final FY24 budget and millage rates public hearing
What the county recorded
This item is not from the published agenda
It is a stretch of the recording that this archive identified as a separate matter — a call to order, a recess, or something taken up that the agenda does not list. There is no official title, no staff recommendation and no disposition, because the county never recorded one. Everything below is inferred.
The source document
The county’s agenda for Board of County Commissioners, Sep 19, 2023
The published PDF, as served by the county. This item is one entry in it.
The county’s minutes for Board of County Commissioners, Sep 19, 2023
The published PDF, as served by the county. This item is one entry in it.
What was said
Machine transcription of 4h 4m of recording, with speaker names inferred from voice matching. 83% of 996 lines carry a name. It shows what was said, not what was decided, and both the words and the names can be wrong.
This is the final public hearing to adopt the fiscal year 2024 budget for the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida. Citizens were provided an opportunity to speak during the public comment portion of the hearing. Does the clerk have proof of publication?
Yes, sir. Proof of publication in the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday, September 17, 2023.
In accordance with the Florida statute 200.065, the first issue to be discussed discussed is the recommended millage rates and the percentage changes from the rollback rates. Mr. Goring.
Actually, if I may, before I bring uh Mr. Gorg up, uh Mike Carbala County Administrator, I just wanted to give the board just I want to thank the board, I want to thank the public and and our budget team for for uh the amount of involvement that has gone into this process. And I want to assure you, the board, as well as the public, that uh this is, you know, getting to this point is is actually a a quite uh quite long trail if you will. You know, we begin some departments begin as early as November in terms of planning for their their their future budgets. Formally
in January we make the budget calls to um to the various departments and and during that period of time of January and February, uh they're they're s essentially established a baseline budget, right? So they they they receive No, no more money than what they had received last year, removing a lot of one-time expenses. And so being forced to kind of justify any type of increase, whether it's for inflation or for personnel costs that come along the way. During that time, they they also bring forward what we call business plan initiatives
or BPIs, if you will. These are just a slew of great new ideas of what our department is. Departments and our folks want to bring forward is just improvements to service and levels of service. These are vetted through in terms of total life cycle costs. So sometimes there's vehicles, sometimes there's equipment, and things that all have to be built into these into these costs. And then during the February and March timeframe, our assistant county administrators and directors are working very hard to kind of scrub those numbers down. Uh come the uh
April and May timeframe, our our budget team starts to look at uh look at what's coming in and this and the budget becomes more and more baked, and then I get the first look at it. And then in this particular case, we had a workshop and we we discussed a lot of good things. We discussed BPIs, we discussed uh things that were happening in uh in in fire rescue. And at that point, we we bring forward uh a recommended millage. Which you will adopt to put on to the truth, the the truth and millage statements, right, or the trim as as we call it. Um the fire MSTU
process, obviously when we go into this we're we're looking at the a general operating millage to remain flat. And uh it's it's been wonderful that this board has kept that number flat for several years. I probably even by the time I I want to say it's probably uh eight or nine years, Bob. That the general operating millage has remained flat. But the fire MSTU millage um had not been looked at for probably a good good since two thousand sixteen. So another another almost another eight years with that. Um and it was after looking
at the insolvency of that fund, given the unprecedented growth that we've had, as well as the our desire to attract and retain the best talent in our fire fire service that uh we we decided that we needed some action to take place. And by insolvency I'm talking that we're spending more than what we're taking in. And after we went through a number of processes, um, including hiring a new fire chief. uh I really believe that we have we have really squeezed a lot down
in terms of of the uh of the fire MSTU budget. Um you know re we recall we started at about a t two point three. Uh millage increase. That's what went out on the trims. Um and Chief Perez came in, made some additional reductions and looked at wants versus needs. And truly the budget that we were left with looking at really is the budget that's required to pay for manning and outfitting new fire stations, as well as being competitive uh in in terms of retaining and attracting uh fire firefighter talent.
uh pay and and other and other types of benefits. Um Bob will get through the details of it, but we we have come back. We we heard the public, we heard the pain and the things that were going forward and I think it's great that the board took some action earlier today on on an ordinance. uh to to provide some relief. But um I'm Bob will get to the details of it, but we're prepared to come down off of that. We think that a five year plan for fire rescue is is is appropriate at a 2.159 millage. So we're we're we're we're trying to move the needle in in in the right way.
And I think that kind of planning actually provides provides for the future of fire rescue. So with that, I'm just gonna ask Bob to kind of come up. It's it's a presentation that um that I think you've seen before, but I just wanted to let you know that we do scrub this. Um and in fact actually and I forgot to mention, I'm sorry, during the summer I did go back with the ACAs and scrub these budgets even further uh to make sure that we stayed within targets. And then actually we we probably across all funds moved over thirteen and a half million dollars. out of those operating funds and budgeted and made sure that they were in reserves. So that way our balances
were were were correct and and uh you know again trying to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars. So Mr. Gorg I'll let you start with your presentation and obviously when if we go through the board has any questions we'll Please before go ahead. Commissioner Starkey
and I and this is just to set the table as well because I recall conversations with you when we started the budget process and as we were going through it. That um You know, when we first were looking at opportunities in the different departments for long past due. Projects. Um That
that but the money that we're getting, the new money, say you want to say new money Um that inflation Has greatly Diminished what we're going to be able to do. So you didn't touch on that.
No, no, Mr. Gorig will touch on it in in his presentation. But yes, you you are correct. In inflation, even though we saw an an increase in our taxable assessed values, uh probably two-thirds of those of those monies, uh as well as other, you know, that new money was eaten up in terms of inflationary costs. costs. And and I think also what you see is is a result of our lack of diversification in our tax base as well. The rooftops in terms of what they demand in services versus you know how those how those rules apply in terms of taxation
don't always fully cover the costs. And so I think it's great that the board is is is looking to preserve our industrial lands and our job creating um properties and and continues to promote and be a business friendly environment and that's still a a very a very uh fervent goal and and priority of mine is to continue that. Um but yes, uh inflation aided up um and and again Mr. Goric has a lot of good details that uh I think will be Um enlightening. Then
we'll get to Mr. Gorgon just a second. I do want to add a couple of things too. And and Mike, I want to say Um you're a great listener, but you're even a better doer. Um the board spoke pretty clearly in what the concerns were. The public had some input that we looked at. And I wanna say uh I'm I'm so happy to have Chief Perez on our team now because You know, sometimes a fresh set of eyes makes a big difference. And with the energy he had I can't tell you how excited he was when we were talking about the f things he found, how we could make some cuts and go through. Um
and This county has seen the the the negative effects when the economy dropped back in oh seven-08, and the effects that it had when we had to cut our parks 30 percent, libraries 30 percent, we had to put p fees in for simple parks going through, and just a lot of other cuts that were in there, that was set us back quite away. And when you lose money over year after year to things you are normally investing in to go through, it creates a backlog. And I think the citizens spoke very strongly on the Go Bonds going through when they said, look, we want to get
our parks and libraries back up to where they should be. So much as we're a county, we act actually are more like a city. Because we re represent ninety one percent of everything that's in Pasco County. So these people that have I think have come in is completely different. from years ago when they came Um they wanted to cut, cut, cut. Now they're saying, you know what, I got a family I'm reason. I want to be able to take them to a park and get them on a field. I don't want to live in Wesley Chapel and have to drive to Trinity or vice versa to get my kids going to a park. I don't want to be stuck in traffic for forty-five
minutes while I'm trying to go what used to be a five minute drive is now a forty-five minute drive. Call it Wesley Chapel wherever. Trinity as well sometimes. So all these things that we've done I think of Connus you are catching us back up. We're not even there yet. In all the years of not changing that fire MSTU It it it cut into what would be reserves or pro uh projects we can go do and I think last year and the year before The the firefighters were at many, many public meetings talking about how they were unhappy. And I think
we listened very closely to them. And Mike, you did a phenomenal job adding those things in. But again, with Chief coming back in To get it from a two point three trim Uh to a two point one nine five is a major achievement. And it does mean that instead of having a ten year plan, um We're gonna probably be back in five years. if we keep to that number. If we go any lower, we could be back in two years, three years, depending on how far we go. But I think it's so important for our citizens that have requested they want a high quality of life. They wanted to have these uh
times to to get service going down, especially when it's life or death. I mean we saw a great presentation today from the the from the young ladies at Anclote where they saved a life. What that must have felt like. Well the last thing I want to do is have one of these paramedics firefighters get to a scene, get there a couple of minutes late. And not be able to save a life. We don't want that. So if it means we got to make this step, I think our people have spoken very clearly, that's what they want out of Pasco County. And I will tell you as a board member that was here when we made the word we want to be premier. this
is what it's gonna take to get us there. And I think with Mike, you with your leadership, Chief Perez, the future is bright, but it's gonna take this board to stand together and support our fire empire fire environments and everything else we're doing. Pop.
Thank you. Bob Sorry, Casco County Budget Director. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to go through some slides that we'd prepared earlier. Please.
your mic's not on
the like this.
It was on.
Press the button again. Yeah, it was already on.
Is that better?
By by the way, as you get started, um we've had the full commissioners here for the day, but I th I I believe Commissioner Bradford is on the line. Commissioner Bradford, are you with us? I am sir. Uh very happy that you're doing well. I uh We greatly appreciate you being here. Thank you.
Yes, sir. So the purpose of this evening's meeting is to set the the uh millage and the budget for the fiscal year twenty twenty-four uh budget year. This is the second and final public hearing in which we're gonna set these. So just give you a highlight of what's happening here. So we're recommending no change in the general Uh millage rate of 7.6076. And as you're aware, under the Save Our Homes provisions of the Florida Constitution. The taxable assess values of a single family home or homesteaded
properties cannot increase by more than 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. And so this year the rate of inflation given to us by the state is 6.5%. And so folks' taxable assessed value on their homesteaded properties won't increase by more than three percent. taxable values on non homesteaded properties cannot increase by more than ten percent. And so this year, since the taxable assessed values increased by sixteen percent, Those properties won't have their assessed values increased by more than 10%. And
so, as an example of this, if you have a homesteaded property in the typical Uh property here in Pasco County is about $147,000, and so we just use $150,000 to make the math simple. If you're homesteaded, With $150,000 property, you subtract the $50,000 homesteaded exemptions, and your property tax bill would increase by about $22.82. And that increase is because the value of your property increased, not because there was a change in the millage rate. Likewise, if you have a homesteaded
property, we're not subtracting those $50,000 for that homestead exemption. And so your property taxes would increase by $114.11. Now for the folks at home that's a little bit more than a little bit. Uh that increase of twenty-two dollars or that increase of $114, that's for every $100,000 of assessed value of your home.
So Bob safe to say if you're in a three hundred thousand dollar house
Yes, sir.
With everything we have got in the budget the way it is set right now, your property tax for a homesteaded property already existing is only going up forty five dollars. Exactly. Yes sir. Thank you.
So for those folks who are at home and are looking at their tax uh tax bill and they're saying, Well, wait a minute, my taxes increased by more than 10%. We wanted to point out some tidbits here for reading the trim notice. You'll notice the big takeaway here is that for the school districts, there is no cap on the increase in your taxable assessed value. So For the county, if you look at your trim notice, you'll see a line for county and a line for MS Fire. Those are capped at a 10% increase. where you go down a little bit and you'll see on your trim
notice where it says public schools. There's no 10% cap on the millage rate, or I'm sorry, there's no 10% cap on the taxable assessed value for the school district. So the the millage that is going to be applied to that property value is going to be the market value of that home. And this year we know it's much more than 10%. It's 16% this year. And so if we look at this, the cap on the home, as we said, is 3%, or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. And you can see here, only
three times since 2009 has that actually been 3%. Right? So 2012, 2022, and of course 2023, they've been above three percent. And so you see many of those years, it's actually less than one percent. So the taxable assessed value on homes increased by less than one percent. And if you Do the math. That means the revenues coming to the county increased by very little. So this is uh information from the Florida Tax Watch, and you look here, we
look at the total property tax levied, and we normalize this data by Uh using the per every $1,000 of personal income for this fiscal year, fiscal year 22, sorry, 2022 and 2023. Pasco County is forty-fifth out of 67 counties. And so for every one thousand dollars of income, Pasco County charges about twenty three dollars. for property taxes and that is for all property taxes within our district and so that's for school taxes,
county taxes, fire MSTU, all of those. You'll notice we are considerably less than the statewide average of thirty-three dollars and we're below all of our neighboring jurisdictions.
And we have no cities.
Exactly.
Because we have no cities. We're doing this without our cities. Yeah.
Right. A lot of these have a have a uh a tax for their cities. So if you're in Saint Pete or or Tampa or something like that. So where do your property taxes go? You'll see the 43% goes to the county, 13% goes to the fire department through the fire municipal services taxing unit. Uh 2% goes to the voter approved general obligation bonds, and then 39% goes to the school board.
So if we look at the tentative budget, the tentative budget increased five percent over last year. The big uh reason for that increase is through the capital plan. And so a lot of this is, of course, through the fourth burner for the for the waste energy plant, which it was just approved at the last meeting, and other kinds of public infrastructure. uh activities is the main reason for these increases. So one of the questions that folks have asked me since the September fifth meeting is property taxes
or the the the taxable assessed values went up and you all are getting all this money, what are you doing with all that money? And so right off the top we take forty percent of that off at the top and that goes to the sheriff department. Because just as the the demand for our services are increasing, the demand for sheriff is also increasing. So the sheriff of that money we get Right off the top, twenty million goes to the sheriff. And you'll see a lot of the other things on this list.
Can I can I say something on that? It used to be fifty percent.
Yes.
But we took the jail back. From the sheriff, so that ten percent. Is now Plus more. Is now Now we're tak now we're doing the jail out of our general fund.
Absolutely.
Thank you. And we're also this year, there are ten new sheriff deputies on there as well. That's separate from the his normal contribution.
Yes, and so what Commissioner Mariano is alluding to here is the ten sheriff's deputies down there for one point seven five million dollars that the sheriff came to the board and said
Recruiting, retaining officers, and the board decided to give an additional one point seven million dollars above the forty percent. to allow the sheriff to hire 10 more deputies. We consider most of the things on this list as must pays. A lot of these things on the list, the county really doesn't have much choice in paying, right? So the state sets the retirement rates, they change the retirement rates this year and that Of course, causes an increase to us of three million dollars. Health insurance, we talked about inflation earlier. Inflation's hitting health insurance just as it's hitting all the others.
Commissioner Starkey talked about our corrections department, so you can see the the contracts in our corrections departments are are uh expiring. And so as a result, we've increased that's those contracts by about 15%. We don't believe that's gonna be enough, but just for the budgeting purposes, we put in 15%. Obviously, we'll pay what they are, but that's another $2.8 million. You notice an important initiative to the this board was homelessness, was trying to do something to end homelessness. And so we
set aside one million dollars in the next year's budget in order to get that underway.
So here's some outside funding. So this is funding that goes to agencies other than the county. Most of these are required by us, by the state, that we don't have any choice in paying. And some of the others are things that the board has decided that they want to contribute to to help the board achieve its mission. And you see the things that have changed is Medicaid. So in order for the state to balance its budget, it has asked is asked this the counties to share in the cost of Medicaid. So that increase is three hundred thousand dollars,
which most years it's actually more than that. So we feel fortunate that's only three hundred thousand dollars. Pasco Kids, they provide uh medical Medical examinations for kids that are uh Suspected of being the subject of of abuse, and they've asked for nineteen thousand additional dollars this year. And then finally United Way. We haven't increased the amount of money we've given to United Way since 2015, and they've asked for an increase this year, and so we've increased that by eighty-five thousand.
So your capital investments for twenty twenty four, here's the things we've talked about all these things before, but we are investing in in our capital infrastructure to make sure that in the long run But these things are going to be in good shape and they don't cost more money in the future. uh to fix. So for example, the facility. So our building renovations. So we've got five hundred or so buildings in the county that the county owns. So we're contributing five million dollars towards the repair of those. IT hardware and software, we all know about cybersecurity and so We
need to invest $1.4 million towards higher cybersecurity to keep this this area safe. And then you'll notice on the bottom of there some other kinds of uh capital projects that we're going to be doing in the upcoming year, twenty twenty four.
Constitutional Officer budget recommendations and so we're recommending these increases that you see on the screen as we talked about before the sheriff increase of forty percent of the new income is fifteen percent increase for the sheriff, the clerk and comptroller's office. Uh that increase is due mainly to the kinds of health care. Wage increases and retirement increases that we're seeing on the board side. Plus, we've set aside some additional money for the clerk and controller's office to invest in its criminal justice
and information systems software. Supervisor Elections Office, you'll see that increase next year is the there'll be actually two primaries next year: the Presidential Preference Library. Library presidential preference election. and then the other election for for local officials in August.
So our change in major funds, these are the funds that we consider to be our major funds. The general fund increasing 13%. We talked about those, so there's additional capital projects there. There's increases to retirement, health care, all those kinds of good things. We see our transportation trust fund increases, and those are for road repair. Things like that. You'll notice the increase in our fire department, fire MSTU, and we'll talk about that in a little bit. And then stormwater has increased by about four percent. And that's because they had some large projects they were working on last year.
Those are completed, and so we don't need to carry them forward this year. So the fire MSTU increase, as Mr. Karbala mentioned before, we haven't increased the fire MSTU millage since 2016. We believe if we don't change the millage rate for the fire department that that fund will become insolvent in 2024. In other words, there are gonna there will be more outlays than revenues coming in. And so for that reason, we recommend a millage rate of 2.159. And you'll notice most folks on their
trim notice that Uh millage that's shown on their trim notices 2.3 mils. We're asking to come off of that 2.3 mil rate to 2.159. At the last uh hearing, the board asks us to look at a five year planning horizon, and that's what we've done here. And that 2.159 keeps that fund solvent. For uh an additional five years. The reason we're asking for this increase in millage, as Mr. Cabala said, was we wanted to address two issues. The first one of those was there's
just Growth in the county, and there's growing demand for services, and we'll show you that demand in just a little bit. And it's important that we recruit. We're that we're able to recruit and retain those qualified firefighters that we need to keep them here in the county.
