Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

on the agenda or during the public comment portion of the meeting please fill out a speaker card each person addressing the board shall have three minutes to complete his or her comments on each agenda item for which he or she has filled out a card the chair has the discretion to determine or alter the time limits on any agenda item the Board of County Commissioners requests that speakers appearing under the public comment section of the agenda limit their comments or presentations to matters relating to county business that are within the board's control, authority, and jurisdiction.

Okay, our invocation today will be given by Dr. Bawana Bostic. Technically, we're unable to start until 5.05, so you have a long floor. You can give a long prayer. Thank you for this.

You're welcome. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, God, we're so grateful to be here tonight. Thank you for your divine protection all day long. And because of you, we are here safe. And God, tonight as we enter this meeting, we ask for your divine understanding and unity. And we thank you, Lord, for your divine wisdom. And God, we just give you the glory for what you're doing within this board. We pray that you bless them individually. Bless their families, keep them safe in Jesus' name. And God, as a county, our children have gone back to school, and Lord, we pray for blessings and protection for every school in Brevard County. God, we plead the blood of Jesus over them that you keep them safe all year long. However they get to school, ride the bus, walk, Mother, father, grandmother, take them to school. God, protect them and keep them focused this year. God, help them to be attentive in the classroom. Bless the teachers, God, with divine wisdom. Help them, Lord, to help those that are in need of just a little extra help. Give them that insight, God. And we thank you for doing that. Of course, bless the superintendent and his staff. And we thank you for leading and guiding them to help us through this year. And God, of course, our policemen and our firemen and our mayors and city commissioners, bless them abundantly. Keep them as well safe, Lord, as they do their jobs to keep us safe. And we give you the glory as a whole, as a county, for blessing this county, God. And yes, the United States of America, we pray as a whole. Bring our troops home safe, and we just thank you for what you're doing within us all. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Amen, thank you. So appropriate. School crossing guards are a part of this budget we're voting on today, so the school prayer is very appropriate. Okay, today we'll have Commissioner Pritchett to lead us in the pledge.

Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay, we're almost there. This agenda.

Mr. Chair, could I make a motion to allow Commissioner Goodson to participate by phone?

I'll second.

Okay, there's a motion and a second to allow Commissioner Goodson to participate by phone. All in favor say yay. Yay. Motion carries unanimously. Okay, that works out perfect. It's 5.05, so we can begin. So public hearing, we'll start with D1, the item gender D1. Jim, go ahead.

All right, thank you, Mr. Chair. Item D1 allows for the reading of the tentative aggregate operating millage rate to fund the portion of the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget that is supported by property taxes. At this time, I will ask the budget office to read into the record the tentative aggregate millage rate for FY fiscal year 2026-2027.

The aggregate tentative millage rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget is 4.7492. The tentative aggregate millage rate represents a 6.12% increase when compared to the aggregate rollback rate of 4.4753. The tentative aggregate millage rate represents a 5.75% increase when compared to the current fiscal year 2025-2026 aggregate millage rate of 4.4909.

Commissioners, as approved by the board on July 21st, 2026, tentative millages have been set at the rates required to fund board priorities, including the animal care center, roadway improvements, jail infrastructure, and other county facilities. Additionally, tax rates are set to mitigate impacts and newly mandated expenses while ensuring reserves are adequately funded. Agenda item D2, the board will hear comments from the public and then discuss the millages and associated revenue and agenda item D3.

Okay, great. No vote is required at this point. Our next item is agenda item D2.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Item D2 allows for the public to comment on the revised tentative county budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Before we begin public comment, I would ask the budget office read into the record the revised tentative budget information.

The fiscal year 2026-2027 budget is $2,425,838,420. This budget represents a decrease of $161,915,446, or 6.26% less than the fiscal year 2025-2026. Current budget of $2,587,753,866.

Mr. Chair, we are now ready to accept public comments on the revised tentative budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.

