORKING ON THE MODEL.

THE RURAL TRANSPORTATION MODEL FOR THE COUNTY TO HELP US WHEN NEW DEVELOPMENT COMES IN THE USE WOULD BE-- IT'S ALL THESE OTHER FACTORS THAT ARE ACCOUNTED FOR.

HERE'S THIS DEVELOPMENT ON THIS.

AND THIS ROAD AND THIS DEVELOPMENT ON THIS ROAD AND BASICALLY CONSIDERS ALL OF THAT AND WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE EFFECT AS OPPOSED TO MAYBE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A MODEL AND YOU'RE DOING THE BEST YOU CAN JUST BY LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS AND YOU'RE TRYING TO COUNT WHAT MODELS HAVE MORE INFORMATION PUT INTO IT. SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. THAT'S BEING BUILT AS WE SPEAK.

SO WHEN THAT COMES IN, FOR SURE, THAT INTEGRATION AND THEN AS YOU SAID, WE COULD INTEGRATE OTHER THINGS TOO THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO LINK. MAYBE THE ONE STOP SHOP.

LOOKING AT THAT. >> YEAH, THAT WOULD BE NICE.

>> THE CHALLENGES AS YOU KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME STATE LAWS RECENTLY THAT ARE FRANKLY GIVING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SOME CHALLENGES TO DEAL WITH. AND THAT HAS IN PART POSTPONED A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE NORMALLY DO.

SUCH AS UPDATING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND THAT TAKES RESOURCES AWAY FROM OTHER THINGS. AND WE HAVE SOME MORE THAT WE'RE JUST RECENTLY SIGN WHICHED WE NEED TO DELVE INTO AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE KNOW WHEN THEY GO INTO EFFECT WE NEED TO BE READY. SO JUST LIKE THE RURAL AGRICULTURAL ENCLAVE AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT DEALS WITH PRE-APPLICATIONS AND CONTRACTORS AND NOW THEY CAN BASICALLY-- SO WE'RE EVALUATING ALL THAT RIGHT NOW.

BUT IT'S LIKE THIS IS CONTINUING.

THAT'S A CHALLENGE FOR US. AND THEN WE HAVE THOSE AND WE HAVE THOSE UPDATES THAT THEN GET THROUGH THE STAGE BUT WERE ADOPTED. IN TECHNOLOGIES, WE TALKED ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LAST YEAR AND THAT IS STILL OUT THERE THERE'S A LOT OF COMPANIES THAT TEND TO EVALUATE.

WE LOOK AT THEM, THEY GIVE US -- THEY SHOW WHAT THEY CAN DO AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW THOSE DEVELOPERS MOVED ON TO ANOTHER PROBLEM.

THEY REALLY ARE TECH HAD CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY.

THERE'S SAFETY CONCERNS AND THINGS LIKE THAT SO WE'RE GOING

[02:00:02]

SOME OF THOSE RUDIMENTARY TASKS THAT WOULD HELP US KNOW STUFF -- THINGS LIKE COUNTING A THOUSAND TREES.

SO WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT -- THEN EMPLOY RETAIN PROFESSIONAL STAFF -- SO FOR THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE -- AND THEN FOR THE COUNTY -- NOW FACING DEVELOPMENT, IT'S NOT EASY TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH BECAUSE THERE'S F ENFORCING THE CODE AND IF WE'RE NOT ENFORCING THE CODE ENOUGH THEY THINK IT'S TOO STRICT THEN IT'S ALWAYS A BALANCE YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH, THEY HAVE TO PUT UP WITH A LOT OF THINGS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WE TRY TO DO AS BEST WE CAN WITH THAT MISSION. SO IT'S A BALANCE.

IF I GUESS IF YOU LOOK AT IT, GETTING HIT FROM BOTH SIDES MAYBE WE'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT REGARDLESS.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TRY AND KEEP STUFF BY SENDING ...

GETTING THE RESOURCES THEY NEED THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, PLEASE.

>> I'LL SAY THE SAME THING, YOUR DEPARTMENT IS PRIMARILY REGULATORY DEPARTMENT AND SO THERE'S CUSTOMER SERVICE WHICH MEANS HOW CAN I HAVE MY CUSTOMERS LEAVE HAPPY WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO TELL THEM THEY CAN'T DO THIS BUT YOU CAN DO THIS BECAUSE I THINK YOU'RE DOING AS GOOD OF A JOB AS HT IS, THAT'S COMBINING THE TWO VERY DISTINCT FUNCTIONS IN ONE AND DOING IT RESPECTFULLY SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THAT.

SAME THING WITH -- I THINK IN THE CONTEXT OF ARGUABLY ECONOMIC DOWNTURN OR DEFEND TYPES OF POLICY WE HAVE IN PLACE FOR MANAGING SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY, AS A DIRECT RESULT, WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT TYPES -- I. WOULDN'T SAY IT'S A MASSIVE WORKLOAD THE SAME THING I SAID TO HT, JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE -- THE NUMBERS HAS GONE DOWN DOESN'T MEAN THE WORKLOAD HAS GONE DOWN IN YOUR CASE I THINK 2026 IS A VERY POLICY HEAVY YEAR FOR YOU AND YOUR STAFF CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU SUPPORTING THE BOARD TO GET A PLAN UPDATE IN PLACE IN SPITE OF ALL THE CHALLENGE AND RESTRICTION WE HAD.

IMPACT UPDATE IS NO SMALL TASK AND THAT IS REALLY WELL DONE.

WE HAVE A GOOD FEE SCHEDULE, THAT IS GOOD FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS AND GOOD INDEXING IN PLACE SO THAT IS GOOD FOR CONSERVATION PLAN THAT IS UNDERWAY WITH EVERY 10-YEAR UPDATE?

>> THIS ONE IS 20. >> 20 YEARS.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST UPDATE. >> SO IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A PLAN THAT THIS YEAR -- NOW WE CAN FREE UP STAFF TIME TO FOCUS ON THESE POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED QUITE A FEW BIG POLICY PACKAGES. I THINK THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPACTFUL THING FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT IN THIS YEAR -- YOU MENTIONED EARLIER CHARACTER LONG TERM PLANNING MODEL YOU HAVE PUT IN PLACE AND HIRING THE RIGHT TALENT FOR THE LONG TERM TRANSPORTATION NEEDS HERE GIVEN THE DYNAMIC WE HAVE WITH THE STATE, A LOT OF PRE-EMPTION AND PROHIBITING OUR ABILITY TO MANAGE GROWTH, A LOT OF WORK IS GOING TO BE ON THE BACK END WHICH IS MITIGATION. HOW DO WE WORK THROUGH THESE PRE-EMPTED DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT SACRIFICING OUR ABILIT TO ASK DEVELOPERS TO MITIGATE IS GOING TO BE A HUGE TASK OF 2027.

I DON'T SEE DEVELOPMENTS COMING THROUGH WITHOUT LEAVING US HAVING THE ABILITY TO HAVE A SAY IN PICK WE NEED YOUR STAFF TO BE THE ONE HOLDING THE DEFENSE LINE PICK OKAY, YOU HAVE A DEVELOPMENT BUT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT WITHIN THE LAW? SO THAT'S SORT OF FOCUS SHIFT I THINK FOR YOUR STAFF AND IT'S GOING TO CREATE A LOT OF WORK AND GO BACK AND FORTH WITH APPLICANTS.

SO WITH ALL THAT SAID THE WORK IS STILL AHEAD OF US.

[02:05:10]

AND FROM THERE THERE'S FY27 BUDGET PAGE AND THEN WE'RE IN THE WORKSHOP SESSION. IN THAT SCHEDULE, YOU'LL SEE THIS BUDGET SESSIONS THAT WILL TAKE YOU TO THIS THIRD PARTY APPLICATION WHERE ALL OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO YOU AND IT'S KIND OF BY FUND FOR EACH DEPARTMENT AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND IT'S PART OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO HERE'S THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION BUDGET AND AS WE MENTIONED, HERE'S A VISUAL, PRIMARILY PERSONNEL WITH A LITTLE BIT OF OPERATING AS MIKE REFERENCED, THERE'S A REDUCTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 27. I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT -- WE HAD THESE BUDGETS WITH -- THIS NUMBERS WITHIN THE PRESENTATION I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT OTHER FUNDING THAT MIKE AND HIS TEAM HELPED FUND. THEIR SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, SO WE HAVE -- HOPEFULLY IT SHOWS UP.

THE LAND ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

THIS IS, YOU KNOW, FUNDING SET ASIDE FOR CONSERVATION LAND FOR FISCAL YEAR '26. IT WAS GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTION OF 500000. THE BOARD DID APPROVE AFTER THE BUDGET WAS ADOPTED AN ADDITIONAL ONE TIME TRANSFER FROM THE TREE BANK FUND AND IT WENT TO BE A ONE TIME TRANSFER FISCAL YEAR 27, GETS BACK TO $500,000 TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND HERE THERE ARE FUNDS AVAILABLE THERE'S A LIST OF -- PRIMARILY LIST OF PROPERTIES THAT THE TEAM PURSUES AND SEES WHAT COMES FORWARD. IN ADDITION TO THE LAND FUNDING, THERE IS NEW -- THE IMPACT UPDATE, THERE'S A NEW CONSERVATION IMPACT FEE AND IT IS NEW, FIXING LITTLE ACTIVITY SO FAR AND YOU WILL SEE NO BUDGET FOR 26 BECAUSE IT WASN'T PART OF THE ADOPTED BUDGET. ROUGH ESTIMATES RIGHT NOW ARE ABOUT HUNDRED 000 AVAILABLE THROUGH THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 27. THIS IS A ROUGH ESTIMATE AND AS WE SEE MORE ACTIVITY -- FINALLY, THERE'S ALSO -- COUNTERPART OF THE CONSERVATION AREA IS A FUND THIS WAS A ONE TIME TRANSFER FROM TREE BANK FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUT THERE WERE SOME OTHER ACTIVITIES, GROWTH MANAGEMENT HELPS WITH SOME OF OUR SITES AS WELL AS -- OTHER COUNTY PROPERTIES AND FACILITIES ALSO HAVE THE USE OF THESE FUNDS BUT PRIMARILY IT'S FOR THE AROMA SITE. SO JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IN ADDITION TO GROWTH MANAGEMENT THERE ARE SOME OTHER ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING SOURCES. THERE MANAGE THROUGH MANAGEMENT.

[Human Resources and Risk Management]

[02:11:15]

HR DIRECTOR ... REPRESENTING TO PRESENT THE RISK MANAGEMENT PORTION. AS FOR THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE US WITH THEIR EXCELLENT SUPPORT AND HELP US KEEP TRACK AND INFORMATION AND WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT.

TO YOUR POINT -- START WITH -- JUST GIVE ME A SECOND.

LITTLE SLOW. -- THIS IS JUST A BROAD BRUSH OF WHAT WE DO. LIFE CYCLE, TRAINING AND RISK AND POLICY, TIME AND ATTENDANCE, HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND ACCIDENTS, PROPERTY, JUST EMPLOYEE LIFE CYCLE AND HUMAN RESOURCES OF THE COUNTY. AND IF I COULD GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, CAN WE DO THIS WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION AND HERE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, THAT ARE ABLE TO BRING THEIR BEST SELVES TO THE OFFICE EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR CITIZENS AND THE DEPARTMENTS. SO WE REALLY DO ENJOY THE WORK WE DO. THE TEAM -- A PHENOMENAL -- SHOW UP EVERY DAY AND THERE'S LOVE FOR HELPING SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND ALSO WE REALLY LOVE SOME THINGS WE GET TO DO LIKE WORKING WITH THE ANIMALS HERE AND OF COURSE THE PEOPLE WHICH IS OUR PRIMARY GOAL. THIS IS THE ORG CHART FOR THE DEPARTMENT. WE CURRENTLY DO HAVE 24 PEOPLE WORKING WITH US THAT'S 23 IN REGULAR POSITIONS AND WE HAVE ONE PART TIME PERSON WORKING AND WE DO HAVE MOST OF OUR POSITIONS -- THEIR FULL, WE HAVE A COUPLE THAT ARE STILL RECRUITING FOR, AND COORDINATOR AND BUSINESS SYSTEM ANALYST.

MOST RECENT HIRE WE HAVE IS FOCUSING ON OUR PAYROLL TO HELP ALL OF THE TIME -- TIME AND ATTENDANCE CONCERNS WE GET AND CAN TRANSITION TO -- WE THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG IMPACT BRINGING THAT. SHALL BE JOINING US ON THE 27TH.

AND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE RIGHT NOW FOR OUR SIZE IS 26.84 PERSONNEL TO WORK WITH THE SIZE OF THE ORGANISATION OF 279.

WE'RE STILL UNDER THAT BECAUSE OF THE DEDICATION TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS WE HAVE BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKING FOR ANOTHER FTE, WHICH IS AN -- PRIMARILY THAT POSITION IS GOING TO BE THE GREETER OF THE DEPARTMENT AND WE'RE GOING TO REORG OUR ENTRANCE AND THAT PERSON WOULD BE THE FACE OF THE DEPARTMENT AND GREETING PEOPLE COMING IN HELPING WITH DIRECTIONS THAT THEY MIGHT NEED BUT ALSO HANDLING NEW EMPLOYEES THAT COME ON SITE, IMAGINE THEY PERFORM -- JUST GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE WORK THAT CURRENTLY OUR SENIOR END COORDINATOR IS HANDLING BUT IS NOW FOCUSING MORE ON THE FINANCIAL ASPECT AND SCHEDULING AND PURCHASE ORDERS AND THAT KIND OF THING SO THIS PERSON CAN HANDLE MORE OF THAT RECEPTION. WE HAVE SOMEBODY DOING THAT PART TIME RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE GETTING GREAT VALUE OF THAT SO WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE THAT A FULL TIME POSITION.

>> WOULD THAT REPLACE THE RECEPTIONIST?

[02:15:03]

>> IT WOULD. >> SO JUST A BIT ABOUT THEIR ORGANISATION EMPLOYEES, WE PROVIDE THIS SNAPSHOT, STILL REALLY KEEPING ABOUT THE SAME AS FAR AS THE AGE OF OUR WORKFORCE, OUR COMPENSATION IS TEETERING UP A LITTLE BIT IN THE OTHER SERVICES HAVE ACTUALLY GONE DOWN AND WE SEE WHEN WE HAVE SERVICE AWARDS WE SEE OUR RETIREMENTS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE 25, 30, 35 MARK. SO THAT'S COMING DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT BUT WE ARE REALLY HOLDING GOOD.

LET'S GO TO THE NEXT PAGE. THIS IS THE TURNOVER, AND I SHOWED IT SO THAT WE COULD REALLY LOOK AT IT, BECAUSE THE CURRENT DATA, IT'S NOT A FULL YEAR, AND SO LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE AT THE SAME POINT, WE WERE LOWER POSITIONS 314, 75 SEPARATIONS AND AT THAT TIME THE TURNOVER RATE WAS 4.95.

IF WE LOOK FORWARD NOW TO THIS YEAR, WE'RE IN THE SAME AREA, WE HAVE MORE EMPLOYEES, LESS SEPARATIONS AND WHERE WE ARE 3.36. THE RESULT FULL YEAR OF FISCAL YEAR 25 IS NOT REPORTED AND IT'S SHOWING WE DID GO DOWN TO 13.59 FOR LAST YEAR. SO THE TURNOVER RATES ARE STILL VERY GOOD AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF OUR CULTURE, OUR GREAT COMPENSATION, OUR BENEFITS. SO I THINK WE'RE REALLY DOING GREAT ON THE PROGRAMMING WE HAVE.

THIS IS THE LOOK AT OUR AGES OF THE ORGANISATION AND IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE HAVE BASICALLY A 50/50 TIE ON OUR

GENERATION X AND OUR MILLENNIAL. >> SPEAKER-06: SO THAT'S REALLY FROM THE AGE OF 30 YEARS OLD TO 60.

THAT'S -- WE HAVE ABOUT 50/50 ON THAT.

THE AVERAGE AGE BEING 44. WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE AGE GENERATIONS, THERE'S DIFFERENT SKILLS THEY BRING LIKE DIFFERENT KNOWLEDGE SO WE HAVE QUITE A MIX TO CONTRIBUTE TO DO THE WORK.

SOME OF THE TRENDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON IN 2026 IS REALLY LOOKING AT DEVELOPING, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT INNOVATION, RETENTION AND RECRUITING THAT IS TRACKING WHAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED AS GOALS FOR THE TEAM.

WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT RISK MANAGEMENT TRENDS AND THAT IS CYBERSECURITY, THE ORGANISATIONAL RESILIENCE, REGULATORY CHANGES, THE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY HAZARDS AND REALLY OUR WORKFORCE AND RISK CULTURE -- WILL GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION ON THAT IF YOU CAN STAY HERE FOR JUST A MOMENT I DID WANT TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE -- ALL RIGHT.

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2526, WE HAD A LOT OF COLLABORATION AND WE WERE ABLE TO ADVANCE SOME REALLY IMPORTANT INITIATIVES WE IMPLEMENTED THE MEDICAL INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY FROM 60 DAYS TO 30 SO THAT EMPLOYEES WOULD BE ABLE TO GET HEALTH CARE SOONER FOR THEIR FAMILIES. WE ALSO PERMITTED THE USE OF ACCURATE LEAVE AFTER 30 DAYS AND PRIOR TO THAT TO SIX MONTHS.

SO EMPLOYEES WERE REALLY ABLE TO GET THAT APPOINTMENTS THEY NEEDED LIKE PRESCRIPTIONS THEY NEEDED AND THAT WAS ONE THING WE WERE ABLE TO CHANGE A NEW THING THAT'S REALLY GREAT AS FAR AS THE RECRUITMENT RETENTION. WE ALSO ELIMINATED TUITION REPAYMENT PENALTIES SO THAT EMPLOYEES WHO COME THROUGH AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PROGRAMS ARE HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT PAYING THOSE BACK IN A COUPLE OF YEARS IF THEY SHOULD LEAVE OR JUST GETTING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW WITH US SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT WE INTRODUCED A TIME WHICH IS A WAY YOU CAN BANK HOURS FOR THE OVERTIME INSTEAD OF GETTING PAID UP FOR THE OVERTIME, SHOULD YOU WANT TO DO THAT OR SAVING SOME TIME UP TO TAKE HER VACATION OR SICK LEAVE OR SOME OF THOSE THINGS GETS REALLY HELPFUL FOR EMPLOYEES TO COME OUT AND THEY MAY HAVE IN THEIR FIRST YEAR RECRUIT TIME, THEY WORKED OVERTIME AND THEY COULD TRADE IT OUT FOR THAT. SO IT ALSO HELPS REDUCE THE COURSE OVERTIME PAY. SO THAT'S BEEN A GREAT PROGRAM AND WE'RE ABLE TO JUST ROLL THAT OUT IN JANUARY BECAUSE.

[INDISTINCT] ALSO WE PARTNERED WITH DEPARTMENTS TO EXPLORE IMPLEMENT CAREER PROGRESSION STRATEGIES.

STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO ON THAT BUT WE'VE MADE SOME PROGRESS WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND WE'RE HOPING THEY'RE PUTTING SOME BUDGET REQUESTS FORWARD, WHAT THAT PROGRESSION LOOKS LIKE IS IF THEY TAKE CERTIFICATIONS OR THEY

[02:20:04]

SO THEY CAN SEE GREAT PROGRESS WITH THAT.

WE UPDATED PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS THAT NOW ALIGNS WITH ANNIVERSARY DATES AND WE HAVE REVISED THE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING THE EMPLOYEES BASED ON FEEDBACK.

SO IT'S MORE RELEVANT AND TIMELY.

THAT'S GOING REALLY WELL I THINK WE HAD OVER 200 COMPLETIONS SO FAR AND WE'VE GOTTEN GREAT FEEDBACK ON THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED IN THAT AREA.

ANOTHER THING WE DID IS WE PURPOSE SOME OF OUR EXISTING HR POSITIONS TO OPPORTUNITIES WHEN WE HAD VACANCIES TO ADD IMPORTANT ROLES LIKE STRATEGIC PLANNING EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING SOME AREAS NEED SOME STRENGTHENING SO WE FELT SOME VACANCIES IN AND HIGHER BETTER CANDIDATES FOR THAT.

A GOOD ENCOMPASSMENT IS A TRANSITION FROM THE LEGACY SYSTEMS THAT WE HAD TO WORKDAY TO MODERNISE ELECTRONIC PROCESSES AND DATA ANALYTICS. WE'RE JUST NOW STARTING TO BECOME MORE FAMILIAR AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE TOOL AND WE'RE STARTING TO DEVELOP FOCUS GROUPS TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP CAPTURE IN AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAVING CHALLENGES TO HELP WITH TRAINING INITIATIVES, WORKING CLOSELY WITH MIS AND ERP TEAM AS A GROUP NOW SO THAT WHEN WE COME TOGETHER WE'RE ALL THE SAME PAGE AND IT BECOMES MORE SYNERGISTIC AND EFFICIENT AND A BETTER PRODUCT FOR ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES TO DO THEIR WORK.

AN EXAMPLE OF THAT IS CREATING THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO CAPTURE WITH NEW HIRES TO THE SECURITY THAT GO INTO WORKDAY TO THEM BEING ABLE TO GO UP TO THE DEPARTMENT AND BE READY ON DAY ONE TO DO THEIR WORK. SO THAT KIND OF STUFF IS HAPPENING AS A RESULT. SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE'VE BEEN PARTICIPATING ON EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER, SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BENEFITS. SOCIAL ASPECTS LIKE COMPLIANCE ISSUES THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE STARTING TO PUT TIPS IN THERE JUST ON SPOT, TIPS FOR THE EMPLOYEES THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL AND WE STARTED WELLNESS SERIES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SO THAT PEOPLE CAN COME AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HER ELDER PARENTS OR STRESS REDUCERS, THAT TYPE OF PROGRAMMING.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH OUR CONSULTANT FOR 57, WE STARTED TO WORK WITH THAT DIRECTLY ON THE OFFERINGS THEY PROVIDE AND MAKING SURE THE EMPLOYEES SAVE FOR RETIREMENT IS REALLY BEING -- I. WOULD SAY MAKING SURE THE MONEY IS SAFEGUARDED THAT THE INVESTMENTS ARE GOOD AND JUST THAT WE'RE TAKING IT FINANCIALLY AS WELL. SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS WE HAD WE PARTICIPATED IN FOR ACCOUNTING LEGISLATIVE DAY AND THAT WAS A GREAT ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS IS A LONG-STANDING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY SO SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE GREATLY IN THAT AREA. WE'RE WORKING WITH PUBLIC INFORMATION ON CREATING A BETTER HR HUB SO THAT THE EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE A RESOURCE THEY CAN GO TO FOR EITHER TRAINING -- ANYTHING THEY MIGHT WANT TO LEARN ABOUT OR HOW I BECOME THIS PERSON REALLY HOPING THIS BECOMES MORE OF AN ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND ORGANISE IT IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE WE JUST ROLLED OUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THE TEAM IS KEEPING OURSELVES RELEVANT AND TIMELY WITH CERTIFICATIONS -- SPECIFIC RECRUITMENT CERTIFICATIONS. WE HAVE SOME INDIVIDUALS TAKING THEIR PROFESSIONAL HR PROGRAMS. THEY'RE INCREASING JOINING BACHELOR PROGRAMS SO EVERYBODY REALLY FEELS THE ENERGY OF WANTING TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO COMMUNITIES AND WE ALSO PERSONALLY TAKEN SOME LABOR RELATIONS CLASSES BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN DOING QUITE A BIT OF THAT.

