Citizen s Guide to the Okeechobee County Fiscal Year Budget

Transcription

1 Citizen s Guide to the Okeechobee County Fiscal Year Budget Board of County Commissioners Terry Burroughs, Chair David Hazellief, 1 st Vice Chairman Bryant Culpepper, 2 nd Vice Chairman Kelly Owens, Commissioner Brad Goodbread, Commissioner County Administrator Robbie Chartier Budget Director Corey Wheeler, CPA Information about the budget is available by contacting: Okeechobee County 304 NW 2 nd Street, Room 103 Okeechobee, Fl Phone: (863) , Option 4 Or visiting the County website at:

2 Where do we start? It all starts with the Budget Process. Foundation of the FY17 budget: Continued analysis of operating costs using an average of the past three (3) years of actuals. Maintain operating reserve levels at 25% minimum as recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), using only as needed in a responsible manner. Rationale for the FY17 Budget: Accounting Standards (GAAP) State of Florida Budgeting Standards Federal and Grant State Requirements Commission Principles Strategic plan created FY15 General Fund sustainability modeling Departmental workshops Date October 1 December January March March-June May June 1 June Early July July 1 July Aug 1 Aug 4 Mid-August September Continuous Activity Fiscal Year begins Conduct staff meetings with the County Administrator and County Board to determine priorities for the budget year. Distribution of budget packages (including Capital Improvement Program request form, goals and objectives form, and revenue projection form) to operating units. Administration meets with department heads to communicate budget policies and priorities for the budget year. Budget submittals due to Administration. Budget Director reviews and tabulates all operating budgets, capital improvement projects and revenue projections. Capital Improvement Plan Workshop with BOCC (to be scheduled) Statutory deadline for submission of budget for the Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Clerk of Court, and Supervisor of Elections to the BOCC. Compilation of the budgets operating and capital improvements. Distribute proposed budget to the Board. Certified taxable value to be submitted by Property Appraiser. Board holds budget discussion sessions. Statutory deadline for submission the of Tax Collector budget. Board certifies proposed millage rates to the Property Appraiser Adopt tentative assessment roll and preliminary rate resolutions for special assessments Hold two public hearing on proposed budget and millage rate. Monitor expenditure and departmental performance

3 Underlying Assumptions in the FY17 Budget: Improvement in National, State and Local Economies: Inflation levels remain low Fuel prices are below those seen in recent years Declining unemployment rate Labor force growth Local Economy: Population shows limited growth (projected 40,327 residents in 2016) Seasonal Visitors - Between the months of November and April the county realizes an influx in population between 12,000 and 15,000 Local unemployment rate 5.9%, slightly higher than State level Average 2015 annual wage $35,213 (lower than the FL average of $46,260) 46 new housing permits issued in 2015, up from 26 in business licenses issued in FY15. Economic development Redevelopment of Okee-Tantie FPL Natural Gas Power Plant Southeast Market Pipeline (Natural Gas) Increase in Property Values Property Values increased 2.08%, but remain 12.8% below 2007 peak levels OKEECHOBEE COUNTY Taxable Values (in billions) Year The Countywide gross assessed valuation is billion which is a decrease of 12.8% since 2007 and a 2.08% increase from The adopted tax rate for Tax Year 2016 is

4 What does that mean for me? General Fund budget built on 2% below rollback rate, which means that taxpayers should see their tax bills related to Okeechobee County Ad Valorem decrease approximately 2%, despite the increase in property values. No change in special assessment rates (Fire, EMS, Garbage). A TYPICAL TAX BILL Based on an average $75,000 Assessed Valuation Less: homestead exemption on the first and third $25,000 of the assessed value of an owner/occupied residence. The additional $25,000 only applies to non-schools portion of the tax bill. SFWMD 1% Ad Valorem Tax Levies Public Safety 21% School Board 36% Fire Service 11% Garbage Collection & Disposal 23% EMS Service 8% Adopted Adopted Increase/ Taxing Authority Tax Bill Total Tax Bill (Decrease) County Commissioners $ $ $ (8.47) Voted Debt - $ - $ - $ - Children's Services Council $ $ $ - School Board (17.50) SFWMD $ 8.27 $ 8.88 $ (0.61) Total Millage Rate $ $ $ (26.58) County Commissioners Fire Assessment $ $ $ $ - Garbage Assessment $ $ $ $ - EMS Assessment $ $ $ $ - Total County Tax Bill $ $ $ - TOTAL TAX BILL $ $ $ (26.58) The above example reflects a typical tax bill for an average home with an assessed value of $75,000, less $50,000 for homestead exemptions, for a net valuation of $25,000. The tax bill is broken down by various rates that apply to the specific area in which the home is located. The homestead exemption for the School Board is only $25,000, for net valuation of $50,000.

5 Who are the principal taxpayers? YOU ARE. Residents and businesses make up 81% of the tax base. The remaining 19% is comprised of the 10 largest taxpayers: PRINCIPAL TAXPAYERS Percentage of Total Taxable Type of 2016 Taxable Valuation of Taxpayer Business Value $ 1,612,556,595 Florida Gas Transmission Co Utility 79,775, % Florida Power & Light Utility 72,037, % Gulfstream Natural Gas System Utility 51,675, % Embarq Florida Inc. Utility 18,475, % Chambers Waste Systems of Florida Utility 16,311, % Cal-Maine Foods Inc Egg Farm 15,143, % Silver Palms RV Resort Estates RV Condo 13,207, % Glades Electric Co-Op Inc Utility 11,825, % Kampgrounds of America Inc RV Park 11,198, % Wal-Mart Stores East LP Retail 10,751, % Source: Okeechobee County Property Appraiser