Okay, our first public comment is Richard Heffelfinger.

Good evening, Rick Heffelfinger, 2000 Juniper Drive, District 1. I'm going to make my final plea to try to help control some of the costs for our citizens. I believe that designating the animal facility is not a critical need or an emergency, and I would like to ask the Board to remove $5 million designated for that from the increase over the proposed millage to the general fund. The reason that I say that it's not critical is it's an animal care facility, there currently is one, yet it's 30 years old, I realize that, but I don't see that as meeting the requirements of a critical or an emergency need. I also believe that the animal care facility back in, let's see, we had a meeting on, geez, when was it? where we had a budget adjustment, a third quarter budget adjustment, and it was identified where you guys actually saw some general fund savings, or I shouldn't say savings, they were increases due to funds interest, and you applied them at that time towards some of the stuff that was identified as critical need in the workshop. There was also one that identified an almost $5 million additional increase in what the sheriff had in his 410 fund MSTU. And that has been added to the proposed budget. It shows that he's got a carry forward now of, it's almost $8 million. And it shows that only about half of that was allocated. So there's this, almost that animal shelter funding in that MSTU fund that's not being expended this year. I think if it's a critical need in an emergency and since animal care facility falls under the sheriff, I believe that he could go back and allocate that money. You could get both things and reduce the cost in the general fund to the taxpayers. And that's what I would like to see happen is a motion to remove the five million and then maybe a recommendation to the sheriff. I don't know who allocates his budget, how those decisions are made. I know you give it to him, but I would like to see him say that that is a priority or critical for him since it's under his funding and move some of that money that he does have.

Thank you. Thank you. Dalton Simpson, our next speaker. Hey, how are you guys doing tonight?

My name is Dalton Simpson, and I'm coming here to speak to you guys about the Stradley baseball fields in Cocoa. Recently, a few pictures and stuff have been brought to my concern where the sod, the flooding, and baseball, I believe baseball season, if it hasn't already started, it's about to start. Right now with the heavy rain, it's starting to cause a lot of flooding, a lot of sod. I see that you guys, and I'm just starting to get into this, I see you guys got like a deal with Coco, but they're more and supposed to take care of like the structures and stuff. And you guys are supposed to maintain the fields and irrigations and then any stuff like that. So basically to get started. Good evening. My name is Dalton Simpson and I'm here tonight to speak about the flooding and ongoing conditions at Stradley baseball fields. This is about more than wet grass or field looking bad. This is about a public facility that our children, families, coaches, and community are supposed to be able to use safely. When these fields stay flooded, they can't be maintained properly. Practices and games are affected, the fields deteriorate, and it creates safety concerns for the kids using them. What I'm asking the county tonight is simple. We need answers. We need to know what is actually causing the flooding, who is responsible for addressing it, and what the plan is to fix it. It is a drainage issue, is there a problem with the ditches, culverts, swells, storm water system or the grading of the property? I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous. No, you're doing great.

well you're finding your way maybe i i have seen pictures of stradley and it is a mess and it is a public safety i feel bad for those kids jim did you um mr simpson i just i haven't read it but i saw part of an email and an email chain going through our parks folks have worked with the city of coco on a bunch of issues flooding was in there septic the sewer was in there and that gentleman right there where is he ian golden if you want to meet with him as soon as you're done speaking He can give you an update of what's going on.

That would be awesome. I've seen his name too. And I've also seen you guys lost a lot of money this past few years on that part of funding too. So this is the thing. I played baseball there. My mom did as well. My child's young right now. I just see a lot of people talking about it. But that's all they do is talk on the internet. I wanted to show them this is where you come and if you want to see changes happen, this is where you got to do it. So I appreciate you guys giving me that time. But I found my spot if you want me to finish. If not, I apologize. So pretty much here it is, this is the ending. And grading the property. Whatever the cause is, I'm asking for the county to inspect the problem, give the community a clear answer. Our kids deserve a safe, playable baseball field. The coaches and parents who volunteer their time deserve better, and the taxpayers deserve to know that our parks and recreational facilities are being maintained. I'm not here tonight just to complain, I'm here because I want to help get something done. So I'm asking the county to identify the department responsible, which you just did, inspect the flooding and drainage conditions at Stradley Park and provide the community with a real plan and timeline for correcting the problem. A lot of people in the community care about these fields paying attention we just want to see stradley become safe usable baseball feel for our kids and before i finish i want to say rest in peace coach keith gordon his impact on these kids and this baseball community should not be forgotten thank you