So let's talk about calls for service. So these are the calls for service. The blue is EMS. The red is fire. You'll notice since 2015 the number of calls for service has increased from about sixty five to
the EMS is or the ambulances called. Yes,
ma'am.
Okay, just for the public.
Okay. Thank you. So since 2015, the calls for service has increased from about 65,000 to over 90,000. And it's interesting that you'll note our EMS service or our ambulance service is actually the third busiest EMS service in the state. And that's all counties, all cities.
So response time. This is the thing that's most important to you if you're calling for an ambulance. The response time. From the time that call hits nine one one to the time the ambulance shows up on your front door. If it's under ten minutes, is that gray? bar underneath and you can notice that that's been substantially increasing. If it's ten to fifteen minutes, you'll see the orange. And if it's over 15 minutes, you'll notice that that's that blue, that blue bar. So 40% 47% of all calls
to fire and for our ambulance are actually coming in at more than 10 minutes.
So we talked about retaining uh qualified firefighters. There's a cost to the county of firefighters coming here. We train the firefighters and then in two, three years they go to another jurisdiction. And so when we look at the cost of this and since 2020, the cost of bringing these employees here, recruiting them, training them, et cetera, cost the county about four point seven million dollars.
And this is looking at our retention and our turnover in the fire department. You'll notice that in twenty twenty two is that very large bar there. And if you look at that, the the gray piece in the in the middle, those are the folks who are resigning. And and a couple of reasons folks give us for resignations is they can make more money. and work less hours in other jurisdictions. And so these are the kinds of things that we would like to prevent with this increase in the millage so that we can increase the pay for our firefighters as well as do
some other things that in decreases the stress of our firefighters.
So the initiatives that we're talking about for fiscal year 24 and beyond in that five-year time horizon, we are negotiating now for a wage increase in a step plan for our union partners. We will be opening stations two and four soon. And on the horizon, we're looking at at least five more stations will be needed after we complete stations two and four. Mental health for first responders is very r uh important. As we found out during the Latest hurricane here, this rapid
diver was an important program and we plan on wrapping that up. EMS supervisors and SWAT medic, and so the SWAT medic program is very important to our sheriff. Uh future ladder companies. I believe we have one ladder company now that for the entire county we'd like to add another at least one more ladder company for that. And then as I talked about earlier, this workload stress and overtime reduction initiative.
So this is the action that we're recommending. No change to the Pasco County operating, which is would be the general millage that is is on folks uh trim notice. The county Fire municipal MSTU MILEGE, we are recommending an increase from 1.8 to 2.1590. And then the rest of those, what you see down below, those are all the uh voter-approved general obligation bonds. And all of those millage rates have declined with the exception of the the last two
there. The the jail for twenty twenty one. and then the parks and recreation one for twenty twenty two A. And with that, that's all I have. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. Okay. Any questions for Bob?
Um Thank you. So can you say why those two didn't decline compared to the others? Just what are the reasons for that? So
the reason they didn't decline was that those are new bonds, and then the first year of a bond we pay interest only. And then in the second year of a bond, which both of these are we're paying interest and principal.
Thank you.
We didn't change anything.
That's correct. We didn't change a thing.
Okay. Any questions, comments?
Thank you, Chairman Mariano.
Is this your last one before retiring? This is Eric. Eric told me I had to do that.
So I'm glad there's a there's a crowd here for it. So you go to the f you you mentioned and this was mentioned last budget hearing too, Florida Tax Watch. We're ranked forty-fifth. So does that mean We're more efficient in our spending? Does that mean like how how's this how's this rank compared to others? Um You know, 'cause this could be interpreted several several ways. Absolutely. So please go into detail on The ranking system on here and
what that means if that's possible.
I am sure a piece of that is that we tend to be more efficient than others, and a piece of that also is that we just for so long we haven't increased our tax rates. And it's you can see that that That's kind of haunting us at this point now. So we don't have really if we open the we don't have the money to open the five new stations that the fire department says that we need. And so I think for a very long time the county was reticent to increase that tax rate. And so you can see the example of that here.
But when you mentioned stations, the vast majority of this increase is going to go to wages. Correct. Correct. Yes. So
A breakdown of You know, how this money's gonna be spent would be appreciative at least from from my chair.
So we're talking about wages, plus we're talking about for each one of these fire stations of the fire MSTU, that's two two point nine million dollars that it would take to staff that fire station. So there's two fire stations there, so that's about six million dollars needed just to just to staff those two fire stations. And then when you talk about adding five more.
Bob, I think you need to talk about the s the raises and the uh step increases too.
So with our raises, what we're trying to do is remain competitive with our neighboring jurisdictions. So Hillsborough and Pinellas primarily, Tampa, St. Pete. And so we need to Keep our wages competitive. So what we're trying to do is maintain a wage rate that's ninety five percent of the Hillsboro wage rate. And so that's That's what's driving that increase. In the in the salaries.
Can you go back to the chart that showed the turnover rate?
Absolutely.
Um you know years ago, Commissioner Weightman, we were we were struggling with keeping deputies and the sheriff and his team came to us and they said, Look We're losing a bad
We're losing these people to to other counties to the south and all around us. Um so we had to find a way to get them. So we put a three year plan together because we couldn't afford to do it in one shot. So a three-year plan together, we put the raises up for all the deputies, and that stemmed that for several several years. So we did very well with that. We're facing the same thing with fire. And as much as call volume with Sheriff Deputies by losing, et cetera, this is even more dramatic as far as the effect goes. Um If
you Losing these people. And you're gonna have less people working, you're gonna have Less people for callers. Call volume is gonna continue to go up. And we don't uh people don't want to see that. This is a way to try to eliminate that. This retention program is is a big thing. We've got to be competitive. I mean we've got five percent raises for our other our other team members. We did step raises from them from years before to make sure they were online so we didn't lose good people and we've got a lot of great people working here. This is to do the same thing. We're trying to keep the people and
not throw away money by having to take over all these resignations.
Come on.
And um I'm gonna ask our administrator a question that he that I didn't ask him to prepare for, so hopefully you can Swing in on this one. And I recall this from the school board. Uh so a lot of our money that's in our budget Is in are in it's in silos. Um, for example, when people walked in here, I was talking about the tree mitigation trust fund. That is a pot of money that developers pay
into when they clear the land and they take trees out, we fine 'em. And they have to pay into a fund that allows us to put trees back in, back into the community. That is not money we can use for anything else. But putting trees back into the community. Um gas tax money. Potholes, you know, it's restricted. In its lane. Um So can you talk about what are general fund funds? What comes out of that very
important
Certainly. So as you as you correctly point out, we have a number of restricted funds, if you will. Some are enterprise funds. For example, utility ratepayer dollars can only be spent on utility rates. And those are huge portions of the budget, same with solid waste, as Mr. Gwerg had pointed out. Some of the larger capital projects are funded through through public infrastructure. Your general fund is sort of your least restrictive source of revenue, correct? It is it can be spent pretty much on what you can legally spend money on. In this
particular case, I would say that you have probably about five main areas where the majority of your general fund dollars go. Not not with counting reserves. I'm just talking from an operational perspective. The sheriff is a large percentage, so public safety there. The portion of the fire rescue budget that is not funded through the MSTU, the rescue portion. So approximately a third of the fire budget is funded through the general fund. Now that we have the jail, corrections
is funded primarily through the general fund. And then you've probably got libraries and parks.
Major users of general fund dollars. And then I would say there's a smattering of operational costs that you might see in some of our overhead departments. But we have an internal cost allocation model where we make sure that restricted funds pay for the support services that those areas of general government provide.
So our development department is pretty much funded by developer fees.
For the most part, the answer is yes in those areas where those fees are insufficient or restricted by law or statute, in which case then they are subsidized by the general fund as well.
Yes, animal services is a municipal it comes out of the one oh two fund. And so there's it's it's they they do have some fees that they generate, but then those that don't cover their costs are subsidized by the general fund.
So am I missing any that are in certain silos that um
I mean building fee permits are are are other things that building fee permits are used to pay for those types of things. I mean there's there's a we've hit a lot of the large ones.
Yeah so the utility department, not everybody in the county is a member of Pasco County Utilities? Um but they Also do stormwater, um road repair. Correct.
What else comes
out
of there?
Right. So public infrastructure has stormwater. Public works is primarily funded through gas tax, as well as you have a TIFF, a a tax increment financing district over the entire county, which takes advantage of the growth. in in in the county to fund transportation. So approximately thirty percent of that goes into transportation related activities and it's generally split between your engineering services department for uh subsidizing your mobility fees. So when you offer subsidizes subsidization
for your mobility fees on on development That goes in to make up the difference. Uh your public transport your public transit so provides a lot of the funding and matches that are required on the federal grants to fund your your your bus system and then the remainder goes to fund public works. I can tell you that those sources of funding are are strained as with gas taxes as vehicles become more more and more fuel efficient, even though we're driving more miles and putting more wear and tear on roads, uh the revenues on on those are very restricted.
And we are the is it the twelfth largest county in the state? Are we eleventh twelfth?
I do not know off the easement.
Eleventh or twelfth? We are the fifth largest county Government Um because ninety what, ninety four percent of our county lives in The unincorporated part of Pasco County?
Yes, we are primarily unincorporated.
Um Commissioner Weightman, you were saying how could we be forty-second on that list? This county has has been very, very careful with its money. Um When I was first elected We had one mowing Team. to mow the rights away in Pasco County. And then we got two. And we might have three. Um but we have grown very slowly and
very carefully. And I know Commissioner Mariano, when you were on the board Um during uh the Gallagher Times and uh and another run up of property value. Pasco County. was one of the counties in the state that rolled its millage back and rolled it back dramatically. Too far. Too far. and other counties and cities that didn't Um well the legislature came in and said Hey, you're making all this money?
and you're not rolling your taxes back, boom, we're gonna do save our homes. And you can no longer increase anything more than three percent And Pasco County had a very low millage rate and no no businesses at the time. So so we slashed the parks. We slashed the libraries, we closed libraries. We went to I was on the school board then. teachers right and left and it was it was a very dark time in the county and we have slowly, slowly
We're not we're still not out of what we did to ourselves.
You're you're correct there. In fact you may have seen on the capital the non recurring side the million dollars that we have been putting forward into basically that's deferred parks maintenance. And again that's just to try to keep up to your point.
We literally had People come to us who are running the Little League field in Dade City. Commissioner Weightmaness before your time. It was like three years ago. You might have been playing. And told us that our maintenance was was Yeah, you might have been playing now. Was was so bad on our little league fields that they were turning the lights on and off at the field with it with a eight foot two by four. So that they didn't get electrocuted. They were literally using a long piece of wood
to flip the lights on and off. So Um thank you for that park bond. Because that's how we fix some of those things. But Um just a little history of The challenges of what we do. And um trying to balance Having a great place to live. with keeping it very affordable and we make that we make those decisions every day.
And I will I will say liv living through that when I first got here the economy was booming. We were flying, things were going great. Um And when the economy crashed because we're just such a bedroom community is is part of the impetus why this board has been I think so strong to like tree jobs every step of the way. the problems of of not having the the right funding in place for your parks, for your libraries, for your firefighters, for the sheriff was was really hurtful for all of us. And
when I see s kids struggle as far as like parents saying, My kid's grown up and I can't go play, or they're gonna travel a long ways to get there, or they can't afford to do things. and when we had no reserves to speak of, um I think between the New leadership coming in kind of push those reserves, how important they are. And think about it, the the reserves we have only cover us for sixty days.
That's correct.
So think about if that hurricane had come and hit us. Where it was supposed to hit right in the heart of Tampa. If that sur storm surge was six to nine feet. We would have been without money, we would have been uh devastated along the way. This protection we've dealt with the reserves has been very fiscally strong. It's been great for our bond ratings to keep us solid so that if we do ever decide now we're trying to go out in this market to go borrow money that we are to for for the wire grass fields coming up, but being this strong and solid is putting us in a great position for
the future. And everything we do has been, I think, very responsible. And I will tell you from years ago You know, when you were probably working for Speaker Weatherford, there was a different diff different realm out there. The realm out there was cut, cut, cut, cut, cut. But I'm gonna tell you from the people here, when you go look at they're voting in Penny for Pasco three times now. Focus on economic development, focus on environmental lands, uh focus on the sheriff and f and uh and fire to have vehicles, uh all these things that they wanna have in in
their in in their county. The GO bonds. I mean, I never pushed the GO bonds whatsoever. I thought was out there. I thought Bob did a great job. The team did getting it out there so people would see it. We didn't spend any money. We didn't do any promoting. We never even talked about it on the dais. And that thing passed because people here are different what they were back in O four to O seven, oh eight. They want to see things. People have moved down up north. They're not used to living in a county. They're used to living in incorporated areas. And when they come to from an incorporated area up north down to here, they're used
to these services and they've said they wanted them. So I think as someone who I consider myself a conservative I've listened to what the people have told me that what they wanted because I served them.
C Commissioner Oriano, I I I have one more story and I know I know y'all have heard me say this I think once before. But to me it's very telling. So I've lived in the county for thirty two years. Um I raised four kids here. So I moved here in ninety two or ninety three. Um I was a youth coach for twenty five years. M my husband and I all all four of my kids played sports. In those thirty two years here. The only ball
fields that we've added West of Call Your Parkway. was Starkey Ranch District Park. In thirty two years. We have added one softball field. So one or two there. Maybe two? Um a couple multi multi sports Uh fields. and a baseball field and we're still trying to build We had to borrow eight million dollars to build the other fields. We have a new little league.
team, a new Little League franchise or whatever they're called. Uh that has no fields. They we we beg Little League don't charter them because we they have there's no place for those kids to play Little League. There has not been a little league field at it that I know of west of Coll Well, in the county since I've been here. I mean maybe Wesley Chapel District Park has a Little League complex, I don't even know. So we have a little leak charter or Group. They cannot
play. Because Their fields are gonna be built in Bexley when we get the money. Um so we we have challenges up here. And our kids want to play.
So I think that's why this board pushed as we talked earlier about impact fee. And I'm proud of all of you, especially when they talk about cutting it back for affordable housing. We said no, anybody coming in here needs to pay those fees for the kids to play sports. So
Well since
Y'all were looking at me. You're the one.
Well, You're the you you're the end.
So you know, you bring up Wiregrass Ranch Fields. That's happened because this county couldn't get its act together and become a compliance over the last three years. So I didn't find that that statement fair. That's a man that's a that's a management issue. From the past.
Did I say Wiregrass?
And
that meant Wesley Chapel.
We'll we'll get there. We're having a discussion
first. And when we talk about I'll I'll just make general comments. 'Cause I'm pretty consistent on where we're going to be able to do Where I've been
New opportunities for kids to play, for parents to take their kids to go do something, well We're in a very expensive world. Can these parents afford to sign their kids up to play? on the sports fields? Can they afford the cleats? Can we afford to get The the the food on the table? All of it together because inflation area at the grocery store is through the roof. Quiet please. And everything and I and it I know I keep beating this draw. Everybody in our county and in our
state right now. Has taken a haircut on every aspect of their lives, especially now that property insurance has doubled and tripled on folks.
You know, I think it's a little bit more than We raise our general taxes. There's a path there there's just a pass-through more and more and more onto the consumer. If folks keep more money in their pocket, they're more apt to go and spend it to buy cleats. To buy food at the grocery store, to get a milkshake after a ball game, whatever they need. That's what keeps our businesses open and our economy thriving. It's not a little bit more than a little bit. the government's job to ensure how You know things move on. If we need to dip into reserves to give people a break so they
can get through twelve months, I'm all for it. So You know A lot of I hear what everybody's saying. I appreciate the history lessons. We're in a very odd time. We have such a disparity. Chairman, you mentioned all the new folks coming here. The new folks are coming here with a pile of money in their pocket. My kids are sixth generation in this county. And there's other people who've been here a long time too. We're not the folks that have been here like all of us and we talked about this last meeting, we can't keep up with the
new dollar that's here. And it's not anybody's fault. It's not the fault of the the the the Florida folks who've been here, the Pasco folks who've been here, and it's not the fault of the folks who decided to move here to escape. whatever kind of crazy environment they've been living in and they saw the light. So we're lopsided and so when we go through this process, the true saying of we need to figure out growth to pay for growth and not have all the folks in the business that have weathered the storm through thick and thin in our county to have to pay
for all the new folks that are coming in. And It's it's Now that statement it probably won't be solved here today. But moving forward I think it's a statement of, hey, We got fiscal year after this one. This is my first one, what a ride. So it's it's it's setting a new a new a new a new bar of how to manage folks' money. And Anyway, I just Measured
approaches I've never not said we didn't need to help certain departments in our county. I've said measured increases. but when we have other governments that are in our county taking big bites and the timing of all of this hurt. And when we talk about parks, this this board is talking about a solution for parks. So Parks will we'll figure that out next cycle through a potential MS M STU. Same with our roads. There's solutions
to all of these problems. It's all in the timing of when we execute these. But I am fully in favor of figuring out a way to keep money in our folks' pockets, our seniors Thank you board for supporting The uh I don't know I forgot the formal name of it, my brain's tired. But given given our folks who who who struggle that help 'em keep their home earlier today. Uh and so as we go through this this this process, I'm anxious to hear what people say
and just please keep in mind That People out there are making decisions every day based on their interest rates. Their new mortgage rates. Folks that have moved here their taxes have reset. They may not have realized WAMO They you know, whoa, surprise, twelve months being in Florida, they thought one thing it's another. Here comes a hurricane that hits on top, you know, and there's still a whole nother quarter out there with homeowners insurance. That's gonna come that people haven't got their renewal notices
of what that's gonna be. So I'm very sensitive to these these costs that are on All the folks who are living and choosing to live here. I appreciate the advocacy of this board and and the history behind it. but I'm fiercely passionate About finding a way in our cell in our small way as a government, of the of the little bit of money that we control. that we find a way to take a haircut and give people some level of relief, at least say we can try, we can try for twelve
months. And thank you, Chairman, for your time.