SO JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M BRINGING MY BEST SELF TO THOSE CONVERSATIONS. SO THAT'S REALLY EXCITING AND SO

[02:25:04]

RISK AND SAFETY, WHETHER SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE JUST -- WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH YOU. HOW YOU HANDLE MEDICAL LEAVE ACT, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WORKPLACE REGULATIONS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TO PICK HOW YOU HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS SO WE'RE REALLY GETTING DOWN TO JUST THE BASIC KIND OF THINGS AND THEN WE ROLL ON THAT TOPIC SO THINGS AFTER THE BASIC FOUNDATION IS THAT WE'LL BE WORKING ON RECRUITMENT HIRING, HOW YOU DEVELOP YOUR JOB CLASSIFICATIONS THAT REALLY GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED AND A POSITION, WHAT ARE THE BEST OUTLETS FOR RECRUITING, QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW, HOW TO FIT IN THE ORGANISATION AND THE TYPE OF PEOPLE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

SMART INTERVIEWING, WE ARE REBRANDING AN ONBOARDING PROGRAM SO THAT ON THE FIRST DAY, IN THE BEST WAY THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT THE COUNTY, OUR MISSION, THE EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR JOB, WHERE TO FIND THINGS AND WHERE THE TRAINING IS AND WE'RE WORKING A LOT ON PROVING THAT, AS WELL AS HOPING TO BRING IN BUDGETARY TRAINING AND PROCUREMENT TRAINING PICK THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, DATA PROTECTION -- SO WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AND WHEN THE TIMING IS RIGHT PULL THEM INTO THE CALENDAR. RIGHT NOW WE'RE PLANNING TO DO THESE WEEKLY AND WE WILL BUILD ON IT AS WE CAN AND IF WE HAVE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT COME UP WE CAN CERTAINLY REVISIT THEM, WE SCHEDULE THOSE WE'RE ALSO GETTING THE EMPLOYEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK WITH THEIR SUPERVISORS, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE TIME TO GO TO THESE EVENTS TO GET THE TRAINING TO MAKE SURE IT'S RELEVANT AND WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE COMING OUT IN REGARDS TO THE TRAINING DEVELOPMENTS. SOME OF THE INFORMATION YOU'LL SEE IN THE BUDGET REQUEST IS TO SUPPORT THAT THESE EFFORTS.

SO I THINK -- SO HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE REQUESTING.

IT'S AROUND 432,800. THAT'S GOING TO INCLUDE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND INTEGRATIONS. WITH THE NEW TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE I HAVE A LIST ON THE NEXT SLIDE BUT ALSO THE CYBER COST INTEGRATED RIGHT NOW TO WORKDAY SO WE'RE TRYING TO INTRODUCE THAT INTO THE BUDGET WE ALSO HAVE RULES WE HAVE REQUESTED.

WE HAVE CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

PROGRAMS SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKING TO SUPPORT, RECOGNITION PROGRAMS, SOMETHING THAT I PROMOTED LAST YEAR.

BUT WE DON'T REALLY SEE A ROLE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT DUE TO WORKDAY. NOW WE WANT TO REVISIT THAT.

THE OTHER THING IS LOOKING AT ACQUISITIONS, ADVERTISING SCREENS AND INTERVIEWS BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME AI TYPES PLATFORM THAT WE BELIEVE WILL BE REALLY EXCELLENT TO HELP US BE MORE EFFICIENT AND HAVE THE CHANGES FOCUS ON PARTNERING WITH THE HIRING MANAGERS AND GETTING MORE ATTENTION TO THE CANDIDATES INSTEAD OF DOING THINGS -- THERE'S ANOTHER PLATFORM WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT TIME ON A DAILY BASIS WE'LL DO EQUITY EVALUATIONS, ANALYSIS BY GOING OUT TO VARIOUS PARTNERS AND SO IT'S A MANUAL PROCESS. THERE'S A CALL, AN EMAIL, GETTING THE WEBSITE TO GIVE A HIRING MANAGER FOR WHAT THEY MIGHT EXPECT FOR AN ANALYST OR A GES PERSON SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE COMPETITIVE BUT IT TAKES A LONG TIME. SO THERE IS A PROGRAM WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THAT WOULD HELP US STANDARDISE THAT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A VEHICLE FOR THE EMPLOYEE RELATIONS TEAM THAT IS TO HELP US DEPLOY TO THE VARIOUS LOCATIONS USING PERSONAL DATA GETTING THE REIMBURSEMENTS, OUR GAS PRICES I AYE, INSURANCE IS HIGH. SO WE KNOW IT LOOKED -- IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE THAT PICK AGAIN, I HAVE LISTED THE NEW FTE FOR A SECTION AREA THAT WILL NOW BE ADDING MORE INTERACTIONS WITH THE PUBLIC AND ALL SYSTEM AND INCREASED SOMETHING.

[02:30:03]

WE'VE GOT A LOT IN THE WORKS IN REGARDS TO INTERNSHIPS AND REGARDS TO OUR STAFFING AGENCIES AND REALLY HOPING TO IMPROVE THE CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE SO THAT WE'RE ORGANISED AND THAT'S AN EASIER PROCESS. AND HIRING MANAGERS ARE ABLE TO SELECT REALLY GOOD TALENT. WE'VE LOOKED AT MULTIPLE PROGRAMS LIKE A LOT OF THESE ARE WORK THEY DELIVER PROGRAMS BUT THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS IN THE MARKET BUT TYPICALLY THEY DO INVOLVE AI. SO WITH THE SURVEY THIS WAS REALLY INTERESTING AI WILL GENERATE THE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS. THEY DO AUTOMATIC TIMING PICK IT ACTUALLY SHOWS YOU GAPS AND HELPS YOU FOCUS ON RESULTS OF THOSE SURVEYS. IT BECOMES VERY USEFUL AND RELIABLE DATA, WE CREATE ON OUR OWN AND START DECIPHERING AND TRYING TO BUILD PROGRAMS BECAUSE IT'S MORE INTUITIVE AND THAT IS ONE OF THEM. THE OTHER ONE IS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN AIR HUB WHERE WE'RE ACTUALLY TRACKING WHAT ARE THE EMPLOYER RELATIONS ISSUES WE'RE WORKING ON WITH DEPARTMENTS. REALLY GO INTO THE ANALYTICS THERE SO THAT AGAIN IT'S A MANUAL PROCESS RIGHT NOW WHAT WE LIKE TO REALLY LOOK OUT COLLECT WHAT THE INFORMATION MEANS AND HOW WE CAN IMPROVE IN THOSE AREAS WHAT TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SHOULD WE BE LOOKING AT IN ORDER TO MAKE THOSE EMPLOYEE RELATIONS ISSUES LESS. THE OTHER ONE IS CALLED AUDIT PARADOX. THIS AGAIN IS AN AUTOMATIC AI PROGRAM THAT WOULD HELP WITH CANDIDATE COMMUNICATION 24 OVER SEVEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS HELPING ESTABLISH PEER REVIEWS LOOKING AT THE WORKFLOW AND GENERAL TRYING TO CREATE A MORE INTUITIVE EXPERIENCE THEY ARE GREAT NOW THE TEAM IS DOING A LOT OF MANUAL WORK AND SOME OF THAT IS DUE TO LEARNING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE PROGRAM FOR WORKDAYS AND SOME OF THAT IS STILL BEING DEVELOPED HERE SO WHEN WE GET A POOL OF 100 PEOPLE RIGHT NOW GOING THROUGH ALL OF THOSE ON THIS PROGRAM WOULD HELP TO LOOK AT THE MINIMUMS THAT WE SAY FOR THIS JOB AND WE'LL SHOW YOU FROM YOUR POOL OF 100 WHAT THEIR STRENGTHS ARE CALCULATE AREAS EDUCATION THAT KIND OF THING SO IT HELPS INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY, BUT IT ALSO HELPS WITH THE SCHEDULING COMPONENT AND IT'S JUST MORE PROFESSIONAL. THE OTHER ONE IS THE NEW PAY SCALE -- AGAIN, PLATFORMS WILL BE ABLE TO USE -- THAT WILL BRING IN MULTIPLE ACCOUNTING INFORMATION PACKET HAS STANDARDISED CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTORS IT HAS REFRESHED TITLES THAT ARE MORE COMMONLY USED NOW IT HELPS US LOOK AT INTERNAL EQUITY, EXTERNAL EQUITY AT OUR FINGERTIPS SO RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A LOT OF TIME THE TEAM SPENDS EVERY DAY OVER AND OVER AND OVER WHEN WE COULD BE TALKING TO THE DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THEIR POSITION CONTROL OR THEIR CAREER PROGRESSION AND JUST REALLY PROVIDING A SMARTER BETTER SERVICE INSTEAD OF THE

[02:35:04]

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BUT I HAVE SOME COMMENTS WE CAN

WAIT UNTIL THE END. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH PLEASURE TO BE HERE. I AM HAPPY TO TAKE THE NEXT COUPLE HOURS AND EXPLAIN ALL OF THE FUN THINGS WE DO PICK.

>> I COULD TALK ABOUT ALL OF IT. FIRST OF ALL, SO HAPPY TO BE HERE IN. LAST WEEK I WAS ABLE TO CELEBRATE MY 30TH YEAR STARTING WAY BACK IN THE DAY, BABIES AND NOW THEY'RE GROWING ADULTS. THIS ORGANISATION HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME. SO I'M GOING -- GETTING EXCITED ABOUT MAKING THOSE THREE DECADES AND TEND TO HAVE THIS TIME TO TALK TO YOU. SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON. HERE'S A LITTLE SNAPSHOT OF WHAT WE DO PICK WHAT WE ARE -- ALL INVOLVED IN BUT I LIKE TO GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT OF SNATCH UP FOR NEW PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ME OR WONDERFUL TEAM, WE HAVE SIX OF US.

YOU MAY KNOW THIS YEAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD YEAR FOR US BECAUSE WE LOST OUR BEAUTIFUL SOMEONE IN FEBRUARY.

SO SOME YEARS ARE VERY IMPACTFUL FOR THE ORGANISATION WALKING THROUGH THE PATHS AFTER LOSING SOMEONE WHO WORKED UNTIL THE DAY SHE PASSED, IT WAS VERY HARD FOR US BUT WE -- WE PICKED UP -- WERE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ONE IF YOU DON'T MIND.

HERE'S A BIT ABOUT US, ANOTHER SNAPSHOT, SIX OF US ON THE TEAM, WE'RE CURRENTLY INTERVIEWING FOR THE VACANCY -- I HAVE A VERY SMALL BUDGET FOR RISK, BUT WE KIND OF STRETCH THE DOLLARS AS BEST WE CAN. YOU CAN SEE, 755 FROM LAST YEAR THAT'S 35% INCREASE OVER THE FISCAL YEAR BEFORE THAT.

THOSE ARE ALL DIFFERENT LEVELS. THERE'S A LITTLE PORTFOLIO THERE JUST TO SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENT -- THEIR GENERAL LIABILITY AND PROPERTY PICK SO GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A COUPLE OF S, ABOUT ABOUT WHAT IS COMING UP WHAT THE LEGISLATION HAS GIVEN US FOR IMMUNITY AND ALSO EVERYTHING ELSE IS PRETTY MUCH STATUS QUO. WE'RE MOVING ALONG VERY WELL WITH NOT HAVING ASK FOR A LOT MORE MONEY.

THESE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS, WORKER'S COMP S. TYLER, AS YOU KNOW WE WON A COUPLE OF AWARDS FROM OUR COUNTERPARTS AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR RATE PORTFOLIO IN OUR PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR, BECAUSE YOU KNOW I DO THE PROPERTY INSURANCE FOR ALL OF SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY THAT'S ALL THE CONSTITUTIONALS AS WELL AS THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THAT LITTLE BIT -- PEEKING INTO THE NEXT ONE IF YOU DON'T MIND, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, THIS IS THE RENEWAL WE HAD THIS YEAR.

SO ONE OF THE MODELS WE'RE GOING TO BE HITTING WITH ALL THOSE GROUNDBREAKINGS IS THAT WE'RE ALMOST A BILLION DOLLAR IN TOTAL INSURED VALUE FOR OUR PROPERTIES.

THAT'S BIG FOR SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY.

WE'RE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THIS YEAR AND WORK WITH TO GET PHENOMENAL RATE PICK ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOST IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WAS THE STORM DEDUCTIBLE.

THAT'S YOUR HURRICANE PICK WHEN ALL OF THOSE HURRICANES WERE HITTING FLORIDA OVER THE PAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS, EVERYTHING WENT TO A 5% DEDUCTIBLE. WE'RE ONE OF THE FIRST LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO OBTAIN A 3% STORM DEDUCTIBLE.

THEY TOLD US YOU WOULD NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN AND THERE IT IS SO THAT'S 3% OF YOUR ENTIRE PREMIUM IS WHAT YOU WOULD PAY ON A DEDUCTIBLE. SO THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE.

THAT'S HALF A MILLION-$1 MILLION.

SO STRONG PORTFOLIO, WE HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF APPRAISALS JUST TO MAKE US LOOK VERY APPEALING AND THAT REALLY PAID OFF OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS THAT WAS APPRAISALS THAT WERE OUR BROKER DID PAY FOR ALL OF THAT AS WELL SO WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE THAT. IF WE GO TO THE NEXT ONE BECAUSE

[02:40:03]

BUT YOU CAN SEE AS THIS GOES, THIS IS OUR PREMIUM THIS YEAR.

SO WE ARE LESS THAN THE 300 -- THAT AMOUNT HERE IN 2026, WE'RE ABOUT 800. BUT LOOK AT THESE VALUES HERE THIS IS WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR. THAT IS PHENOMENAL.

THAT IS WITH THE GROWTH. THIS IS THE VALUE OF OUR BUILDINGS. YOU CAN SEE STEADILY GROWING.

BUILDING PLANTS AND DOING EVERYTHING ELSE SO THAT BILLION DOLLAR MARK AND I'LL TELL YOU WE'RE GOING TO PASS THE BILLION DOLLAR MARK WITH THE NEW RECOMMENDATION FACILITY RIGHT.

THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE HIGHEST VALUE PROPERTY THAT WE'VE EVER HAD SO WITH THAT THAT'S WHY WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT BILLION. BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING THESE PHENOMENAL RATES WE'RE GETTING A BIGGER DIFFERENCE AND ARE COVERED VALUES AND GETTING THE 3% BACK SO IT'S BEEN A PHENOMENAL RENEWAL SESSION FOR US OKAY, LOOK TO THE NEXT ONE, WORKERS' COMPENSATION, ANOTHER FEATHER IN OUR CAP.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE ONE OF THE BEST RATES THE STATE'S, THAT'S WHAT WE WERE RECOGNISED WITH.

LAST YEAR WAS 0.51 WHICH WAS HISTORIC.

THIS PAST YEAR WE WERE AT 0.55, STILL ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND FOR SOME OF WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND, BASICALLY THE FLORIDA AVERAGE -- YOU CAN LOOK AT THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT THAT IS TOWARDS YOUR PREMIUM. TYPICALLY THAT'S A DOLLAR PER SERVING $0.55 ON THE DOLLAR FOR THE COVERAGE WHICH IS COME TO BEING ABOUT $1.5 MILLION SAVINGS ON A PREMIUM THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE WORKER'S COMP FOR THEIR -- UNLESS YOU'RE JUST A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL.

SO THAT'S VERY EXCITING. CLAIMS HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF GROWTH BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT WE FOUND IN THE CLAIMS IS THAT BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY MAKING ALL THE DEPARTMENTS REPORT THOSE INJURIES RIGHT AWAY, WE DON'T WANT THEM TO HOLD OFF AND NOT TELL US ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE LONGER THEY WAIT TO TELL US THE MORE VULNERABILITY THEY HAVE THAT IT WILL BE DENIED.

WE ARE SEEING THOSE CLAIMS INCREASING BECAUSE OF THE REPORTING. IN THE NEXT ONE, TWO ASKS THIS YEAR. ONE, THE HOUSE LEGISLATURE HAS DECIDED -- THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR A DECADE WITH THAT SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. I'LL TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE ASKING FOR $3000 TO HELP US WITH CLAIMS AND WE COULD COME UP WITH THAT AND NUMBER 2, WE'RE ASKING FOR A DRIVING SIMULATOR.

IT'S A PORTABLE SIMULATOR THAT WE COULD TAKE AROUND TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAN ACTUALLY SIMULATE DRIVING FIRE ENGINES AND DUMP TRUCKS AND ALL THE THINGS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE -- WE USED TO HAVE A TRUCK WITH FCTC BUT PEOPLE CAN'T GET OUT THERE TAKE THE BUSINESSES IS JUST TOO BUSY FOR THE DAY SO WE WANT THEM TO TRY THAT. WE HAVE A LOT OF GAMERS ON OUR TEAMS NOW AND THEY CAN SIMULATE WEATHER AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS SO WE'RE BRINGING THAT FORWARD WE'RE HOPING TO GET SOMETHING LESS LIKE MAKING MORE LIKE NINE AND A HALF AND $12,000 AMOUNT BUT WE HAVE A LITTLE WIGGLE ROOM IN THERE IN CASE SOMETHING COMES BACK LIKE THAT THAT WOULD HELP BECAUSE YOU'LL SEE THE TRAFFIC LIKE HOW BUSY THE ROADS ARE, 70% OF OUR ACCIDENTS ARE NOT OUR FAULT, THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE'S, UNFORTUNATELY.

SO WE JUST WANT EVERYBODY HOME SAFE EVERY DAY.

THE NEXT ONE, A BIT MORE ABOUT HOUSE BILL 145.

CURRENTLY, AS MOST OF YOU ARE AWARE, SOME IMMUNITY FOR TEXAS IS A LOCAL ENTITY THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THE CAP IS 200000 FOR SOMEONE TO SUE US THAT'S THE MOST THEY CAN GET, A BILL TO THE FORCE OF THAT LEGISLATION AT THE STATE LEVEL.

KNOW IT'S GOING TO GO UP TO $350,000 SOMEONE CAN SUE US SO 200,000, A LOT OF ORGANISATIONS AND LEGAL DEPARTMENTS DON'T REALLY GO FOR A $200,000 FUND BECAUSE THEY COULD HAVE -- YOUR CLIENT GETS HALF BUT NOW YOU START TO GET 350,000 THAT'S A

[02:45:02]

AND OF COURSE EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S TO COME, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE I COULD ABSOLUTELY TELL YOU BUT WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AND BUSINESS IS BUSY IN OUR PART OF THE WORLD SO

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR AMAZING WORK AND THE THINGS YOU'RE SHARING.

RISK MANAGEMENT OF THE YEAR. [LAUGHING]

ALL MY AWARDS IF I WANTED. >> THERE'S TOO MANY.

>> THAT'S A TEAM APPROACH TO AND THAT'S ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER NOT JUST A SINGLE EFFORT TO PICK IT MEANS SO MUCH AND THEY'VE ALL STEPPED UP WITH OUR LOSS THIS YEAR TO REALLY -- WE REALLY APPRECIATE AND THEY NEED THE TIME TO BE ABLE TO SHARE ALL THAT TOO BECAUSE THEY ALL MATTER.

WE TRY TO CARE FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES IN THE SAME WAY.

I THINK THOSE ARE ALL DOLLARS INVESTED IN THE EMPLOYEES -- THEY BRING BACK SAVINGS AND PEOPLE ARE -- THAT'S A GOOD

THING. >> YOU COVERED EVERYTHING REALLY

WELL. >> THANK YOU FOR THE TEAM'S LEADERSHIP TO LEAD IN HR AND I THINK CERTAINLY INNOVATION HAS BEEN THE THEME OF PAST YEAR SINCE THE ARRIVAL -- RESEMBLED A WONDERFUL LEADERSHIP TEAM TO LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE CHALLENGE OF FUNCTIONING A UNIVERSAL HR TEAM IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS INCREDIBLE.

YOU DON'T HAVE JUST ONE BUSINESS TO SUPPORT, YOU HAVE 22.

ALL OF THEM ARE UNIQUE IN THEIR OWN WAY TO THEIR OWN OPERATION PICKS SO YOU ALMOST HAVE TO CUSTOMISE A LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM FOR EACH DIRECTOR AND THEIR LEADERSHIP AND PROGRESSION, CAREER PROGRESSION PLAN FOR EACH DEPARTMENT AND THE LIBRARIAN'S PROGRESSION, IT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM OUR UTILITY DEPARTMENT PROGRESSION AND IT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. SO YOU GUYS DO A REALLY AMAZING JOB WITH THE AMOUNT OF WORK YOU HAVE TO DO TO CUSTOMISE YOUR SUPPORT NOT ONLY TO EMPLOYEES BUT YOU'RE SUPPORTING AN ORGANISATION PERKINS THROUGH THAT YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEE OR AN EMPLOYEE AND THERE'S A LOT OF BALANCING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO NOT ONLY PROTECTING US AS AN ORGANISATION AS AN EMPLOYER BUT AT THE SAME TIME HELPING OUR INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES AS WELL SO THAT'S A LOT OF CONSIDERATIONS TO BE HAD TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO. SO THAT'S AMAZING I CAN ALSO DO THAT IN THE MIX OF TRANSFORMING FROM OUR OLD SYSTEM TO A NEW ERP SYSTEM. SO YOU GUYS ARE DOING WONDERFUL MULTIPLE JOBS AT ONCE AND GOING THROUGH ALL THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE FACED WITH THE TRANSITION AND MIGRATING FROM AN OLD SYSTEM

[02:50:03]

>> I KNOW SHE'LL COME BACK AT THE LAST DAY THIS YEAR WE MADE A DECISION TO GO THROUGH THE FTE AND NEW FTE REQUEST SO WE'LL

GUIDE US THROUGH THAT PROCESS. >> SO BOTH HR AND RISK ARE WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND I'LL ACTUALLY GET INTO SOME OF THE OTHER FUNDS, INTERNAL SERVICE FUND, IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

HERE'S THE HR BUDGET PICK KIND OF SPLIT BETWEEN PERSONNEL AND OPERATIONS. THERE'S A VEHICLE IN THERE A BIT OF CAPITAL, HERE'S A LINE ITEM BUDGET WITH THE VEHICLE HIGHLIGHT AS WELL. REALLY NO QUESTIONS HERE, YOU WENT THROUGH SOME OF THE REQUESTS THERE FOR THE TECHNOLOGY INCREASES. I DON'T WANT TO KIND OF HIGHLIGHT -- THIS IS REALLY ACROSS THE BOARD, YOU WILL SEE THERE'S A COUPLE OF BENEFITS RELATED TO EACH DEPARTMENT HERE SO THOSE -- L. WILL GET OVER TO THE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS.