6 Where does the money come from? The primary revenue source is property taxes and special assessments. COUNTY BUDGET Source of Funds FY 2016/2017 Property Taxes $13,118, % Other Revenues - Franchise Fee & Interest $1,477, % Special Assessments $7,675, % Charges, Fees, Licenses & Permits $3,654, % Sales & Use Taxes $3,327, % Landfill Host Fees $3,000, % Grants/ Intergovernmental $9,991, % State Shared Revenues $4,773, % Source Amount Property Taxes $ 13,118,793 Special Assessments $ 7,675,048 Sales & Use Taxes $ 3,327,909 State Shared Revenues $ 4,773,178 Grants/ Intergovernmental $ 9,991,145 Landfill Host Fees $ 3,000,000 Charges, Fees, Licenses & Permits $ 3,654,712 Other Revenues - Franchise Fee & Interest $ 1,477,857 Transfers Internal $ 3,020,234 Cash Carried Forward Oct. 1, 2016 $ 46,772,279 Total Gross Revenue $96,811,155 Less Statutory 5% Reduction (2,264,907) Total Net Revenues $94,546,248 $20.8M Local Dollars

7 Where is the money spent? Florida Law states that proposed revenues must equal anticipated expenditures in every fund. Personnel costs represent $10.2M (10.8%) of total expenditures. Operating Expenses represent $14.1M (15.0%). Capital Outlay totals $7.4M (7.8%). Transfers to Constitutional Officers (Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Clerk of Court) total $19.3M (20.4%). COUNTY BUDGET Where Funds are Expended FY 2016/2017 Court Related $337,889 1% General Government $8,542,294 17% Sheriff, Fire & EMS $23,420,078 45% Library, Parks & Recreation $2,636,688 5% Senior Services, Health Dept., Medicaid $2,759,137 5% Housing, Tourism & Recovery Grants $1,584,677 3% Debt Service $160,536 0% Roads & Drainage $8,352,783 16% Garbage Collection & Extension Office $4,081,851 8% Function Amount General Government $ 8,542,294 Sheriff, Fire & EMS $ 23,420,078 Garbage Collection & Extension Office $ 4,081,851 Roads & Drainage $ 8,352,783 Debt Service $ 160,536 Housing, Tourism & Recovery Grants $ 1,584,677 Senior Services, Health Dept., Medicaid $ 2,759,137 Library, Parks & Recreation $ 2,636,688 Court Related $ 337,889 Interfund Transfer $ 3,020,234 Reserves at Sept. 30, 2017 $ 39,650,081 Total Budget Expenditures $94,546,248

8 What are reserves? Reserves are funds intended to help local governments accomplish two goals: achieve tax stability and contribute to the orderly provision of services. Unassigned - General Fund $6,665,929 17% Reserves By Type at Sept. 30 FY 2016/2017 Reserves by Type Estimated at Sept 30, 2017 Restricted by an External Source $11,525,244 29% Assigned $7,427,150 19% Committed by Ordinance/Resolution $14,031,759 35% Restricted by an External Source $ 11,525,244 Committed by Ordinance/Resolution $ 14,031,759 Assigned $ 7,427,150 Unassigned - General Fund $ 6,665,929 Total Reserve by Type $ 39,650,082 Restricted Fund Balances Amounts that can be spent only for specific purposes stipulated by external resource providers such as creditors, grantors, contributors, or regulations of other governments or (b) by law through constitutional provision or enabling legislation. Committed Fund Balances Amounts that can be used only for specific purposes determined by the highest level of formal action (ordinance/resolution) of the Board of County Commissioners; the highest level of decision making authority. Commitments may be changed or lifted only by the Board of County Commissioners taking the same formal action that imposed the constraint originally. (Landfill Trust & Solid Waste Mgmt Fund). Assigned Fund Balance Amounts intended to be used by the County for specific purposes. This includes spendable fund balance amounts established by management of the County that are neither restricted nor committed. Unassigned Fund Balance This is fund balance that has not been assigned to other funds and that has not been restricted, committed, or assigned to specific purposes within the General Fund and Public Safety Fund. Restricted: Transportation (gas tax), Tourist Development (hotel tax), Boating improvement (boat registration fees), E-911 (50 cent tax), Cemetery (burial fees), etc. Committed: Solid Waste Special Assessment, Fire/EMS Special Assessments, Landfill Trust ($8M floor) Assigned: $1.2M for economic development, capital improvement Unassigned: $6.7M = approximately 3 months operating expenses to be used for unexpected contingencies, emergencies, or revenue shortfalls.

9 What are some of the accomplishments of this budget? Restore Services: Continues Turf Maintenance at Sports Complex Includes Recreation Grant Writing and Management Services for additional funding sources Expands pool operating season Increases Road Maintenance Program (Guardrail, Striping, Contracted Mowing of ROW) Restores/creates 5 new positions and 2 upgrades: Emergency Management/Mosquito Control Planner Agri-Civic Center Assistant Manager 911 Coordinator/Fire Rescue IT Facilities/CIP Administrative Secretary Painting Foreman Recreation Office Assistant upgraded to full time position Recreation Administrative Secretary upgraded to Project Coordinator Encourage Capital improvements: Judicial Center Security System Upgrade Public Safety Complex Parking Lot Alton Chandler Civic Center Improvements Scott Driver Pavilion Interior Improvements Library Flooring Airport Restaurant Expansion Fire Station Remodel/Renovation EMS Rescue Unit Fire Tanker Architectural Services/Master Plan Public Works Building Lock 7 Improvements Employees: Provides merit increase for employees on anniversary date based on evaluation. How do I get involved? The Board of County Commissioners meet the 2 nd and 4 th Thursday of every month, and meetings are broadcast live on the internet and recorded. Citizens are encouraged to attend meetings and budget workshops.