Take it.
No clapping, please.
Mr. Oakley. Yes, sir. I've been here seventy eight years. And I worked through a lot of things through this county and living here and working here my entire life. I spent fifty one years in my my citrus business which I no longer have. Because It became a fact that you couldn't have citrus and in our part of Florida. But the fact of it is I feel for these people that have the All these higher inflation and expenses but a part of What happens when
you have uh economy that starts changing the way it's going instead of going down, it's going back up and booming because so many people are m wanting to be here. With with this happening in this area. They won't live here too. We've I think we've got the best thing in the world here in Pasco County and best place to live. But it's still It it's hard. We've been a rural community for a long time and a lot of that's changing. But we still
need to pay attention to our citizens and the m our monies and the way we spend 'em during COVID, which was Not very good times around here. But during COVID, when I came on board seven years ago We had twenty me uh twenty years of deferred maintenance on parks and libraries and things of this nature. During COVID we were able uh Keith Wiley was able to take his team because they were not using the fields. and
actually redo a lot of fills during that time. and brought a lot of that maintenance back up. To party. Now, those things should have happened, never gone twenty years being deferred at all. But We don't do we can't make decisions for those commissioners that came before us. We came after. Well we had those issues and we we pretty much have been attacking those issues all along. I'm gonna tell you something and the outcry of our citizens. Has been We need better response times.
We need more time. to service our citizens, to bring uh better coverage for our fire and EMS and things of this nature. In our county. And we've been working hard on doing that and finding ways to do that. And for I believe it's uh over eight years we haven't raised any of these taxes or Or mileage. And so we've been doing it, scraping everything we could to get things done. And it's been working, but
You're talking about response times of twenty minutes or more. We don't need those kind of response to. We need to take care of our firefighters and give them a home. In between fire stations there, we're having a infill of fire stations in between other fire stations. They were cutting those twenty minute times down to five and ten minutes. And that's what we have to have. And we have to continue doing that. We put this issue, I think it was five years ago, that we had the bond issues. Uh eighteen. Had
those bond issues, we put those out there for our citizens to vote on. We didn't do the voting. We allowed them to vote whether we wanted fire libraries and things of this the bond issues to take care of these things. And there was even one one item on there which I would have thought would pass Was it an additional Fifty thousand dollar deduction on your homeowner. Property. That you would get a little bit more than a little bit. That extra break. That one Failed. But
for fire sta uh fire stations, building five fire stations And all the raised uh monies for our firefighters to have. Those all those things pass. The detention center over here that we have here at Land O' Lakes That passed. But inflation hit us in in that process. We were supposed to build a A thousand bed unit to go on the detention center we had. Fact of it is a good idea. inflation has so hard
during that building cycle in the last couple of years that we were only able to provide five hundred additional homes. We pay I believe it is two point seven million a year to send those detention uh people that that need to be housed here, we have to send 'em up here to Uh Hernando County. And uh it's either Hernando or Sumter. Hernando, yeah. Yeah. And it cost two point seven million dollars for us to do that. So we
were trying to provide the housing for 'em here without having to go through that big expense. But there's only is enough money to go around and we've kept taxes down For a very long time. And I care about our citizens and I I think they speak out to us that that They've actually spoke to us about fire stations. They want more fire stations. They want better response. So these things. The problem would not Coming up and I understand this is money. 'cause it always
takes money to do what we need for services. They always cost money. Uh the fact of it is If we Um Don't do this. And we have fire stations that are not put in the right place as we have the growth coming and the growth is coming. If we don't put 'em in between these other stations, get better coverages. It's not gonna be on me for not not wanting to provide better services for the firemen. wages and and equipment.
and the right stations and the right place. 'Cause someone's gonna die. And the problem I have with that I don't want that on my my watch, anybody die because we can't get there in time. We need to cover that. We need to do that for our citizens. And that's what it's about. I c I came a a member of this board when the citizens reached out, voted for me to put me on this board, not for me to decide my wants or whatever. but to listen
them and then come back and provide the right services for our citizens. And we have the best citizens in it. in the world, I think. Without without a doubt. And we have probably the best place in the world to live right here in Pasco County. And and for that reason right there. People want to be here and they're coming. So it's a shame that their coming has to cause a lot of the expenses and uh price of uh items and housing
and all of these things to increase. But that's that's the way life is. That's the way it goes when you want more people want it.
Commissioner Oakleyano, I'd just like to explain. Yeah. Are
you through? I'm done. And
thank you for that. I just want to explain what this graph is. Um and this is from the twenty twenty-one fiscal year. Uh Board members, this is the graph of That shows impact fee the impact fee collected. Uh around the state. Um since since this chart was done, we just did a massive increase in the parks impact fee. And have there been any any other since twenty twenty one?
Not that I'm aware of. We did a restructuring of the utility impact fee, but there was no net increase on those.
So I don't know how many we moved up, but that parks one was Yeah. Yeah. Um and very large. So I wouldn't doubt if we're not fourth or so. So Uh i it is kind of shocking to look at osseola. Seven seven four. The statewide average is a hundred and fifteen. So these are the fees that um developers pay. When they build a house. Um this is the av and let me see how it works. What the how they describe it. Because the top is
cut off. This is um These are the fees, uh impact fee charged by local governments against new development to provide for capital facilities costs made necessary by population growth. So We're one of the top in the state.
Uh I'm Commissioner uh Mr. Grant reminded me that we did we did peg our utility fees to inflationary factors, so they did increase at the same rates as as our water and utility rates, so one and a half, three and a half percent. So Okay, so
I'm sure we're a third or fourth. Um I'm anxious to let our public speak, Chairman Mariano.
I think we're ready. Okay. Let's go do public comment. Thank you very much.
Okay, so um Chair, I have eleven signed up, so I'm gonna call them first. Um they just said property tax increase, so we'll we'll hear what they have to say. Mr. Chair Go ahead.
So you've had
deviated from.
Let me go back.
Let me go back to my script.
We're gonna go right back. In a linear path. So if there's things you want to discuss, then
it checks off the boxes of what we have to comply with.
I understand. Yes, sir.
So back to page one, Mr. Garbert. Very good.
Mr. Chair, members of the board, the aggregate millage rate as advertised on the trim notice was 9.8305 MILS, which represents a 13.16% increase from the aggregate rolled back millage rate of 8.6876 MILS. The reason the aggregate millage rate is higher is because the total taxable value increase between last year and this year. Generating additional revenue levied for the same millage rate. Table one in your handout shows the millage rates for the various county levies and a comparison of the
recommended millage rates to the rolledback rates. And the prior year adopted millage rates. Rather than read this chart into the record, we have provided copies to each Commissioner, Board Records, and members of the audience. At the first public hearing on the budget, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a budget based upon the millage rates used in the trim notices each property owner received. I'd like to give a brief summary of the general fund and transportation trust fund millages or sorry trust fund budgets, stating the millage rates, the percentage change from the rollback rate, and the region. Reasons for the change. The
millage rate for the general fund is 7.6076 MILLs, which is a 10.2.00. Ten point two poor It's an increase from the rollback rate of six point nine zero one zero. The millage rate is the same as last year's millage rate. This morning the County Commission received a presentation outlining the amendments to the final budget. These changes will have no effect on the final general funding. The county realized a 16.5% increase in taxable assessed values over the previous year. Compared
to the current fiscal year, the general fund expenditure budget represents an increase of $40.2 million. The main factors for this include fully funding the sheriff's budget request. Including 10 additional deputies funding for the presidential preference primary, operational expenditures for the expanded detention center, fully funding an additional five code compliance officers, and a wage increase for board and constitutional officer employees. Prior action by the Florida legislature eliminated the requirement for
a mandatory transportation abnorm tax. No transportation millage was levied last year, and we propose no millage be assessed this year for the transportation trust fund. I ask the board to accept public comment and then vote on the general fund and the transportation trust fund millage rates and associated budgets. The minimum vote required to levy the general fund millage rate is a simple majority or three votes according to the maximum millage rate calculation.
Thank you. Does anyone wish to speak to the board regarding the general fund and transportation fund? We have a list, so we're gonna start with the list.
Um I'm gonna call the first three. So if you will line up in this order, Joseph Lysick, William Lawless, followed by Anne-Marie Ryan.
Joe Lisack, [address removed]. What was that your last meeting if you don't recall? Yes I do.
We do.
I got some questions and it it has to do with sprawl. Obviously, um you know, that fifty fifty two corridor, I travel that back and forth from my home and Pope County to come over here on the weekends until we retire and we like to live here full time. Unfortunately that's probably not going to happen with this new increase. Um You got the four G ranch. You're gonna put over four thousand homes in there, I understand. Um
Along with everything else, you got the Randa community up there towards Dade City you're building. You got the Angelina, a city in the making, as the sign says. My question is where's all your plans for a new fire department with all those homes that are going in? Have you budgeted for that from the contractors, the hedge fund companies, and everybody else making billions off these projects?
Twenty-three days to for a residential permit, that's for a single family home. Now you're down to approximately you got Sherman who hired more people. You want to turn that around eight point five days per permit for these builders. This Impact fees, is that two hundred and seventy six dollars per lot? Is that what that says? For an impact fee for a builder?
No.
No. That's right. So
I was trying to see what it is, but it might be two hundred and sixty-six per $100,000 of value.
Because these homes up here in the Miranda, they start at about $950,000.
They don't say, but my guess is w who's from who's here from Development Services? Do you know what the total impact fee is? I know you're sitting in
So let's let's do this. Let's let him later because I got a lot of them. So just everyone understands how public comment is supposed to work. We're going to take your input.
I'm
sorry.
We'll address things as we have in conversation later on.
Can you explain to us what that is when a new home builder comes in and gets C D fees to pay for water management, water supply, sewer, wastewater management, bridges and culverts? roads, street lights, parks and recreation, fire prevention control, school buildings and structures, security, waste collection disposal, and mosquito control. These new Building projects the thousands of 'em you have out there that don't pertain to us over here in these homes from nineteen seventy two.
Where's all that C D D money coming f and going? W that needs to be explained, I think. You know, y you just got here's contract proposal after contract proposal for these new homes. That fifty-two corridors fixing the blow up from Dade City on over. You put the four lanes in, it's coming. And you know Over And I'm almost done here, but over in the right-of-way. Polk County where I live, North Polk County. There's a fire department two and a
half miles up the road from my house. five miles the other way, heading west, on Kathleen Road, they just put three developments in there. average homes, fifty to maybe sixty homes in those three developments that they just put in the past two years. Grocery store they put a public. You know what's the first thing they built? A fire department. Why aren't you doing it? You talk about kicking the can down the road. You didn't kick the can, you dropped the ball. Flat
out you drop the ball. There's there's there's grants available. You just got one. You said you don't have anybody working in your grants department. Let's get to the grants real quick, then I'm done. Sorry, your time's up. Yeah, okay. Well Just got one point seven million dollar grant right there. You just got it. Board of Fire Department. Yes we did.
With that might educate.
Sadly, he's my neighbor.
Honorable Commissioners, I appreciate your time. I'm gonna be extremely short. I just want to thank you all for having the commitment.
Can I just get your name and address for the record, please?
Uh William Lawless, uh Newport Ritchie, Florida, rather than give my address for employment reasons. Uh I worked for the Sheriff's Office for thirty-two years and this commission has done everything they could to support the Sheriff and law enforcement. With the growth we have in this county right now, I think law enforcement is more critical than it ever could be. So I'm not here to bring up any specific numbers. I just want to pre uh thank you all for what you do and and and for this community and
to support law enforcement and the sheriff's budget and personnel. Thank you.
Hello, Commissioners. My name is Anne Marie Ryan. I live at [address removed]. You will pretty much know who I am. I've been before you many times. I do appreciate the effort that goes into trying to budget for a county of this size and the growth that we have. I do have a question and I hope that you will think about the future for these answers. I do agree with the needs and the growth. We're the third largest growing county in the state. We
can fix all the pro we can fix all the problems just within the county alone. We also need state help. We've a been a bedroom community which has affected our income uh ta our tax income to but make us a better and more profitable county in the past. We have opportunities in the future with Moffitt and everything coming. I say let them come, but I say let them come and let them pay. I would rather be number one in what we're charging people to come here because they're coming with hundreds of thousands of dollars. They
don't want what They weren't happy where they were. They're coming here and they want what they want when they want it. And we can't afford it. You all know that I come from a community with twelve hundred homeowners and how we struggle just to get water. We can't allow people that are coming in to get everything they want at the expense of those who are here. I am an active member of of um nonprofits to try to help people who aren't making it. and not being able to keep us here. We're gonna lose our seniors. They're barely struggling to get through now. I
have a pension and I'm struggling. I'm fearful for everyone else. I sit on the volunteer way. I'm with the daughters of Penelope. I see all the things that the Rotaries are doing. You can't do it alone. We all do it together. But we have to make the people coming who want what they want when they want it to pay for it so we all have the values that we had and a better future. And I know that you can do it, and I know you have a good staff. Please. Be as tight as you can, but be as fair as you can. Charge the people who want what they need. They're coming here for a better life.
They shouldn't take away what we have now. Thank you.
Okay, thank you. So the next three signed up, if you'll sign up, um line up in this order, Julia Aguaio D Hassler. Janine Duffy, followed by Kathy Julian.
And again as you approach a podium, name and address for the record.
My name is Julia. We can lower that Julia. There
you go.
Julia Aguayo de Hassler, Julia Hassler for many. I live in [address removed]. I um have been here nearly twenty years in Pasco County. Wesley Chapel, Meadow Point, you wouldn't go in there unless you lived there. There was no through all the way to fifty-four. We didn't have any. malls. We went to Brandon or Tampa University.
uh mall. It it is amazing but scary how the county is growing. Um by the way, it's Hispanic Heritage Month. We estimated back in 2020 that we had about eighty-six thousand Hispanics living in Pasco. That number has grown to about ninety-two thousand plus and
still coming. What I'm very concerned of. And I worked for the school district, so I understand the way to raise Everybody's salaries. Yes, we lose a lot of people because next door in Hillsborough or Pinellas they pay more. And yes, we need our firefighters. We just had the speaker um Sheriff Noco come and
talk to us about the I think it he said one For every thousand citizens. It is unbelievable. It's just why is it seems to be out of control? And The thing with all these apartment buildings, we we're bringing people and people and people, but the school cannot get enough room in their classrooms as is, so more
schools are gonna be needed and therefore more of every single service. I appreciate what you are all doing, but I really think that you must find ways to cut for the people that if have been here, as Ms. Ryan mentioned, for so many years. Let the newcomers they are coming with money. Let them carry more of their weight on that. So thank you.
Hi, it's Janine Duffy, [address removed]. Uh first I'd like to say, Seth, thank you for saying what we've all we're all here feeling. Um you worry about the services in the fire department and uh the sheriff's department. And yeah, we do need those services, but right now my house is on fire. It's burning right now. I work for myself. I homeschool. I take care of my elderly mother. Okay, and with my
homeowners insurance. Then the school tax Now this tax, you're taxing me all out of my home. But I'm sure that's the plan, that's the Green New Deal, right? You own nothing and be happy? I I'm I'm I'm glad that you all don't suffer financially like the rest of us do. I'm storing my riches in heaven. But you will have to answer one day. for what you're doing to the rest of us. Our homeless problem
is a serious problem. I think it's great you want to make the parks and the recreation all wonderful because we're all gonna be living in it.
I mean this is seriously not a joke. I'm worried how I'm supposed to feed my daughter. M my child support doesn't go up. With inflation? I have to drive the Penelis to put gas in my car 'cause it's cheaper. When have you ever known it to be cheaper in Penellus? It's really disgusting. Yeah, all these northerners coming down here. Yeah, let's just build them places to live. All these new
homes, which are horrible construction, and there's nothing but people complaining about that. Why aren't they paying for all of this? I've lived in Pasco County since 1994. I've owned many pieces of property. I've also lived in Pinellas. I left Pinellas because Pasco was better because of the land. We don't need to be a concrete jungle. That's not what people live here for. You were pushing out generations of people. The school board talks about how they're so worried about
underprivileged kids. Well, you're all you're gonna triple it. And it's gonna be all your fault.
You really need to seriously think.
About what you're doing to so many people.
I I I have no choice but to sell my house and then where do I go? Where do I go? Can't aboard Ren either. And those landlords are gonna jack it up too.
Praying for you all.
No clapping, please.
Hi, my name is Kathy Julian and I live at [address removed]. Um Janine is a friend of mine and I've been hearing this from her for a while and she's actually telling you the truth. She is actually going to have to sell her house and Move because she can't afford it because of the property taxes.
All of that. Seth, you get it. You understand it, but I can't support you. Until you are not a liar anymore, I can't support you. What I wanted to say today is um Why are these new fire stations that we need because of new development not paid for by the developers? Catherine, you said that somebody One of the counties was charging seven hundred dollars. We're charging a hundred and something. Why aren't we charging seven hundred dollars? Let's discourage all this new growth. We don't need it. I've only lived here twenty
years, but we don't need all this new growth. Why don't we charge a fee? For new houses. You know, charge, I don't know, like you have to pay a fee for your car when you move down here. Why don't we charge a fee for your first house you buy? Get creative. Get money from those people because they're coming down here driving the prices up. Our kids can't afford to buy houses because of all the money coming in from New York and New Jersey and all these other places where they sell a house and they come down here and they pay twice as much for a house as the economy down here
supports. This is a problem, but it's not helped by raising our property taxes. And it's crazy to me. That The um Allotment for the fire is 2.3 That's like 30% of our total taxes for the county. You run the whole county on 7.6 and it costs 2.3 for fires. That's crazy. But have a nice day.
Okay, the next two signed up are Cindy Scard and then Chris Stebbins.
Yeah.
Hello, my name is Cindy Scarda and I live at [address removed]. Um I'm here to talk about the increases. Um I just want to say thank you, Seth, because you understand how people are feeling out here. You know, in your demographics here in Pasco, I I came from up north. I came in twenty ten. And I came for lower taxes and lower cost of living, not for a premier community. I think you're gonna make a premier community so much so that you're driving people out of their homes. You
know, a quarter uh percentage of your population is senior citizens on fixed income. And like Seth was referring to, they can't even, you know, we can't afford the cost of groceries. Inflation is a tax, and you're taxing people right out of the county. Um it's unbelievable to me. I I was on the town board where I lived, I was a supervisor, so I understand budgets. I understand growth too because I was on extraterritorial zoning committees. Growth is coming,
but the way it comes is what's important. And you don't have to let growth be unchecked and unfettered like it is in this community. I saw it where I used to live down by Bradington. There was so much growth they weren't prepared for it, they didn't have the infrastructure. It was a nightmare. That's why I left down there and came up here. So And Why aren't they paying? Why aren't these developers paying? You know, you've got five thousand new homes going up there on fifty-two. You know, why aren't they paying for a new fire department? We always are told that you
know these these developments will lower costs. It never does. It brings extra costs, extra services to the community, and the people living here already can't afford that burden. So Uh we are in unusual times. Yeah, this this is very challenging times for everybody with this runaway inflation, gas. And I know I was at a meeting the other night where I had people coming up to me telling me that their parents cannot afford their homeholder insurance. I hear it a lot. I hear a
lot from people in my own community. I have people in my community that are moving. So um growth is coming. But the way it comes is important and you have a right to do it responsibly. I'm not so sure it's been done responsibly here in Pasco County. It's everywhere. It's booming out of control. You can say no. You can lower the number of units in in a development. I have developed property. I fought developments in my community where I live. So I understand a little bit of both sides of the coin.
But we all know there's a lot of money that's been being made here. But um to drive people out of their homes isn't right. It's just not right. So thank you for your time and I appreciate it. Appreciate your time. Thank you.
Chris Stabbins, [address removed]. When I said at the last meeting that we know exactly what you're doing, this is what I was talking about right here. This is every one of my tax notices from 2009 to this year. You know what you guys did from 2009 to 2015? You raised the millage rate every single year, year over year, without fail. You know why? Assessments were being cut year after year.
Foreclosures were at an all-time high. People were losing their homes. So you had to scramble around figure out a way. To keep everyone paying about the same as they paid last year, even though their house was worth half as much. It's a stinking game and we're sick and tired of it. You know what you did from twenty fifteen to this year? You lowered the millage rate every single year, year after year without fail. You know why? Assessments were going through the roof. We're in a boom.
You've doubled your budget in seven years. So what do you decide to do in this culmination of this boom, this pinnacle year? Cut rates, which they were scheduled to be cut. which should have been done? No. Keep them the same? No. Raise them just a little bit. Not even close. You decide in one fell swoop to undo all the cuts from the last seven years and put us back to the 2015 peak rate. It's
shameful. Then I sit down at the last meeting and you start telling us how much you just love the firefighters. You just want to take care of them. They're your number one priority. Well guess what? I've got close friends and family, like like thirty minutes building a straw man, as if to say, if you're against this military increase, why you must hate firefighters. You must just can't stand them. No, I have close friends and family who
are firefighters, EMT. HCSO, TPD. I'm sure everyone in this room can say the same thing.
Firefighters are not the problem. They're heroes. The administration of this county is the problem.
Now I suggest and I'll close with this. That you heed the warning of Tampa City Council, who two weeks ago voted against their own mayor, who was begging in the news every night for a 16% increase. They voted against her. You know why? They listened to the people. Now my question to you is, what are you gonna do with our 25% increase? Well I'll tell you what you're gonna do. I'm gonna go sit down here in about five seconds, and then I'm gonna watch all of you almost
unanimously ram it down our throat. Well don't think. for a second that we're not gonna remember this.
Piper is not.
Okay, so that's all that's signed up in person. I'm gonna call the ones on WebEx, but I'm gonna call them individually. So first, Vincent Ghariano.
Or is it Garyan Garyano?
Hi yes, can you hear me?
I can hear you. If you can give us give your name and address for the record and then you have three minutes.
Yes, my name is Vincent Gariano. Uh my address is [address removed]. So I just want to make One one point one other person said. Not all us newcomers are coming here with tons of money. I'm a retired Philadelphia policeman. Okay, I'm on a fixed pension. I bought in Pasco County 'cause it was a beautiful area.
I don't have quantum money. I've been here almost one year and like one of the gentlemen on the panel said Boom, all these new taxes. Not only have they Double, triple, they've almost quadrupled since I bought this house with these new tax rates. I also have a question about how you assess These homes would be so called finished garages. I would like a definition on these finished barrages.
That had no functional living space. That I'm being charged assessed twenty thousand nine oh one.
Do you have any answers? Want a definition of that?
We don't answer during public comment, sir. We just l let people talk for three minutes.
Okay, well I I I have three definitions. One it had travel walls which it dunked. And let me tell you something, I put a lot of money into this house since I bought it. The house was built in nineteen seventy six. Okay.
Another wo another explanation I got from the right-of-way. The apprazers was it has a drywall ceiling. Another explanation I got well it has a garage door. One appraiser even told me, Well rip down the ceiling and we'll take off ten percent of your mil your millage rate.
Does that make any sense, Dennis?
But I I'm all listen, I'm all for it. Please fire. I I I get you. I was part of the system. But these rates have gone Like you other girls just said.
Outrageous. Since twenty fifteen. And we all did our homework here. Mm. You know, you you you're you're discriminating against people coming in your You're you're you're a county. But you want it to grow. So you can't have both. If you you raise these cats isn't Where we almost have to sell these homes now. So it's it it really isn't fair to any of us.
Well that's all I have to say. I appreciate your time. And I hope uh maybe uh you can give us a little help. Thank you.
All right, thank you. So the next one is Beta Kakskowska. Kaskowska, I think.
Okay.
Hello. We can hear you. Go ahead and state your name and address for the record, and then you have three minutes.
Thank you. Uh my name is Beata Kacchkowska and I reside in Pasco County at [address removed]. Uh I would like to oppose the the proposed um increase in property uh tax. Uh in my opinion this increase is not only gonna this is not only unnecessary but it will also have a negative impact on our community. Pasco County is one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. It's ranked between number
two and number seven. when it comes to growth, depending on the criteria and the source of the statistics. Uh and such a significant growth in the number of residents and real estate must result in increased revenue. So my question is, why do we need, if that's the case, why do we need uh an increase in property taxes? Uh I also mentioned that this increase is gonna have a negative impact on our community. Uh any increase in
taxes, especially during times of high inflation, uh causes low-income and moderate income families to be pushed out of our county. And that's something that we don't want. That's something that I don't want. And I'm one of those newcomers who moved to back to Florida during the COVID lockdown. I don't want that. I think that it's a beautiful thing that Pasco County is such a diverse community from the standpoint of socioeconomics
and culture and everything else. I would like Pasco County. To stay as diverse as it was two years ago. So we should take that into consideration. We don't want Pasco County to become home exclusively for wealthy retirees from New York and wealthy families from California. Basically, a playground for the wealthy. I don't want that. And based on what I heard during this uh this hearing Other
residents don't want that either. So that's why I think that's why I suggest having a comprehensive review of the budget and looking at the revenue sources and also the profits and the spending. Someone also mentioned that Pasco County should remain a business-friendly environment. I think that we should not only think about the businesses and those large developers, but we should also think about the residents
because they are actually the community and they should come first before the businesses and the developers. So thank you so much for your time.
Okay, thank you. And the last one signed up online is Eric Ruez.
Uh Eric Reese is not uh here. He had a family emergency, so he will not be able to provide the comments today.
Okay, thank you. Uh so Mr. Chairman, there's no one else signed up, but so if you'd like to call public comment, anybody in the audience.
Anyone from the audience who hasn't signed up or hasn't spoken yet would like to address the board, please come forward.
Maybe like two or three lineup behind each other as we go.
Hi, my name's Alex Legis. I live in New Port Richey. I moved here in twenty fifteen. We need your address again. Okay. Your your address, sir?
Riculous, and criminal.
Sir? Sir, sir. Excuse me. Just your address for the record too, please. What?
Your address. New Port Richey I own the USA Daily Sun dot com. I don't want people striking. At my home.
Okay. Um I'm one, I used to work for Lenar and I am a graduate of Saint Leo University. in accounting. Unfortunately for you, I had the most excellent teachers. Okay, the idea. See, we do not need this property increase. The reason why we have this property increase is to force all of us who have been here for a while, for a long time, who
had the lower military rates, who had the lower taxes, to be forced out. Because as soon as we are forced out, guess what? The property taxes on the homes that we just sold will be doubled. So they can pay for their raises in their salaries, their slush funds, their little charities. You know, I've never heard where the government Has actually laid off people. Instead, they are forcing companies to lay off
people in order to remain open. You are causing this cycle. Not us. It's about time we laid you off. And if you want to send an editorial to me, mine is USA Daily Sun at Proton Dotme.
Five please.
Brian Paris, [address removed]. Three uh I want to say tip of the cap, Seth, as in baseball terms, appreciate you. Everybody that spoke is correct. This is about New World Order, own nothing and be happy, taxing people out of their homes. Th taxation without representation is actually unconstitutional. But if you read the Constitution, nowhere in it says there's pro you should be pro raising property tax on the we, the people. We need we need representation. This is a constitutional republic. You
guys are supposed to be representing the people, not re representing in special interests, big corporations. This is a town for small business owners. We need to help the small business owners and protect them. You guys kind of with the decisions you guys made during the China virus lockdowns, a lot of the small business owners got hurt really bad. With the with the closing and the masking that people didn't want to go out. And I hope to God that you guys don't force any of that this time coming around because we know they're gonna you know the test run was
uh in twenty twenty. Um but this is about the people. The people are suffering. This recession is definitely gonna get worse. We might be even in a um in a Great Depression. We have to protect the people of this town. We don't want in New York or Florida. I don't care what these people say. Oh, I'm I want it. New York, Pasco County, no. This town's been i i you know, it's not perfect but it's it's a blessing and uh we we love our animals and our agricultures. And when you guys talk about planting trees,
why not plant fruit trees? Let's have trees that actually produce food and stuff like that to help people out. There's a lot of different things we can do. Um I I think we should put a moratorium on developing actually and we need a um fix our roads and infrastructure and our schools and develop them. You know, the kids are suffering too. You know, w we have human and child sex trafficking in the Tampa Bay area and in this area as well. And it seem and I saw there was only a ten thousand dollar budget
for them. That's ridiculous. This is New World Order stuff. Own nothing and be happy. Like the the lady said she's being taxed out of her home. We gotta start representing we the people. This is unconstitutional what you guys are doing. And um anyway, my time's up. God bless.
My name is Patricia Slernik Wellman. My address [address removed]. I've been in Pasco County since 2007 from a divorce. I lived 40 years in Florida. I lived the difference of them in Palm Beach County in West Palm. Uh it's very expensive there. And I left there to come here. Um it was cheaper. I make thirty thousand dollars a year. I
have worked two and three jobs to put a roof over my head. I lost my house to foreclosure in nineteen ninety six and lived in a rent and fested place years following with my ex husband. I am tired of taxes, I'm fed up with it, Seems like no one wants to do a thing about it. and everything else and you're just um basically well we don't have any more money to pay. I
mean we're going broke. We literally are going broke. You know, and you all can sit up there, you get your pensions, you've been there for years and You you're set. We're not. We have to work our asses off. I want to retire now. I'm in my mid sixties and I can't retire. Because I can't afford it. And I'm just getting by. as well as everybody else's and we're sick of it. Absolutely sick of it.
So I don't know if you're gonna do anything about it. Probably not, like everybody says. It is what it is. And as long as you can keep putting money in your pockets, which I know you are. because all governments are corrupt. I think you need an average person up here, an average Joe to come up here to run it, which we'll never see in our lifetime.
Like I said, I'm very disgusted with all of you. You need to be voted out. And I'm gonna make sure, like every past three years now, that I try my best to vote you out. Thank you.
Is there anyone else who wants to address the board?
Good evening, folks. Uh my name is Mike. I live at [address removed].
I think you have to give us your last name.
My last name is Cook. Thank you. Okay, I've been a Pasco County member, uh a resident of Pasco County for 17 years. I'm very nervous, so please bear with me. Okay,
deep breath.
God bless you guys for doing what you do. It's not easy to sit in that position. I've sat in board member positions and it's not easy as as a board member of my daughter's softball team, actually. But a league was located in Hillsborough County. Unfortunately we didn't have that here, and now we are. So thanks for building the parks. I think we all I can speak for myself, not for everyone. But I think what we're doing is we're not looking in the right places for the money. Okay, I I I understand, I agree the fire department needs the money. We have the the the influx of people coming in. So the fire department needs the money. And by the way,
Tony Perez, he's he's gonna be a great chief for you guys and and for us. You know, I've seen him do some work down in Tampa. Anyway, long story short, I know I only have three minutes, but um I think maybe we should start looking into these big national-sized businesses that are in the neighborhood and ask them to to to you know get some funds. generated from them rather than the the people who live here. 'Cause we are gonna drive some people out of here. Let's not that's and if they're coming you know, raise the impact fee. What did I hit? $256 per $100,000 or something
like that for a house. I don't know the the exact numbers, but I can tell you that's not enough. Because if they stop coming here. That means we won't have to raise the uh uh revenue from the from the p taxpayers, the residents of Pasco County to allocate the funds to the fire department because they'll stop coming, which is okay for a lot of people. A lot of people don't want all this growth in here. We slow things down. That's all I'm saying is you're not looking in the right places for the money. I agree with you we need the money. And you guys have a tough decision to make. But
I felt, you know, almost two decades living here, I felt I had to say something. I've never been to a board meeting, so I'm not gonna sit here and say that I follow everything you guys do. I don't. But I know that I have to say something. If I see something, I have to say something. That's what I was taught. I was taught that as a kid, I got a wife, two daughters, put one through college, I own a small business, my wife is the administrator for the business, and we can't get by. I can't get by. I'm almost behind on my mortgage. That's a dangerous place to be when you got a wife and kids. I'm just saying, just just look in other places for the money. I
I agree with you guys that we need the money and we need to allocate the funds from the budget, but I think you're looking in the wrong places for it. Thank you for the time.
Is there anyone else wants to address the board?
Um can um okay.
Hi, my name's Mark Eslik. I live [address removed]. And I just have a question. I I hear you know, this is beautiful, all this work's done. But there's tremendous growth in this county. A lot of people coming in, a lot of houses being built. These are taxpayers. Isn't all this money coming into the fund? Can't that finance what needs to be done? And uh in the meantime the roads are going to pot. And uh I don't know, we've
got all this money coming in, but you want more money from us. It doesn't make sense. That's all I have to say. Thank you.
Another one in my neighborhood. On my street.
Commissioner, I know it's been a long day, so we'll uh we'll try to make this quick. John Michael Morin, president of the Pasco County Professional Firefighters, 21735, YMCA Camp Road, Land Oakes. Commissioners, I'd like to start this evening by expressing my gratitude to the County Administrator and his staff for the level of respect and transparency they demonstrated to us over the summer as we work together through the FY24 budget process. I have learned a lot and have a renewed appreciation for all that goes into making local government work more effectively. and efficiently.
Over the last decade, your intention intentional and deliberate efforts have brought unprecedented growth to our county. Beyond the twenty eight people that move to Pasco County on average every day. We have seen business and industry re-emerge. We have seen million square foot distribution centers and large corporations relocate to Pasco County. You've created jobs and otherwise provok provided an opportunity for development and prosperity that has made our county one of the fastest growing areas in the nation. We are all grateful to live, work and play right
here in our own backyard. However, in order to sustain the progress that we're enduring, we must maintain an adequate public safety infrastructure. The data is simple. and plainly makes the case for an increase in the fire MSTU. Pasco County Fire Rescue is one of the top ten busiest agencies in the state. Call volume has increased 44% in the last eight years, 20% in the last two years alone. You've lost 162 employees at a cost of $4.7 million in the last four years and have spent more than $5 million
per year on overtime costs. Response times have suffered with forty-seven percent of all calls for service, resulting in first unit arrival. Of greater than ten minutes, and ten thousand calls. Ten thousand calls. took less than f more than fifteen minutes before life saving measures could be initiated. We cannot continue to enjoy this period of unprecedented growth if we cannot provide essential service. As elected leaders, you have an enormous responsibility to provide for the safety and security of your constituents. Do not
advocate that responsibility. Raising taxes is tough. I get it. There's never a good time, and it's always a last resort. But professionals that you've employed to provide fire and rescue EMS service in this county are telling you that it is unavoidable and has to be done. The fire rescue budget that is being presented to you has been scrutinized like never before, and we have already conceded to more than $10 million in cut. You are getting diminishing returns on the taxpayers' money by not fixing the root of the problem, adequate funding. Please do not keep punt this issue down
the road like prior administrations. You have a chance right now to propel Pasco County into a future that provides for the livelihood of your employees and provides a safe and secure place to raise your families. Although there will always be those who speak out against an increase, please understand that we care deeply for the people hidden in the data and they expect more. For less than three dollars a month to the average household. You can make a promise for a brighter tomorrow to the hundreds of thousands of residents who aren't here tonight because they expect you will do the right thing. Our
friends, families, and neighbors, some of which proudly sit behind me this evening, will always support those that support us and those who choose to make public safety a priority. Thank you. Thank you.
Is there anyone else that would like to speak and address the board?
Anyone else after this gentleman please stand up now?
Good evening. I'm Paul Totten. My address is protected. I've been looking at that chart and it's kinda been wearing me out. You know, we rank forty fifth. For taxes levied. As I brought up with the tax watch document at the last meeting. We rank 57th for public safety expenditures. There was some comment made, are we doing everything right? Are we doing things better? arguably you're doing them worse. If the people are paying taxes ranked forty fifth in the state and they're getting public safety at
a s level of fifty-seventh in the state. That's a pretty wide disparity. Insurance rates were also brought up and discussed by the Board, and rightly so. We all don't like paying more insurance. It's important to note I brought it up last time. As our ISO rating increases as a fire department, which is a byproduct of adequate funding Insurance rates. Can go down. No. It's money well spent. It's money that is long overdue to be spent. The call.
Response times that occur over ten minutes. is crazy, and I can't imagine anyone being naive enough to think that getting some place to provide Medical care in five, six minutes looks much different than if you arrive in twelve to fifteen minutes.
The taxes that are increasing for the majority of folks are school board taxes. They're not under your purview, that you have no control over any that the notion That We're going to limit taxes that are needed. because the school board went crazy this year and frankly the voters did. They approved the one mil the fact we're gonna cut ourselves short in hamstring
Seems kind of absurd to me. We're getting clear value for the money that we're asking for. Just consider the decision carefully and You know, we need this moving forward. Thank you.
Anyone else for public comment? We'll close public comment.
Um Commissioner O Commissioner Starkey I didn't start it early enough, but I started um to write a few of the issues down that were brought up. Um Um, and if if you don't mind, just want to take a few off.
Right. Bob might have a list he's going to already? No. I'm sorry, I missed that. Okay. All right, go ahead, Commissioner
Starkey. Just real quick, the woman who was on a board in another state Florida has a very interesting property rights they have very interesting property rights laws. um we have to abide by them, so we cannot we cannot tell someone they can build less than what the their zoning allows. W we just can't do it. It's against the law. Um we can't tell uh someone who wants to develop their property they can't do it. It's against the law. We can
uh So we we we
And they want to come in and build something. Whatever they have in their comp plan and zoning Um w you know we We can massage a little bit. It has to fall within our development rules, but we we have to approve it. So Florida, I don't know what happens in other states, but that's what happens here. That's a very simplistic way to say it, but Um masks. We didn't or in COVID. We didn't shut down one business in COVID. Very proud of that. that. Impact fees. I
tried to get a number from some of the development attorneys out there. We we are thirty thousand dollars a house. And that is about to go up because we increased park fees. I think that'll go up to thirty three thousand and the school board told me they're getting ready to prepare for a massive increase in school board impact fee. So it wouldn't surprise me If we move to two or three. I don't I don't know what's going on in Osceola, but it'd be interesting to to find out what their story is. But remember
the state legislature has capped the amount you can increase impact fee.
Oh yeah, the state stopped us from being able to in increase impact fee. Um We cannot call for a moratorium for development against the law. um cost of houses. So So when we add thirty thousand and now soon to be thirty three thousand dollars to a cost of any house in Pasco County. when your kids want to move here and buy a house. It's ver and when my kids they can't afford to live in Pasco County. uh
th that cost gets added to them. So You know, we and we hear it on both sides. Charge more. But then you can't have no one can move here 'cause it's so expensive, so We we this is a juggling thing that we have all the time. Um that we he when we hear from our public fire stations. What the gentleman was just saying, if you don't know is is when a fire station is built near your home
it can lower your insurance costs. So you need to be sure when a fire station opens to take a look at your homeowner's insurance and get that reduced rate. Um I think there were a few things that people brought up that Uh But
Um I didn't write down notes to just talk about what some of the things you said, so just wanted to bring that up.
Oh so
C I was gonna I was gonna talk to those, go ahead.
Oh do you want to?
Go ahead,
so C D D, um that is a I wanna let the county attorney tell you what to say.
Community development districts uh are a creature of state law um which create a Special purpose local government, an elected board. Um though tradition they are they are traditionally set up by the developer. um to finance the infrastructure in the project itself. All those fees collected. go to that project and They none of those come to the county. So
the the C D D fees And there are m myriad of disclosures in the documents that you have to sign if you move into a CDD. But All of those and traditionally they're all special assessments. They go to pay off the bonds for the roads and streets and street lights and whatever else is in the project and then it converts to a maintaining those um those
things. So that that's costs that the county wouldn't have to pay if they were Um County local streets can't, you know. Uh Quiet, please.
Yeah.
The tax money foot quiet please. Sir, please you had you had you're saying you I know, but you had you three minutes.
Sir,
you cannot speak. Ask the baylor.
Where's it going? The speaker should be a
this
Sir you had your three
minutes. You had your three minutes of bailiff and the second. Okay.
Traditionally the the board adopted today an MSTU for local road paving. Traditionally No tax no ad valorem taxes went to the that infrastructure. That answers your question.
So um com Commissioner O And well County Administrator, at our last hearing You had proposed what amount for the fire MSTU?
So at the trim hearing as well as the uh adoption of the tentative millage, we um we had recommended a two point three zero zero zero millage
rate. And what does that mean per one and we use the one hundred thousand dollar value? What What did that mean and how much did that collect?
So the proposed millage of 2.3 would have resulted in an average cost on on the whole to the homeowner of $230 per year. Now that is a $150,000 taxable assessed value home. Doesn't mean that's that's what the taxes are. So with a homestead exemption that would be a hundred thousand dollars. That is your is actually your your your median or average taxable value.
And what are you proposing tonight?
Um well I'll I'll get to that. I just what I what what I wanted to add to that commissioner was that that note was it was actually a proposed increase of fifty dollars per year to the average home. So Already a hundred and eighty at at one point eight mills is what folks are already paying. So that new millage would have resulted in an additional fifty dollars per year to your average average value. What I've proposed uh this evening after going back through and developing what the board had asked and um A a five year plan, if you will, versus a ten year
plan. Uh that results in uh two point one five nine or two hundred and fifteen dollars or thirty-five dollars per year. So a net deal. So we went
from fifty to thirty five. So we we reduced that since the last meeting.
Yes, ma'am.
In the increase in the taxes that we assessed from last year to this year with with the millage keeping it the same, you went over the number? It was twenty two dollars twenty two dollars, I believe. I'm
sorry, Commissioner, I need you to repeat that for me.
Uh I think Bob's coming up for it.
Big
Bob.
Yes, for homestead property was twenty two dollars. So this commission
If the MST at the two point one five nine gets adopted as we were using it thirty-five dollars with the increase on the M S uh on the on the regular taxes it's twenty two? Twenty-two, yes. So a total of our our the responsibility for our budget comes to fifty seven dollars. Okay. Right. Between those two between the two taxes. Between the two. Okay. And as far as like school board that was different. Absolutely. Yes. All all the other f things
are on there just on there, so Okay. Um Commissioner Starkey.
So I you know, th I've been here, hm, this my Third term I think. And this is the first time we've really ha we've had people like this come. And there is no doubt that we all Have you got a little bit of a little bit of Have had Um
inflation hit us. I mean I ha I have families on disabil family members on disability. I'm I have friends. I you know, tur People at my church, every one. Has been affected. by this crazy year of Rampant inflation. I do think it's getting better. Um but We are you know, we're seeing the pain that's out there. Not only that, but But the cost of living here Has has increased.
Home values have gone through the roof. You can't buy a new car. You can't you can't buy a car. Car price has gone crazy. They uh People's lives have definitely be affected been affected by what's going on out there. Um
And we s we It's a tough seat that we're sitting in right here. And I'm trying to find a way to to balance everything and to be able to fix the roads.
make sure we have someone to pick up the the animals and all do all the things that county government d does. So Um
I would Maybe propose that we very slightly, but try and help our our citizens as much as we can by rolling back
to something like Seven point six zero seven two Seven four? Something. I mean
A couple of million dollars. We we heard today where we found a couple million dollars in in in uh grants. I I personally, as we said at the last meeting, that's an opportunity for us to be much more aggressive in going out there and bringing federal and you know, state money home. Um
We've had bad luck with a lot of our ass from the state getting vetoed by the governor for whatever reason. Um but we're gonna try again to Have the state um help Send money back to our county like they do to all the other counties. And I don't know what that what I don't know what that hit is, but Yeah. Budget Bob, can you tell me what that is?
For how much?
I mean go to seven point six zero seven four.
We've calculated a zero point five reduction is two point two million.
Well, you don't throw all those numbers out. You you need to do the math. I don't do math uh I don't do math under duress.
Dan's crunching the numbers. Chairman Mariano.
Um
Before I get to that, while you do the calculation, if I could, you know, we talked about doing the cuts we could. Chief Perez, would you mind coming forward and talk about how you looked at it and how you work with staff and where you found the cuts? I know you found you found a couple of allocations of expenses we had that you got rolled back that we uh Uh didn't fund so I think I think the people would probably like to hear.
Good evening, Tony Perez, fire chief and long day, huh? So I just want to start out by I I'm very sensitive to everyone's comments, public comments. I live in Pasco County. I have to pay the taxes as well. But I think we've lost the focus on where we need to be with our We're here to talk about the members. Yes, we're talking about an increase But it's for our Members of a Pasco County Fire Rescue that is well needed. Our growth
and development continues to grow. And it's gonna put a heavy demand on our services. So we need to keep up with the growth. And our men and women should not suffer or should not be penalized. Because of this small tax increase. I'm paying for it as well. We need to continue to grow. and stay ahead of the curve. I worked for a city who refused to keep up with the growth of the city. And that's why They
won't ever catch up. For every year that we let go by, it's four years that we're behind. Yes, City of Tampa denied that one millage. They should have been adding small incr increments Fifteen years ago. They refuse to grow. Pasco County is in the same predicament. We are growing and we need to keep up with the growth. We need to provide that level of service that's second to none. I came in on July thirty first. with
Assistant County Administrator, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Karbala and the staff I went and looked at the budget. We reprioritized what was important for our for for our department and the residents that we are serving. We did. We did what's called the scrub work. We scrubbed it down. We went back a second time, we scrubbed it again. It was the It was the needs, not the wants. And that's what I was doing. I was being a good steward of
the taxpayers' dollars. And your money as well. We narrowed it down, we were able to cut $9.5 million. Things that were not a priority. Things that yeah, maybe down the road we can go back and revisit, but it wasn't a priority now. Our priority was staffing. Pay wages. Reducing the people that were losing every year to other departments. Our competitive wage package does not compare to the surrounding departments. We're losing people every day.
We're n if we and if we don't keep up with the growth, we're gonna continue to keep spinning our wheels in the mud. And we don't want to be that department. We don't want to be that county. We're right here. We've got great potential. But I think the focus has been lost because it's the men and women that are going to continue to keep doing that job. They do a fantastic job day in and day out every third day. We have to continue to support the men and women of Pasco County Fire Rescue so we can provide that level of service that's needed. It's
a very small increment. I know it's here's a discussion, but I think we've lost focus on where it needs to be. We need to focus on improving our fire rescue EMS system. We're gonna do that. I own it. I started in July 31st. I own it. I'm not gonna give it to anyone behind us. I'm gonna take ownership of this right now. We're gonna be good stewards. We're gonna move this operation forward and the men and women are gonna provide a level of service that's second to none. We just need the support. And
once the community understands that, they're gonna be on board too. What we don't want to happen is we start falling behind and now That nine one one emergency comes in. Now we can't provide the level of service. We as citizens are gonna be the first ones complaining, where's my rescue car? Where's my engine? Where's my resources? Where are my resources? Well, we haven't kept up with the growth. And I know we talked about, I know uh Commissioner Weightman talked about 12 months. But it's gonna grow in twelve
months. For every year that's gone by, we fall behind four years. So the things that we were able to cut are things that weren't important. Skidsteer, right? Attempts unit. Um We also cut uh right now an investigator two we were trying to implement, right? But we were wanting to put in an EMS supervisor. Those are things that are needed for the field to help facilitate the call volumes to help facilitate the oversight of of what we're doing. The men and women are doing every day out there in the county. So I ask you, let's focus
on what's important is that millage increase to help our men and women. continue to grow with what the county's doing. And I guarantee you I will have oversight of it along with the staff that's going to support it, and we're going to help drive this operation to where it needs to go and provide first class service to these citizens of Pasco County. All right. Anything else? Commissioner? No.
Well I just wanna say I'm I'm in full support of going from the number we were at last week or last meeting to that number that we're at this week. To get and I I just am so thankful that you went through your budget the way you did. And um and w I could not sleep at night if I knew that it's taking fifteen minutes for an ambulance to come for someone who's dying. We can't we can't have that. We can't have that.
And and just so you know I I'm not I'm not gonna have that on my contents. No, I and I I agree. I don't want that on my conscience. But that's why we're gonna tap into these additional resources like you spoke a few weeks ago. We're gonna tap into those federal grant funding, that that money that's out there. We're not just gonna focus on this, we're gonna open up the scope and try to put as many fielders out there to get those resources back into our county. That's what we're moving forward on. We're gonna be st good stewards of our money, but we're gonna do our due diligence
to provide a level of service that's outside of what we're talking here. And Chief, I think your team is with you all the way.
Uh J and The fire union team went to DC to go get that grant. Uh it was a safer grant to make it safer for our people so they so they don't get cancer, so they can get protected. And we can do that for all our fire stations now, which is what we want to do. We want to protect our people. We don't need another Jason Tucker situation where we lose, you know, a great man. Um So going forward I know we're we're still waiting even for money money for the a funding of a full fire station that hopefully we'll even get to. But um you know I appreciate your scrubbing
down the budget. Um I know you gave some specifics to me, but we don't have to get into those now. But by bringing that down, bringing to a five-year plan to a ten year plan. Um Well maybe maybe maybe that number holds for a few years. We don't know. We'll see how things go.
And and that's what we did as you can see. I call him Budgie Bob like everyone else. He posted up there. We we uh Commissioner Weightman requested a five year plan. So we reprioritized our pathway to Premier and we Brought it down to a five-year plan. These are our priorities. This is what we're doing to move forward. But again, it was for the members to continue with the growth and development and to keep our people here in Pasco County and not lose them to other departments. And those those were the focus. And it will help
We passed his millage rate. It's gonna help clean all that up. We're gonna stop, we're gonna create that foundation, and everything else is gonna take care of itself and we're gonna be able to provide a level of service that's second to none. And we won't be hamstrung. Okay.
Thank
you. Thank you. And Commissioner Starkey you had the question and my Bob Baby has the answer. And I'll get to you, Commissioner Weightman.
So decreasing the general fund millage from seven point six oh seven six to seven point six oh seven four reduces the budget by nine thousand dollars.
Yes yeah so
Nine thousand dollars.
Yeah. So I'm gonna go for a bigger number. Um But I want to make sure that we're we're on board with How we cut We've we've cut the fire MSTU. I don't know how we can cut that anymore, just kind of seeing where we are on the board 'cause Because I'm gonna suggest a rollback of the millage, but I wanna be sure we've got the fire guys.
Why don't we talk to see what Commissioner Weightman is on his mind? Commissioner Weightman.
Thank you. Well I appreciate Chief's passion. We'll put him on the speaking circuit to help generate some funds to the uh to the caufers here.
But I Chief, I respectfully disagree. I don't think this board's lost focus. It's board or board members and communities every day and your people are trying to figure out how to make it. And what's been proposed at the two point three level is a twenty-seven and a half percent. price tag increase, tax increase on the residents of Pasco County and it's compounded with the rest of the increases that folks are being forced to pay. And I'm very sensitive to that. So With
that being said, I think it's time to talk about process here.
Ms. Kabala, will you please And I and I appreciate where Commissioner Starkey's going with cut cutting back on general operating millage. I think we can go further. But In the meantime, I think it's important everybody understand the process here, what five votes mean, what four to one votes mean, with each Tax. in a fiery mess to you. and what those numbers mean in dollar value. So Thank you.
So uh l first look to Bob on the general fund vote. The general fund vote is a majority.
Simple majority. Three votes. To keep the where it is. Or to increase or to decrease. Specifically what?
We can't increase, right?
So you cannot increase. You you're you've adopted I want to
increase.
No, no, you've you've adopted a flat a flat operating uh millage. Um but if if there is a reduction or a hold at this it it only requires three votes of of the the five that are here today. With regards to the MSTU, the MSTU is um is handled a little differently. So the current millage, I'm gonna you I'm gonna round here because I don't have the exact numbers in front of me. The the current millage is approximately one point eight. In order to adopt that millage,
it requires or 110% of that number, which is approximately 1.84, it requires four votes of this membership body. Anything above one point eight four will require unanimous consent of the membership of this body.
Okay.
So so Commissioner Weightman, what's your number?
And and to be clear, one point eight is where it is currently.
Right, right. We're in the red. Oh
I'm
And we'll be in the red before the end of the year. Mm-hmm.
Right.
I'm willing to gamble. I'm willing to gamble on relief and the prosperity of our county. Um everybody's hesitant, but I think we're gonna continue to see folks come in over the next twelve months and we'll still have positive revenue coming in for Uh New new funding for next year. I'm pretty hard set on two. Two point oh, The fire mister you have committed, I would move the needle. But I'm holding it too. But to do that. I'd like to see a reduction In the
general Operating mills Bye.
What do we talk about, Mike? Point what's the difference? What's the difference in the the point one five
And challenge and figure out a haircut equally across the board from tax collector. on down, all departments, equally tighten the belt and see how we move forward.
What um what does Two point oh get the fire department.