WHAT THESE ARE ARE THE LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE WORKER COMPENSATION AND YOU CAN SEE HOW LOW WORKER COMPENSATION IS.

THINKS -- GREAT EXPERIENCE WE HAD -- THOSE AREN'T PAYMENTS -- WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTS THERE ARE PAYMENTS TO ANOTHER FUND.

SO ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS GET HEALTH INSURANCE WORKER HAVE ALL GET TRANSFERRED OVER TO AN INTERNAL SERVICE FUND ONE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, ONE FOR WORKERS AND THEN OUR PREMIUMS ARE IN CLAIMS AND ALL OF THE ACTIVITY IS ACTUALLY PAID FOR OUT OF THOSE FUNDS. SO IT'S KIND OF SHOWING AN EXPENSE TWICE, EACH INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS ARE PAYING IT BUT THEY'RE PAYING IT KIND OF TO OURSELVES, TO ANOTHER FUND WITHIN THE COUNTY AND THEN WE'RE ACTUALLY PAYING THEIR PREMIUMS AND ACTIVITY WITHIN THOSE OTHER FUNDS SO IT DOES HAVE AN EFFECT THOSE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS, DUPLICATING THOSE EXPENSES BUT I THINK THE BEST WAY TO SHOW IT IS PART OF AN OPERATION.

THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES FOR HUMAN SERVICES HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT, THEIR STAFF, COSTS RELATED TO THOSE STAFF.

SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT AND THEN WE'LL DIG INTO RISK MANAGEMENT BUDGET. REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT OF INCREASES, A BIT OF A DECREASE ON THE SALARY SIDE, INCREASE RELATED TO ON THE OPERATIONS SIDE PROBABLY RELATED TO YOUR

SIMULATOR. >> SIMULATORS AND WORKER'S COMP

IT'S CONTRACTUAL. >> IT'S FOR THE TEMPERATURE

STAFFING, IS THE ONLY INCREASE. >> THE OTHER THING, LOWER REFERENCE TO PROPERTY INSURANCE LIABILITY INSURANCE, THE SAVINGS THERE. YOU WON'T SEE THOSE SAVINGS ALL IN ONE PLACE EITHER BECAUSE IT'S IN THIS INSURANCE LINE AND IT'S SPREAD ACROSS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS SO ALL OF THOSE SAVINGS REALLY DOESN'T APPLY TO ONE DEPARTMENT, ACTUALLY BENEFITS THE ENTIRE COUNTY. AND THEN, LIKE I MENTIONED,

THOSE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS -- >> BEFORE WE GO THERE, MAY I ASK WAS THERE OVERTIME FOR BOTH RISK AND FOR HR?

I'M NOT SEEING IT FOR 27. >> THERE'S NO BUDGET FOR THAT.

>> THERE SHOULD BE, SO WE'LL ADD IT.

>> THEN YOU HAVE YOUR WORKER -- I DON'T THINK THESE ARE FULLY FORMATTED YET. THIS IS WHERE WORKER'S COMP -- IT'S A REDUCTION OF WHAT THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, THE 1.0 RATE AS WE ARE 45% REDUCTION ON THAT CURRENTLY.

SO AGAIN THERE'S ADDITIONAL COST SAVINGS THERE SPREAD ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS. REALLY NO QUESTIONS THERE, GREAT

WORK ON THAT. >> ON THIS -- YOU REALISE INTERNAL SERVICES GROUP HEALTH INSURERS ALSO SORT OF PART OF THIS FUNCTION SO WE DON'T HAVE A REALLY DESIGNATED AREA TO DISCUSS THOSE. I DO WANT TO THANK THE TEAM TO SUPPORT OUR -- ALSO THE INSURANCE COMMITTEE TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS IN TERMS OF TAILORING OUR INSURANCE POLICIES TO SUPPORT -- ONE THING FOR THE ONES WHO DON'T KNOW THE COUNTY IS A SELF-FUNDED HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY THAT IS

[02:55:04]

ONE CHALLENGE WE'RE WORKING THROUGH ADJUSTING -- JESSE AND I HAD WORKING WITH OFFICERS AND WE'RE SUPPORTING OUR -- IT'S TO LOOKING AT LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR INSURANCE POLICY AND WHAT LEVEL IS SUSTAINABLE FOR US AS AN ORGANISATION WITH THE CONSIDERATION OF HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE AFFORDABLE AND HAVING A HEALTHY COVERAGE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WITH THAT SAID I THINK WE'LL BE LOOKING AT A -- THE EXECUTIVE TEAM MEETING WITH ALL OF THE VOTING MEMBERS AND WE'LL BE LIKELY TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO EVALUATE LONG TERM INDEXING OPTIONS FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT IS AFFORDABLE BUT AT THE SAME TIME KEEPING THE COUNTIES AND EVENTUALLY OUR TAXPAYER NECESSITY TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE. WHAT ALARMED ME WAS THE 15% SUBSIDY RECOMMENDATION BY OUR CONSULTANTS, WHICH IS SUBSTANTIAL BASIS ON A 30 TO $40 MILLION ANNUAL SUBSIDY IN THE HEALTH INSURANCE SPEAK SO I WANTED TO MENTION THAT SO THAT IT DOESN'T COME AS A SURPRISE I DIDN'T REALISE IT'S MORE OF A MANAGED BY THE VOTING MEMBERS OF ... AND ULTIMATELY THE BOARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE TO APPROVE OR MODIFY ANY PLANS THAT WE HAVE MOVING FORWARD. THE OTHER THING, WHICH IS A MORE TIMELY, IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL INNOVATIVE POLICIES WE CAN EVALUATE, ONE IS OF COURSE DRIVEN BY THE HIGH FUEL COST.

I KNOW WE'VE HAD CONSIDERATIONS FOR REMOTE POLICIES FOR EMPLOYEES. I THINK IT'S MORE TIMELY TO EVENTUALLY LOOK AT IT, MORE ROBUST POLICIES THAT IS MORE CUSTOMISED DUE TO DEPARTMENT AND I REALISE PUBLIC WORKS, IF YOU HAVE STAFF THAT HAS TO BE ON SITE, WORK REMOTE DOES NOT NECESSARILY AN OPTION BUT IT COULD BE FOR AN ANALYST IT COULD BE FOR HR STAFF IT COULD BE FOR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.

SO I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US TO LOOK AT A MORE ROBUST ... AS AN ADDED BENEFIT FOR EMPLOYEES AND ADDED BENEFIT FOR EFFICIENCY.

THERE'S ALSO SIDE BENEFIT FOR PROVIDING THE RESOURCE, PROVIDING THE WORK SPACE AND ALL OF THAT.

SO THAT IS DRIVEN BY WHAT'S THE COST INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S A GOOD THING TO LOOK AT AS THE OVERALL RETENTION RECRUITMENT TOOL AS WELL.

THE OTHER THING THAT THEY TALKED ABOUT, I THINK NG HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ON THIS AI, OVERALL THE EVALUATION OF WHAT THE COUNTY IS DOING I REALISED A LOT OF EMPLOYEES USE AI TOOLS TO SUPPORT WHAT THEY DO, HAVING A SAFETY GUARD ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO USE AI WITHOUT COMPROMISING OUR COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION IS VERY CRUCIAL.

WORKING -- THERE'S TIME FOR US TO PUSH OUT AN AI POLICY FOR ENSURING SAFETY OF DATA BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS PUBLIC RECORD PERKINS THEN THE AI REGULATION IS STILL CATCHING UP SO WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE GUIDELINE IS OTHER THAN WE KNOW WE HAVE A POSSIBILITY FOR R THE DATA.

>> SO WORKING WITH AN EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK AND HAVING SOME OF THOSE AI POLICIES AND LOOKING AT REMOTE THINGS AS WELL AND CREATING SOME STANDARD LANGUAGE, WE HAVE ACTUALLY A MEETING TODAY TO CONTINUE OUR WORK ON THAT AND WE HAVE DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM -- I. CREATED IT NOW, LOOKING AT IT HOW DOES IT WORK WHAT DO WE NEED AND THEN WE'LL GET THAT DRAFT TO ADMINISTRATION TO LOOK OVER. NOTHING REALLY FAR OFF FROM OUR CODE IT WAS MORE OF THE PROCESSES ON SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT -- THAT NORMALLY GO INTO AN EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK SO WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK ON THAT STARTING BACK WITH LILLIAN AND WE HAD A CONTRACTOR THAT STARTED ON THAT, THEY REALLY MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

SO WE PLAN TO HAVE A FINAL DRAFT TO PRESENT I WOULD SAY IN ONE OR TWO MONTHS, MAYBE BUT THAT WINDOW IS PRETTY SHORT CONSIDERING HOW LONG IT'S TAKEN. BUT THERE ARE SOME OF THOSE ELEMENTS IN IT, WILL HIGHLIGHT THAT.

[03:00:02]

SO EVERYBODY IS COMFORTABLE. >> SOUNDS GOOD.

THE OTHER THING I THINK COMPARED TO THE FUN, IS FAR MORE MEMBERS -- CERTAINLY WE DON'T HAVE MUCH POLICIES FOR MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY ALL THE TIME BUT IF WE CAN WORK WITH LEGAL TO SEE HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THEIR INCREASE THE TRAVEL COST WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF THE LAW, THAT WOULD BE A PROHIBITING FACTOR FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO COMMUNITIES.

>> SOME OF THE WORK WE'VE LOOKED AT WITH REGARDS TO TRAVEL, THEY ADDED DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS SO WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH THEM ON THAT TO SEE WHAT WE HAD. SO WE'VE DONE SOME WORK ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THAT'S HOW WE GET THE WORK DONE AND WE LOVE EVERYBODY HAS A PASSION AND THEY WORK WITH US WE DO TAKE OUR TIME WHEN WE'RE CHOOSING NEW TEAM MEMBERS SO THAT THEY'RE BRINGING SOMETHING NEW TO THE TABLE THAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE BUT ALSO FOUNDATIONALLY YOU HAVE TO HAVE

THE LEVELS -- >> I WILL SEE YOU ON THE LAST

DAY. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE

[Library Services]

>> YOU GUYS ARE SO FUN, EVERYBODY HAS THEIR LITTLE OWN THEME -- LITTLE SURPRISE FROM DIFFERENT BRANCHES.

INTRODUCE THE SYSTEM AND REALLY THE INTENT IS TO CAPTURE THAT OWN AUDIENCE -- I. KNOW -- THE AGENDA OF THE TOPIC AND THEN JUST A REMINDER OF THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE SYSTEM IS TO CONNECT CONNECT LEARN AND ENJOY PEER CAN WE DO THAT THROUGH OUR LIBRARY CARD AND THE SERVICES WE OFFER.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY THERE'S NEW LIBRARY CARDS -- THIS IS AN OVERVIEW OF OUR MOST RECENT STATS.

WE'VE BEEN AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 25.

SO SINCE SEPTEMBER, WE COLLECT ALL OF THESE BUSINESS CARD AND -- THE CITIZENS ACADEMY, JUST A REMINDER THAT ABOUT A THIRD OF THE COUNTY POPULATION CURRENTLY HOLDS A LIBRARY CARD, SJCPOS AND LAST YEAR WE HAD 700000 VISITS COMING THROUGH OUR DOORS.

WE OFFERED OVER 3000 PROGRAMS WITH AN ATTENDANCE OF OVER 100,000 PERSONS. THIS IS HIGHER THAN WE HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND WE'VE NOTICED BOTH OFF-SITE PROGRAMS AND THE INTERNAL PROGRAMS CONNECT PEOPLE SINCE THE PANDEMIC REALLY WANT TO GET TOGETHER AND MAKE THAT CONNECTION WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHETHER IT'S STAFF OR OTHER PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE AND PROGRAMS RATHER THAN DOING SOME OF THOSE VIRTUAL PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE DONE PREVIOUSLY.

SO NUMBERS FOR THE PROGRAMS OFFERED IN IN ATTENDANCE ARE HIGHER THAN HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS PICK I'M DELIGHTED TO SAY IN 2025 WE ALMOST GOT TO THE 2 MILLION MARK THAT'S THE HIGHEST CIRCULTION HAS BEEN SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

1.9 IS NOT TOO SHABBY FOR THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT COMES THROUGH OUR BUILDING THEN OUR REFERENCE TEAM ENTERED OVER 250000 QUESTIONS FROM THE PU PUBLIC.

[03:05:05]

[INDISTINCT] WE HAVE PERSONS WHO COME IN PERSON TO CHECK SOMETHING OUT LIKE MANY OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE USING THEIR CARD TO ACCESS OUR OWN LIBRARY SOURCES THAT MAY NOT ARE BECOMING PHYSICALLY INTO OUR BUILDINGS OR EITHER TITLES OR PROGRAMMING PICK JUST AS A REMINDER THE BOTTOM, THESE ARE DIGITAL AND TOTAL NUMBER OF OPTIONS WE'RE JUST JOKING WITH JESSE AFTER LUNCH THAT IF YOU GO CALCULATE YOU HAVE SOME RECIPROCATING COUNTIES THAT WILL ALSO PLAY WITH YOU ... SO IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT TITLE, YOU CAN VOTE FROM CLAY COUNTY OR FROM ANOTHER COUNTY. THOSE ARE FREE SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL.

THE CAVEAT IS THEY WON'T CIRCULATE ANYTHING THAT IS ON HOLD SO IF YOU WANT TO HOLD, THAT'S ON AN THE COLLECTION, NOT RECIPROCATING COLLECTION TICKETS LIKE YOUR LUCKY DAY, WHAT YOU'LL AND THEN BIBLIO BOARD AS A REMINDER, IT'S REALLY THE PLATFORM WE USE FOR OUR LOCAL AUTHORS SO THEY CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF THEIR WORKS AND DOWNLOAD THAT ... THERE'S A TEAM BEHIND THE SCENE TO CURATE THAT COLLECTION.

IT'S NICE TO BE ABLE TO TELL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY -- KNOW ANYONE WITH A CARD CAN ALSO ACCESS THEIR TITLES AS WELL.

THE BELLY OVER YOUR CARD CAPITAL LAST COUPLE YEARS WE'VE BEEN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. WE'VE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND IN THIS EXAMPLE THE PERSON USED THEIR CARD AND WHATEVER THEY CURRENTLY CHECKED OUT OF THE VALUE OF THOSE MATERIALS ARE $195.56 IF THEY HAD TO GO PURCHASE THEM -- WITH LIBRARY CARD FROM THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM.

AND ALSO DOES THE CUMULATIVE TRACKING FOR YOU.

SO OVER THE COURSE ... SAVINGS OF ALMOST $21,000 IN MATERIALS THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO PURCHASE BECAUSE THEIR FAMILY CHOSE TO USE THEIR LIBRARY CARD PICK THIS IS ALL AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR PATRON RECORDS. IF YOU GO TO YOUR ACCOUNT, AT THE TOP IF YOU TURN ON THE READING HISTORY YOU CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE CALCULATOR AS WELL.

FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS I THINK WE DID TOUCH ON A SIMILAR BUDGET CONVERSATION AS WELL BUT THE MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS BEEN WORKING ON A STANDARDISED MODEL OF SERVICES ACROSS THE SYSTEM. PART OF THAT INITIATIVE WAS A RESULT OF THE IMPENDING NEW BUILDING.

>> SPEAKER-08: WE WANTED THOSE BUILDINGS TO BE PART OF AN OVERALL STRUCTURE, AN OVERALL SYSTEM, NOT SIX BUILDINGS BUT BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE AND HERE'S ... THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS APPROACH IDENTIFIES EACH LOCATION BASED ON A MATRIX AND WE'LL GET TO THAT IN THE NEXT SLIDE BUT THERE'S A VALUE FOR EACH OF THOSE TIERS. PART OF THIS IS USING THE DATA THAT WE'VE GOT FROM THOSE MATRICES TO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE SHARED SERVICES, WHETHER IT'S PROGRAMMING BETWEEN BRANCHES OR SHARING STUFF BETWEEN BRANCHES, THE OPPORTUNITY OF HERE'S AN AUDIENCE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE TRAINED AND/OR THEY WOULD FILL IN SOME GAPS DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES -- THERE'S FOUR TIERS ALTOGETHER AND IT SPANS THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FROM HASTINGS TO

[03:10:04]

WE DID A LINE LAST YEAR THE LONG RANGE PLAN ACTIVITIES WITH THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN. SO THESE WERE THE MEASURES THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE FOR OUR DEPARTMENTS.

IN ORANGE YOU HAVE THE EVENTS THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH THAT WE JUST PRESENTED THIS TO THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD.

WE DO A MID-YEAR REPORT TO THEM BASED ON OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AGAINST ANNUAL PLAN SERVICE SO YOU'LL SEE IN THE ENGAGING COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS THAT WE'VE DONE 27 AND THIS IS BASED ON THE FISCAL YEAR STARTING IN OCTOBER.

SO IN THE FIRST COUPLE QUARTERS, WE PURCHASED 27 EVENTS.

LAST YEAR WE DID THE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.

I THINK WE WENT TO THE COMMISSION WITH THAT AND THEY ACHIEVED OVER 16 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS JUST IN THAT ONE CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR. WE DO A LOT WITH PARTNERSHIPS BOTH COUNTY DEPARTMENT PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY BUSINESSES AND ORGANISATIONS. THAT IS PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE PARTNER AS WELL AS THEM ASSISTING US WITH MEETING OUR GOALS. THEN THE LAST WAS THE CENTRALISED STAFFING THAT REFLECTS BACK ON THE THINGS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT OUR FIRST YEARS OF THIS POSITION WAS THIS YEAR BY 26, THOSE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN RECRUITED AND AT LEAST ONE OF THEM ARE FULL AND THEN THE REMAINING POSITIONS ARE ABOUT 27 REQUESTS HERE THIS IS JUST AN OVERVIEW OF OUR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND JUST A REMINDER FOR ESPECIALLY THE FOLKS THAT OUR DEPARTMENT IS FUNDED UNDER THE GENERAL FUND, WE'RE NEVER WE COLLECT THOSE BACK INTO THE COUNTY, WE DON'T KEEP OUR FINES AND FEES AND WE HAVE THREE PARTS -- THE GENERAL FUND, THOSE GRANT IS AN ANNUAL GRANT THROUGH THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THIS YEAR WE HAVE $96,000 AND IT'S BASED ON THE CALENDAR EXPENDITURES.

WE ARE TWO YEARS PRIOR SO THERE'S A FORMULA BASED ON WHAT WE SPEND HOW MUCH WE CAN GET BACK FROM THE STATE AND THEN DONATIONS. THIS YEAR, OUR DONATIONS FLUCTUATED DEPENDING ON THE TRENDS IN THE LIBRARY ESPECIALLY AND ANY PROJECTS THEY HAVE GOING ON.

SO IN 26, WE RECRUIT $445,000 IN DONATIONS.

THE BOTTOM PART OF THAT SLIDE GETS YOU KIND OF A BREAKDOWN OF THE TOTAL BUDGET AND THOSE CATEGORIES -- THE SPENDERS, ARE MORE IMPORTANT FOR US, IT'S CERTAINLY THE STAFF PICK YOU COULDN'T HAVE A BUILDING OR AN OUTLET OR A PROGRAM WITH STAFF MEMBER TO ASSIST BETTER ENTERING THE PHONES GET QUESTIONS OF THE DESK OR ACTUALLY CONDUCTING A PROGRAM OR THE EVENT.

THE OTHER PART OF THAT IS THE COLLECTION SPARE KEY SO YOU CAN HAVE AN OUTLET, COULDN'T HAVE IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE SOMETHING TO DELIVER. SO A BIG CHUNK OF OUR DOLLARS ARE SPENT ON THOSE MATERIALS. I'LL SAY STARTING IN 26 LIKE THIS CURRENT YEAR WE PUT ASIDE SOME OF THOSE OPEN DAY COLLECTION DOLLARS FOR THE LIBRARY.

THAT'S BEEN A TWO YEAR PROCESS. LAST YEAR WE DID THE SAME THING FOR THE NEW HASTINGS LIBRARY PICK ELSE YOU WILL SEE GOING FORWARD WE HAVE THAT PLANNED FOR SOME LOCATIONS THEN BEHIND THE

[03:15:04]

THIS IS JUST AN OVERVIEW OF OUR CURRENT LOCATIONS AND THE NEW ONES APPEARED WE DO WORK WITH GIS TO UPDATE THE SERVICE POPULATIONS FOR US SO WE JUST HAVE THAT DONE AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. SERVICE TERRITORY IS ABOUT 5 MILES SURROUNDING THE CURRENT LOCATION.

NOT NECESSARILY 5 MILES DRIVING DISTANCE SO IN SOME LOCATIONS LIKE BARTRAM TRAIL OR HASTINGS, THERE'S POTENTIAL WHERE THAT 5 MILES CAN OVERLAP AN EXISTING FACILITY.

ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT WAS ADDRESSED THIS YEAR WAS THE CLOSENESS BETWEEN GREENBRIER AND THE SHEARWATER LOCATIONS THOSE CAN OVERLAP EACH OTHER, WHICH IS NOT A BAD THING CALCULATES CLOSE ENOUGH TO SERVICE BOTH FAMILIES IN BOTH LOCATIONS BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE CAVEATS OF THIS. SO THE BLUE ARE THE CURRENT LOCATIONS. THE SQUIGGLY THINGS IN THE TOP ARE THE PROJECTIONS FOR THE NEW LOCATION AND IN THE UPPER LEFT YOU HAVE THE YELLOW WATER AND ... THE BUTTON IN THE MIDDLE IS IN YOUR OUTLETS FOR US AND THAT IS KIND OF CLEAR IN THE LOVING FACE ... ALLOCATING SPACE -- THEY'RE CURRENTLY LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST CALCULATIONS THE CENTRAL AREA OF THE COUNTY PICKETT GENERATES A LOT ON VEHICLES WHEN GAS PUMPS AND FLEET ARE UP HERE ALONG 16. SO WE ARE WORKING WITH FM TO RELOCATE SOME SPACE IN THE WEST AUGUSTINE AREA, MORE CENTRALLY

LOCATED -- SO THAT'S THE YELLOW. >> I'LL PAUSE REAL QUICK -- THERE'S FIRE STATION TO BE REPURPOSED AS WE PLANNED SORT OF A CENTRALISED LOCATION, SIMULTANEOUSLY WE GOT WEST AUGUSTINE'S COMMITTEE TO ALSO HAVE THE SAME SPACE WE'RE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO THEM TO SEE IF WE CAN COLLABORATE.

>> WE HAVE NOT DONE IS WORKING WITH US TO SEE IF WE CAN ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS TO SHARE THOSE IDEAS BACK AND FORTH.

WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST PROVIDED PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES ALONG THE CORRIDOR SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY PROBLEM.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THIS STRATEGICALLY IS REALLY GOOD FOR PROGRAMMING ASSISTANCE FROM THE AREA IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR

LIBRARY TO BE PART OF THAT. >> THIS IS JUST AN OVERVIEW OF SOME ANTICIPATED DATES FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION SO HASTINGS WOULD BE OUR FIRST NEW LIBRARY TO OPEN, THAT'S A REPLACEMENT BUILDING. PREVIOUSLY HAD A LOCATION AND THEY'RE ANTICIPATED TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SOMETIMES OR SOMEWHERE IN 2026. AFTER THAT IT WOULD BE SHEARWATER AND THAT IS ANTICIPATED BY THE LATTER PART OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR AND WHEN WE STAY MOVED IN, THAT MEANS HOW WE CAN PUT THINGS ON THE SHELF BECAUSE NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE PUBLIC. SO THEY ARE ESTIMATING FACILITIES APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER OF 2026 FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PUT THINGS IN THE BUILDING NEXT ONE BEHIND THAT WOULD BE GREENBRIER AND THAT'S ANTICIPATED IN 27.

THEY WORK OUT TO BE APPROXIMATELY 68 MONTHS APART ON EACH ONE OF THE NEW BUILDINGS. THEN IT WOULD BE THE LAST LOCATION TO OPEN AND THAT WOULD BE SOMETIME IN LATE WINTER 27 EARLY 2028 THAT'S THE LARGEST OF THE STRUCTURES ANTICIPATING A VERY HEAVILY USED SERVICE MODEL THERE IS SPACE IN THERE FOR LIBRARY SPACE AND OTHER THINGS BASED ACROSS THE BARTRAM TRAIL USAGE MODEL. THE COST OF OPENING THOSE BUILDINGS TECHNICALLY HAVE PUT INTO THE BUDGET ONLY THE EXISTING FACILITIES BUT WE HAVE FACILITIES COMING UP THAT WILL KIND OF OVERLAP FISCAL YEARS. SO YOU HAVE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE ABOUT A MILLION AND FOUR AND THAT'S THE ESTIMATED SETUP OF THINGS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED WHETHER IT BE PRORATED

[03:20:01]

COLLECTION. >> IS THIS ONE OR ELECTION OF

BRANCHES? >> THIS WOULD BE THREE -- SO IT WOULD BE HASTINGS -- THEY ALREADY HAVE DONE THEIR

COLLECTION. >> SO THIS IS A TOTAL REQUEST BUDGET FOR SHEARWATER. [INDISTINCT]

>> PRETTY MUCH GREENBRIER. THE ONLY THING WOULD BE THE DAILY COLLECTION SITE THE MATERIALS BUDGET FOR THAT TO PICK THE REST WOULD BE FACTORED IN THE UTILITIES COLLECT CLEANING SERVICE COOK THAT SORT OF STUFF FOR SHEARWATER AND THEN GREENBRIER IS FACTORED IN AT FOUR MONTHS.

>> SO AT SOME POINT -- I DON'T WANT TO STOP THE FLOW OF YOUR PRESENTATION BUT -- EACH BRANCH, THE STAFFING DAY AND THE STAGGERING COST OF IT AS WELL. WE MAY HAVE TO MAKE SOME

ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED. >> SO THIS IS THE PERSONNEL REQUEST FOR 27 WE'RE CURRENTLY AT 103.9 FTES AND OUR DEPARTMENT. OUR TOTAL REQUEST FOR 27 IS 17.65 FTES AND SIX OF THEM ARE THE GREENBRIER POSITIONS AND THEY ARE LISTED FOR FOUR MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

SO THAT WOULD BE THE LATTER PART, SUMMER TEN YEARS OF HIS SCHOOL YEAR 27. 11.65 ARE EXISTING SERVICES THAT WOULD BE FOR EXAMPLE AN ADDITIONAL POSITION COLLECT SOME ADDITIONAL POSITIONS IN SUPPORT SERVICES AND MARKETING AS WELL AS WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE INDICATED THE LIKELIHOOD OF GOING FROM PART TIME TO FULL TIME WITHIN THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR. SO THAT'S WHERE THE .6 -- THAT'S WHY IT'S A LITTLE ODD. ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE LOOKED AT, TALKING TO PERSONNEL REQUEST IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND OUR PART TIME POSITIONS FROM WHERE THEY CURRENTLY ARE, TO A FLAT .7 SO THAT ALL PART TIME POSITIONS WOULD BE 0.7 WHICH IS 28 HOURS A WEEK. IT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY -- A PERSON WOULD NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO WORK 28 HOURS A WEEK.

THERE'S THE BUILT IN FLEXIBILITY IF SOMEONE IS OUT ON LEAVE OR YOU HAVE A VACANCY THAT THERE'S ADDITIONAL WIGGLE ROOM TO COVER THOSE EXTRA GAPS AND SERVICES. IN TERMS OF RECLASSIFICATION, WE HAVE SEVEN EXISTING STAFF THAT WOULD BE MOVED FROM THEIR CURRENT POSITION INTO A HIGHER CLASS POSITION.

WHILE WE ARE ON ACTIVITY, REMIND ME, A SINGLE LABORATORY STAFF MEMBERS, HOW MANY -- [INDISTINCT]

>> 5.7. >> 24 HOURS A WEEK.

>> I SAID THE ENTIRETY OF STAFFING?

>> YES, AND PART TIME. [INDISTINCT]

>> IT WILL END UP BEING ABOUT 20:20 COMBINATION.

>> WHICH IS NOT REQUESTED -- IF YOU'RE REQUESTING GREENBRIER.

>> OF THOSE SIX, THE MANAGER ASSISTANT WILL BE RECRUITING FIRST AND THEN THE CLOSER YOU GET TO THE OPENING DAY, THEN YOU'LL DO THOSE FRONT LINE LIBRARY ASSISTANTS AND THAT ALLOWS THEM TO BE ABLE TO GO TO OUR OTHER BRANCHES AND TRAIN WITH CURRENT STAFF CAN BE FAMILIAR WITH THE SERVICES WE

HAVE. >> ONE THING -- TALKING ABOUT FTE, WE TALK ABOUT FTES AND ONE THING I ASKED RICHARD DEPARTMENT HEADS REQUESTING NEW FTES CALCULUS TO PRIORITISE THEM IF WE CAN PUT ALL OF THEM.

WHAT YOU'RE ASKING TODAY -- WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER ON THE 20TH IT'S GREENBRIER COMPLETION DATE IS SUMMER 2027.

SO THERE'S A LEVEL OF PREPARATION THAT YOU ARE

[03:25:01]

DISCUSSION AS AN OPTION. >> WE HAD THAT SAME DISCUSSION ABOUT HASTINGS AND THE VOLUME OF BUSINESS THAT GOES THROUGH CURRENTLY IS NOT THE SAME LEVEL THAN THE PREVIOUS LOCATION.

BUT BEING RIGHT ABOUT THE MAIN STREET CHARACTERS THE ANTICIPATION THAT IT WILL BE OVER WHAT THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY APPEARED SO HOW DO YOU BALANCE THAT OUT IN TERMS OF RECRUITING? SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS TAKEN SOME OF THE PART TIME POSITIONS -- HERE'S WHY AND THEN IF THAT IS STILL OVER THE TOP, THEN WE CAN ALWAYS RECRUIT -- THEY'RE NOT ALL REQUESTED OR RECRUITED JUST

BECAUSE OF THAT. >> THEN AT SOME POINT, IF WE WANT TO ALSO LOOK AT OVERALL BUDGET, INDEPENDENT OF NEW STAFF, SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS CIRCULATION PROGRAMMING AND THEN REACH BACK SO AT SOME POINT WE MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT EACH CATEGORY INDEPENDENTLY AND ALSO IN COMPARISON WITH EACH OTHER TO SEE IF WE DO HAVE TO TAILOR OUR LEVEL OF SERVICE TO RESPONDING REVENUE THAT'S MAYBE ...

>> INTERNALLY THAT WAS PART OF THE INITIATIVE BEHIND THOSE TIERS CALCULATE WAS TO BE ABLE TO SAY, AT THIS LEVEL HERE'S WHAT YOUR EXPECTATION IS BECAUSE IT MIGHT NOT BE 37 PROGRAMS A WEEK LIKE MAYBE DO SIX AND THEN THIS TIER CAN DO 12 AND MAYBE THEY SHARE PROGRAMMING OR STAFFING.

ONE OF THE IDEAS BETWEEN SHEARWATER AND GREENBRIER IS THEY'RE STILL VERY CLOSE, IF YOU STAGGER THE HOURS OF SERVICE YOU COULD POTENTIALLY ACCRUE STAFF BETWEEN THOSE TWO LOCATIONS.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN TALKING TO PARTS ABOUT SHEARWATER, THAT WILL BE A FULL SERVICE CENTER AS WELL WHERE THAT LOOKS THERE'S ANY WAY WE CAN SHARE PROGRAMMING OR STAFFING BETWEEN THOSE TWO ENTITIES OR SHARE THAT KIND OF CONCEPT.

SO WE ARE HAVING THOSE DISCUSSIONS IN THE BACKGROUND PICK ONE OF THOSE -- EVEN WITH MARKETING, YOU CAN GO -- WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINE AS PEOPLE TO COME THROUGH THE DOOR THAT MAY NEED TO SCALE BACK SOME OF THAT AS WELL. THE PARTNERSHIPS, -- SO I THINK WE'RE ON THE SAME PATH WITH YOU IN TERMS OF WHAT SCENARIOS.

>> I LOVE THE IDEA OF TIERED OPTIONS, I ALMOST LIKE TO THINK WE HAVE TO DO OUR DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF MANDATORY SERVICES WE COULD SAY MENU OF WHICH TIER OF SERVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE, ESSENTIALLY. PURCHASE -- THERE'S ALWAYS --

RESIDENT WILLING TO PAY FOR. >> IT WAS A DIFFICULT SECTION.

EVERY BRANCH MANAGER WANTS TO KEEP WHAT THEY ALREADY HAVE KEPT NO ONE WANTS TO GIVE IT UP. SAME POINT IN TIME, I THINK THIS PAST YEAR WE CAME TO THAT CONSENSUS THAT OKAY, I CAN SEE THE PICTURE. AND I THINK IN THE BACK OF OUR MIND THE LAST BUILDING WE OPENED WAS ANASTASIA ISLAND AND THAT HAPPENED ON -- CLOSE TO THE RECESSION.

WE CAN'T HAVE ONLY FOUR PEOPLE IN 27 BOOKS ON THE SHELVES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO USE WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

SO BEHIND THE SCENES LIKE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE SAME KIND OF SCENARIOS MIGHT NOT BE YOUR BRANCH, MIGHT BE ELSEWHERE BUT

WE RECEIVE THOSE SERVICES. >> AS PART OF THAT TIERED OPTIONS, ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OR SORT OF -- SUGGESTED SAVING MEASURES THAT WE CAME UP WITH AT THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT DAY, ONE OF THEM WAS TO LOOK AT SUNDAY HOURS -- THIS IS ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO WE ACTUALLY REINSTATED SUNDAY HOURS BUT WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE WE REALISED THAT IT WOULD BE ACROSS THE THREE CATEGORIES TYPE OF REDUCTION OKAY THEN WOULD THAT MAKE MOST SENSE, THAT WOULD BE LEAST PAINFUL IN WHAT COMMUNITY.

SO THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.

>> SO THE DATA WE'RE COLLECTING IS REALLY FOR ALL OF THAT.

[03:30:03]

SO WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE. AND THEN THE POTENTIAL SAVINGS FOR 27, BECAUSE YOU'RE REQUESTING ADDITIONAL STAFF BACK IF YOU DID THAT OPTION LIKE YOU MIGT NEED THOSE ADDITIONAL REQUESTS. SO ALL OF THAT IS KIND OF THE VERIFICATION OF WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP COLLECING THOSE STATS AND IT'S YOUR DECISION -- NOT JUST WHAT WE NEED TO BE -- THE THINGS THEY WANT TO.

>> AND THEN FOR EVERY ONE OF THOSE, WILL THEY UTILISE WHATEVER SURVEY RESPONSE THEY GAVE YOU, CUSTOMER CARDS OR.

SO JUST A REMINDER LIKE WE HAVE THREE CIP REQUESTS THIS YEAR.

IN LOOKING AT THE NEW BUILDING, WE'RE KIND OF REMINDED THERE WAS NO PLAN TO GO BACK INTO EXISTING BUILDINGS.

SO WE HAVE THEN AN HIS TEAM WITH US AND THE TWO PRIORITIES OF COURSE OR BARTRAM TRAIL BECAUSE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY PROPERTY THEY HAVE AND THEN LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL OF PERHAPS GOING UPSTAIRS AND CREATING SOME SORT OF SECOND LEVEL.

IT WOULD NOT BE A PUBLIC SERVICE ON THE SECOND LEVEL BUT STAFF SERVICES UPSTAIRS AND THAT GIVES YOU THE DOWNSTAIRS SPACE TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND WHETHER IT'S FOR THE PUBLIC AND THEIR FRIENDS DELIVERY OUTLETS PICK THAN THE LAST ONE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS STARTED IN THIS YEAR, ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR SECURITY CAMERAS.

OUR BUILDINGS IN HASTINGS HAD SECURITY CAMERAS BUT OTHERS DID NOT SO WE STARTED -- I. GUESS ALMOST A YEAR AGO AND THIS BRINGS EVERYBODY UP WITH AT LEAST ONE EXTERIOR CAMERA AT THEIR FRONT DOOR AND THAT THEIR STAFF ENTRANCE.

THEN REQUESTED -- THEY WOULD TAKE SOME OF THOSE CAMERAS INDOORS TO DO THINGS LIKE FOCUSING ON THE CIRCULATION DESK OR SOME AREAS IN OUR BUILDINGS THEY'RE NOT EASILY VISIBLE FROM

THE FRONT SERVICE STEPS. >> SO THE PROJECT -- OBVIOUSLY -- HOPEFULLY WE DON'T HAVE A SLIDE ON THAT LATER BUT I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT BECAUSE WE'RE ON A TRACK WE WENT THROUGH PROJECTS LIKE I'M GLAD YOU HAD THE BATHROOM AND MAIN LIBRARY EXPANSION ON THE CIP -- I DON'T THINK IT'S LIKELY WE'RE GOING TO RECOMMEND MOVING FORWARD THROUGH OTHER COMPUTING PROJECTS.

ALSO I THINK IT MAKES SENSE FOR US TO COLLECT MORE DATA, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING WITH THE NEW BRANCHES AND SEE HOW IT'S IMPACTING OUR EXISTING BRANCH. I DO THINK A STRATEGICALLY IT'S SMART TO PUT ON ON A LIST BECAUSE AT SOME POINT WE'LL HAVE

TO REVIEW THOSE OPTIONS. >> SO THIS IS THE COMPARISON BETWEEN CURRENT YEAR OF FY26 AND 27 WITH ALL OF THE PERSONNEL AND OPERATING COSTS FOR THE ANTICIPATED NEW BUILDINGS, YOU'RE SHOWING ABOUT 24% INCREASE OVER OUR EXISTING BUDGET FOR 26. THIS BREAKS THAT DOWN, YOU'LL SEE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE IT'S STILL THE SAME 15 MILLION BUT THE 14 MILLION IS OUR CURRENT SERVICE LEVEL AND THE MILLION OR OTHER NUMBER WE HAD FROM THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, ABOUT HERE'S WHAT IT COSTS FOR THE OPENING DAY COLLECTIONS,

UTILITIES, AND PERSONNEL. >> THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 1.4 AND -- EXCUSE ME, -- 1.4 AND THEN COMPARED TO SUSTAIN THE CURRENT LEVEL BY ADDING EXISTING STAFF TO EXISTING BRANCHES.

>> EXISTING PERSONNEL, IF YOU TAKE OUT THOSE SIX, YOU WOULD BE

GOING FROM 126 TO 143. >> 143, OKAY.

>> I ASK IT'S 1.4, SO THE ANNUALISED AMOUNT OR ARE YOU REQUESTING THOSE POSITIONS TO START LATER IN THE YEAR.

>> THEY START LATER IN THE YEAR. >> SO THE ANNUALISED AMOUNT

WOULD BE HIGHER? >> YES.

>> UNDER THE FUTURE YEAR INCREASE RELATED --

>> I THINK THE MANAGERS WERE SUPPOSED TO START LIKE IN THE SUMMER AND THEN THOSE FRONTLINE PEOPLE DEPENDING ON WHEN THE BUILDING OPENS WOULD BE LATER PYREX I WANT TO SAVE THOSE PROJECTED FOR AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER PICK.

[03:35:02]

>> ON THE 1.4 IS THE OPERATING COST.

>> CORRECT. >> BUT THAT'S ALSO KIND OF A

PARTIAL YEAR AS WELL? >> YES.

>> NEW COLLECTIONS WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS -- IT

WOULD START -- >> THESE ARE THE COST SAVINGS WE TALKED ABOUT INTERNAL RESTRUCTURING AND THOSE TIERS ALLOW US THE FLEXIBILITY OF MOVING STUFF AROUND BETWEEN LOCATIONS IF NEEDED AS WELL AS SHARING PROGRAMMING AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES LIKE CENTRALISED REFERENCE OR PHONE CALLS OR WHATEVER BASED ON THE DATA THAT IS BEING RETRIEVED.

WE TOOK SERIOUSLY WHETHER THEY DRIVEN -- SO WE DO THAT ALREADY AND AMY'S DEPARTMENT, HERE'S A DATABASE COMING UP FOR RENEWAL AND HERE'S HOW MANY USES IT HAS. LET'S LOOK AND SEE DO WE WANT BETTER DO WE WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING ELSE? WE TOOK THAT SAME CONCEPT AND THE TEARS AND WE'VE APPLIED THAT LIKE WE JUST TALKED ABOUT SUNDAY HOURS WE TALKED ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF OUR COLLECTIONS IN TERMS OF OUR SERVICES.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE DOING THAT THE COMMUNITY IS NOT USING AS HEAVILY AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST AND WE CAN OFFER SOMETHING ELSE INSTEAD. WITHOUT HAVING TO REINVENT THE WHEEL OR ASK FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

THE OTHER BIG SUPPORT FOR US IS CERTAINLY THE LIBRARY

ORGANISATION. >> WE HAD THREE BUILDINGS THIS PAST YEAR, FRIENDS HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING WITH SOME ADDITIONAL RENOVATIONS. WE HAVE A HALF MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT HAPPENING CURRENTLY, WE'VE HAD SOME DEFINITIONS FROM CITIZENS IN TERMS OF ANESTHESIA AND BERTRAM WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE SERVICE THEY RECEIVED THAT THEY MADE A SIGNIFICANT DONATIONS AND WE USE THAT FOR GETTING FURNITURE AND SHELVING. THE GRANT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, ALSO IN THIS PAST YEAR A LOT OF STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES HAVE KIND OF DRIED UP.

WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO THOSE FUNDS AS WE HAD BEFORE.

OUR STATE FUNDING FOR NEXT YEAR IS ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES.

YES, WE'RE ENTITLED TO THAT BUT THE STATE HAS NOT CONCLUDED THEIR BUDGET PROCESS SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THOSE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE FOR NEXT YEAR LET ALONE THE COMPETITIVE GRANTS THAT THE STATE USUALLY PUTS OUT. SEEM TO BE IN A HOLDING PATTERN.

THE OTHER ONE IS PARTNERSHIPS WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS I TALKED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS BUT THERE'S A SIDE OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS I THINK THAT FOLKS DON'T REALISE -- NOT ONLY IT'S THE SHARING PROGRAMMING BACK AND FORTH BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS DO ON BEHALF OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM THAT WE DON'T PAY FOR.

IN MY BUDGET I MIGHT HAVE A MAINTENANCE LINE FOR THINGS THAT ARE ANTICIPATED BUT THEY'RE ALREADY PAYING FOR OTHER THINGS IN MY DEPARTMENT. EVERYTHING FROM CUTTING THE GRASS TO -- CLEANING HARD SURFACES, WE'RE HELPING WITH DOOR HANDLES THAT DON'T WORK OR TURNING OUT LIGHT BULBS.

ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF. OBVIOUSLY IT'S INVALUABLE BUT IT'S NOT CAPTURED IN TERMS OF THAT MATCH FOR STATE GRANTS.

SO ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T GO THROUGH DEPARTMENT BUDGET IS NOT COUNTED AS MATCHING EXPENDITURES.

SO I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT THERE, WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THOSE AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THAT.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, PHONE BILLS AND ALL THAT STUFF FROM ELECTRONICS GOES THROUGH THE MIS BUDGET I CANNOT GO THROUGH THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT BUDGET. SO IF YOU PULL THOSE TOGETHER IT'S A HEALTHY CHUNK OF CHANGE THAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING

ON BEHALF OF THE LIBRARIES. >> WE HAD AN EARLY DISCUSSIONS ON THE POSSIBILITY OF MOVING THE MAINTENANCE DOLLARS AT LEAST BACK OVER AND JUST TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE CONTROL OF HOW THOSE DOLLARS ARE USED.

