Public Hearing on Budget Tuesday, July, 26, :00 PM School Administration Building

Transcription

1 Public Hearing on Budget Tuesday, July, 26, :00 PM School Administration Building School Administration Building 301 Fourth Street SW Largo, FL ~ Minutes ~ I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM on July 26, 2011 at the School Administration Building, 301 Fourth Street SW, Largo, FL. Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Deborah Beaty Pinellas County Adm. Assistant and Clerk to the Board Julie M. Janssen Pinellas County Superintendent Ed.D. James Madden Pinellas County Deputy Superintendent James Robinson Pinellas County General Counsel Fred Matz Pinellas County Chief Financial Officer Robin Wikle Pinellas County Vice Chairperson Lew Williams Pinellas County Board Member Terry Krassner Pinellas County Board Member Peggy O' Shea Pinellas County Board Member Janet Clark Pinellas County Board Member Carol Cook Pinellas County Chairperson Linda Lerner Pinellas County Board Member II. Welcome by the School Board Chairperson Mrs. Wikle participated in this meeting via telephone. Mrs. Cook welcomed those in attendance to the first of two public hearings on the millage rates and district budget. Pinellas County School Board Page 1 Printed 9/16/2011

2 III. Adoption of the Agenda ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] Peggy O' Shea, Board Member IV. Introductory Comments by the Superintendent Dr. Janssen welcomed the public to the first public hearing on the proposed millage rates and budget for the 2011/12 school year. Dr. Janssen stated that the proposal is based on $104.4 million dollar reduction in the general fund revenue and represents a reduction in spending in the general fund of approximately $55 million. Dr. Janssen stated that it is important to understand that some of the proposed reductions are subject to the collective bargaining process. V. Overview of Budget Process and Truth in Millage (TRIM) Requirements by the Chief Finance Officer Mr. Fred Matz presented a brief overview of the budget process and TRIM requirements. VI. Millage to Support the Budget Kevin Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Budget & Resource Allocation, presented information through a PowerPoint, as follows: The School District's Proposed Millage - Composition What is the "Rolled-back" Millage Rate Proposed Millage vs. "Rolled-back" Rate Millage Comparison Property Tax Revenue Comparison Reasons for Millage Millage Proceeds by Type The following individuals addressed the Board regarding the proposed millage rates: Mark Klutho - Stated that the waste that is occurring is a crime and that dollars are going up in smoke; that this hearing was scheduled for the same evening as Hillsborough County which is not just a coincident; and, that money is being robbed from taxpayers because the district continues to ignore science. Curtis Holmes - Stated that the district is one of the largest property owners in the county; that he has noticed that there is a request for 1.5 mills to purchase schools and ancillary sites; and, that he suggests that the Board sell their pieces of vacated properties in order to get these properties placed on the tax roll. Marshall Ogletree, PCTA/PESPA - Stated that the Legislature has left our district's budget with a $50.2 million shortfall and requested that the Board levy the maximum millage allowed by law. Joe Paige - Stated that, like most government bodies, the district presents their budget and millage recommendations backwards. Mr. Paige stated that the district should make a list of all their wants and needs and then look for the money. Mr. Paige stated that the district needs to adjust their spending since the money is not returning. Pinellas County School Board Page 2 Printed 9/16/2011

3 Mrs. Cook requested that Mr. Matz repeat his explanation regarding the process required by law to approve the millage prior to taking action on the budget. Mr. Matz responded. Mrs. Lerner requested that staff explain the process being followed regarding the district's vacated properties. Dr. Janssen responded. 1. Motion To: Approval of Tentative Discretionary Local Effort Millage To approve the levying of a Tentative Discretionary Local Effort Millage of mills as part of the total millage to be certified to the Property Appraiser and Florida Department of Revenue. Linda Lerner, Board Member Terry Krassner, Board Member 2. Motion To: Adoption of Total Millage Rates To adopt a tentative millage rate of mills to be set and certified to the Property Appraiser and Florida Department of Revenue. The millage rates are as follows: For Required Local Effort For Discretionary Local Effort For Local Referendum For Capital Outlay Total Tentative Millage Mills Mills Mills Mills Mills This rate is 4.33% below the rolled-back rate. Lew Williams, Board Member VII. Tentative 2011/12 Budget Mr. Smith presented an overview of the proposed tentative budget for the 2011/12 fiscal year through a PowerPoint, as follows: Buddget Calendar Budget Parameters Budget Summary Budget Summary All Sources Legislative Issue Operating Fund Resources Pinellas County School Board Page 3 Printed 9/16/2011

4 Operating Budget Revenue Sources Proposed Operating Budget Operating Budget by Object Capital Fund Sources Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan & Facilities Work Program Proposed Capital Projects Proposed Special Revenue Proposed Debt Service Budget Proposed Internal Service Budget Mr. Smith stated that the Tentative Budget is on file in the Office of Budget and Resource Allocation in the Administration Building, 301 4th Street SW, Largo, FL. The proposed budget may be found on our website at The following individuals addressed the Board regarding the proposed budget: Kim Black, PCTA - Addressed the Board to object to the proposed reductions in the budget that will directly impact teachers, rolling their income back to where it was in 2005/06. Ms. Black requested that the Board Members make sure that all dollars have been saved where possible and to remove teachers from being affected by the reductions. Marshall Ogletree, PCTA/PESPA - Addressed the Board to demonstrate the impact that the proposed increase in insurance premium cost will have on support staff, i.e., ESE Associates. Mr. Ogletree stated that the increase could result in as much as an 8.8% reduction in their income. Mr. Ogletree suggested that the Board should make an effort to inform parents of the fact that the state has never fully funded transportation and the need for them to target their legislators regarding the impact the budget reductions will have on their children's education. Mark Klutho - Stated that for the district to use the word, "budget" is an obscenity; that the Board should have asked those seated in the far side of the room to move to the center in order to save electricity; that Curtis Holmes is a waster of time for the City of Largo; and, because of the stupid buildings, the future will get worse. Dara Vance, Teacher, Gibbs High School - Stated that she is hearing about the money being spent on Lastinger; that she has two masters degrees and working on a third; and, that she has done this all on her own. Ms. Vance questioned where her reward is when she sees her insurance increasing and furlough days being considered. 1. Motion To: Adopt the Tentative Budget for 2011/12 To approve the tentative 2011/12 Budget, as advertised. Lew Williams, Board Member VIII. Additional Board Actions Pinellas County School Board Page 4 Printed 9/16/2011

5 1. Motion To: Action to Establish Date, Time and Place of Second Public Hearing To approve the Second Public Hearing on the 2011/12 District Budget be held on September 13, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Hall of the School Administration Building, 301 4th Street S.W., Largo, Florida. Terry Krassner, Board Member 2. Motion To: Action to Authorize Submittal of Certification of School Taxable Value To Authorize the Superintendent to advise the Property Appraiser of the millage rates, including the required rolled-back rates, approved at the First Public Hearing held on July 26, Peggy O' Shea, Board Member IX. Other Considerations and Concluding Comments X. Adjournment There being no further business to be brought before the School Board, this meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. Chairperson Interim Superintendent and Ex Officio Secretary Pinellas County School Board Page 5 Printed 9/16/2011