So 2.0, so the basically if the we the plan that we have laid out with the fire chief, and again, I it it factors in raises that occur over time, it factors in uh staffing of fire stations that we expect to that we expect to come online over time, uh some in the near term, some in the out years. Um What we put together is a five-year solvency plan. In other words, we don't predict to begin having recurring revenues exceed I'm sorry, recurring expenses exceed recurring revenues
for for five years. Yeah, yeah. Mm I've lost my place. Give me a moment. What what I'm what I'm trying to say here is that the the
That's a that's a five year plan to fund and and build into stations. And in other words, if if we do a two point oh uh number, um that gives us about two years of solvency within the fund before we will need to come back to the board to request additional dollars to fund manning of stations, things like workload stress reductions, um and and those types of activities. Do
we cancel building a fire station out on I
would not I would not recommend the board do that. Um I would probably continue to move full force with with regards to planning our capital. Um however the board will be put in a position To to make those makeup.
Well none of us want to not build a fire station. But if we don't have the money if we don't have the money to build it, then then the fire st
Well uh uh you're I'm saying that yeah, I I I I essentially would you know, I have to ask the board, you know, when when I come to you to hey, we we we're gonna send out a new contract. I don't have future money necessarily built into the plan Um but we would rely upon the board to potentially increase taxes at a later date. I will say that the one thing when it when it comes to these numbers, there is a compounding effect that occurs. So For example, if it's a two point one five nine or a two o number today. And
that covers us for five years if if we adopt a lesser number and I come back to the board in say three years The total aggregate millage might not be 2.159. It could be a higher number just because you've lost the compounding effect of of the dollars and the millage over time that has been collected. Um that's just something that the board would have to have to consider. Um again we we we tried to adopt a five year budget to provide um planning. But if it's the board's desire
for the fire department and administration to come back Yeah. recurring period of time, um then that's fine. But it does make it difficult uh to plan effectively um over the over the course of time. But it it I'm not saying it's impossible. It it can be done.
Well, I remember from Commissioner Bradford. Let me let me reach out. Commissioner Bradford?
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh I have been sitting here listening to all the uh Bad data input by staff and Well the different opinions of the Members of the board and and um You know, I don't wanna kick the can. I ran for this office, you all ran for this office. So that's what it's about. We have to make decisions and it's about leadership. Vote your conscience on what you
think is best. And uh that that's what I'm going to do. And uh
God willing, I'm gonna support this and uh I appreciate it. Thank you.
You know, Commissioner Bref, I want to thank you for hanging in there. I know you're going through some medical struggles, but uh you knew tonight you had to be on the line before we're gonna get that fire MSTU increase whatsoever. So I appreciate all your effort and I know it's taken a lot of energy and Uh greatly appreciate you, sir.
Thank you. Thanks. I will be back.
I know you will. I know you will. I know you will. We're praying for you.
Right. Thank you.
Commissioner Oakley.
Yeah, he would Mr. Bradford was um It's very accurate when he says he's he's not the one to kick the can down the road 'cause we've been there before and we didn't get things done and If we hadn't a kickback can seven years ago. Down down against that curb that we couldn't kick it anymore. A lot of things that we've done over the last seven years would not have happened. We wouldn't be here like this. But the fact of it is We can't gamble on losing lives
based on not having the needs met for our fire services for our citizens. There's no way. I don't want that on my conscience. There's no way you can you can cut back on a service that saves lives in our community for our citizens in Pasco County, which I think a great deal of
Okay. I I wanna ask a medical question for the chief or maybe someone on his his team. I wanna know someone has a heart attack. They lose con they lose consciousness. What's the time level as far as before Real strong effects happen to a person.
It's all about call volume um and and the the timing of it. So
So you're looking for a cardiac arrest? You're looking at anywhere between three to five minutes where We don't have a unit on scene. it starts to decline. At three minutes it really is probably about Not I'm just going off the top of my head numbers. It's not a very high survival rate after three minutes. Epoxia. You got the lack of oxygen. Heart's not beating. You're not pushing blood throughout all the cells. So Three to five minutes it's it's uh it's critical. And if we're not on scene, we're not providing what we
need to provide. That first level of service then
um chances of survival decrease dramatically. On that. Yeah.
Courses, matter of fact, courses with the fire department, as far as like class, you know, day classes where you kind of show us what's going on and bringing those points out. It's kind of what strikes my memory. I mean we're not talking about just a little bit of a funding as far as like putting things together or putting buildings together. We're talking about Having the services for our people that may have an issue. When when I think about those girls today that saved a life, if they weren't there, if they didn't resuscitate, if that's what they did or not, what would happen to that little that baby? That's right.
Yeah.
Um you know COVID I think slowed everything down for us. Let's face it, it did. Uh drove up prices for these fire stations. We didn't drop the ball. We had a bomb dropped on us. So when COVID came and prices went up and we went from four million to a station to seven million from a station, that wasn't us dropping the ball. But we gotta catch up. We couldn't do it during COVID. We had unemployment rates, we had people just surviving. So we got behind we didn't want to get behind. We've got the highest impact fee in the state, I think. I mean I don't I don't know all SEAL is doing. I don't
know what All SEAL is doing, but everywhere I go, they talk about it. And that's so that our our people can come in. We can't help the fact the way the rest of the country has dealt with the inflation and gas prices and everything else going on, that they wanted to come to Florida. They realize COVID has fr frankly made Florida a very attractive place to come. That's not our fault. We didn't drop the ball. But in this bigger demand, it's gonna get stronger. When people have when we got a great governor like we got. And we w we're leading the way for, you know, making this this place a great place to be
and want to live. That people are gonna wanna come and it's gonna be a struggle and I wanna do everything we can. And frankly for the folks out there, I think we ought to change our cabinet. Let's go bring an insurance commissioner in. Let's get someone really looking at that issue. Let's go work on our federals as far as getting s get some more oil out there to get bring the price down, to bring inflation down and get those things going. But this is like serious stuff that we've looked at, we've gone through, we've tried to do the right things. The people said They want to see these fire stations built. We can't control what the price has done. We
can't control the price of labor for everybody else working everywhere else either. We c we I mean we went to it Ten years ago with the fire with the deputies, losing them. We spent more money, blowing more money, frankly, because we train 'em, they go somewhere else. We're doing the same thing here, we're doing it again. We don't want to do that. The investment to invest to these guys here is critical. It's not about just saving money, pinching pennies. This is about saving lives of what the people said they wanted to see us do. And we're in a tough situation, but we've got a chance
to solve it.
You want a rebuttal? So you want to.
I I I
quite the scare tactic, I I appreciate it, I guess. You know, the fact is, too, you You heard the folks, they're trying to figure out all other aspects of life. Every day they're buying groceries, every day they're trying to figure out how to pay the insurance. Every day they're trying to figure out how to pay their bills. It's it's we're we're gonna do like this on on on this issue. I offered a number. Out there and it works. Short period of time, but it works. I think it meets in the middle. I've kept my word on that. But I've also through
this through this process which has been frustrating Is every time I go say, well, how can we save money on general operating revenue, this that and the other, and I've hit brick wall after brick wall after brick wall. been no no no no no or here's this why why why. Quite frankly, the answers I've received have not been acceptable. I've been very frustrated and I'm not confident that we can't find dollars elsewhere. I've spent so much time on the phone. And you know Operated millage stays flat. So
be it. Uh But the effort that I've seen to try to roll back general operating mills the closest thing that I've heard of us getting some movement. on that is when Commissioner Starkey brought up even Rolling Back to even save nine grand.
Well I meant to do more than that.
Willing to give y'all something. But we we need to really find a way to save folks. Money. To live. here in Pasco County. I can't we can't control what's going on in Washington. We can't control what's going on with insurance and what the governor's doing. But we can control our taxing future today. Everybody else is tightening our belt. We need to do the same and I'm willing to give a little bit, Chief, so you can be successful. Unfortunately you came in Had a tough time.
Yeah, that's okay.
Uh and quite frankly, I'm glad I'm s standing here holding the line on this. It's very it's an uncomfortable position to be, believe me. Known each other a long time and value each one of 'em's opinion. and their expertise in the history on it. But I truly believe we need to hold line for folks. and give you what you need to do the job with a tightened belt. And I very much appreciate You know, you cutting and finding the cuts where you have in your department. I wish all
our departments did that. We started this process, Mr. Carvalho, at six two point six five mils, and then we dropped down, and not necessarily on the record, but
what was wanted initially. I think one of the initial ones was uh approximately two point eight. Even higher. And
we've worked our way down. So that's a testament to your short time being here, and I appreciate it.
Thank you.
I'm just the stubborn son of a gun that's in the way. All right. Understand. And uh you know, I've set my number on fire. And I want to see some action. Ideally, it's a simple majority vote, so that'll be what it'll be, on the general operating mileage. And if we hold it In Korbala. It and with the stations being built. I'm still confused about this aspect. So you're saying fifty-five percent of the tax increase for fire MSU
is going to go to labor and wages, et cetera. And the other forty-five percent are divvied up. That 45% on top of the bond are going to pay for these these stations? Like what are we going on here? The the bonds we're supposed to pay for these stations, the money out of the general fund. So I'm a bit suspect of what the remaining balance of the 45 percent of this tax is going to do for folks, especially on the brick and mortar.
Sure. Let me see if I can if I can explain that quickly and Bob make any corrections if I run afoul. On the stations, the general obligation bonds, those are considered capital expenses. Therefore, we use those to build brick and mortar types type stations. They are capital expenses. They are not operating. Expenses. We look to the Fire MSTU and Millage to pay those operating expenses. So when I say new fire stations, I am talking about the cost of putting in new personnel, right? We have to hire new ships.
So this doesn't stop building them. It is just a staffing issue then.
So for to clarify for the record, please clarify. I will clarify that that is staffing. However, without confidence of staffing, it does not make sense to build. Yeah.
So l let me try some more math scarily. Um what was the original number that you had for us last week or la two weeks ago?
Um i w two point three mils for the fire MSTU, yes ma'am
two point three From one point eight.
So um Can we go? To two point one Is that where you were?
That's where I'm at, ma'am. Okay.
No, you're at 2.159.
Come on, let you cut it more than half. of what they need. So Correct.
And that's a five year plan, Commissioner Weightman has
Well let's go to a four year plan. 'Cause I want you to know that next year 'cause we okay, we've been through this. I know you're our newbie and I respect you so much, Seth. And I You know, I pushed hard for you to run for this job. Um Um sadly, sitting up here We've seen what happens when you kick the can and we've had the can kick to us, trust me. Uh as far as I'm concerned that what we had to do for the sheriff's deputies was a can kicked right in our face. Um But There
are other things coming that we all know that are gonna get these you know that are g people are gonna see on their bill. Um
Mm-hmm.
And it's gonna be the same next year again. We have our MSTU for the road paving coming. So right now we collect not one penny for your roads to be paved. We only collect money for collector and artillery roads to be paid for. That's the gas tax money. We are one of the only counties in the country that pay for local roads, your roads in front of your homes. The way we do, which we we pretty much make you pay for it when your road falls apart. It's
not a good system and no one wants to pay. thousands and thousands of dollars a year to have the road in front of your your own house fixed. And we we charge you And we bill you on your tax bill when that happens. And I don't know if any of you have been through what's called our PVAS and no one likes it. So we're changing that system. We voted to do that today. So next n next year and from then on, just like every other county, We're going you're gonna see a line item on your tax bill to have all the roads in the county
go into a maintenance program. That's That's what they're that's what's gonna be on people's bills next year. So So to just keep putting this off when it's so needed. For me it it's just It's it's
What I am here to do. And and you can threaten to vote me out and that is fine. I get we get that every day. I'm not here. I don't I don't base any vote that I do on On being worried that I might lose my job. That would make this job absolutely impossible. I base my vote on and everything I do on trying to be a responsible and in in
my mind f five conservatives up here, conservative fiscally responsible commissioner who was trying to deliver A great place of life. And That level at 45 45th in the state. We are equivalent to Dixie and Levy County. Gilcrest County, Madison County, Highlands. We're cheaper than Hernando. So I think
Frankly, we're doing a pretty good job 'cause I think it's much better living here than living in Dixie and Levy County. I don't know if you've ever been there, but there's nothing to do. No place to go. You probably go to Walmart for dinner,
Um So I don't if I if I lose my job over voting what I For pup for people to have an ambulance. arrive in time when you're in a car accident. I'm okay with that. I am okay with that. I think we need to stay at the two point Whatever it is.
But let's Seth, uh you know, we can't get there without you, so let's make a deal. Two point one five.
I've asked this so many times to this to to all these folks that lead this government, this what you propose, okay, if we do this, where can we where can we give some relief? Nothing. All it is is up.
You
you know that the price of a fire station has maybe I don't wanna say doubled, but how much has the price of the fire station gone up? Nine million
dollars.
We we the co the cost for us delivering these projects Has also gone through the roof. We're probably gonna build less than we we wanted to. So I mean, I don't know. That that's our job. P and I when I ran public safety was number one. Um I think it's still number one. I s I think it's still number one. And I appreciate the chief Cutting nine million dollars.
And and I'm supporting him. I'm supporting our first responders. It's too important.
Well let me ask a question. Uh I'm gonna try to do a compromise position for where you are, Commissioner Weightman. Mike, you've got written down here, uh Bob, it's point two point oh eight five oh What was the research on the number that your team put together on that as far as what what what does that mean to us?
So the way the way that we built the fire budget was we we took a look at what the uh the fire departments what called their tenure needs look like. And so we we basically take a look at that and and then we look at the solvency rate of the fund, right? So how do we make sure that our our expenses, our recurring expenses do not exceed our recurring revenues. And from there you can kind of back into these these various planning horizon numbers. So the two point oh eight five number, for example,
um is a number that We start to see insolvency, I'll call it the fund breaks, if you will. We start to dip into reserves in four years. So the two point one five nine number that was proposed, we would start to dip into reserves at about the five year mark. The two point zero zero number here that Commissioner Weightman has has uh suggested, we're in about the two May call it between two and three year time frame. So those become planning horizons. And so when you're when you're planning
the agency, capital expenses, growth, and those types of things, having that that stability and predictability is is important. And so it just depends on what, you know, in in this particular case, what is the board comfortable with? Um Yeah, moving moving forward again. My recommendation looking, I'll stand by this. I GFOA recommends five to ten year planning horizons. That's just a professional management uh standard. Uh we I presented you with a ten-year plan. The board asked me to come back with a five, I've come back with a five. If
there is a lesser horizon that the board would like us to consider, then we We will salute smartly and carry on. I I just That's that's really really what we're arguing about now at this point is how long until we come back to request another tax increase for fire.
Yeah, I don't wanna do that all the time.
Mr. Chairman Mariano. Commissioner Oakley. Um I mean we're going back and forth here, but the fact of it is This money is needed for our fire and for our citizens. I know what it does when you have to pay too much and cost and everything's going up.
But To go the other route? and kick the cam down the road and end up in a year or year and a half or two. And have to come back t to the citizens and ask them for more money because we didn't get enough here tonight? To take care of them for at least five years. That's tough. I can't make that decision. I can only make decisions. I believe I'm gonna take care of the people of Of Power County. And I want the best woman.
I want Nobody to have any problem and I won't ours Fire service to be able to Serve all of our citizens. And we've made great strides over the last few years, I can tell you, of getting there. This is that big step and it and part of this is because of the inflation. The cost of things are going up.
I'd like to address something else if I may, Mr. Chairman that Commissioner Weightman was talking about. Okay. Oh, okay. Um you know you mentioned commensurate cuts in other areas and and you know you know Commissioner Starkey has brought up uh rolling back general fund. I know you know Commissioner Weightman, you've you've brought that up as well. I mean those are those are things that the board the board can consider. Um you know, again I I don't recommend That and and and that's I don't say that lightly. Um
I I say that because any any reduction in the general fund again will affect those five major withdrawers, if you will, of of the general fund. And again those are Three of those major departments that I listed were were public safety related. So Uh I've got an idea.
So One of the big capital projects we talked about before. Was it the Wesley Chapel Library?
Knew that was coming.
So yes the way let's take a look. I mean we're talking about life Safety for people. So we gotta do an offset in cost. You know, let's just select let's say let's say for a couple of years we delay that library project.
Okay, what are y'all willing to cut out of your district to help give the li relief to overall to everybody? District two produces the highest level of revenue to this county. Approves over seventy two million dollars, right? A lot of money coming
in. I
think we need, if we take a cut across the board, if everybody on this board bends a knee and gives up something. We can give what Chief needs and we can give hopefully find a way to give folks relief. until the next budget cycle. I'm willing to give to cut off some frills for a short period of time so people can afford to pay their property insurance for this next year. I hope y'all are too. I'd hope you would be too. I mean, I'm willing to do what it takes. And it's something I'm this
is a uh uh I'm passionate about it, and I've moved to two And it gives you two and a half years. You're marginalizing the value of moving from 1.8 to 2, in my opinion. It's still a pile of money. It's still a tax increase on residents. Folks are still going to get service. I don't think this government is going to do without. I don't think our citizens are going to do do without. Always figure out how to make it work. I think that's a good thing. It makes people uncomfortable
when it's a challenge. So You know? If you're not going to be able to do
I'm willing to give up something if y'all are.
Commissioner, I look at this chart. I can throw a few up a few more up there. I can tell you and I gave it to you. I gave it to you. Um And I think we're doing we're you're doing our staff In our commission. And all the work we've done a disservice a little bit. Because we are very lean machine. There is no doubt that we are already very fiscally conservative. We Per capita
County Government Property Tax Levies. The average Per capita county. government property tax levy in the state. is seven hundred and eighty four. We're at six sixty-four.
The average total property tax millage rate.