>> WE'VE DONE THAT WITH ANOTHER TEAM, WE HAVE BUDGET ITEMS -- THAT ARE KNOWN FOR AYE, HERE ARE SOME CREATIVE OFFERS.

AT LEAST AS LONG AS IT'S AUDITABLE THROUGH OUR DEPARTMENT BUDGET, THEN IT COUNTS AS A MATCH FOR THE SAME.

>> THAT WAS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR HAVING THAT DISCUSSION.

>> FOLKS DON'T UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR BUDGET IS NOT LIKE I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU WOULD PRORATE LIKE HR SERVICES BUT ALL OF THAT IS KIND OF PARCEL OF THE

[03:40:02]

OF THAT, ANY TICKETS -- >> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THAT TOPIC BECKY BROUGHT UP HR SERVICES, WE DO COUNTYWIDE INDIRECT COST ALLOCATION, WHICH INCLUDES HR AND OTHER SERVICES TO ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENTS WE DON'T SHOW THAT AS A CHARGE BECAUSE IT'S GENERAL FUND BUT IF THAT WAS IN YOUR BUDGET, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO

RECOUP SOME OF THAT? >> YES, IT'S THE SAME THING AS CENTRALISED MAIL PICK THE LINE FOR POSTAGE IS IN MY BUDGET AND AS LONG AS IN THE BUDGET IT MATCHES.

>> YES. >> WE CAN POTENTIALLY LOOK AT

THAT TO PICK. >> JUST DON'T USE THE GEOCODE IN SOMEONE ELSE'S TINGLING BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> OKAY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> WE WILL SAY THAT IF YOU WERE AT THE DANCE WE HAD EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR SAINT JOHN, THAT -- THE KIDS HAD A GREAT TIME -- JUST A REMINDER THAT TOTAL ASKED FOR NEXT YEAR IS 15 MILLION PICK IT'S A 24% INCREASE PICK I KNOW I WATCHED A BIT OF THE PRIOR BUDGET YESTERDAY AND I KNOW I SAY THIS EVERY YEAR BUT BODIES ARE THE BIGGEST EXPENSE AND ALMOST ANY COUNTY DEPARTMENT -- SO OUR ASK REALLY INCLUDES BODIES CHECKBOOKS AND BUILDINGS THIS YEAR.

WE ALSO SERVE EVERY RESIDENT OF SAINT JOHN'S.

I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THERE IS OTHER FUNDING FOR THE LIBRARY, IT'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF FUNDING BUT -- THE PRIMARY EXPENSE OUT OF THAT LINE IS FOR -- IT'S ONE OF THOSE RESOURCES THEY HAVE IN PERSON.

ANYTHING LEFT OVER IS LAW RELATED MATERIALS THAT ARE THEN SHARED AMONGST -- PROVIDING ADDITIONAL DATA RESOURCES

ONLINE. >> , EXPANDING FROM THE GENERAL FUND, NEVER MENTIONED PRIMARILY -- GENERAL FUND REVENUE PROPERTY TAX AND GENERAL FUND REVENUE SUPPLEMENTED BY ANY OTHER GRANT AND DONATION FUND SO ALSO MENTIONED PERSONAL SERVICES LARGEST EXPENSE FOR THAT EVENT MADE ME THINK OF -- [LAUGHING] HERE'S THE LINE ITEM BREAKDOWN OF THE LIBRARY OPERATIONS BUDGETS.

DOESN'T INCLUDE NECESSARILY THE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE PART, SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS BUT CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT -- THERE'S A RETURN ON THOSE EXPENSES AND HERE WE CAN FIND A WAY TO GET IN YOUR BUDGET. THEN JUST WANTED TO -- LIBRARY REAL QUICK THAT IS A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND AND IT'S A PORTION OF A COURT FINE, SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.

SO WE HAVE ABOUT $60,000 A YEAR IN COURT FUNDS AND THEN IT GOES REALLY RIGHT BACK IN STATUTORILY SPECIFIC, YOU CAN SPEND IT ON AND IS THAT ALL BRANCHES OR JUST -- OKAY THAT'S A BIT OF SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL FUND PICK I THINK THE TWO PRIMARY REQUESTS ARE ADDITIONAL TO JUST SUSTAINING THE CURRENT LEVELS AND THERE'S AN ANNUAL REVISIT ON THE 20TH PICK THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THAT PROGRAMMING METHOD -- THE MANAGERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THAT --

[Parks & Recreation]

[03:50:07]

[03:50:11]

THAT SHOWS THE SIZE AND SCOPE WE HAVE A VERY PASSIONATE TEAM THAT DELIVERS THESE SERVICS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WE PROVIDE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ACROSS VARIOUS ARRAY OF ACTIVITY. SO WHETHER IT IS -- IT'S A BIT OF A OVERSTATEMENT WITH 106 PARKS BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE PARKS ARE REAL PARK IN HASTINGS WHICH IS A SMALL SPACE THAT HAS A PLAYGROUND ON IT IN THE NORTHEAST -- AND THERE'S DOZENS OF ACRES OF -- COMMUNITY CENTERS, 270 PROGRAMS FROM THE SOFTBALL TO CENTER CAMPS AND PROGRAMS. ATHLETIC FIELDS 126, 119 COURTS, INCLUDING PICKLEBALL, TENNIS, BASKETBALL PLAYGROUNDS ACROSS THE COUNTY, JUST UNDER 3900 CONSERVATION ACRES, PRIMARILY PRESERVING MCCULLOUGH CREEK -- ANOTHER THING WE'VE DONE RECENTLY IN ADDITION WITH THE GREEN BAR PARCEL THAT HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH THE FOUNDATION.

94 BEACH ACCESS POINTS, SOME OF THOSE ARE MAJOR BEACH ACCESS POINTS. THEY GO THROUGH IT TO ACCESS THE SITES LAST YEAR 7000 BEACH ACCESS SOLD.

>> SORRY TO INTERRUPT BUT DOES THAT INCLUDE PRIVATE ONES RELATED TO SOME OF THE HOTELS?

[INDISTINCT] >> THE PIER EMISSIONS, OVER 70,000 PEOPLE WENT TO THE PIER AND THE COUNTY GOLF COURSE 6000 POUNDS OF GOLF LAST YEAR. SO PRETTY ACTIVE COMMUNITY, A GREAT COMMUNITY TO BE -- A GREAT PLACE TO BE PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED AND INVOLVED BUT AGAIN JUST TRYING TO PAINT THAT PICTURE OF THE BROAD PERSPECTIVE OF PARKS AND RECREATION.

>> WE ALSO WANTED TO BRING BACK THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND I THINK THAT IT'S A SERVICE TO NOT MENTION OR THIS ADMINISTRATION AND PAST EMISSIONS OF -- AND COMMISSIONER MINNAAR PARKS AND RECREATION TO BRING US UP TO WHERE WE CURRENTLY ARE.

DISTRICT A, WE PUT OVER 170 MILLION INTO UPGRADING OR ADDING NEW PARKS WITHIN THE PARK DISTRICT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE FIELD DREAMS, WE DID SOME EXPANSIONS OUT THERE.

THE MILL CREEK PARK WAS A BRAND NEW FACILITY THAT WAS BROUGHT ON. YOU THINK COMING ON, WE PURCHASED DRILLING PROGRAM ESTATES -- JUST SOME KEY EXPANSION WITHIN A VERY POPULATED AREA OF OUR COUNTY, DISTRICT B HAS ABOUT 48 MILLION ALLOCATED WITH THE ADDITION OF A NEW BOAT RAMP -- THERE'S A NUMBER OF FACE-LIFTS IN THAT PART OF OUR COUNTY SO NORTH BEACH AND MILANO WERE ALL PARKS THAT WERE 20 PLUS YEARS OLD THAT JUST WERE RUN DOWN AND NEEDED TO REALLY HAVE AN A SPACE TO THEM AND THEN SOME EXPANSIONS WHERE WE HAD NOTHING THERE FOR MANY YEARS WE DID A SMALL AMOUNT OF PARKING AND NOW WE EXPAND IT TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE PROJECT JUST THROUGH THE FUNDING THAT'S BEEN ALLOCATED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS DISTRICT C, 41 MILLION.

WE DID SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO MAXIMISE THE ABILITY TO UTILISE IT TO UPGRADE THAT RAMP AS WELL, EXPANSION FOR QUESTION BEACH PARKING BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND FOR PARKING WITHIN OUR BEACH AREAS. THE PURCHASE OF THE FAMILY PARK PROPERTY WHICH IS A FEATURE BOAT RAMP.

THE ABILITY TO TURN A GRASS FIELD INTO A CENTER TO EXPAND AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO TO EVERY SINGLE YEAR OF THE DAY AS

[03:55:01]

WE JUST PURCHASED SOME LAND OF 207 SO IT'S ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE KNOW WHERE THE GROWTH CAN BE COMING AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE TRYING TO FOCUS ON TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT CAUGHT WHERE WE HAVE NO ABILITY TO EXPAND RECREATION IN THAT PART OF THE COMMUNITY PICK SOMETHING I THINK IS A HUGE CONVERSATION THAT WE SHOULD TEST TO WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON, 11% OF OUR PARKS AND RECREATION PRODUCTS HAS BEEN FUNDED THROUGH GENERAL FUND DOLLARS SO THE MAJORITY OF OUR CONSTRUCTION HAS COME THROUGH EITHER PARK IMPACT FEES, FUNDING, GRANT FUNDING BUT ONLY FROM THE GENERAL FUND PICKS SO IT'S JUST TO KIND OF SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE TO ALLOW US TO DIVE INTO PARKS AND RECREATION USING PARK IMPACT FEES AND REALLY EXPAND WHAT'S AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY PARK. [INDISTINCT]

>> IT'S EITHER 1234 DEPENDING ON WHO WE SPEAK TO.

THE NEXT ONE IS PARK MAXIMISATION AND SAFETY PROJECTS SO THESE ARE TWO FUNDING SOURCES THAT HAVE COME IN TO REALLY BE ABLE TO ASSIST PARKS AND RECREATION WITH TAKING SOME OF OUR OLDER PARKS AND CONVERTING ASPECTS OF THEM INTO AMENITIES THAT ARE BEING USED PICK THE BEST EXAMPLE IS 3D PARK.

WE HAD -- THAT WERE NOT BEING UTILISED -- THEY WERE BEING UTILISED IT WAS NOT FOR RURAL ACTIVITY.

WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THOSE AND WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE PUTTING IN A NEW AMENITY WHICH IS A PUMP TRACK THAT'S WHAT THESE DOLLARS ARE REALLY FOR AND TO ADDRESS ANY SAFETY ISSUES WE'VE HAD WITHIN OUR PARK SYSTEMS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THIS -- ALLOWED US TO REALLY EXPAND INTO NEW AREAS OF RECREATION, ALSO ALLOWED US TO MAINTAIN KEEP OUR PARKS SAFE AND SECURE. SO SOME OF THOSE HAVE BEEN LIKE THE VOLLEYBALL COURTS AND FITNESS EQUIPMENT LIKE WE HAVE A NINJA WARRIOR COURSE IN AN AREA WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SHADE PLAYGROUNDS. HISTORICALLY PARKING RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND IN SHADE ALL THE PLAYGROUNDS I KNOW IT SOUNDS CRAZY BECAUSE WE LIVE IN FLORIDA BUT WE ADDED SHADE TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THE KIDS WHILE THEY'RE OUT ON THEIR PLAYGROUND.

THERE'S PICKLEBALL COURTS WE DON'T HAVE ANY PICKLEBALL IN THE NORTHWEST DISTRICT AND WE HAD TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER AND WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS FOR THEM TO PLAY THEIR SPORTS.

ONE OF THE BIG CONVERSATIONS WE'VE BEEN HAVING IS MAKING SURE THAT OUR FACILITIES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WHILE WE KNOW THERE ARE NOT STATE REGULATIONS TO ALLOW ACCESSIBILITY TO THE BEACH, PART OF OUR INITIATIVE IS TO PROVIDE KEY LOCATIONS WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN HAVE ACCESS LIMITS OR HAVE A PARKING LOT THAT LEADS DIRECTLY TO THE BEACH PARK AND THEN SECURITY CAMERAS HAS BEEN A HUGE CONVERSATION FOR US BASED ON VANDALISM AND WHAT WE DEAL WITH THE PARKS AND SYSTEM AND PROJECTS THAT ALLOW US TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS OR PROVIDE SAFETY INFORMATION TO PROVIDE SAFETY WITHIN OUR PARK SYSTEMS AND

USERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY PARK. >> KEEPING ON PARKS, THE PARKS REPLACEMENT AND RENEWAL PROGRAM CACTUS WAS BROUGHT ON IN PARKS AND RECREATION IN FISCAL YEAR 23, PREVIOUSLY FACILITY MAINTENANCE TEAM AND THEY WERE THE REPLACEMENT RENEWAL OF THE PARK SPEC THIS IS TALKING ABOUT ELEMENTS LIKE NETTING SIDEWALKS PLAYGROUNDS PARKING LOTS COURTS ET CETERA.

THOSE THINGS WERE UNDER THE BUDGET AND WHEN IT CAME DOWN FOR THEM TO PRIORITISE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN COUNTY-WIDE IT ALWAYS FELL OFF THE PRIORITY SO WE HAVE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOME ARE LIKE 20 PLUS YEARS AND SOME OF THEM ARE APPROACHING 20 YEARS THERE'S ALREADY PARKS POINT CRESCENT BEACH THOSE ARE ALL OVER 20 YEARS, APPROACHING 20 YEARS AND THE VETERANS PARK.

THEY START TO BE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE THINGS AS WE'RE MOVING ALONG.

SO WE ARE MANAGING THAT NOW CURRENTLY WITH THIS PROGRAM IN PLACE WE GO AROUND PRIORITISE ALL FACILITIES, HIGHLIGHTS WHICH ARE THE TOP PRIORITIES TO TAKE FORWARD ON THE NEXT YEAR AND GO THROUGH AND TRY TO MAXIMISE THAT BUDGET.

THIS ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED SINCE WE TOOK IT OVER FISCAL YEAR 23 TO PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE CACTUS OVER

[04:00:05]

WE REPLACED SIDEWALKS THREE PLAYGROUNDS ... A FIELD IN ALPINE PARK REPAVED TWO PARKING LOTS PARKING LOT -- RENOVATED TENNIS COURTS AND WE REPLACED 58 STRUCTURES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THIS HELPS KEEP OUR FACILITIES, REDUCES OUR RISK COMPONENT.

LAST YEAR IN JANUARY 25 THROUGH JUNE 25, WE ASKED AND CONNECTED WITH DENISE -- AND SHE CAME OUT AND VISITED ALL OF OUR PARK SITES AND GAVE US A REPORT. SHE CAME BACK ASTOUNDING HOW WELL WE'RE UPKEEPING THE PROPERTIES SHE WAS ABLE TO COMPARE IT TO OTHER COUNTIES AND HOW WE'RE DOING ON THAT LEVEL SHE RECOGNISED RIGHT AWAY THAT THERE WAS A BIG DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WE'RE DOING TO MAINTAIN OUR FACILITIES AND WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING TO MAINTAIN THEIR FACILITIES I TYPICALLY SAY OUR BIGGEST ADVOCATES END UP BEING THE TRAVEL TEAMS FOR NEW SPORTS BECAUSE THEY GO TRAVEL OUT OF CANDY -- AND THEY RECOGNISE THAT IT ISN'T THE SAME AS WHAT WE HAVE IN PARK OR RIVERTOWN WHEN THEY GO UP TO OTHER COUNTIES THEY SEE THAT IT'S NOT BEING MAINTAINED TO THE LEVEL OUR TEAM DOES

>> NOW WE GO TO OUR BUDGETS. THE FIRST ONE I WILL PRESENT IS PROGRAMING BUDGET. THIS IS OUR ADMINISTRATION.

THIS HAS A MAJOR IMPACT DRIVER. SHEARWATER EXPANSION AND SHEARWATER CENTER WILL BE OPERATING FOR NEXT YEAR.

IT DOES INCREASE. I WILL SAY AS A WHOLE, AS WE LOOK AT OUR PARKS AS A WHOLE COME A WE PUT TOGETHER COST ESTIMATES AND EXPANDING UPON AND WE HAVE HIT THOSE COST ESTIMATES OF WHAT IT WAS GOING TO COST US TO MAINTAIN THOSE SITES.

WE ALREADY ARE REQUESTING FOR THAT SITE.

THE SHEARWATER COST COMPONENT IN HERE IS AN INCREASE OF 200000.

ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TRUCK AND TRAILER FOR THIS PROGRAM HERE AS WELL. WITH THAT, I WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT THERE IS $100,000 APPROXIMATELY IN REVENUE FROM COMMUNITIES. FROM THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THAT SITE. JUST AN UPDATE ON PROGRAMING AS WELL. THE DEMAND IS THERE FOR THE PROGRAMING. FOR THIS SUMMER, SUMMER CAMP, WE HAVE ENROLLED IN A 541 INDIVIDUALS.

1644. SO THE DEMAND IS WELL OVER WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR RESOURCES.

THE NEW PARKS WILL BE ABLE TO COME ON AND ASSIST WITH THAT.

THERE ARE EXPENSES TO THAT BUT WE CAN BRING THAT IN.

THE NEXT MAJOR BUDGET IS OUR PARK MAINTENANCE BUDGET.

THERE IS A GOOD SIZED INCREASE IN THIS AND I WANT TO GO THROUGH AND EXPLAIN THAT. A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE SIZE INCREASE IS A $4 MILLION CAPITAL PROJECT FOR THE LIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THAT IS A FIRST PHASE IN GOING THROUGH AND DOING A LIGHT REPAIR.

OUTSIDE OF THE LIGHT CAPITAL PROJECT, OUR OPERATING HAS INCREASED 6%. THAT'S FOUR NEW PARKS COMING UP IN THE INCREASE OF 6%. BESIDES THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT THERE, WE WORK CLOSELY RIGHT NOW WITH THE FACILITY MAINTENANCE TEAM ON COUNTY LIGHTING AND IDENTIFIED THAT AS SOMETHING IN NEED OF GREAT REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT.

WE HAVE A HALOGEN LIGHTING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AS I IDENTIFIED THE AGE OF THOSE PARKS EARLIER.

THOSE LIGHTING SYSTEMS COME WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE ALL REACHING THAT DATE. THE FACILITY MAINTENANCE TEAM SPAN APPROXIMATELY $350,000 ON MAINTAINING OUR LIGHTS.

WE ARE LOOKING TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS AND GO INTO A NEW SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE. LED LIGHTS WOULD ALSO HAVE A WARRANTY WITH THAT FACILITY SO THEY WOULD BE COMING OUT AND REPLACING THE LIGHTS. THE OTHER CHALLENGE IS GIVING AN EXAMPLE IN JANUARY OF '25 ACROSS OUR ATHLETIC FIELD.

WE HAVE 300 ACROSS THE ENTIRE ATHLETIC FIELDS.

9 ON THAT FIELD ALONG WITH LONG TREATY PARK AS A WHOLE HAS LIGHTS OUT AND WE CAME IN AND DID THE REPAIRS FOR THE LIGHTS AND BY THE TIME OCTOBER OF '25 CAME AROUND, WE HAD 278 BULBS OUT COUNTYWIDE. VETERANS TURF HAD 11 BULBS OUT IN TREATY PARK HAD 75. WE ARE FIGHTING AN UPHILL

[04:05:03]

THE BULBS ARE UP SO HIGH AND THEY HAVE THAT 20 YEAR WARRANTY TO HAVE SOMEONE COME OUT AND REPLACE THAT.

THAT WOULD BE A BIG PLUS. THAT IS THE MAJOR DRIVER THAT IS GOING ON WITHIN THIS BUDGET. THE PARKS DO HAVE A COST.

>> SORRY. LET'S PAUSE ON THE LIGHTING BECAUSE I THINK IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO TALK ABOUT THE TOTALITY OF THE COUNTYWIDE LIGHTING PROJECT WHICH IS A THREE YEAR PROJECT AND THEN WE WILL DELVE INTO THAT AT THE MEETING ON THE 20TH. IT IS $12 MILLION OVER A SPAN OF THREE YEARS AND THAT IS ENTIRELY REPLACING THE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH A NEW SYSTEM THAT HAS SELF CONTROL, HAS ENERGY CONSERVATION

ELEMENTS, ALL OF THAT. >> YES.

INCREASED LEVEL OF SERVICE. IT DOES, AS FAR AS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO DO ELLIE LIGHTS, IT DOES NOT HAVE THE LIGHT BLEED THAT YOU HAVE FROM THE OLD SCHOOL HALOGEN LIGHTS.

THERE DEFINITELY WILL BE AN ENERGY SAVINGS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM THE HALOGEN TO THE LED IN THERE AS WELL AND THERE WILL BE SAVINGS WITH THE MAINTENANCE FEE ON WHAT THEY ARE PROVIDING AS WE START TO PUT LIGHT SYSTEMS ONTO ANNUAL WARRANTY PROGRAM. SO THEY WOULD BE COMING OUT TO

REPLACE THEM. >> SO THEY ALSO REPLACE THE NEED FOR STAFFING HOURS FOR MANIPULATING SLIDING THAT IS INEFFECTIVE AS WELL. THE ONLY REASON I WANT TO STAY ON THIS FOR A MINUTE IS THE MAGNITUDE.

IT IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF CIP PROJECT I'M LIKELY TO RECOMMEND AND MOVE FORWARD WITH AND THAT IS A HUGE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS BUT THE RETURN

INVESTMENT JUSTIFIES IT. >> WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THE POINT OF THE LEVEL OF SERVICE. WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE YET, BUT AT SOME POINT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VETERANS PLAYING WITH 11 BULBS OUT AND AT A CERTAIN POINT, ITS DUE DILIGENCE FOR US TO COME OUT AND SAY WE CAN'T PLAY ON THAT.

IN PARTICULAR WITH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL.

SO THAT IS A PLACE WE HAVE NOT REACHED YET BUT WE ARE STARTING TO GET THERE SO THAT'S ANOTHER ELEMENT OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE BEING AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THE LIGHTS ARE NOT OPERATING. THAT WOULD BE A CHALLENGE.

SO IT WILL BE A BIG INVESTMENT. I THINK THAT THERE IS SPACE FOR US TO TALK WITHIN THE PARKS BUDGET THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AND GIVE BACK ON THAT SO WE CAN GO THROUGH BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE SUCH A BIG WIN.

