2011 - 05-23-2011 Budget Review Session

Home Browse Search

sonK 24 Board to make a formal decision concerning whether to establish two fire, ambulance and rescue service districts within the existing Cape Fear Rural Fire Protection (RFP) District — one for the Clearwater Area and another for the remaining portion of the existing Cape Fear RFP District. When it created the Cape Fear RFP District, the Board, by authority granted it under state law, and limited the special tax rate in the District to 15 cents per $100 valuation. State law also allows the Board to establish the same limit on the special tax rate to be levied in the proposed service districts. Mr. Talbert stated that the Board does not need to consider limiting the tax rate in the proposed Clearwater Service District because property owners in that district petitioned the Board to establish the district knowing the special tax rate would be in excess of 15 cents per $100 valuation. More specifically, property owners were fully aware that the City of Sanford tentatively had agreed to provide fire protection service to the proposed service district at a cost of approximately $36,000 for FY 2011 -12, requiring a special tax rate of approximately 16 cents per $100 valuation and that there would be an additional 1.15 cents special tax to cover the costs of the Fire Marshal's services. The Board may want, however, to consider limiting the tax rate in the proposed Cape Fear Service District to maintain the currently existing limit on the special tax rate. Mr. Talbert further stated by law, a resolution limiting the tax rate for a service district must be adopted within 90 days prior to the public hearing (concerning the establishment of the proposed service district). The public hearing on this proposal is scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2011 in the Gordon Wicker Conference Room at the Lee County Government Center. The resolution must be adopted before the public hearing and public notices, therefore, a resolution must be adopted at this meeting or there will be no limit on the special tax rate for the proposed Cape Fear Service District. After discussion, Commissioner Parks moved to approve a Resolution Setting a Limit on the Special Tax Rate that may be Levied Upon the Proposed Cape Fear Service District, Should it be Established, a copy of which is attached to these minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Hayes, Oldham, Parks, Paschal, Reives, Shook, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. At this time, County Manager John Crumpton presented the proposed FY 2011 -12 budget. Following are highlights from the budget presentation: • Maintain current tax rate of 75 cents • Maintain educational funding • Continue support of public safety • Invest in technology to support our employees G Recommended budget for FY 2011 -12 - $62,077,621 • 12.11 % of the county budget goes to General Government • 13.19% of the county budget goes to Public Safety • 2.25% of the county budget goes to Economic /Physical Development • 23.21 % goes to Human Services • 2.95% goes to Cultural & Recreational • 27.01 % goes to Education — Lee County Schools 4.14% goes to Education — CCCC 14.02% goes to Debt Service 1.16% goes to Reserves