Is sixteen point five four. We're at sixteen point one one. We're twenty-eight. We're the eleventh largest county. And we are the fifth largest municipality in the state. The fifth largest Government body. in this state. And we are twenty eighth. So there isn't not a lot of fat in Pasco County government. There is not. If there was, this number would be much higher. Much higher. So
Every time we're up here making a budget decision, we do it with a knife and scalpel. And when y so if you want to start scalping out things It's things like a library. It's things like a park. And it's A fire station because there's no there's very little fat in Pasco County, and these numbers prove it. So А айндерстанда дезир. But We're
already pretty darn skinny. And so when you're gonna take that scalpel, it's gonna be real things. And it's gonna be real things that people feel because that there's nothing left. We are a very lean machine here. I'm very proud of that. I ha I have neighbors, like Gulf Fibers neighbors, Who have moved down from New Jersey and New York? And I hear it all the time. I cannot believe you guys run this government on this budget. I just can't believe it. I just can't believe it. I hear it all the time. And
These numbers Don't Tell the story. that we are a very fiscally conservative county. And I
So i if we're gonna talk cuts, it's gonna be tangible things that It's not turn the lights off at eight instead of ten. It's things will be gone. Because that's the right-of-way. That's just the nature of the beast. 'Cause we are a lean machine. And I'm proud of it.
So I'll add just just to that looking and and Commissioner Weightman we do appreciate your your movement on that. It it does result in an approximately eight and a half million dollar tax increase over the you know, going from one point eight to to two point oh Ms. I think what you're suggesting there is another eight, eight and a half million dollars of general fund cuts that to offset that. Um if that were if that were the board's wish, you know, yes, this this calendar
this fiscal year you make that reduction Whether you do it if the board elects to do all of it. unto itself, right? Um I think Commissioner Weightman had mentioned a proportionate pain model, which which would put some of the bone some of the cuts on the sheriff's budget, put some of the cuts on the clerk's budget, other constitutionals, and the board's. But assuming a hundred percent of it that the board decided to absorb eight and a half million, that library project, that that that could be something that could be deferred this one year.
What I will caution the board on is is that because A third of the fire rescues budget is already in rescue. We we would not be touching those numbers. So there would be again a disproportionate amount of pain that would have to come in future recurring costs. In other words, I still have to find another eight and a half million next year. That could come from if taxable assessed values are Sixteen million back to the board, that's what we get. Eight and a half million are gone because I'm gonna need to find how to pay for
that cut. And
your rollback rate. Ratchets down.
Correct. Everything ratchets down. So again, this gets back to some of the things that others have spoken about. If there's a if there's a fallout or the bottom drops out of the market, um, that becomes a double whammy. Uh again, it's it's how do you you would have to you know, recover from that. And at some point if if it's not, then I will be having that. You know, you have to ask the board um for clarity on what its priorities are in terms of of funding.
Actually bring up a good point. If you're gonna talk about recurring money, you can't just take a capital project because you get whacked the next time. So e even that idea doesn't even work for what we're trying to do. I mean it's I I d I I mean the the Sheriff came pretty hard at us with all the apartments going up there. He says, Look all the growth coming in there. Growth is a a year or two behind. We need to get caught up, and that's why we're putting that money into the budget to go fund those deputies.
So that takes the ten deputies away from the sheriff? I don't know what it takes away from the property of the clerk's office. I don't know if you want to find out what that does to you guys.
I mean we can we can show you the slide. I mean I I can put the slide of the additional recurring monies. I mean you can always start there if you wanted to remove recurring expenses, right? Pasco Hope was was a million dollars, right? You know, if that addresses your homeless issues or begins to address that, right? We we had we had some some positions that were in there. We contracts are must-pays. Um you know we have a number of of of things that have to be. If you want to put the the ten additional deputies on the line, you can do that. I don't. I I'm I'm just collectively
as a board, I'm I'm I I I'm I'm just saying. Um Again, when you make cuts in the general operating millage You know, I mean my my my preference would be not to not to play with that number. Um but of course You know, I under I I I understand. We did go through, we did scrub to the commissioner's point. Uh we have never, I've been in this county for for almost 10 years. I've never gone back in the middle of the summer and sat down with the county administrator and been asked to rescrub my budget. And
I did that across all funds. And we we scrubbed down another $13 million across funds. Not all that was general fund, but those were that was an effort. To demonstrate to the board and to the people that we are serious and that we are trying to be fiscally responsible and that we do run lean. Um Again, any time you cut that general operating millage, that does have a compounding effect again over time. Um and that's really all I can offer to you on on making that call.
There's another issue. If you cut back capital projects, you know what happened out at out at uh Wiregrass. those fields were not built. They went from being a cost of five million uh to what, twelve, fifteen million. I mean they jumped they skyrocketed in the cost. So any capital project, the library or whatever that you cut back today, you're gonna need more money for in the future. So those those cost us a lot of money. Those Those things are needed. Those libraries are needed. Fire
stations are needed. They're gonna only get higher in cost, not lower. And so if you you skinny this back to Cut it and kick the can down the road. That down the road's gonna hurt this county even worse than what what you think. the upcharges right now. And
and you know to the Wiregrass fields just talking about those today. Yeah. Right? We we talked about how we're gonna spend all this money now because what, the board didn't do what they should have done before? Right. Is that something kind of what we were saying? Right. So guess what? This is exactly the same thing you're looking at. Even if we put off the library just to cut the number down, that library could go up in price again. We'd be just like the fields. We've worked real hard for a long time and we've been ver physically conservative, which I know you know we have been. But this is like Big
stuff right here. This is heavy. Yeah, I think you've you've heard, you've seen. seen, and this is a is a tough move. It's a tough position.
I I don't I don't disagree. This is heavy. This is incredibly heavy. Uh Uh tw it it's I don't take it lightly at all. I know you're right. One ounce. fun. Uh but I've I've made my recommendation. Uh I'm gonna stick stick with it and um You know, I I'm equal a haircut across the board if if if that's able to be done with all the
other elected offices, if not, we'll, you know, let simple majority Take control there and call the vote on fire.
So to be clear, if you want to do a proportionate share with everybody. What does it what does that mean?
An equal haircut across
the
budget.
With everybody. Yes. So what would that what would that mean with the Sheriff's Budget?
I mean it uh the sheriff's uh on an operational percentage basis, the sheriff is approximating we'll just say thirty-four, thirty-five percent. of of the total pie. So if you were to cut A million dollars, then the sheriff would be you would you're asking the sheriff to cut three hundred and fifty thousand from his budget for every million.
What's what's the what's the number then?
Well I I need a millage to to do the calculation to tell you the real number. What where where do you want to see it?
Is this uh
this is my frustration, Chairman, in this in this We give direction and get nothing back. Like I'm saying, hey, give it let let's get em get 'em a map. I know The administrators are gonna disagree, but that's why we give direction. I've I've been very clear in this process of what I want to see. And It's And we're having this conversation now. So
We've we've provided you with the information for a two point zero mil on the fire MSTU. Right now I am looking for guidance. If if if you were suggesting an an equivalent reduction in the general operating millage, we'll say point one five nine. Then then yes, those numbers are approximately $7.2 million across the general fund. If you were to make that haircut equal, it would be $137,000 for the clerk, $122,000 for the property appraiser, $2.4 million for the sheriff, $113,000
for the supervisor of elections, $222,000 for the tax collector, although I don't think we can do the tax collector. So my numbers actually are slightly off. But approximately $4 million for the board for the Board of County Commissioners.
I'd like to see us come to a vote.
Is there a motion to adopt a millage?
Rate for the general fund of seven point six oh seven six mils.
That's a curve in the moment.
No, that's
giving the millage just away. Current millage
is right now.
Current millage right now as as proposed.
Make that motion.
We have a motion.
I would like to lower that just a tiny bit. Um And keep the fire MSTU. where we've cut it already and know that it's a it's a it's a can kicked even at two point one seven two point one five five nine. Um and that's that's my trade.
But I don't wanna cut out the Wesley Chapel Library. I don't want to go that deep, but I want to start. Um I think it is okay to go to something like seven point five seven five, seven point Seven point five eight. Let's do something. And And then next year let's do a little bit again. And just slowly tweak that. Um but but to do that on the
backs of our citizens being able to have Someone would you please be quiet? to um to be to do that on the backs of our sins not being able to have to be able to rely on an ambulance coming to their house to save their loved one's life is irresponsible.
All right. So the motion from Commissioner Oakley dies right now.
Commissioner
Starkey.
I did seven point
What did I say? Seven
point five eight or something along those lines.
Five seven five. Seven point five
seven five.
Uh would the board like me to calculate the overall impacts?
I think we need to s hear it, yes.
So approximately $1.4 million would um would would need to be reduced from the general operating bank. Okay,
seven point my motion is seven point five seven.
To roll the m millage to seven point five seven. And to do it and I would like to suggest we do a little tweak next year again. Little. But it adds up in the total scheme of things.
Is there a second?
See I'd I'd rather start at two and we tweak the two next year.
We can't we can't We can't we have to do the millets first.
Okay, we have a second from Commissioner Bradford for a rollback in our millage that our administrator does not want.
Jackie can a we have to call that.
Well if we call that question, we're gonna have to reconsider it later on. So do you really want to go that right?
And and and negotiate to what's what the number's gotta be. Commissioner Weightman has the power right now to do whatever he wants to do.
Not getting it. I've I've laid it out there. To what it what it is. I want done. If we cut if we stay at two for the fire and then we roll back The point.
Say point one five. Pull the nine out of it.
If fire two, we cut Only. General point one five. Across the board, everybody. Where does that leave us?
We have a lot of numbers. So I'm I first I I have Commissioner Starkey here with We'll just call it basically uh one hundredth of a mil, right? Uh point oh one rollback. And Commissioner Weightman, you were suggesting a.15 rollback. Um
I just want to make sure that that's that's correct. Commissioner Starkey.
So let me let me ask this Commissioner Starkey.
Once I get settled settled on that, I'm going
to
ask for a recess so I can go calculate numbers and bring something back to you.
Okay. All right, let's let's
we have a motion on a second, so we're in discussion. So what is the motion on a second? Your
motion that that if you can count the vote. What's
I'm just saying parliamentary
do we
have a
point zero one mils reduction, Dan, what is that number?
General funds from seven point six seven to seven point five seven is what Commissioner Starkey has said. Correct, ma'am? Yes. That was seconded by Commissioner Bradford.
Seven point five seven? Yeah. Yeah. Versus seven point six seven, right? I mean,
and I'm just saying that to us, not to the constitutionals, that would just be the county taking the hit. I don't want if it was on this one. It's not that big of a number.
Okay. So that would result in approximately a one point seven million dollar reduction. Uh and what I'm hearing you say is that would be applied to the board only. Well in terms of budget.
What do you guys think? Or is it that to everybody?
can we have to adopt the budget at another vote.
We have a motion and a second for that number. That's one point seven mil. Before I get to that vote, I know what's going to happen on the back end over here.
So I think you should withdraw the vote and
If we if you vote to go on this one here.
Well that's we get rejected then.
So what's
the number? 7.57. So
so what commission in Carball and I in our discussions, he called what's No disrespect with what's been offered. Ceremonial. not looking for ceremonial. People need relief now and we have an opportunity to provide that to them.
Not something ceremonial.
I think it's the beginning of of an opportunity
Taking steps to roll this back as the years go by. I think we should make that commitment and slowly roll that back as our Values and you know,
to your point, Commissioner, if I may, Mr. Chair. I mean uh to that point if if the board, you know, through I've I this being my first budget uh cycle here in in the chair, I've I've seen some some ways that we can do things better in terms of you know working, working, providing some transparency and things like that back back to the board on on a number of different things. Um if the board is willing to provide direction and it wants to see County go in a different
direction um and provide that input to the board in terms of programs and priorities and things like that, then you know that's that's certainly a way a way to proceed. Um you're you're talking incrementalism or a gradual type thing. I mean we would have to discuss that during the next budget cycle. All right
we're gonna we're gonna hold the conversation.
That's fine, sir.
So I'm gonna call a vote. Uh the motion right now is to go to seven point five seven Yes sir.
Yeah.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed? Aye.
Do we need a recall vote? That's four. You
need to do a roll call vote because Commissioner Weightman's okay. So roll call vote, sorry.
Okay, District One, Commissioner Oakley. Aye. District two, Commissioner Weightman.
Opposed, I think we can go bet do better.
District three, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District four, Commissioner Bradford. Aye. District five Chairman Mariano. Aye.
Motion passes four one. Is there a motion to adopt the Millage Rate for the Transportation Trust Fund of 0.000? So moved. Second. Roll call vote.
District 1, Commissioner Oakley. Aye. District 2, Commissioner Weightman. Aye. District 3, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District 4, Commissioner Bradford.
Aye.
District five, Chairman Mariano.
Aye. Mr. Gorig.
Alrighty then at the first public hearing the team presented a millage rate of 2.30 MILS. This rate allowed the fired municipal services taxing unit fund to maintain the reserve target for the next 10 years. The board asked the team at that hearing to calculate a millage to maintain the reserve target for the next five years instead of ten. This results in a recommended tax levy of 2.159. A 32.11% increase from the rollback rate of 16343. The increase in property values results in an additional $15.6
million in revenues. The budget includes a negotiated firefighter wage increase, software equipment and technology upgrades, and a first responder mental health process. Program. I would ask the board to accept public comment and then vote on the FIRE MSTU fund millage rate and associated budget. A unanimous vote is required to levy this millage rate according to the maximum millage rate calculation.
Does anyone wish to speak to the board regarding the fire municipal service taxing unit?
So uh Chair, uh I spoke to the county attorney and he suggested because they just said property tax increase that I call their names. If you uh if I call your name and you've already spoken to you, you said what you want to say, you can just say pass. Um Joseph Lysick. Okay. William Lawless. I think he left. Anne Marie Ryan.
I think I watched Anne Marie walk out. Is she still here?
If if you want to speak, you can come to the podium. This is for the fire um uh municipal fire taxing unit.
And then you'll have to state your name and address again for the record. Thank you, Ms. Ryan.
My name is Amory Ryan. Um, after hearing all the information that's been given by the staff and by the board. And and listening to all that's involved. I've changed I I I do wish that we could do That it would be less. I think we can do better. I think we have to hold our senators and our representatives on the state level to help you out. get you the funds that you need. But I am in favor of the fire department. Having the funds that they need. We'll find a way to find a way, but we have to do better next year. I
represent a lot of people and and I I I appreciate all that's taking place. I s I appreciate you too, Seth. But there's so much at stake. And I That's my opinion. I think you have to respect what's been done. They've given back nine million. And and um I appreciate all that's been put into this by everybody.
Thank you, Ms. Ryan. Okay, so next is Julia Igual de Hessler.
Mm, I too agree that the priority here is the fire department. Can you identify the right-of-way? How we get the money, pardon? Can
you identify yourself with the
I'm sorry. That's okay. Julia Sler, [address removed]. Thank you. because of the growth of our county is is imperative that we have the proper amount of services regarding firefighters. And the sheriff. Firefighters is today's topic. I think The way That
you guys are working and the way they have shown the the cuts that they have done. I think I just pray that there is other ways, maybe in Talhassee, that you guys can get more support in order to be able to do all the things needed. But right now the priority is the firefighters. So I am for Thank you.
Thank you. Janine Duffy.
Kathy Julian. Pass. Cindy Scard, she left. Um Chris Stebbins.
Chris Evans, [address removed]. I too am for the firefighters, as I said earlier. Something a statement that was made at the last meeting was we haven't raised this amount. I think you can check the minutes on this. We haven't raised this amount in nine years. Now that was disingenuous. What you were talking about, quite possibly, was the millage rate. And as we all know, a
rate is a rate on an amount. And in this case, the amounts are ever increasing. The assessments on our homes, every uh everyone's already said, every time a sale is made to an out-of stator, we're s we're a new th everything gets reassessed. The property taxes could double after that. Even our save our homes we're up at three percent the rentals, businesses, commercial. They're all much higher than that. It's an ever increasing amount. So we're talking about
a a a rate increase on an assessment increase. So a rate Staying the same. On an assessment that is constantly increasing, that bottom line will constantly be going up. And as I discovered Eight years ago. We were spending about thirty five million on fire. This year it'll be almost double that seventy. So the amount in fact has gone up. I'm all for firefighters. I'm all for figuring out a way
to make cuts so that they can They can do whatever they need to do. But Um Quite frankly, I'm tired of the pie charts. I'm tired of all the charts. You know, you have people come up here and say, you know, could you put that pie chart up here again? You know, tell us all again, repeat yourself again. What is it gonna be like if we do nothing? Is it gonna be bad? It's gonna be bad. Are we gonna be in the red? We're gonna be in the red. Are you kidding me? We're
all in the red. Have you been to a grocery store lately? We're all suffering. My question to you is, why are you going to alleviate some of your suffering by making us suffer more?
I am for the firefighters. Crystal Springs, awesome. He's here. Five minutes. It always can be better. That's another thing I'm tired about. It it's a life. It's a life. You know, five minutes, shave off to three minutes. Why not just make it 30 seconds? I mean it's never enough. You gotta draw the line somewhere. I mean, you know, I've needed fire and ambulance. And I just wait like everyone else. I'm all for making that amount better,
but it can always be better. You have to weigh and balance. And right now you've got people hurting and that's what you've got to balance against.
Okay, thank you. And then I think the only one left online is Vincent Ghariano. Mr. Guiriano, did you want to speak to this or did you want to pass?
I think at uh two point oh the firefighters will be able to do their job and do it for the
Mr. Ghariano, just for the record, can you give your name and address? Since you're gonna address Mr.
Gariano Pittsy Carriano [address removed].
Okay, thank you. Go ahead now.
Did you want to say anything else?
Uh no ma'am, that's it's all right, that's right.
Okay, thank you. That is all that I we have signed up that are still here.
Anyone else from inside the audience that hasn't spoken yet, that wants to speak?
Give a closed close public comment. Is there a motion to adopt the millage rate of 2.159 mills for the fire municipal service taxing unit?