>> SOUNDS GOOD. >> CONTINUING ON ON THE BUDGET IS A COUPLE OF THINGS. COUNTYWIDE A DREDGING PROJECT.

THE NEXT PROJECT THAT IS UP FOR US IS A BOAT RAMP.

AGAIN, WE DO USE THE FUNDS TO MATCH SO WE WOULD BE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM FOR APPLYING GRANTS.

THE COUNTYWIDE TRAILS, WE SUCCESSFULLY DID ALPINE PARK WITH A TRAIL. THAT WOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR NEXT YEAR'S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET TO REDO THE TRAIL AT THAT SITE.

NEXT BUDGET IS THE POOL OPERATION.

IT IS MANAGED UNDER A CONTRACT RECENTLY.

YOU CAN SEE THE BUDGET COMPONENT WHICH IS REALLY DRIVEN BY A 300,000 AND THIS FISCAL YEAR HAS $200,000 FOR THE CIP WHICH IS A REPLACEMENT OF THE POOL SHELL. IT IS MANAGED BY A FACILITY EIGHT DIVISION SO THAT WOULD BE AN ACCOMMODATION OF TWO YEAR FUNDING LAST FISCAL YEAR ANDÚTHE REPLACEMENT OF THE POOL SHOWER.

THE BEACH FUND. WHEN WE COMBINED BEACH OPERATIONS, A COUPLE OF THINGS TO HIGHLIGHT THE EFFORTS, THEY RECENTLY DID UPGRADES TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS AT THE BEACHES AND IT HAS BEEN A LARGE SUCCESS. IT HAS GOTTEN PEOPLE ONTO THE BEACHES FASTER AND IT DOES COUNT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE DOLLARS A LITTLE BIT BETTER. WE WOULD LOVE TO GET TO ALL THAT WE ACCEPT AS THE CREDIT CARDS SO WE WILL CONTINUE LOOKING AT THAT AS WE GO ALONG. ADDITIONALLY, REAL TIME DATA INCLUDES ENTRIES AND PASS HOLDERS.

SO WE NOW KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME ONTO THE BEACH EVERY SINGLE DAY, AT WHICH GATE, HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME ON, ET CETERA.

IN THE PAST, YOU WENT BY WITH YOUR PASS AND YOU WAIT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE AS YOU GO BY AND NOW IT IS TRACKED AND RECORDED SO WE CAN SAY ON THIS DAY, THIS IS HOW MANY PEOPLE WE HAD AT THE BEACH.

[04:10:03]

WE ASSUME THEY ALL COME OFF. [LAUGHTER] IT DOES HELP FOR THAT. THE RECRUITMENT COSTS ARE DRIVEN BY A NEW DUMP TRUCK FOR REMOVING TRASH FROM THE BEACH.

OUR TEAM DOES DO THE TRASH ON THE BEACH.

WE CONTRACT OUT EVERYTHING ELSE BUT WE DRIVE ON THE BEACH WITH BARRELS AND GET THE TRASH THERE. AND USED VEHICLES COME OUT WE ARE REPLACING THE FLEET WITH USED VEHICLES FOR THE BEACH BECAUSE IT IS A TOUGH ASSET TO PUT OUT THERE.

THE SAND DOES A NUMBER ON THOSE. IS THE PIER OPERATIONS.

THIS IS A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR THE PIER AND THE THING MOST LIKELY TO TALK ABOUT HERE IS THE LACK OF REVENUES AND THE REDUCTION OF REVENUE THE PAST FEW YEARS BECAUSE OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURRING AT THE BEACH.

IN FISCAL YEAR '24, WE HIGHLIGHTED THIS AND WE SHOWCASED THAT THE LAST FULL YEAR OF COLLECTION OF REVENUE WAS FISCAL YEAR '23 IN WHICH WE BROUGHT IN JUST OVER $600,000 OF REVENUE. AS SOON AS YOU PUT THE SAND UNDERNEATH THE PIER, IT WASN'T ANYTHING.

NOW WE ARE PAYING TO GO FISH BECAUSE IT WAS SAND UNDERNEATH IT OR GO OUT AND LOOK AT THE SITE AND START TO BRING DOWN THE REVENUES. ADDITIONALLY, WE CLOSED A PORTION OF THE PIER 100 FEET BECAUSE OF THE PILINGS THAT WERE SHOWING DAMAGE THERE APPEARED AT THAT PROJECT IS SLATED TO GET STARTED NEXT WEEK. WE WILL HOPEFULLY GET THROUGH THAT AND WRAP UP THE PROJECT BY THE START OF NEXT YEAR AND BE BACK TO THE NEW $600,000 OF REVENUE A YEAR AS WE GO THROUGH THE WHOLE CYCLE AND THEN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR WE WILL FILL IN THAT IMPACT THERE. THE BUDGET IS PRETTY FLAT AS FAR AS EXPENSES AT THE SITE. BUT THAT IS JUST THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHT THERE. THE IMPACT ON THE REVENUE.

COUNTY GOLF COURSE. IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

I SEE IT EVERY MORNING WHEN I WALK OUT TO MY CAR.

I LOOK OUT THERE AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB MAINTAINING THE SITE.

IT'S BUSY, IT'S ACTIVE. THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB SINCE THE RENOVATION OF THE COURSE. THEY KEEP THE PLACE ACTIVE AND GOING. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT A PRETTY FLAT BUDGET ACROSS IT. I DID HIGHLIGHT THE LAST FULL YEAR OF REVENUE COLLECTION WAS FISCAL YEAR '25.

WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN REVENUE FROM FEES GOING UP AND PLAY AT THE SITE. GOLF IS HIGH DEMAND FOR THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW. IT IS KEEPING UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR A CART. GOING THROUGH AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THE PLAY.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE PURCHASING TEAM TO LOOK AT THE AGREEMENT ON THAT. THE BIG THING TO IDENTIFY AT THE GOLF COURSE IS THE RETIREMENT OF WEST TUCKER COME THIS TIME NEXT YEAR IN MAY. WE PUT IN THE BUDGET A PLAN TO PREPARE FOR THAT. LOOKING AT STAFFING OVERLAPS TO BE ABLE TO DO SOME TRAINING AND SOME GUIDANCE IN THERE SO THAT THE TEAM THAT IS REMAINING THERE HAS A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATION AND ALL OF WHAT GOES ON.

>> AND ON THE GOLF COURSE, FOR A MINUTE, IT IS A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND WHICH MEANS IT HAS TO BE SELF-CONTAINED.

I'M SEEING REVENUE SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE BUDGET AND EXPENSE. ARE WE ABLE TO CONSIST OF THAT?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE CLOSER TO THE ACTUAL EXPENSE AND THEN WHAT THEY ARE BUDGETING FOR EXPENSES AND WHAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY

SPENDING WILL BE BELOW. >> I WOULD LOVE AT SOME POINT TO LOOK AT THE GOLF COURSE BECAUSE IT IS PLANNED FOR RENOVATION AND PLANNING FOR THE NEW HISTORY AND BASED ON THE CLUBHOUSE AND BASED ON THE NEW MEMBERSHIP VOLUME AND THE PRICING LEVEL, I'M CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR PROJECTION AND IF THAT CAME CLOSE TO WHAT WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE FOR THE RENOVATION.

THEY'VE BEEN DOING WELL. >> JUST TO PUT TOGETHER THE RECAP OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR POSITION THIS YEAR.

NEW REQUESTS COME WHILE WE ARE LOOKING FOR A RECREATION ASSISTANT WHICH IS FOR THE FULL YEAR AND THAT WOULD BE FOR SHEARWATER. WE DID HAVE THIS FISCAL YEAR SOME POSITIONS TO GET THEM ON AND TRAINED AND THIS WOULD BE THAT LAST POSITION TO SUPPORT THE TEAM OUT THERE.

TWO PART CREW LEADERS FOR HALF A YEAR AND ONE GROUNDSKEEPER FOR

[04:15:01]

WE BRING IT ON SO WE CAN GET THEM TRAINED AND THEN ONCE THE PARK OPENS, WE RELEASE THEM TO ENJOY THEIR NEW FACILITY.

RECLASSIFICATIONS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH HR.

WE HAVE 21 PARK MAINTENANCE WORKERS AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HR BECAUSE THEY DO SIMILAR IF NOT A LITTLE BIT MORE INTENSE JOB THAN A GROUNDSKEEPER WITH A FACILITY MAINTENANCE GRADE TENT.

WE MIGHT NEED TO RECLASSIFY OUR GUIDES TO GROUNDSKEEPER JUST TO KEEP IT FAIR AND EQUITABLE ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE FIND THAT WE BRING IN A LOT OF GOOD HELP AND WE LOSE THEM TO FACILITY MAINTENANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE PAYING ENTRY LEVEL HIGHER THAN WE ARE. OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE IT FAIR AND EQUITABLE BETWEEN THE TWO DEPARTMENTS.

AND AS RYAN MENTIONED, WE ARE LOOKING AT BRINGING ON A GOLF CLUB MANAGER. OUR MANAGER IS RETIRING IN MAY OF '27 AND WE ARE LOOKING AT BRINGING ON AN ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL THAT WILL HELP US THROUGH THAT TRANSITION SO THE ADDITIONAL BODY WILL TAKE ON SOME DUTIES AS WE PUT OUT AND HIRE OUR NEW GOLF MANAGER. IT'S TO ASSIST US WHILE WE GET THROUGH THAT TRANSITION AND BRING ON SOMEONE ELSE.

PART OF THE CONVERSATION THAT EVERYONE KEEPS HAVING IS THE FUNDING CHALLENGES AND WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT WE HAVE LOOKING AT AND FACING OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

THERE WERE NOT A TON OF MANDATES THAT ARE ON PARKS AND RECREATION. WE ARE NOT LIKE ROADS.

WE DON'T HAVE THINGS THAT COME DOWN THAT WE HAVE TO UPKEEP BUT WHAT DOES HAVE AN IMPACT IS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE.

FROM FY '24, WE'VE INCREASED STAFFING DOLLARS BECAUSE OF MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE WHICH IS GREAT.

WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP ON THE STAFF THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RUN PROGRAMING COME UP BUT IT IS AN EXPENSE THAT WAS NOT ACCOUNTED FOR AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND. CPI INCREASES.

OUR CONTRACTS HAVE PERCENTAGES BUILT INTO THEM AND SOME OF THE CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE WOULD BE TRASH, RESTROOMS, OUR PONDS.

SO WE HAVE CONTRACTS THAT HAVE INCREASED $256,000.

PROCESSING FEES, WE CONTINUE TO TAKE CREDIT CARDS WHICH IS WHERE EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO. THERE IS COST TO THAT AND THAT IS ADDITION TO THE EXTRA DOLLARS BUT REALLY PART OF OUR FUNDING CHALLENGES HAVE COME DOWN TO THE PARK EXPANSION.

WE'VE HAD SEVEN ADDITIONAL PARKS COME ON AND THREE PARK EXPANSIONS AND THEN WITH THE ADDITION OF THE TRAILS PROGRAM, THAT WILL BE COMING FROM THE SUN TRAIL.

THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH AND WE WILL BE FACING AS WE CONTINUE DOWN THIS JOURNEY.

BEFORE REGIONAL PARKS WHICH ARE A GREAT ASSET COME WE WILL PUT CHALLENGES ON OUR BUDGET AND IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WE BROUGHT ON MILL CREEK AND THE WATER BOAT RAMP AND EXPANSION.

PACETTI BAY CURRENTLY IS JUST A RESTROOM AND YOU ARE GETTING A FULL COMMUNITY PARK THERE WHICH WAS A PARKING LOT THAT NOW HAS RESTROOMS, A TRAIL, AND AN OVERLOOK.

ROCK SPRINGS WAS NOT ORIGINALLY BUDGETED FOR US TO MAINTAIN AND UPKEEP AND THAT CAME ONTO OUR BUDGET AS WELL.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT ONE AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING WITHIN OUR BUDGET OF

FUNDING THAT WE ARE ALLOCATED. >> I SMILE ABOUT IT BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY PART THAT WE HAVE ASKED THE PARK.

BATHROOM. >> ON THE PROCESSING FEES, WE ALL TALKED ABOUT FEES. I ENCOURAGE ALL DEPARTMENTS MOVING FORWARD WITH INCLUDING PROCESSING FEES BECAUSE IT IS SIMPLY A RECOUPING OF A COST. THERE IS OPTION.

THEY ALWAYS WRITE CHECKS, THEY CAN ALWAYS DO CASH, BUT IF IT IS FOR CONVENIENCE TO SPEND A FEW DOLLARS ON WHATEVER CREDIT CARD THAT IS, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RECOUP THAT.

>> I THINK THERE ARE LIMITATIONS.

YOU MENTIONED THE BEACH, THAT'S THE ONLY PAYMENT YOU ACCEPT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO SEE IF WE CAN CHARGE IF THERE'S NO OTHER OPTION. WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THAT AS WELL.

>> SPEAKING OF FEES. ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOOKED AT WAS OVERALL LOOKING AT THE FEES THAT ARE CHARGED TO OUR USERS AND THESE HAVE BEEN PRETTY STATIC OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

IT'S JUST A CONVERSATION PIECE. JUST CONSUME AND TAKE A LOOK AND CONSIDER OVERALL IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT PARKS AND REC AS A WHOLE, WE ARE TAKING IN ABOUT $3 MILLION AND A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE. WITH THE REGULAR PARKS PROGRAMS THAT TAKES PLACE. THE FEES HAVE BEEN STATIC FOR

[04:20:03]

$30 TO $40 IN 2025 AND TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE BEACH IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN. 1.3.

SUMMER CREEK CAMP INCREASED IN 2021 AND THOSE ARE THE PRICES THAT INCREASED FOR 2021 REGARDING WHERE THE PRICES ARE FOR THE SUMMER CAMP FOR THE FREE LUNCH PROGRAM.

$230 AND THE REDUCED LUNCH $330. THE REGULAR PRICE AND NON-DISCOUNTED RATE IS $430,000. SPORTS TOURNAMENTS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT DOES PUT WEAR AND TEAR ON FACILITIES.

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN INCREASED SINCE 2016.

$200 FOR A DAY FOR FOUR FIELDS, $600 FOR NONRESIDENTS.

AND OUR PARTNER BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS ARE NOT PAYING A FEE TOWARDS THAT. THEY DO PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE INDIVIDUAL. ALL TOURNAMENTS DO PAY.

SO IF WE HAVE STAFF ON BOARD, THEY PAY THAT EXPENSE FOR US.

AS A DIRECT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE STAFF COMING IN.

>> SO I THINK AT THIS TABLE, IT'S REALLY HELPFUL.

YOU TALK ABOUT SCHEDULE UPDATING AND WE PROBABLY WANT EVERY DEPARTMENT TO HAVE SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR TO THIS.

IT WOULD BE REALLY ALSO HELPFUL IF IN ADDITION TO TOTAL REVENUE IS THE EXPENSE TO DELIVER THAT SERVICE SO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF THE PERCENTAGE OF THE SUBSIDY THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND WHEN IT COMES TO ESSENTIAL SERVICE, THE AFFORDABILITY IS IMPORTANT AND THAT'S ONE CONSIDERATION.

BUT IF IT'S TALKING ABOUT THINGS ARE NOT MORE DISCRETIONAL, THAN WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO APPLY MORE DISCRETION IN TERMS OF FEE

SCALES. >> AND PART IS THE ORGANIZATION'S. IN SOCCER AND THE CREEK ASSOCIATION, ET CETERA AND THEY INCREASED IN 2020 TO $20 PER CHILD PER SEASON. FOR RESIDENTS, $30 FOR NONRESIDENTS AND NON PARTNERS WENT TO AN HOURLY RATE COMPONENT IN 2024. THE TOTAL REVENUE IS IDENTIFIED HERE. SO WE WENT THROUGH AND WE WERE LOOKING AT THE INNOVATIVE WAYS THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH AND TRYING TO COME AS I EXPLAINED WITH THE PARK BUDGET, WE ARE TRYING TO ADD FOR THE OPERATING BUDGET WHICH IS A BIG NUMBER.

THE LIGHTS WENT OUT 6% WITH THE PARKS BEING ADDED IN.

WE'VE DONE ALL WE CAN DO TO TRY AND KEEP THE COST ON A PRETTY FLAT LINE THERE ACROSS THE ELEMENTS OUTSIDE OF THE NEW ADDITION OF FACILITIES. LOOKING AT REVENUE SOURCES THAT THEY ARE GOING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

THE BEACH PASS IS GOING TO THE BEACH FUND FOR THAT AS WELL.

SOME OF THE POLICE SERVICES AND SHERIFF'S SERVICES AS WELL.

AND LAST. FORECASTING THE FUTURE OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND WHAT WE ARE THINKING OF COMING DOWN THE ROAD. IT ISN'T NECESSARILY IN ANY ORDER BUT SOME OF THE THINGS ON THE FOREFRONT AS WE ARE THINKING ABOUT WHERE WE GO NEXT. WE'VE SEEN SOME WORK GOING ON THERE FOR THE RESIDENTS OFF OF 312.

WE ARE ALSO OUT TO BID FOR THE DESIGN OF THAT PARK.

WE WILL GET OUR BID DOCUMENTS FOR THAT AND WE ARE PURSUING GRANTS CONTINUOUSLY FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A PARK AND LOOK AT DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVE SOURCES FOR THAT PARK. THAT WOULD BE A MAJOR BOAT RAMP COMPARABLE TO THE COUNTY. IF YOU SEE A LOT OF A BOAT RAMP ON THE FISHING SEASON AND THEN PARKING BOATS ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE BRIDGE, YOU UNDERSTAND THE NEED.

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED LAND JUST OVER 33 ACRES.

JUST UNDER 33. THAT WOULD BE FOR A FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THREE HILL PARK IN THE SOUTHWEST QUADRANT OF THE COUNTY. AND JUST KIND OF REALLY LOOKING AT FORECASTING AS WE START PLANNING GOING FORWARD.

JUST AS WE DID YEARS AGO FOR THE REGIONAL PARKS COMING OUT NOW.

PARK FEES AND CONTINUE PURSUING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT

[04:25:01]

DAVIS PARK WAS READY FOR THAT REFRESH WHEN THREE PHASES WERE ALREADY FUNDED AND WE WILL BE STARTING CONSTRUCTION MAY 23RD.

LOOKING INTO THE FOURTH PHASE WHICH IS AN ADDITIONAL ASTROTURF FIELD AT THAT SITE. AND COUNTY WIDE TRAIL SYSTEM.

AS A CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUN TRAIL GETTING CLOSER, WE WILL BE TAKING ON JUST UNDER 24 MILES OF TRAIL FROM THE COUNTY SUN TRAIL THAT WOULD BE MAINTAINED BY PARKS AND RECREATION.

THOSE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS THAT ARE COMING ON THE FOREFRONT. I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN MOVING, MOVING, MOVING. WE HAVE THIS ROOM AND THE AUDIENCE AT GROUNDBREAKING AND RIBBON CUTTINGS AND WE ARE TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH THE DEMAND AND PROVIDE THOSE RESOURCES AND THESE ARE JUST THE NEXT THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT. THAT FINALIZES OUR BUDGET PRESENTATION. WE ARE CERTAINLY OPEN TO QUESTIONS, BUT I THINK THAT THE TEAM DID A REALLY GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO KEEP THINGS AT A FLAT LINE WITH THE ASSUMPTION OF IT WAS GOING TO BE A BUMP UP FROM THE FOUR REGIONAL PARKS COMING ON BOARD SO WE DID OUR BEST JOB OF DOING THAT AND TRYING TO KEEP TO WHAT WE SAID WITH THE FOUR REGIONAL PARKS.

WHEN JESSIE CAME TO US AND SAID WE ARE TIRED OF THESE PARKS COME ON LET'S DO THE EXERCISE AND WHAT ARE WE THINKING ABOUT FOR EXPENSES. WE LAID THAT ALL OUT AND WE WENT BACK-TO-BACK. WE ENDED UP $27,000 OVER ON IT AND THAT WAS MOSTLY ON EQUIPMENT.

THE COS OF EQUIPMENT, OUR OPERATING COSTS WOULD BE DOWN WHICH IS THE STAFFING AND THE OPERATING COST FROM THAT.

BE ABLE TO HOLD THAT LINE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VERY COMPREHENSIVE PRESENTATION. YOU REALLY COVERED ALL OF THE AREAS AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, YOU GUYS ARE DOING A TOP NOTCH JOB WITH NEW PARKS PLANNING AND STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR FUTURE PARKS, GOLF COURSE, EVERY SINGLE ONE.

WE ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE FACT OF THE SUCCESS WOULD SAY THE VICTIM OF SUCCESS BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT MORE OF IT BECAUSE THEY ARE AMAZING. SO WE ARE AT THE CROSSROAD OF FIGURING OUT HOW WE BALANCE THE RESOURCE AND THE LEVEL OF SERVICE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS WERE LISTENING TO LIBRARIES. THE LIBRARY STARTED THIS YEAR TALKING ABOUT A TIERED APPROACH AS A MANUAL OPTION TO BE MORE PREPARED AND MORE AGILE AND DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FUNDING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE AVAILABLE TO US.

I THINK PARKS IS VERY SIMILAR IN TERMS OF CUSTOMIZING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE TO THE RESOURCE THAT WE HAVE.

A TIERED APPROACH AND YOU ARE ALREADY DOING THAT IN MANY, MANY WAYS. I THINK THAT TIERED APPROACH AS A CONCEPT IS VERY DOABLE. AND OF COURSE, YOU ARE ALREADY PARTNERING IN THE LOCATION FOR THIS RESOURCE THERE'S AN UNDERSTANDING OF THAT. WE WILL HAVE A LOT MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE NEW POSITIONS ON THE LAST DAY.