Thank you for being here, and I know I share your concern. I know the commission is well up there in that district, and anything we can possibly do. I personally feel your pain. I lived through the same thing with my kids. We had mud fields at Vieira. Now look at them. We had mud fields in Merritt Island. They've gotten better. So, yeah, this is important to these kids. I appreciate you being here and bringing it. Thank you.

And like I said, I remember there was a time when Cocoa Little League went away from being in the Little League World Series. They produced a lot of good stuff. So thank you. I appreciate everybody.

Ian right there. Thank you. Okay, I think that's all of our cards on D2. Yep.

okay we will move on to uh no vote required at this point uh we'll move on to item agenda item d3 okay all right commissioners item d3 is recommended it is recommended that the board of county commissioners discuss and tentatively adopt the fiscal year 2026 2027 millage rates This item reflects the millage rates that were approved by the board in July of 2026. The countywide general fund ad valorem millage rate has been tentatively set at the critical need rate of 3.0942. This rate will require supermajority vote for the approval in accordance with the county's charter cap and the state statute. Additionally, any millage rates that above the rollback rate now requires at least a supermajority approval as a result of recent legislation associated with property taxes. Any changes to the millage rates under this item, excuse me, let me restate that. Any changes to the millage rates under this item will be recomputed and announced under item D4.

Okay, we do have one card. JJ Woolsey.

Good afternoon, honorable commissioners, county manager, and of course, I can't forget the county attorney. My name is J.J. Woolsey. I'm not only a staff representative for the Coastal Florida PBA, but I am a proud retired member of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office where I retired after 32 years of experience as a deputy sheriff. On behalf of the Coastal Florida PBA and the hundreds of members that we represent, several hundred with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, we are proud to stand before you tonight. As the Collective Bargaining Unit Representative of the Sheriff's Office, we have been blessed to represent an extraordinary group of men and women who passionately work together every day to keep this county safe. We also consider ourselves very lucky to have exceptional leadership in our commissioners, county manager, and the sheriff, who consider public safety number one. Brevard County is very unique to manage, we understand that, but through the tremendous relationships we all have forged, your support, your leadership, Your faith in us means so very much. We can't thank you enough for making Brevard the safest county in Florida. Thank you.

Thank you. I think that is our final card. Now the vote is required to have a vote on the tentatively adopted FY26-27 millage rates. There's a motion to approve. Is there a second?

Second.

Second. Any discussion, debate? All those in favor say yay. Yay. Opposed? Nay. Passes 4-1 with Commissioner Felton voting against. I heard him. That was a yay, wasn't it, Commissioner Goodson?

Sir, that was a yay.

Yeah, thank you. Okay, next item, item agenda D4. Jim?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Item D4, based on the approved changes and millage rates that were approved on the agenda item D3, I now ask the budget office to read into the record the revised aggregate millage rates.

The aggregate rollback rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget is 4.4753. The aggregate tentative millage rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget is 4.7492. The tentative aggregate millage rate is 6.12% more than the aggregate rollback rate.

okay do we have any cards we have no cards on this item and no vote is required at this moment so we'll move to agenda item d5 all right thank you mr chair in accordance with the brevard county code of ordin ordinances i request adoption of the fiscal year 2026 2027 budgets for the following agencies A, Solid Waste Management, B, Stormwater Utility Department, C, Fire Services Non-Ad Valorem Assessment, and D, Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District.

