Minutes - Dec. 3, 2012 Regular Meeting

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BK:00025 PG suggestions for the Lee County Policy at the first meeting in January 2013. Discussion followed but no action was taken. The Board discussed Commissioner's Financial Policy changes. Commissioner Womack discussed the need to update the 2007 group of Financial Policies. The current version of financial policies dates back to May 2007. At that time, Commissioner Reives and the Finance Committee put together a set of financial policies addressing debt, fees and charges, fund balance, competitive employment, and tax rates. At least two of the policies require updates — (1) Policy on Debt and Debt Service; and (2 the Policy addressing ad valorem tax rates not changing except during revaluation years. Commissioner Womack stated these policies should be reviewed and reconsidered each year and updated as appropriate and he hoped for a consensus on the changes needed by the January 7 t meeting. Discussion followed but no action was taken. The Board discussed FY 2013 -14 Budget Planning Guidance. Commissioner Womack discussed the need to provide the County Manager with early planning guidance that he can use in developing the 2013 -14 County budget. It was stated that several Commissioners believe it' appropriate for the Board to provide consensus - driven planning guidance to the County Manager to help in developing his budget. This affords several advantages which include the following: 1. Avoids confusion and late -stage major adjustments in fiscal planning stemming from Commissioner's review of the budget late in the process, 2. Helps determine the will of the Board earlier in the budget process, 3. Helps establish fiscal priorities for the Manager to take into account during internal budget deliberation, 4. Helps "target" areas for increase or reduction, 5. Identifies those areas from the Evergreen Audit (and LCSS Financial Review) that merit inclusion in the Manager's proposed budget, 6. Drives Commissioner interaction much earlier in the budget process to identify consensus and the will of the Board on matters such as tax rate, sales tax distribution method, departmental spending levels, capital improvement priorities, etc. Discussion of the joint agreements between the City and County were discussed. After discussion, Commissioner Shook moved for the County Manager to give the City of Sanford six -month notice of the Board's intent to end the current interlocal agreements on Community Development, Planning and Zoning, Building Inspections, GIS, Tax Collections, Space Rental at the Federal Building, and Animal Control Services effective June 30, 2013. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Parks, Reives, Shook, Smith, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. After further discussion of the Budget Planning Guidance and upcoming Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Commissioner Smith moved to approve the FY 2013 -14 Budget Planning Guidance as presented by Commissioner Womack and to suspend the CIP planning process for this year. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Parks, Reives, Shook, Smith, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously.