5-16-22 BOC Budget Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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position was requested. There are currently four full time positions. By the end of the year, two people will be leaving with numerous years of experience. The new position will provide some transitional continuity to help phase some of the challenges coming up. The County will also need to look at whether the solid waste system and convenience centers are the best way to go based on the territory covered, or if there is a need to switch to curbside service. Based on the growth in the County, Solid Waste is looking at adding up to three main convenience centers. The Household Hazardous Waste event may look at transitioning from one day to something more permanent. The contract with GFL for solid waste services is set to expire in about 10 months, so when it is put out to bid, staff will be looking for new plan proposals. Moving convenience centers may cost upwards of a million per location and with the City's annexations, the County may be looking at curbside plans as a more efficient and economic way to provide service. Capacity at convenience centers has been an issue. The County does not subsidize solid waste, the fee charged is designed to break even on the cost incurred for the service. Commissioner Sharpe arrived at 5:01 p.m. Cooperative Extension Cooperative Extension Director Bill Stone provided budget information regarding requests, including the local foods agent position that was approved by the Board back in the fall, as well as state health insurance rates increasing significantly and a statewide salary compression audit that was conducted in 2022 and affected three employees. The Local Foods Coordinator has done a remarkable job and the Farmers'Market has seen some of the best attendance numbers in history. Insurance for Cooperative Extension employees comes through the state and a percentage of each salary is paid part by the County and part by the state. The salary compression study identified agents that needed to be adjusted after the state adopted a budget. The majority of the budget increase is the Local Foods Agent salary and benefits, retirement and health insurance benefits and changes made as a result of the salary compression audit. The Cooperative Extension is looking at programs that can use the Farmers'Market to help families make the most of food dollars. OTHER BUSINESS Non-Profit Policy Discussion Commissioner Reives asked about adding a requirement for individuals handling money in non-profit organizations the County associates with to be bonded. The organization would be required to appoint a finance officer or treasurer to be bonded at an amount up to $10,000 or equal to Lee County, whichever is higher. Commissioner Carver suggested community involvement in providing feedback and having staff make a recommendation. County Manager John Crumpton said based on past discussion and discussions with non-profits, the funding decision was left up to the Board and some felt if the recommended budget did not include the funding that the decision was being made for the Board, so this year full funding was recommended for all non-profit organizations with discretion left to the Board of Commissioners to decide what to fund. Commissioner Reives suggested adding a tax verification on each organization. Commissioner Lavallee requested consideration for a lower cap on non-profit funding. Dr. Crumpton provided updated information on the sales assessment ratio, which is at approximately 88%. The Property Tax Commission calculated the properties sales 3