Okay, a board vote is required to adopt budgets for these districts and programs.

Make a motion to adopt.

There's a motion to adopt. Solid waste, stormwater, fire services, Melvin Tillman. Is there a second? Second. Motion second. Any discussion, debate? All those in favor say yay. Yay. Opposed? Carries unanimously. Okay, we will move to D6, utility services.

Okay, thanks Mr. Chair. It is requested that the Governing Board of the Barefoot Bay Water and Sewer District approve a resolution adopting a budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027.

A Board vote is required to approve the budget resolution for Barefoot Bay Water and Sewer District. Motion be in order.

I'd like to make a motion to approve.

A motion to approval. Second. all in favor say yay yay pose carries unanimously thank you we will move to agenda item seven d seven thank you mr chair based on the action taken during this public hearing i now ask that the budget office read into record the revised tentative budget for the fiscal year 2026 2027.

Chair and Board of County Commissioners, the revised tentative budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 is $2,425,838,420. This budget represents a decrease of $161,915,446 or 6.26% less than the fiscal year 2025-2026 current budget of $2,587,753,866. Mr. Chair, I request tentative approval of a resolution adopting the fiscal year 2026-2027 Brevard County budget. Motion to approve, sir. So motion to approve is our second. Second.

Motion and second to tentatively approve the resolution of Dauphin fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. All in favor say yay. Yay. Opposed? Nay. Budget passes 4-1 with Commissioner Feltoner voting against. That concludes the tentative budget hearing. Now moving on to board reports. We have D8, sir. We have D8. Yeah, sorry.

Just cover that type of d8 utility barefoot Bay utility rate resolution. Okay. All right Here Mr. Mr. Chair, we have 85 Yeah for some reason my agenda

Eddie, we're ready. Good evening. Item D8 is the approval of the Barefoot Bay Services Rate Resolution Amendment encompassing the Barefoot Bay Water and Sewer District. This is the public hearing. We've done the advertisement and we're seeking board direction on the amendment to the rate resolution.

Okay, we have three cards. First is Sydney James.

Good evening, Commissioners. I wanna say there's a reason why the other five wastewater treatment plants in Brevard County are integrated into a countywide system. There's a reason why a decision was never made to pull one out or separate all of them. I don't know the reasons why. But it feels like Just unfair, I have to go back to that issue of fairness and equality. I know that the commissioners have received letters. It's because you are all equal members of the governing body of the Barefoot Baywater and Sewer District. It doesn't fall on Commissioner Atkinson. The person who spoke about baseball field flooding, that's one district. All commissioners agree, they don't want flooded baseball fields, even if it's not in your district. We don't have a great rationale that would save your constituents money to integrate us sooner, or you, Mr. Altman, or Mr. Feltner, or Mr. Goodman. We are in favor of the rollback of 2025 rates by 5.15% with no further rate increases through 2030. We have read the rate analysis and we are in agreement of that. So we urge you to vote yes. We also ask that you consider sunsetting our, we are pleased that you have voted to sunset our district and integrate us into the countywide system. We just ask that you reconsider and we'll probably continue in asking that to do it sooner to provide some meaningful rate relief for us. I would ask a question though that I would love answered tonight if possible. Mr. Fontanen said on the August 4th meeting here that our utility is not in compliance with the DEP. We would like to know if that's true or not, and if so, in what way, and if fines are being paid because of it. And I would like to ask each of you if you would share why you were in favor of integrating us into the countywide system once the bonds are paid but not sooner and letting us continue to pay our bonds. Thank you.

We'll mark those questions in here after we hear everyone's input. Next is Hannah Freelander.

Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the Commission. I am here also to support the rollback of our fees for 2026 back to the 2025 rate by 5.15%. And also, oops, hold on. I am used to this and I should have this information memorized by now. and no further rate increases, as has been stated, and we really appreciate that. I mean, the biggest reason that we're so concerned about this is because we have a lot of low-income people living in our community, and these are retirees who are on fixed incomes, and they're hurting, and our economy is pretty bad right now. So that's our mission here, is to see what we can do to help them. and we're very happy that you're going to sunset our treatment plant. But again, there has to be some way that it will be beneficial to the county at large as well as the Barefoot Bay Water Sewer District customers to have us integrated sooner and we're going to try to work on that because we have inundated Commissioner Atkinson with lots of data and we're continuing to research this but trying to figure out the numbers and how do they mesh, how is it that it would be beneficial to both parties without incurring any additional costs for them is important to us as well and I know it's important to you as well. So, let's see, and then the bond debt, of course, we are still committed and understand that that is our obligation and that we will pay that. If there is the possibility of integrating us sooner than the end of 2029, beginning of January 1 of 2030, we really would appreciate if you continue to work on that and look into that. It's important. It's very important. and that we would look to the bond debt as a separate line item. We're committed to paying that. We absolutely are. So thank you very much for your time. Appreciate it very much, and please vote yes. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Thank you. John Requa.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Here's a copy of what I gave Ms. Atkinson. It's over 500 copies of petitions for what we're talking about. I also agree we want to be integrated as soon as possible. We are thankful for the sunset and the rollback we'd like to see. What I do understand is the dilemma that you have with your constituents. And here's what I would say to them, because you're gonna have to say something. I would say to them that you inherited what your predecessors did, which was the wrong thing. And for a couple dollars a month that it's going to cost your constituents, it would be an immense relief to the people of Barefoot Bay to correct that wrong. That's what I would say. And I want to follow it up with this. I want to put more time on this last couple sentences. So I retired from a federal police officer. During my time of being a police officer, some officers came in one day and told me of a situation during in-service. It was very bad. It was so bad that the military would not participate in that situation because of the serious physical harm and possibly death. I wrote up that incident and I sent it through the proper channels. It wasn't long after that that I got a visit at 4.30 in the morning. I worked night shift for my captain. When a captain comes in to see you at 4.30 in the morning, that's not a good thing. He proceeded to tell me that he believed I did the right thing and did it the right way. And it definitely has probably saved some lives. But the chief sent him in to request a picture of myself to put on his dartboard. And it was a good thing that I had already got promoted because I wouldn't see one. Okay? And I had to follow the channels and defend my case, which I did, and I gave them an alternative for the solution which they now use. Now, that decision I made cost me thousands of dollars in my retirement because I never got promoted after that. And to this day, being retired eight years, I made the right decision. There are consequences for doing something right. And they hurt on my retirement check. But it was the right thing to do. I would do it again. So I understand you have consequences to your constituents for the decisions you make. And I wanted to share that story with you so you know I understand. Thank you for sharing that with us.

That's all our cards. Mr. Atkinson? i just if there's no board discussion i'd like to make a motion to approve i'll second there's a motion to approve and what we are proving is that the board of county commissioners approved the barefoot bay utility service rate resolution encompassing the barefoot bay water and sewer district which reduces and maintains the reducing rate until sunset in december 31st of 2029. okay is there was a motion second all in favor say yay yay yay Opposed, nay. Carries unanimously. Thank you. Okay, thank you. All right. Okay, I think that's it. Do we have anything else? So let's go to board reports. County manager. I have no report. Thank you. County attorney. New report, Mr. Chair. District 1.