BUT I LIKE THE IDEA OF CONCENTRATING THE RESOURCE ON THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS. AND THE NEW REGIONAL PARKS, THE LIGHTING REPLACEMENT IS THE BIGGEST THING FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS. JUST LOOKING AT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE AND THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

BUT AS A TRADE OFF, BECAUSE IT IS A $4 MILLION TICKET ITEM, EVERY YEAR WE MIGHT NEED TO REEVALUATE OUR PARKS MAXIMIZATION. NOT NECESSARILY CUT IT, BUT RATHER THAN BREAK IT DOWN INTO INDIVIDUAL CYPS SO WE CAN PRIORITIZE. BUT MAINTAINING THE REPAIR AND THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE WHICH IS THE KEY OF MAINTAINING WHAT WE HAVE RATHER THAN ADDING MORE FEATURES WHICH IS STILL NECESSARY, IT'S JUST THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO PRIORITIZE A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY. I AM A BIG SUPPORTER IN TERMS OF THIS POSITION SO WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY COMPETING FOR THE SAME TALENT FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS BUT RATHER THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS ON WHAT DEPARTMENT THEY WANT TO WORK. THEY WANT TO WORK ON JAIL MAINTENANCE OR PARKS MAINTENANCE, BUT IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF THE PAY DISCREPANCY. WITH THAT, I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH COMMENTS. WE CAN TALK MORE ON THE 20TH.

>> GOOD JOB. >> AND I DID SAY JESSE AN EMAIL ABOUT YOUR TABLE COUNTY WIDE. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. YES.

SORRY. YES.

[04:30:06]

>> ALL RIGHT. PARKS AND REC ARE IN QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT AREAS. THE GENERAL FUND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES FOR THE MAINTENANCE SIDE OF IT AND WE CAN GO THROUGH THAT HERE. BEFORE WE GET INTO ALL OF THESE, AS WE NOTICED WITH HR AND AS WE MENTIONED THIS MORNING, WE WILL FIND ERRORS OR OMISSIONS ON THIS.

OVERTIME IS NOT BUDGETED FOR ANY OF THESE.

RECREATION IS MOSTLY RECREATION AREAS SO WE WILL MAKE THAT CORRECTION AS PART OF THE RECOMMENDED.

THIS ONE IS SEPARATED BY THE TWO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.

RECREATION FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS RECREATION PROGRAMS THERE. SO THAT IS ON US.

THE AQUATICS PROGRAM, THIS IS THE COMMUNITY CENTER POOL.

PRIMARILY A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION WITH SOME MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS IN THERE AS WELL AS CIP AS WAS MENTIONED.

AND OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND. THOSE TWO AREAS ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND. PROPERTY TAXES AND OTHER GENERAL FUND REVENUES. WE HAVE SPECIAL REVENUES WHICH INCLUDE THE PIER FUND AND RYAN ALLUDED TO THIS AS WELL AND I WAS GOING TO BRING THIS UP AS A CONCERN RELATED TO THE PIER BEING CLOSED. REALLY FOR A COUPLE YEARS IN A ROW OR A COUPLE STRETCHES AND THE IMPACT TO THE REVENUES TH THERE. LINE ITEM, EXPENSES HERE.

BEACH FUND, WE DID TALK A LITTLE BIT AND WE HIT ON YESTERDAY A LITTLE BIT JUST THE MARINE RESCUE SIDE.

THIS IS THE BEACH SERVICES AND BEACH OPERATIONS HERE.

AGAIN, OVER REVENUES DO NOT SUPPORT OR FULLY SUPPORT THE BEACH OPERATIONS. THERE ARE TRANSFERS FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THESE OPERATIONS.

IT'S MOSTLY CIP, BUT I DO WANT TO TOUCH ON ZONES A AND B AT LEAST. WE TALKED ABOUT CONCERNS OVER RESERVE LEVELS. THE RESERVES ARE AT LESS THAN A MILLION DOLLARS AND WE ARE TRANSFERRING OVER $1 MILLION TOWARDS THAT SERVICE FOR SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS.

SO MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO HAVE AT LEAST NEXT YEAR'S TRANSFER AND RESERVES TO BE READY.

AND REALLY, OVERALL ON IMPACT FEES, WE AREN'T SEEING REVENUE SO FAR DOWN. THEY ARE RELATED TO GROWTH.

THEY ARE ONE OF THE HARDER ONES TO PREDICT OF WHEN DEVELOPMENT ROADS AND PARKS WHICH ARE SEGMENTED BY ZONES.

NOT ONLY WHEN DEVELOPMENT WILL COME IN COME UP BUT WHAT AREA OF THE COUNTY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT REVENUES AND LOOK AT THE TRENDS AND TRY TO PROJECT IT AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. RIGHT NOW, PRESERVE LEVELS ARE ABOVE IN ZONE A AND IN ZONE B WHICH ALSO HAS A MILLION DOLLAR TRANSFER FOR SOME OF THOSE PA PARKS.

IT WON'T REALLY GO INTO DETAIL. THERE ARE SUFFICIENT RESERVES RIGHT NOW FOR ZONE C AND D WHICH IS THE SOUTHERN AREAS OF THE COUNTY AND THEY DON'T HAVE A SERVICE.

I DON'T THINK ZONE D HAS ANY. LET'S SEE.

THE GOLF COURSE FUND. A NEWER COURSE.

ON THE LOOKOUT FOR PLANNING FOR FUTURE MAINTENANCE THERE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE PUTTING ENOUGH EXCESS REVENUES OR RESERVES ASIDE FOR ANY FUTURE AND BIGGER LONG TERM SIDE SO WE DON'T END UP IN THE POSITION WE WERE IN A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

DID I MISS ANYTHING? ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S THE VARIOUS PARKS AND RECS FUNDING.

>> THANK YOU.

[Utility Department]

[04:45:39]

[04:45:44]

ARM OVER THIS PRESENTATION. >> IT COST.

[04:45:53]

>> HE HAS ALL THE MONEY THOUGH. >> HE CAN DO IT WITH JUST ONE

ARM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. WE ARE PLEASED TO BE HERE TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET WITH YOU. WE HAVE A TEAM PRESENTATION AND OUR GOAL, YOU JUST INTRODUCED OUR TEAM.

WE HAVE FOUR AND A HALF PEOPLE TODAY.

LIKE YOU SAID. WE ALWAYS WANT TO START WITH THE UTILITY AND ENDORSING WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

WE WILL DIVE INTO THE OPERATIONAL BUDGETS.

THERE'S A LOT AND WE HAVE SOME CLOSING REMARKS.

REALLY WANTED TO START WITH A GOOD HIGHLIGHTS.

IF THERE'S ONE THING I WANT TO SAY THAT REFLECTS THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE ACHIEVEMENT AND PUTTING ONE WORD TOGETHER, OUR ABILITY TO HAVE BETTER RATES TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR COMMUNITIES IS EVERYTHING AND TODAY WE ARE AT 13% BELOW OUR RETAIL AVERAGE AND THIS HAS INSPIRED A LOT OF PRESSURES THAT WE HAVE SEEN COME TO US. WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT IT LATER ON BUT IT IS A LOVE YOU THAT REFLECTS A LOT.

ONE WORD DOES IT FOR US. SECOND, THE NEXT TWO ARE MY FAVORITE. AND ONE IS OUR QUEST.

REMEMBER, I HAVE BEEN HERE 25 YEARS.

OUR HR HAVE BEEN REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT IN A COMMUNITY AND IN OUR WORKFORCE AND IT IS TRANSFERRED TO DEPARTMENTS AND IN OUR PARTICULAR CASE, I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR WORKPLACE IS SAFE AND IT IS THE PRIORITY OF THIS ADMINISTRATION. OUR SAFETY COMMITTEE HAS WORKED REALLY WELL. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE AND WE WANT TO SEE THAT THE CULTURE IS DIVERSE IN OUR WORKFORCE. I WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.

THE NEXT ONE IS LOYALTY. OUR EMPLOYEES LOYALTY IS REWARDED AND SO THIS LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AND I SHOULD REALLY SAY THANK YOU TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND HR FOR HELPING US NAVIGATE OUR CAREER PATHS.

AND HAS REALLY BEEN ONE OF THE BEST THAT WE HAVE DNE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND IT KEEPS ROCKING FOR US.

WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN OUR ACHIEVEMENT.

WE HAVE NOW COMPLETED 24 ACTIVE. IT'S ABOUT 65%.

IT PROVIDES HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHICH MEANS THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY CAN HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY. LARRY WILL TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW IS CLOSE TO YOUR HEART AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE BOARD.

FOR US, IT IS GETTING THAT COMMUNITY VOICE AND THE COMMUNITY CAN RELY ON US PROVIDING THE PERFORMANCE.

A LOT OF THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. ENDORSING, THE ACADEMY SOME OF THAT HAS BEEN GREAT SUCCESS. I REALLY WANT TO ENDORSE THE OP THAT REALLY HELPED US WITH THIS. WE CONTINUE TO DO OTHER THINGS LIKE HOSTING HIGH SCHOOL KIDS AND INTERNS.

THEY ARE OUR NEXT BEST BET IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE LOVE TO DO THAT. THERE'S A LOT MORE HAPPENING AND WE WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE LATER.

THE ONE WORD I WILL USE, NOT ENGINEERING WORDS BECAUSE I'VE

[04:50:05]

WE ARE DOING REALLY WELL. ENGINEERING KEEPS ON BREAKING RECORDS. COMPLETING 100 PROJECTS OR $130 MILLION WITH A BIG NUMBER BEING 80% PLANNED UTILIZATION AND THAT SHOWS YOU ARE WORKING WELL AS NOT ONLY A DEPARTMENT BUT WORKING WELL WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS LIKE PURCHASING AND HELPING OTHERS TO GET PROJECTS GOING AND GET THEM IN THE COMMUNITY SO THAT THEY CAN HELP. TWO PROJECTS I WANT TO MENTION.

NORTH BEACH IS ONE. THE REASON I PUT THAT THERE IS IT ENDORSES ANOTHER COMMITMENT. WHEN WE BUY OUT THESE UTILITIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN IN THAT GREAT OF SHAPE, BRINGING THEM BACK TO A COUNTY LEVEL OF SERVICE AS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND THIS CERTAINLY HAS OUR TOP SHELF AND OUR ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS TO ENDORSE AND MAKE IT WHAT WE ARE MAKING IT TODAY.

THAT IS CERTAINLY ONE WITH SOME PROJECTS LISTED THERE.

WE ARE PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, YOU HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE PROJECTS BUT I REALLY WANTED TO BRING THIS PICTURE BECAUSE IT'S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

ONE, THIS IS OUR PROGRAM AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IT HAS ITS REWARDS BUT THIS SHOWCASE IS THREE DEPARTMENTS WE HAD OPERATIONS, ENGINEERING, AND THE LAB WORKING TOGETHER.

THAT IS THE SECOND WORD I WILL USE TODAY.

IT'S THE WATER QUALITY BASED ASSESSMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

FINALLY, IT RESULTED INTO A PERMIT WHICH IS A HUGE WIN FOR THIS COMMUNITY WHERE WE CAN GET GOING ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT. ANOTHER THING I WANT TO SAY ON THIS PROJECT IS $191 MILLION PROJECT.

IT IS ONE OF THE COUNTY'S BIGGEST AND THE UTILITY'S BIGGEST PROJECT. WE HAVE PROVIDED $2 MILLION SAVINGS BACK TO OUR CUSTOMERS ON THIS PROJECT.

THAT WILL BE SOMETHING WE WILL ANNOUNCE LATER BUT THIS PROJECT WILL BE ON TIME AND ON BUDGET. LAST BUT NOT LEAST I KNOW THE ADMINISTRATION DOES A LOT OF THIS.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS LIKE PARKS AND REC THAT WAS HERE, THEY HAVE DONE THIS.% THIS IS MORE OF A COPYCAT VERSION. WE THOUGHT WE ARE A LITTLE BIT BEHIND THE SCENE ON A NEWSLETTER WITH OUR DEPARTMENT APPEARED SO WE ENDORSED WHAT WE CALL THE PIPELINE.

THIS WAS OUR FIRST ISSUE LAST WEEK.

LAST MONTH. AND AGAIN, I LOVE THE INNOVATION WHICH REFLECTS THE UTILITY PART OF THE PIPELINE.

THIS IS MORE OF AN AREA WHERE OUR COMMUNITY IS ENDORSED AND SPEAKING OUT AND THEY GET TO SHARE THEIR STORIES.

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS NEWSLETTER.

THAT'S A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT FOR US.

COST SAVINGS AND THE INNOVATIONS CORNER IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ENDORSE A LOT AND THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF THAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

A FEW THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT.

ONE IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HYBRID MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.

YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT IT. CONSTRUCTION IS SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS HELPED US APPROVE IN THE BUDGET SO THIS IS A REFLECTION OF PAST BUDGETS. THE NUMBERS REFLECT THAT STORY AND THIS IS SHOWCASING THAT WE CAN TAKE PRIVATE SECTOR ASSIGNMENTS. YOU CAN SEE THE WORK ORDERS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS THAT WE SAVE.

BUT THE BEST PART AND WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT IS THE RESPONSIVENESS THAT IT ALLOWS US TO RESPOND.

WE CAN GET THEM AT PACE. THE NEXT ONE IS OUR HYBRID PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM. IT'S A REALLY INNOVATIVE APPROACH THAT JAMES AND HIS TEAM HAS PUT TOGETHER.

BUT THAT IS ANOTHER THING. IT REFLECTS WORKFORCE ELASTICITY AND I ENDORSE THAT FOR A LITTLE BIT.

YOU HAVE PROJECT MANAGERS AND THEY DO THEIR JOBS AND THEY DO PROJECTS COME UP BUT THE WORKFORCE ELASTICITY, THE TECHNOLOGY REALLY HELPS US SCALE THE PROJECT BOUNDARIES BEYOND JUST PROJECT MANAGEMENT. WE HAVE OTHER DIVISIONS INVOLVED AND WHAT THIS ALLOWS US TO DO IS DO A PROJECT FASTER.

WE TALKED ABOUT SHAREPOINT AND MICROSOFT.

ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY THAT JAMES FOUND LAST YEAR WAS INTEGRATING OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WORKS WITH ENGINEERING.

REALLY SOMETHING ON HERE IS HYBRID PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND WE WANT TO DO MORE OF IT. THIS IS ANOTHER INDICATION

[04:55:01]

IT WAS A SOLID OPERATION BEHIND THE SCENES.

THE LAST ONE FROM ME IS THE WATER CONSERVATION INITIATIVE.

WE REALLY GOT TO KNOW A LOT ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION AND THE EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS WE HAVE HAD OVER THE PAST THREE OR FOUR MONTHS. THANKS TO THE RAIN THAT WE GOT IN THE PAST WEEK OR SO INCLUDING TODAY BUT THIS REMAINS OUR FOREFRONT AND PARAMOUNT PROJECT. YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS NOW, YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE ASKING FOR SOME MONEY TO THIS TO TAKE THIS TO THE NEXT LIMIT. BUT WHAT IT IS IS A 10% REDUCTION IN WATER THROUGH CONSERVATION AND WE THINK THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE THAT AND $50 MILLION WORTH OF CAPACITY IN THE LONG RUN. IT IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO INVEST IN. IT'S A HUGE ONE FOR US.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE ARE READY TO BEGIN OUR BUDGET PRESENTATION AND JAMES WILL TAKE OVER COME UP BUT I WANT TO TAKE A SMALL GAP BECAUSE WHAT WE FEEL THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS REALLY TAKING IT TO THE NEXT STEP AND EXPLAINING THE COST OF BUSINESS AND IMPACTS TO OUR CUSTOMERS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT OUR CUSTOMERS UNDERSTAND THE PRESSURES THAT WE SUSTAIN BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT SEE OUR GOODS AND OUR BADS AND WE HAVE NO PROBLEM BECAUSE WE ARE TRANSPARENT AND OPEN. WE WANT TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH THEM. THESE THINGS REALLY CHALLENGE US WITH OUR BUDGETS. ONE IS THE ONGOING INCREASE IN OUR CONTRACT SERVICES. CHEMICALS, UTILITY, LABOR, ELECTRICAL. IT KEEPS RUNNING UP.

IT CERTAINLY PUTS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON US.

THE NEXT IS WHAT I CALL THE SILENT PARTNER.

YOU DON'T SEE THIS. THEY NEVER ADVERTISE.

BUT THE REGULATORY STYLE OF THE EQUATION.

WE AREN'T NECESSARILY AGAINST IT.

HOW QUICK IT IS NEEDED FROM THE STATE LEVEL.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED THIS THE TALLAHASSEE MONEY.

TALLAHASSEE RULES. BUT AGAIN COME OUT THE AIR HOUSE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED THAT ARE IMPACTING US.

AS I SAID, WE ARE NOT AGAINST IT, BUT WE NEED A FORM TO COMMUNICATE TO OUR CUSTOMERS THAT THE COST OF BUSINESS IS NOT THE SAME THAT IT USED TO BE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE REALITY OF CONSTRUCTION PRICES ARE SKYROCKETING.

400% IN MANY CASES. AND WE ARE LEVERAGING IN 4 OR 5 YEARS BUT THAT REFLECTS BACK ON OUR RATES.

WE ARE VERY SPECIALIZED AND WE NEED SPECIALIZED LABOR, CERTIFIED LABOR AND WE ARE COMPETING WITH OTHER UTILITIES.

RETENTION OF STAFF IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO US.

WITH THAT, I WANTED TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT BECAUSE I WANTED FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING THIS THAT THE COST OF BUSINESS IS NOT THE SAME. WE ARE LUCKY TO BE IN VERY GOOD HANDS WITH OUR WORKFORCE THAT WORKS VERY HARD EVERY DAY.

BUT CERTAINLY IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HOW WE PUSH FORWARD IN THE YEARS TO COME.

>> THANK YOU. I HOPE THAT SETS THE STAGE A LITTLE BIT FOR WE ARE A COMPLEX THAT'S ONE THING I DO LIKE ABOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS, IS IT IS A PROCESS.

IT HAS A BEGINNING, MIDDLE, AND AN END.

IT'S VERY RELIABLE. WE'VE BEEN IN A VERY FORTUNATE PLACE FOR OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

WE'VE SEEN OUR CUSTOMER BASE AND OUR REVENUES CONTINUE TO INCREASE. I WILL SEE THAT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. THIS YEAR WE ARE RECEIVING SOME MODERNIZATION IN OUR CUSTOMER GROWTH.

BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE'VE HAD A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE OUR BOND RATING APPROVED.

THROUGHOUT OUR BUDGET PROCESS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR REQUIRED RESERVES, INCLUDING 90 DAYS OF WORKING CAPITAL.

AND IN YEARS PAST WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING THIS EXCELLENT SERVICE COVERAGE RATIO, OR OUR ABILITY TO BORROW DEBT.

SO THAT WILL BE PRESENTED IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY.

[05:00:06]

WORKING WITH THE OFFICE OF [INAUDIBLE] AND TRANSPARENCY.

WE HAVE RELATED PERFORMANCE MEASURES UNDER SOME PRIMARY KEY BUDGET INITIATIVES. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT MAINTAINING COMPETITIVE RATES. LOOKING AT SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL REINVESTMENT. WE ARE PLANNING FOR A CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY THIS YEAR, WHICH IS EXCITING.

WE HAD INCLUDED CAREER PATH TRAINING.

AND THAT WATER CONSERVATION MESSAGE AND INITIATIVE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY PRIORITIES ARE THE UTILITY PRIORITIES. AND LOOKING AT THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET, WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER SOME OF THE NUMBERS HERE.

I SAY THIS A LOT, WE'RE A $100 MILLION A YEAR PLUS BUSINESS, AND OUR OPERATING BUDGET REPRESENTS ABOUT 60% OF THAT. SO THIS YEAR WE HAVE ABOUT A $60 MILLION OPERATING BUDGET. I LOOK AT IT IN THREE DIFFERENT PIECES. OUR SALARIES, OUR OPERATIONAL PORTIONS. OUR BREAD AND BUTTER, OUR CHEMICALS, OUR CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.

AND THEN WE HAVE OUR REQUESTS, VEHICLES.

THIS YEAR WE SEE THE BUDGET INCREASE.

THIS IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURES FROM CHEMICALS TO CONTRACTUAL SERVICES. ALTHOUGH IT IS STILL IN LINE, WE'RE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH IT, PART OF THAT INCLUDES TEMPORARY STAFFING. IT GIVES US THAT FLEXIBILITY TO TAKE ON ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS. OUR OTHER MAINTENANCE, THIS IS OUR FAVORITE BUDGET LINE ITEM. IF IT BREAKS, WE FIX IT.

THIS IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT RUNS OUR UTILITY.

WE DO HAVE SOME ADVERTISING FUNDS IN THERE TO HELP WITH WATER CONSERVATION. AND JUST CONTINUED TRAINING FOR OUR STAFF. AND WHILE NOT AS SIGNIFICANT, IT'S PROBABLY THE MOST TALKED ABOUT PORTION OF OUR BUDGET, VEHICLES. WE HAVE A $3.6 MILLION CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE REQUEST THIS YEAR.

WE ARE REQUESTING TWO NEW BACK TRUCKS.

I OFTEN JOKE I'M SURPRISED WE DON'T HAVE 15 OF THESE BECAUSE I THINK WE REQUEST THEM EVERY YEAR.

HOWEVER, THIS YEAR WITH OUR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT BUDGET GOING DOWN OVER LAST YEAR, WE'RE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THIS EQUIPMENT IN ALONG WITH A NEW TANKER TRUCK.

THESE ARE CRITICAL TO OUR OPERATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

WHEN WE HAVE TO GET OUT THERE AND FIX OUR SYSTEM WHEN IT BREAKS. THESE BACK TRUCKS AND TANKER TRUCKS ARE CRITICAL. AND THEN TRADITIONALLY WORKING WITH FLEET MAINTENANCE ON REPLACING OUR AGEING VEHICLES HELPS TREMENDOUSLY. FINALLY, THIS IS KIND OF A TIP OF A HAT. WE ABOUT A MILLION DOLLAR BUDGETED FOR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT IN OUR OPERATING BUDGET.

FINALLY, THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS OUR STAFF, OUR EMPLOYEES.

THIS MAKES UP ABOUT 50% OF OUR OPERATING BUDGET.

THERE'S REALLY NOT MUCH THAT WE HAVE CONTROL OVER HERE, BUT WE ARE MAKING SEVEN NEW ADDITIONAL FTE REQUESTS.

THESE ARE HERE TO ACCOMMODATE OUR GROWING SERVICE AREA AND FACILITATE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. WE'RE LOOKING TO ADD TO OUR HYDRANT CREWS, AND IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE WE'VE ADDED TO OUR METER DEPARTMENT, SO WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL STAFF THERE. OVERALL, THESE ARE THE THREE KEY AREAS OF OUR OPERATING BUDGET. WE FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THIS REQUEST. AND TO USE A FUN WORD, IT'S FULLY FUNDABLE. WE HAVE A LIMITED TIME HERE.

WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING. BUT FRANK AND LARRY ARE GOING TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ON SOME NEW INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR BUDGET, WHICH I DO THINK ARE NOTABLE AND WORTH THE

DISCUSSION. >> THANKS, JAMES.

IT'S INTERESTING, WE HAVE ADVANCED METER AND INFRASTRUCTURE AS A NEW INITIATIVE.

BUT IT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE 2006. THAT'S OUR AUTOMATED METER

[05:05:05]

ULTIMATELY IT ALLOWS US TO COLLECT REAL-TIME OR NEAR REAL-DATA WITHOUT GOING ON-SITE. IT ADDS ALL SORTS OF ADVANTAGES FOR ENGINEERING STAFF FOR MODELLING, WE DO ADVANCED LEAK ATTENTION. TODAY WE DID OUTBOUND CALLS TELLING THEM, YOU MAY HAVE A LEAK.

WE FOUND THE PROBLEM WITH THEM, AND WE SOLVED IT.

CONSERVATION INITIATIVE.- AND ALSO PEOPLE WON'T HAVE REALLY LARGE BILLS. PART OF THIS REQUEST -- YOU SEE THE TOWER. WE HAVE TONS OF DATA COLLECTORS OUT IN THE FIELD. THIS IS GOING TO REPLACE SOME OF OUR OLDEST BASE STATIONS AND COLLECTORS.

WITH THAT, WE'RE ALSO IMPROVING OUR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE, AND WE ARE GOING TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL WARRANTIES ON THIS NEW EQUIPMENT BECAUSE WE'RE COMPLETELY OUT OF WARRANTY NOW ON EVERYTHING WE HAVE BECAUSE IT'S 15, 20 YEARS. AND FOR EFFICIENCIES, THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS THAT WE CAN MAKE.

THE EQUIPMENT SHOWS UP TO WORK EVERY DAY REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH FUN WAS HAD OVER THE WEEKEND. BUT SERIOUSLY, IT BILLS MORE ACCURATELY. WHEN YOU'RE OUT MANUALLY READING, YOU CAN FINGER SOMETHING OR IT'S DIRTY AND YOU CAN'T READ THE WHOLE NUMBER. WE BILL ACCURATELY, WE HAVE THE LEAK DETECTION. AND ALSO WITH THE NEW ALLIED METERS THAT WE'RE USING ON THE REUSE SYSTEM, WE CAN REMOTELY TURN THEM ON AND OFF. SO THAT'S A HUGE WATER CONSERVATION INITIATIVE THAT YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. FOR STAFFING, WE DID NOT HAVE THIS SYSTEM, JUST TO READ THE 72,000 METERS IN THE GROUND WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY 17 TO 18 STAFF MEMBERS.

SO WITH THAT WE CURRENTLY ONLY HAVE 15 STAFF AT OUR METERED DEPARTMENT. THAT'S SUPERVISORS, COORDINATORS, STAFFING. WITH THAT THEY DO MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM, THEY DO LEAK DETECTION, CUSTOMER INQUIRIES.

IT'S METER MAINTENANCE. YOU CAN SEE THE EFFICIENCY THERE. WITH THAT, IF WE WERE TO NOT HAVE THIS SYSTEM, BASED ON THE CUSTOMER GROWTH WE WOULD HAVE TO ADD A METER READER EVERY ONE AND A HALF YEARS.

>> I'M GOING TO START WITH OUR CAREER PATH, AND IT'S TRULY A SUCCESS STORY. IT'S SHOWN MULTIPLE BENEFITS TO OUR UTILITY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AS WE'VE BEEN DEVELOPING IT. STARTED INVESTING IN THIS ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO WITH THE HELP OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES. AND IT REALLY CAME OUT OF NECESSITY BECAUSE WHAT WE WERE FINDING, ESPECIALLY ON OUR OPERATION SIDE, WE WERE HIRING NEW ENTRY-LEVEL EMPLOYEES, TRAINING THEM UP. THEY'D GET THEIR LICENSE AND THEN MOVE ON TO ANOTHER UTILITY THAT'S PAYING A QUARTER MORE AN HOUR. SO WE WERE LOSING EMPLOYEES, UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT. SO WE DEVELOPED THE PROGRAM OUT OF NECESSITY, AND BASICALLY WHAT THE PROGRAM DOES -- IT PROVIDES A CLEAR ROAD MAP FOR EMPLOYEES ON HOW THEY WITH GROW PROFESSIONALLY THROUGH OUR ORGANIZATION.

AND WITH THAT THEY REALLY HELPED KEEP PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY HAD A FUTURE HERE. AS FAR AS RECRUITMENT GOES, THE BENEFITS WE'VE SEEN -- AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURE OF THIS PROGRAM. WE'RE SEEING MORE APPLICANTS APPLY FOR POSITIONS, AND WE'RE ACTUALLY ABLE TO HIRE LICENSED WHICH IN THE PAST DID NOT HAPPEN VERY OFTEN.

SO WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING SOME FRUIT FROM THE LABOR OF PUTTING THIS PROGRAM TOGETHER. WITH HIRING THE LICENSED STAFF TOO, IT'S ALSO REDUCED OUR TRAINING TIME TOO, WHICH IS AN ADDED BENEFIT I LIKE TO NOTE. WITH THE PROGRAM, NOT ONLY IS IT DEVELOPING OUR EMPLOYEES, BUT WE'RE ALSO ABLE TO GROW AND PROMOTE OUR FUTURE LEADERS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM WITHIN OUR RANKS. SO WE'RE GROWING OUR FUTURE.

AS OUR SYSTEM GROWS, AND YOU'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS WE'VE KIND OF REORGANIZED AND -- REORGANIZED THE DIVISIONS, AND WE'VE IMPLEMENTED SOME KEY COORDINATOR POSITIONS IN APPROPRIATE AREAS TO HELP MORE EFFICIENTLY COORDINATE RESOURCES

[05:10:03]

THESE COORDINATORS ARE REALLY GROUND-LEVEL SUPERVISORY STAFF THAT ARE GUIDING AND LEADING SMALL TEAMS. AND THEY'RE ABLE TO ADAPT QUICKLY TO ISSUES IN THE FIELD.

SEND PEOPLE AND RESOURCES WHERE THEY NEED TO GO QUICKLY.

AND THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR SUPERVISORS, AND TOGETHER THEY MAKE SURE THAT OUR DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES ARE IN LINE WITH OUR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES. SO WITH THAT, THIS MODEL -- THIS STAFFING MODEL ALSO OBVIOUSLY HELPS WITH OUR SUCCESSION PLAN.

WE'RE GROWING OUR FUTURE, WE'RE PROMOTING WITHIN.

FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WE ARE PROPOSING TO ADD A COUPLE COORDINATOR POSITIONS TO OUR DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING TEAM, OUR INSPECTION TEAM, AND OUR UTILITY MAINTENANCE TEAM TO SUPPORT THOSE TEAMS. BUT THOSE POSITIONS AREN'T NEW POSITIONS, PER SE. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THOSE FROM EXI EXISTING.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU, LARRY.

NEXT, THE MOST APPROPRIATE PART OF OUR UTILITY, THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. THE BOARD'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT

OUR REQUEST. >> OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN INCLUDES FOUR MAJOR PROGRAMS. WE HAVE OUR RESILIENT RELIABILITY PROGRAM, ALONG WITH OUR PROGRESSIVE AND GROWTH.

VALUE AND EFFICIENCY. AND THEN OUR REGULATORY.

AS NEAL POINTED OUT IN AN EARLIER SLIDE, WE KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

BECAUSE WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST, SOME OF THESE COMPLIANCE PROJECTS CAN EASILY PUSH TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE AHEAD OF SOME OF THE R AND R PROJECTS. RIGHT NOW OUR STRATEGY FOCUSES ON SECURING LONG-TERM CAPITAL THROUGH MUNICIPAL BONDS.

IT'S A PLAN THAT WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD SHORTLY AS WE ROLL IT OUT, BUT WE'RE DOING IT IN STEPS.

$130 MILLION IS IN THE FUND. AND IT'S NOT OUR TOPICAL PROJECT, BUT A BIG PROJECT LIKE A WASTEWATER PLANT WHERE YOU HAVE THAT 40-YEAR FINANCING. THAT'S OUR PLAN AT THIS POINT.

WE'LL BRING MORE INFORMATION TO ADMINISTRATION AND THE BOARD AS WE FINALIZE THAT. ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, THIS IS OUR DELIVERY PLAN. THESE ARE SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE. AS WE ROLL THEM OUT, THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON. WE'RE GOING TO SLOWLY WORK THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS AS WE WORK THESE PROJECTS.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENTS.

SOME OF THESE PROJECTS WILL NEED REAL ESTATE.

AND ALSO OUR LEGAL ADVICE AS WE GO THROUGH AND PUSH SOME OF THESE PROJECTS OUT. BUT THAT'S SOME OF THE FUTURE BOND PROJECTS. THIS FISCAL YEAR IN OUR CIP REQUEST WE HAVE $40 MILLION. THE FIRST TWO PROJECTS, WE JUST RELEASED SOME REDUNDANCY PROJECTS.

THE NEXT PROJECT IS SOME DESIGN WORK TO STRENGTHEN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND BACKLOG OF OUR ORDER SYSTEM.

WE DO HAVE A MAJOR PUMP SYSTEM THAT'S A $2 MILLION PROJECT WE'RE WORKING ON. AND ALSO EXPANDING AT HASTINGS.

WE HAVE THAT $1 MILLION. THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. ALL IN ALL, WE HAVE $6 MILLION SET ASIDE. WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS THE FAMOUS MEASLE CHART, AS WE ALL KNOW FROM LAST YEAR.

WE PUT SCORING OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS, OF WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AS THEY COME UP TO THE CONSEQUENCE OF FAILURE, THE LIKELIHOOD OF FAILURE. SO IT GETS A SCORE.

THOSE PROJECTS WILL GRAVITATE TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE LIST.

THIS COMING YEAR WE'VE GOT $6 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR LIFT STATION REHABS, MANHOLE REHABS. RIGHT NOW WE CURRENTLY FUND ABOUT 6% OF THAT PROGRAM. WE HOPE TO EXPAND THAT IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS, TRY TO GET UP TO 80 TO 100% OF OUR NEEDS ON

THE R AND R PROGRAM. >> AND THIS IS THE RELATIVE END OF THE JOURNEY. REVENUES AND BUDGETS AND ACTIVITIES. MY FAVORITE PART IS ABOUT RESERVES. THIS IS SORT OF THE CORNERSTONE PIECE OF OUR UTILITY FINANCIAL PICTURE.

[05:15:02]

AND OUR CAPITAL ALLY WHICH WE CONSIDERED UNRESTRICTED RIGHT NOW, ABOUT 11.6. THIS IS RELATIVELY IN LINE WITH WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR. WE'RE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THESE NUMBERS. WE DO HOPE TO SEE THEM IMPROVE OVERTIME, BUT OVERALL THEY'RE A VERY STRONG PIECE TO OUR FY 2027

BUDGET PROCESS. >> THANK YOU, GUYS.

APPRECIATE THE SUMMARY. LIKE THEY SAY, WE'RE NEVER PERFECT. WE ALWAYS WILL GAP ANALYSIS, AND IT [INAUDIBLE]. WHAT DO WE HAVE MISSING, IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN TRAIN OUR PEOPLE.

IS THE PROCESSES PERFECT, OR CAN WE TUNE THEM TO BETTER REFLECT EFFICIENCIES AND RESPONSIVENESS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS? AND DO OUR STAFF HAVE THE TOOLS? ALREADY THE COMMUNITY HAS TOOLS TO REVIEW US AND GET OUR EFFICIENCY OUT THERE.

THAT'S HOW WE LOOK AT THE GAPS. AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE IS REALLY THE CAREER PATH.

WE FEEL IT'S A REALLY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM, BUT I STILL FEEL LIKE WE'RE ON THIRD BASE. WE NEED TO GET TO HOME PLATE.

AND WE'RE BRINGING PROFESSORS WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENTS.

WE HAVE ONE DEPARTMENT TEACHING THE OTHERS.

IT'S A GREAT INFLUENCE. GOOD OPPORTUNITIES TO SCORE THERE. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THAT HYBRID PERFORMANCE, THE WORK ELASTICITY PROGRAM THAT I TALKED ABOUT. WE CAN TRY IT ON ONE OR TWO THINGS. AN EXAMPLE THAT I DIDN'T TALK ABOUT WAS THE INVENTORY AND THE OPERATORS IN THE WASTEWATER PLANTS. NOW WE HAVE WAREHOUSE DELIVERING THAT, SO IT SAVES MORE TIME. THERE'S MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE EFFICIENT. WE'RE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE WATER CONSERVATION. WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKE THAT TO THE NEXT STEP. I'M REALLY EXCITED TO WORK WITH WADE AND TYLER AND JENNIFER AND NOW MELANIE TO TAKE THAT TO THE NEXT STEP. WE HAVE A LOT COMING.

DEFINITELY A TBD FOR ALL OF YOU TO TALK ABOUT IN OUR WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS. AI CONTINUES TO RESURFACE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR US, AND WE'RE NOT MISSING THEM.

A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO REDUCE ENERGY, COSTS WITHIN OUR WASTEWATERS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY. AND REALLY PROVIDE MORE DATA ANALYTICS, MORE DATA THAT IS AVAILABLE FASTER TO OUR MANAGERS, TO OUR STAFF. WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR HELP. I THINK ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE PROVIDING THEIR BUDGET, AND EVERY DEPARTMENT IS THE REASON FOR OUR SUCCESS. IT CAN'T BE ONE DEPARTMENT, IT'S ONE COUNTY WITH MANY DEPARTMENTS.

WE ENDORSE THEM. IF I HAD TO PICK ONE FOR PARTNER OF THE YEAR -- SORRY, EVERYONE'S NUMBER ONE! BUT PARTNER OF THE YEAR GOES TO CHRISTINE THIS YEAR.

SHE REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO THE COUNTY AND IMMEDIATELY CAME AND MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE TO US.

GRANTS. AND REALLY OUR LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS. I HAVE TO GIVE HER THAT SMALL LEDGE. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ARE WATCHING. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION.

>> WOW! OH, MY GOODNESS.

>> SEE, $10. [LAUGHTER]

>> WE CAN GO INTO THE BUDGET, WHICH CANNOT BE MORE COMPLICATED WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGET FOR THE UTILITY.

[05:20:02]

AND IT'S ONLY TRUE FOR A GROWING COUNTY LIKE US.

AND I'M SURE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE JUST BARELY MAINTAINING, WHICH IS JUST AS COMPL COMPLICATED. WITH THAT SAID, I THINK THAT FROM THE HIGH LEVEL -- WE TALKED ABOUT THIS MANY TIMES.

THE YUTILITIES ARE NOT ONLY PROVIDING THE WATER, BUT ALSO YOU'RE A GATEKEEPER OF THE COUNTY'S GROWTH.

THAT'S A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY. I THINK WITH OUR BOARD'S POLICY DIRE DIRECTION, BE MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT MANAGER OUR GROWTH, I THINK THAT GATEKEEPER ROLE BECOMES EVEN MORE WEIGHTY AND CHALLENGING, I WILL SAY.

BECAUSE YOU DO ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR CURRENT RES RESIDENTS AND THE PROJECTED RESIDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE TO BE HERE TO SUPPLY THEM WITH WATER. THAT'S OUR STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO THEM. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT DOES HAVE A PARALLEL CONSEQUENCE TO -- TO BE VIEWED AS AN INVITATION ON THE TABLE FOR NEW RESIDENTS.

WHICH IS NOT THE INTENDED CONSEQUENCE, BUT IT DOES PROVIDE THE CAPACITY, WHICH YOU'RE ALL THRIVING TO DO.

SO STRIKING THAT BALANCE IS A VERY UNIQUE CHALLENGE FOR UTILITY. TO DO IS STRATEGIC THE WAY YOU

DO IS IMPRESSIVE, SO THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND I KNOW WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO GO OVER THE CIP SOME MORE, WITH WHICH PROJECTS WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.

BUT I TRUST YOU ALL -- YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO LOSE AN ARM [LAUGHTER] BUT YOU ALL COLLECTIVELY COME UP TO THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS THAT IS TRUSTWORTHY.

SO WE WILL RELY ON YOUR LEADERSHIP, ON HOW TO MOVE

FORWARD WITH THAT. >> WE APPRECIATE THAT.

APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT, THE BOARD'S SUPPORT, AND REALLY OUR LIAISONSHIP WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE.

THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT.

IS THAT IT? >> LOOKS LIKE IT.

>> JUST AN OVERVIEW HERE. HERE'S THE UTILITY SERVICES FUND AS A WHOLE. AND THEN WE'LL GO INTO EACH OF THE DIFFERENT AREAS. REVENUE AND EXPENSES BREAKDOWN.

AND THEN MORE DETAIL ON THOSE DIFFERENT REVENUE TYPES AND EXPENSE TYPES. AS JAMES KIND OF MENTIONED, A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT AREAS. OPERATIONS PROVIDING THE BIGGEST BUDGETARILY BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THERE. YOU CAN SEE HOW IT BREAKS DOWN, SUBTOTAL BETWEEN EACH DEPARTMENT AND THE DIFFERENT AREAS WITHIN EACH DEPARTMENT. THIS IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST INFORMATION AT A LINE LEVEL THERE.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARILY DISCUSSED, BUT THERE IS A COMPONENT OF DEBT. WITH BORROWING COMES DEBT SERVICE, SO THERE ARE QUITE A BIT OF REPAYMENTS EACH YEAR.

AND DETAILED HERE BY THE VARIOUS DIFFERENT LOANS AS WELL FOR NEXT

YEAR. >> JUST PAUSE ON THAT REAL QUICK BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S A GOOD EDUCATION FOR ME, MAYBE FOR ONES WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT. YOUR BOND CAPACITY AND YOUR DEBT SERVICE IS STATUTORY TIED TO YOUR PROJECTED REVENUE FROM NEW USERS; IS THAT CORRECT? AND HOW DOES THAT WORK OUT?

>> IT'S FAIRLY ACCURATE. JAMES CAN TALK MORE INTO IT.

THERE'S A MORE SOPHISTICATED EQUATION, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS METRICS OF HOW BOND ASSURERS AND FINANCIAL INSIDE CONSTITUTIONS LOOK AT US AS A UTILITY. THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO SUPPORT THE UTILITY.

THERE'S A LOT OF NUANCE THAT GOES INTO IT.

BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST METRICS USED IS OUR ABILITY TO PAY THAT DEBT. YOU SAID IT RIGHTLY EARLIER, BUT THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THAT GROWTH VERSION.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS, HEY, YOU'VE GROWN BY X, WHERE ARE YOU TOMORROW. SO THEY'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT OUR ABILITY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING THAT SERVICE LEVEL AND STABILITY LEVEL. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS.

IT'S LIKE A MORTGAGE PAYMENT. DO YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING TO

THAT, JAMES? >> I THINK YOU'RE VERY CLOSE TO

[05:25:04]

AND INSIDE OUR BOND COVENANTS WE HAVE MINIMUM.

OUR MINIMUM COVER RATIO IS ABOUT 1.2, WHICH MEANS WE'RE ABLE TO PAY OUR DEBT SERVICE ABOUT 1.2 TIMES.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE SITTING AT A LEVEL OF 2, WHICH IS IN PREPARING TO TAKE ON THAT ADDITIONAL DEBT.

IT'S IN PLANNING TO ISSUE NEW DEBT AND BE ABLE TO COVER NEW DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS IN THE FUTURE AND STILL MAINTAIN OUR --

>> AND AS AN INDUSTRY WE ARE A VERY CAPITAL INTENSIVE INDUSTRY.

WE'RE ABOUT A BILLION AND A HALF IN ASSETS, AND WE CONTINUE TO PUT ASSETS IN THE TABLE. SO WE'RE A CONTINUAL R AND R MACHINE, AND WE'RE CONTINUALLY BRINGING THAT TO THE TABLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS JAMES TALKED ABOUT IS PREPARING FOR THAT.

SO IT'S THAT BALANCE. WE HAVE TO DO THAT FIVE-YEAR PROJECTION, TEN-YEAR PROJECTIONS.

CONTINUALLY LOOKING AT TEN-YEAR PROJECTIONS FROM NOW ON.

TO PREDICT WHEN IT'S NEEDED, HOW IT'S NEEDED, WHY IT'S NEEDED, WE PRIORITIZE THAT. AND BASED ON THAT, WE ARE BEING CAUTIOUS ON WHAT WE SPEND, WHAT WE DON'T SPEND.

IT'S A CONSTANT MANAGEMENT OF WHAT OUR REVENUE PROJECTIONS ARE. FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE BEING A LITTLE CAUTIOUS THIS YEAR. OUR REVENUES WERE ABOUT 4 MILLION. WE COULD HAVE EASILY SAID -- BASED ON PRIOR DATA, IT WOULD BE 110.

BUT WE'RE USING 106. SO WE'RE SELF-RESTRICTING OURSELVES TO BE CAUTIOUS. THE GOOD NEWS FOR UTILITIES IS THE EXTRA MONEY WE GET GOES BACK TO OUR RESERVES.

SO IT'S A GREAT QUESTION WE TRY TO ASK.

IT'S VERY COMPLICATED, BUT WE PLANNED FOR THIS DAY OF BONDS A LONG TIME BACK. AND WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK DOWN ON OUR COVERAGE TO ABOUT 1.6, 1.5.

WE WANT TO KEEP ABOVE THAT 1.5 AS SORT OF AN INTERIM UTILITY AND BUDGET MIND SET AND WORK WITH OUR FINANCIAL PLANNER TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN THOSE GOOD FINANCIAL STANDINGS.

BUT THAT'S WHAT DETERMINES OUR BOND RATING.

THERE'S A LOT THAT DETERMINES THAT.

IN SHORT, THAT'S THE ANSWER. >> BY HAVING THOSE FAVORABLE MEASURES OF THE COVERAGE RATIO, THE RESERVES, AND ALL THOSE MTRICS, THAT KIND OF RETURNS IN HOW THE BONDS ARE RATED.

SO THE UTILITY BONDS WERE INCREASED THE LAST RATING.

THAT RATING INCREASE RESULTS IN LOWER INTEREST FROM THE MARKET ON THOSE BONDS. SO WE'RE NOT JUST HAVING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE JUST TO HAVE.

THERE'S A METHOD TO IT. >> SOUNDS GOOD.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THAT WAS GOOD, GUYS.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.