Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby presented the following items.
Commissioner Cornell entered at 1:42 p.m.
Commission Services & County Attorney
- $48,000 has been allocated so that each Commissioner will have access to the services of an intern should they request it.
- The County Attorney has no new request and has submitted a continuation budget.
County Manager's Office
- Grant Specialist position has been requested.
- Human Resources has two funded request which are an Executive Director Position and lead software to track FMLA matters.
EPD Request
EPD has seven funded request in the budget
- FTE for a Climate Specialist
- FTE for a Land Senior Planner for Ag lands
- FTE of a Land Preserve Ranger
- Fire Engine
- UTV Trailer
- Commercial Grade Zero Turn Mower
- UTV with Slide in Skid Unit
Lands Conservation Manager Andi Christman presented comments.
Fire Rescue
- FTE for a Senior Fiscal Assistant
- FTE for a Network Specialist
- FTE for a Logisitics Captain
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Replacement
- Fire Tower Training Center
Fire Chief Harold Theus, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Chair Alford, and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments.
Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Emery Gainey and Sheriff's Office Chief Financial Officer Patti Justice presented comments.
Sheriff Gainey stated that the City of Gainesville and Marion County have increased their starting salary to $60,000 which has put Alachua County at a disadvantage in the recruitment and retainment of new officers. The office currently has 141 vacant positions.
Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Chestnut, County Manager Leiberman, Commissioner Wheeler, and Chair Alford, presented comments.
Assistant County Manager Crosby stated that he would not recommend increasing base salaries with the lapse salaries as that is one time funding for a continual expense. Mr. Crosby advised that it is estimated to cost $350,000 to $400,000 for certified Law Enforcement to raise those making below $55,000 to the base of $55,000 without addressing compression issues.
Sheriff's Office Chief Financial Officer Justice stated that she did her calculation for all staff and addressing compression. Sheriff's numbers are as follows:
- $625,000 for Law Enforcement
- $100,000 for Court Security
- $760,000 for Jail staff
- Total $1,400,000
Commissioner Cornell moved to direct Assistant County Manager Crosby work with the Sheriff to raise base salary for Law Enforcement (from $53,000 to $55,000) this year and work with the Sheriff's Department staff to come up with a 2-to-3-year plan that is more in line with the Fire Safety plan over the next two to three years.
2nd Commissioner Chestnut
Commissioner Prizzia moved the substitute motion to direct staff to cover the base salary increase (from ($53,000 to $55,000) this year for both Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers and look at the 2-to-3-year plan for an overall compression study and alignment with all the Public Safety Officers and step plans.
2nd Commissioner Cornell
Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins who presented comments to the Board.
The substitute motion carried 5-0.
FTE Increases
- 19 new positions have been requested in this budget
Commissioner Prizzia moved to approve the staffing recommendations.
2nd Commissioner Cornell
Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins who presented comments to the Board.
Chair Alford and County Manager Lieberman presented comments.
The motion carried 5-0.
Schedule of Fees
Commissioner Prizzia moved adoption of the Fee Schedule.
2nd Commissioner Cornel
Assistant County Manager Crosby stated that included in the fees as an appendix are the towing fees. He stated that they are not the County's fees but are included since people look to the County fee schedule for the fees.
Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins who presented comments to the Board.
The motion carried 5-0.
Capital Improvement Plan
Chair Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, Assistant County Manager Crosby, Facilities Director Travis Parker, Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Cornell, and County Manager Lieberman presented comments.
Commissioner Cornell moved approval of the capital improvement budget.
2nd Commissioner Wheeler
Chair Alford recognized Tamara Robbins who presented comments to the Board.
The motion carried 5-0.
Update on the Budget Changes
Assistant County Manager Crosby stated that the County Manager proposed budget was $806.6 million with the amendments made the budget is $849.9 million.