Budget Manage Maureen Rishchitelli briefly introduced each department to discuss what needs they have for FY26 if any at all.
Court Administration
Michale Reeves, Child Court administrator spoke briefly on behalf of Chief Judge Mosely thanking the board for their continued support.
- The Court Administration is not seeking any new funding for FY26 only asking for a continuation of the FY24-25 budget.
Guardian Ad Litem
Kathleen McGriffith presented the above item.
- Continuation of the FY25 budget
Public Defender
Public Defender Stacie Scott presented the above item.
- An increase in the IT Budget for FY26 due to the rising cost of the software used to run the case management and software for digital evidence storage.
- Part of the increase is about $38,000 budget request to bill out to the five other counties in the eighth circuit to pay their share of these increase cost.
- Total request for about $100,000 increase in the budget.
State Attorney
State Attorney Brian Krammer and Executive Director Rebecca presented the above item.
- No request, Continuation budget
Regional Conflict Council
- Continuation budget of $20,000
Tax Collector
Alachua County Tax Collector John Power and Chief Deputy John Costabile presented the above item.
- No major ask, the budget is going down.
- Reducing Operating expenses by over half a million dollars
- Used the projected 6% increase in taxable values and will adjust those as the PA moves closer to finalizing
- In support of the managers 4% pay adjustment
- Used the 2% proposed increase in health premiums
- The BOCC loan associated with the Northwest Complex will be fully paid off in August 2025, five years ahead of schedule. Any unused revenues will now go back to the County and other taxing authorities.
- Almost 99% of citizens have the real I.D. Designation (gold star)
Commissioner Alford presented comments.
Property Appraiser
Property Appraiser Ayesha Solomon presented the above item.
- Increase in budget of 4%
- Two new public service representative positions for the satellite office that will be opening in the city of Newberry.
Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Wheeler, and Chair Chestnut presented comments.
Clerk Of Courts
Clerk of Court J.K. "Jess" Irby presented the above item.
Clerk Irby stated the following:
- Ask to match what the county is doing with their employees for the county funded positions at the clerk's office with the 4% cola pay adjustment, the 2% increase for health insurance and updated FRS contribution rates.
Clerk of the Circuit Court: Request the Clerk's Office retain excess fees from Official Records to help offset the health insurance increase to the Clerk's Court related budget and Official Records budget.
Supervisor of Elections
Supervisor of Elections representative and Fiscal Assistant Robin Keirnan presented the above item.
- Electronic Pollbook Stations: requesting funds to fabricate Electronic Pollbook stations, a solution to streamline equipment deployment and usage of space within polling locations to allow for better processing of voters and a more efficient utilization of the available space.
- County Warehouse Materials: To support the process the county has started with the purchase of additional warehouse space for use by the Supervisor of Elections. Request funds that will support the organizational and operational needs within that space.
Commissioner Wheeler presented remarks.
Sheriff
Sheriff Chad Scott and staff presented the above item.
- A 4.52% increase for non-ranking deputy sheriff's resulting in starting pay going from $55,014 to $57,500. The goal is to reach a beginning rate of $60,000 in FY26-27 and $62,000 in FY27-28.
- For all other agency positions the budget includes a 4% increase to the base rate of pay. The continuation of recruitment and retention bonuses are also included in the request
- 6.5 FTEs:
- 2 Mental Health co-responder Deputies
- 1 Community Service Deputy
- 1 Crime Analyst
- 1 Digital evidence specialist
- 1 Building Maintenance specialist
- Convert a part time audio production specialist to a full time
Court Security Budget FTE:
- 1 part time Fleet Maintenance Administrative Specialist
Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Alford, and Chair Chestnut presented comments.