Mr. Chairman, I would make a motion to go two point one five for the fire MS to you. Okay,
roll call vote.
Commissioner O District One, Commissioner Oakley. District two, Commissioner Weightman.
Opposed.
District three, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District four, Commissioner Bradford. Aye. District 5 Chairman Mariano.
Aye. Motion fails. Four to one.
We're gonna have more votes, yeah.
Let 'em go.
Okay.
Is there another motion?
Well there.
Chair, I make a motion to increase the fire millage rate from one point eight to two point oh.
Is there a second?
Well, this is high drama.
Can't say I've ever been in this position. Have perfect.
Mr. Kabala, will you please state the value of the increase of one point eight to two point oh?
Yes, sir. The value of that increase is approximately eight and a half million dollars uh this fiscal year.
In that
one point eight oh three six.
And then next year when we go into the next budget, we have the ability. To do this all over again and take a measured approach. Uh that is that is correct.
Mr. Cabrella, how much money did we go in reserves last year?
Uh I I'll have to check with budget. I mean the actual dollar amount? Yeah, what was the amount into reserves?
For twenty three, how much how much did you understand?
And that would that's not handy we can be poor looking to just give us a couple of minutes. But I can tell you would it be would it be helpful if I said it if we maintain current knowledge what we would put in? Right here. Oh be withdrawal.
T tap up until four in the morning, right? Didn't didn't the morning could be I've got I got food in my office. Okay, I've got to go. Got the rest of my lunch.
Hmm.
Yeah.
That's what's in reserves.
What what do we what do we lose? How much did we go into reserve last year from the previous? Seventeen million. Oh seventeen million.
So we're like approaching breakeven.
Correct.
Yes. Okay.
You care to come up a little higher, Mr. Weightman, Commissioner Weightman.
I'm for thank you for the question, Chairman into the reserves. Our people in our in our county are dipping into their reserves to pay For their way of life every day. And if we have the ability to dip into the reserves, To offset it, I'm all for it. The reserves, after talking with the administrator, is merely a recommendation. There's no penalty to dip into the reserves.
Other than it's just board policy to maintain sixty days of of reserves. Uh that
That would be the reserves of the MSTU. So
these would be the reserves of the MSTU and I maybe now might might be in well Uh yes, it would be the reserves of the M STU, correct. Not not the general not general operating reserves. MSTU reserves would be yeah. would be lesser. So if there's an event, then yeah, that's that just becomes something we have to deal with if it happens.
But why couldn't we use General Reserve Fund as a backup?
Uh they're in Uh County Attorney could probably enlighten a little bit, but there are some very important things.
I told the commissioner I don't believe that you can y you can commingle the MSTU funds and and the general funds. Yeah.
And double taxation.
what we're dealing with. We're cutting services. We might have to cut a department or two out that we normally would take care of.
And we're kicking a can. And commission Commissioner Mariano? By not facing this now. Don't think that it's gonna be cheaper next year. It's gonna cost more next year. So what you're doing is you're gonna put more costs on your citizens next year. Um every delay gets compounded.
Your um your overtime is gonna s probably struggle? Well, actually we had with two and a half years. We're gonna more importantly, you're gonna be back and doing this in two and a half years again.
Actually less than that. So two years ago,
we'll be back next year talking about this.
What do you what do you think will happen then? What's going to be different? We'll see.
The whole I mean, we're not not exactly sure. Inflation could go down. Who knows what's gonna happen within the within the outside world that's impacting people?
And at that point in time, if let's say we get to that point and let's say it's it's better and let's say s dramatically, let's say Gas prices drop down in half, right?
Things free up. Insurance costs, they get those in line with the changes they're gonna make, et cetera. We're in a better situation. You know what we can do? We can cut it then. But everything we know right now, we get it based on what's in front of us. Right now.
Still the opposite.
Okay, I'm gonna I'm gonna try. at I'm gonna make a motion to go to two point one Two five.
And we're gonna have to face the music again next year, which Because that's not enough.
With another raise next year.
Okay, no second. Okay. Well that's that's all I'm gonna vote.
I don't I was
still in the
I'm very feeling bad about keeping M Commissioner Bradford. Sitting at a desk in a suit. Through this.
What's that mean? Mr. Kavala, explain the reserves, M STE reserves. What's in there or what's it mean if worst case scenario happens? How much money's there? as a backup if we have to dip into it.
So I think currently uh Mr. Gorig stated we had seventeen million dollars in reserves. So I think if um You know, depending on what uh what the millage rate is set based on expenses, we would we would draw a commensurate number of reserves down. I believe under the FY twenty four scenario as budgeted, we would certainly dip into those reserves. I do not know how deep offhand. At just two point oh. Well actually I don't think we will dip into reserves at two point oh. We would dip into reserves at a just flat
millage, one point eight.
So we will we will take approximately five million from those reserves this year alone just to pay where we currently are.
So you would need to get back you would have to have Five plus. whatever. So it's compounded next year as
yeah
to get back to where you need to be. So it's a it's a it's a irresponsible kicking of a can. Because we would be in double trouble next year.
There's a compounding effect. I mean we would have to ask for an increase next year if there were no increase this year. Again, as I stated before, the level of the the level of the millage increase is is directly proportional. at this point in time to how how often we would need to come back to request additional funding based on our current current rate of growth and our current Assumptions into the budgets.
Think about this Commissioner Weightman.
I did. I just listened to what he said.
You get three county commissioners up for reelection. This is a big deal to a lot of people. We know that. But we also know and we we're gonna be in front of people saying, Why would you do that to us? How would you do that? And I'll tell you that three of us. I can be saying the same things we just said here tonight. We're trying to protect the people to give them what we think they want to go forward. We didn't do anything with the school board budget, that was all them. We can't control what the national budget is, that's uh it's all them. We can't control what the insurance rights are, it's
not us. Or
the mosquito
people. All we can control is what right here in front of us. And right now we're talking about Our first responders fire EMS and we're trying to cut down the times. We're trying to get our people in line to pay. We want them to have the confidence. As Chip Res trying to recruit people to get back to us so we can hire these people, we want them to know that we're committed to building the best fire service. EMS service on the planet. That's what we want to do. And Chief Perez is going to get more help when this board goes
forward to push this thing forward to say Pasco County gets it, they want on board. When we're up in DC, we told them all the things we're fighting to do, including raising this MSTU, they were amazed that we're working so hard to make these things happen, to bring our fire stations to be the best, our ambulances to be the best. Our fire trucks to be the best. And we wanted to make sure we took take care of people so they're safe, can live long lives with their families afterward. So this is a big, big deal, not just for this, but where it k takes us as a county down the road. And
the three of us here are gonna have to face the gauntlet coming up. And we're willing to do that.
I appreciate those comments. Commissioner Mariano and uh You know.
I probably will too, with my position. Uh on this matter.
No, we we did reduce it. Reduced it from fifty to thirty five. And we rolled back the millage, which I was not thinking we would be doing at the last board meeting. So I think we have some wins here. I really do.
What is two point one
Two point one two five.
Mm. Where does two
Two point one one. Where's that get us?
It's about thirteen million dollars.
We have a motion. Make a motion for two point one one. Mills.
I'll second the motion.
District One Commissioner Oakley.
No.
District two, Commissioner Weightman.
Yay.
District 3, Commissioner Starkey. No. District four, Commissioner Bradford. No. District 5 Chairman Mariano. Aye. Wow.
I just came up. Nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen. Five million dollars.
That's as far as I'm going. That is that is it.
Let's take a five minute break.
Wow.
Thank you, Chairman Mariano.
Right.
Yeah, exactly.
All right, call this back in the session.
Well we've been tr we tried at two point one five nine zero. Failed. We just tried two point one one. Failed. Is there somewhere in the middle we can go? We're early close.
Commissioner Weightman. Mr. Carbala to be exact, the two point one one. is an increase From the original number we've been debating for however long now. Of four million eight hundred and thirteen thousand dollars. And
eight hundred and fifty eight bucks on top of that. Yes. From from two point zero to two point one one. So that gives the that gives the fund how much exactly?
What's the revenue raised in FY twenty four? You want the Delta or the total revenue raised? The two the the the
Yeah. Yeah.
Well that yeah.
Thirteen point four overall. Thirteen point four million dollars. With the reserves. I think that's sufficient. They get us through. Next year.
Unless subject matter experts. Mr. Karbala say that that you cannot You can e I'm not sure. In your voice. But you thought you could do it at where I've been. You didn't seem unconfident.
But now? Uh this would uh definitely probably take us through four, four and a half years.
Twenty eight, twenty nine, yeah.
Chairman Mariano
State two point one one mils.
I studied a lot of history.
I don't want to repeat it again.
Mike, what would two point one three bring?
Just a moment.
What'd you say, Chair?
Two point one three. That would be fourteen point two million in additional.
I would like to see us get a motion for that two point one three.
Submitted.
Second.
Called over.
District One, Commissioner Oakley. District two, Commissioner Weightman.
Opposed.
District three, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District four, Commissioner Bradford. I think it's a good one.
Aye.
Motion fails four to one. Okay.
Chair, how about two point one one nine?
You point what?
Two point one one nine.
That would be thirteen point eight million
Let me get a second.
Five point two more than the two point oh.
A motion is for two point one one nine mils.
Can we get a second?
Mike, we're looking for five years, I'd guess about four years?
It's about four and a half. I mean I would think, Dan.
So three, three and a half.
Three and a half, yes. That was pretty fine and right.
You're right.
Okay. Thank you. I I was redoing that in my head. Yeah, it's approximately four years.
That puts the returns the favor to You're even on
election years, Chairman Mariano. You put us right back in the same seat again.
Two point one one nine.
We don't have a second.
Front of them. Hm. You made a motion you seconded at two point one one. I'm you know I understand. Yeah, I know I appreciate it. I make a motion at two point one one nine.
Well that one has died for lack of a second.
I just restated the motion.
So I'll go back to two point one two five.
Does that have a motion?
That's my motion. One two five is the motion. Mm-hmm. Second.
Coloural.
District One Commissioner Oakley.
Right.
District two, Commissioner Weightman.
Pose.
District three, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District four, Commissioner Bradford. All right.
Hi.
Make a concession, one more, two point one two.
Second.
District One, Commissioner Oakley.
No.
District two, Commissioner Weightman.
Yeah.
District three, Commissioner Starkey. No. District four, Commissioner Bradford.
No. No. District five Chairman Mariano.
Aye.
So we're stuck at point zero zero five. Difference.
Lots of differences.
Losing vote.
Make motion for two what I what was my last motion, Clark?
Two point one two.
I'll restate my motion for two point one two mils.
That was his is two point one two. I said two point one two five.
Okay, we'll split this.
Motion fails. Let's try this. Someone trying two one two two.
Two point I make a motion for two point one two two five. Uh do you go out that far?
Do you go out?
Four decimals.
Sorry so motion is two point one two two two two two five. There you go. Motion is following two point one two two five.
What? Say this again. Please
motion is for two point one two two five. Two
point one. Two, two. Five from the Two. From two point one two? Yes.
Why don't we make the motion for two point one two two? Call it done.
No, I uh no I I went I I came seventy-five percent, not fifty, just 'cause I had bad math. So
you talk you talk about
two point one two
Two f two three five.
Uh
I'll second that one. I don't even know what the motion is on.
Can you can you restate the question?
2.1235. So hold it. We do we had a motion of second for two point one two two five, right? Yeah.
District One Commissioner Oakley. District two, Commissioner Weightman.
We're so my motion was two
Didn't have a second.
This is the this this is a motion for two point one two two two two two two two two two two two two five. It's probably about ten days difference in reserve. I am not sure.
Motions for 2.1225. Commissioner Oakley was called. He said aye.
Aye.
District three, Commissioner Starkey. Aye. District four, Commissioner Bradford. Aye. District five, Chairman Mariano.
Aye.
Thank you. So um team, do you have the first and the second?
Thank
you.
So Mr. Kabala, what where are we at on money on this?
One point three six over two minutes. Yeah.
Yeah. Mm-hmm. Thirteen point nine five.
So thirteen point nine million increase and then five point three three six over the original two point oh how many years does that give you
Four years solid.
Well the rest of the script do we have do we change anything or just refirm it as it is? We have to change it. So we'll take a take a break and break allocate. Ten minutes?
in minutes. Takes
me long.
Nine nine nine nine nine.
back direction?
Oh,
they're
back there.
Okay.
I can go hit you.
We're not gonna let you get. I may be staying here next week still.
The white.
Good.
Expect it.
Well that's interesting.
Mr. Gerg. Yes sir. Now we've had the vote.
Yes, I'd like to provide a summary of the eight voter-approved debt service millage rates. These millage rates are levied to repay the debt service with the general obligation bonds. To include two tranches each of the jail project, the fire rescue projects, park and rec projects, and the libraries projects. The eight individual millage rates are listed on table one in your handout. Rather than read this chart into the record, we have provided copies to each commissioner, board records, and members of the audience. The total of the eight voter-approved debt service millage rates is 0.2717 MILS. This is a
decrease of 0.077.
I ask the board to accept public comment and then vote on each debt service millage rate. There is no vote requirement for these millage rates, so simple majority or three votes is all that is needed.
Does anyone wish to speak to the board regarding any of the eight bond millage rates? Anyone from the public? Anyone online?
There is no one online.
We will close public comment. Is there a motion to adopt a millage rate of the easy? Zero point zero two Nine three mills for the twenty nineteen A jail facility bond.
Some movers.
Second.
District One Commissioner Oakley. Um hold
on. I think Mr. Bradford's gone. Correct. That's correct. So now we can just go straight votes. Okay. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Is there a motion to adopt a millage rate of 0.0234 MILLs for the 2019 B fire rescue bond? I'll move.
And our second.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Is there a motion to adopt A millage rate of 0.0109 mills for the 2019 C Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Bond.
Okay, I just have to ask Commissioner Weightman why you're leaving it up to me and Commissioner Oakley to make all the motions. I'm sorry. What's going on? Oh Are we not in support of saying our options? He
voted aye.
Yeah, these these are we went through these are all reducing over time.
Right.
There's no controversy in my mind around these.
Okay, good.
Listen, we got them voting. Let's go.
Make the motion and I'll second
it.019 Mills parks and twenty nineteen Sea Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources Bond.
Second.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Is there a motion to adopt a military? Of zero point zero one zero seven MILs for the tw twenty nineteen D Libraries bond. Move approval. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Is there a motion to adopt a millage rate of 0.0526 MLs? For the twenty twenty A fire rescue bond.
Okay. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Is there a motion to adopt a millage rate of zero point zero zero nine eight mills for the twenty Twenty one A Libraries Bond. Move to move.
Second.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? And I'll say aye. Is there a motion to adopt a millage rate of 0.1228 MILS for the 2021 B jail bond?
So approval.
Second.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Hi.
Well now provide a summary of the remainder of the easy.
That's one more.
Is there a motion to Were you in a rush? Your last one enjoy this.
Trying to return. And this is my favorite one. Is there a motion to adopt a millage rate of 0.0122 MILS for the 2022 A Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Code? Second. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? All
right. I will now provide a summary of the remainder of the budget. The budget totals $2,109,694,012.
Can you restate that please?
Does the board have uh any recommendation on the spreading of the reduction in the general fund?
Can you show us that number one more time? I just want to write
it down. I'm sorry, two billion one hundred nine million six ninety-four thousand twelve dollars.
So is there a direction from the board for the reduction in the general fund? Would that be across all Constitutionals and the board or just the board?
Yeah.
Equal across the board.
The one caveat to that is there are some of the constitutionals which Have their budgets approved by other entities and you wouldn't be able to exactly
that is
correct.
Okay. And if that happens then we have to absorb that in our Yes sir. Our budget. Okay. Absolutely. Well,
the administrator work it out. Um continue on.
I would like to ask the board to accept public comment and vote on the budget. There's no vote requirement for the budget, so a simple majority or three votes is all that's needed.
Okay. We'll now receive public comment on the budget. Is there any from the public who would like to speak to the budget? In the audience? No one's signed up?
No one is signed up.
And anyone online?
And there is no one online.
Seeing no one, we'll close public comment. I will entertain a motion to adopt the right-of-way. the fiscal year twenty twenty four budget as outlined by staff, including those made Those adjustments made since the tentative bub public hearing presented to the county and commission. at its regular meeting earlier today.
And just now.
Okay. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ms. Yard.
Thank you. The actions you have taken here today has set the tentative aggregate millage at 9.6214 mills, which reflects an increase of 10.75% above the rolled back rate. I will now read the resolution adopting the millage rates by title only. Only a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, adopting the final levying of ad valorem taxes for Pasco County and fiscal year 2024, providing for an effective date.
Is there a motion for approval of the resolution adopting the final levying of ad valorem taxes for Pasco County fiscal year? Tell me.
Second.
All in favor say aye. Aye.
Any opposed? I will now read the resolution adopting the budget by title only. Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, adopting the final budget for fiscal year 24, providing for an effective fee.
Is there a motion for approval of the resolution adopting the final budget for Pasco County for fiscal year 2024? I move.
Second.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And I'll say aye. Any opposed? This concludes the final public hearing to adopt the final millage rates in the final budget for fiscal year twenty twenty-four. I just want to say, Bob, I wish you a great retirement. Thanks, sir. Um you've you've done a great job for us every step of the way. Uh made tonight real easy. Okay. But I want to thank my I want to thank my board members. I don't I don't think and then then the citizens for coming out to talking to us
and working with us as we did this final budget, all our first responders and everybody in the budget team to to go through all the great work you've done to help us uh go through this process. And and again to my board of county commissioners, uh I I appreciate every one of you. Your dedication, your passion was shown clearly tonight as far as how important everything everything is and how we listen to the people. So I thank you all for your support uh and all the hard work that you do. No a stop.
So and
we're adjourned. Thank you.