I handed out an item for the commissioners to look at. I would like to direct staff to come back and bring us some information. that we can maybe look at doing a local option gas tax if something they get a stuff so we can look at maybe over the next couple meetings a lot of that will weigh upon you know if we get this and it's a user fee you guys next year would maybe not be able to have to do anything different with taxes or lower them if we get more money coming in with this to help cover roads infrastructure so if you guys are willing I'd like to get a motion to send staff to go put together some information for us

okay i'll second the motion but i have a question if i'm ready for it we're ready okay okay um my question would just be how does this play in because i don't know how does this play into people who drive electric cars on our roads it doesn't so what do we do about that does anybody have any thoughts

Can I say one thing? I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. Yes, go ahead. When gas tax was conceived, this was an easy thing when the person that owned the pump was the tax collector, okay? It has changed drastically. When you increase these things, you're continuing to get an increasing share of a declining market. You're not really addressing the problem. Cars are becoming more efficient, there are more electric cars, there are more hybrids, there are all kinds of things. So it's not a long-term fix at all. The Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Department of Transportation officials are looking at something different because they know that gas tax revenue will continue to shrink. I won't be voting for that, but... I just want to share with you that that's the problem with gas tax.

I think if we just get some data back, let's bring us the numbers and the amount. I'm not going to be here next time you guys do budgets. I went through this one. It's tough. It's either that or you're going to be cutting a lot of people's pay soon. So I would rather just try to figure out a way we can do this because we can't keep taxing our citizens like we are. It's getting tough out there and people are having a really hard time trying to pay their bills and it's not just on taxes, it's everything. Peanut butter has gone from 378 to seven something and it's just wild. So anyways, I thought this is something to look at for you guys in the future and so I'd like to just have staff come back and bring some data for us. We have a motion and a second.

Commissioners, if I may, if I can just share about the timeline for this, because depending on the direction the board looks at going, it could be important to you. So there are two ways to unlock any of the gas taxes that aren't currently imposed here, and one is by a referendum at a general election. The deadline for 2026 for that passed in August, so no referendum this year, and we're two years away from another referendum date. A super majority of the board, majority plus one vote, could impose the gas tax. In order for that to be effective January 1 of 2027, the board would have to do that on or before October 1 of this year. We only have one regular meeting, which is next week before then, so for anything to take effect, 2027 next week's meeting would pretty much be the the only opportunity to do that if we're only talking about it for planning out into the future and if a january 1 2028 implementation date is okay then we don't have that time pressure i just don't want to bring back a lot of information for you at some point down the road and say but we didn't tell you it would be too late when we brought this to really do anything about it so i wanted to share that timeline i should have done this earlier but

you've only been here a little while can a new board after they get the data look at it still like in december can they still they can look at in december but they couldn't do anything that would take effect prior to the earliest january 1 of 2028 at that point okay all right you have another question so if we did get the information right now would it be outdated or useless later or would it still be relevant

I mean, I assume it would still be relevant. Obviously, the more dated it becomes, the less relevant it is. But if it's looked at a, you know, reasonable amount of time, then...

But we could do it still put it on a ballot down the road, too.

We could put it on a ballot for the general election in 2028, which means it could take effect in 2029 or by super majority vote prior to October of next year, the board could do something and it would take effect January 1 of 2028. But next meeting literally is the only opportunity if you wanted something for next year.

So this can be something if Amendment 3 goes through, it would give you guys some tools on a ballot later. So just a thought.

Could be, and I think this is prudent. We could have had it on this year's ballot, but there's a lot on this year's ballot already, and the fear that we're overloading it. So we'll take a look at it. The electric car solution could be that service fee tax that everybody would pay. You could put that on the electric bill, and you could capture some of the road improvements from the utilization of people with electric cars is it possible to do when they register their car i mean i have no idea i'm just talking about if you're charging your car and you're paying a fee on the electricity and that money then would be going to roads and electric consumers would be paying more of their fair share

Is that something staff could also look into in addition to... Can I say one thing about that just real quick?

For the people who drive gas-powered cars, you'd be taxing them twice. Just because there's no way on an electric utility that you could just say, well, we're going to charge the people who are charging a car in their garage. I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just saying...

They would be paying more in electricity. Everyone would.

Well, because they're not charging their car, they may not be charging as much. If you consume less electricity, you could say the same thing about the gas tax. I drive less, or I drive a more efficient car, I pay less gas tax. But it does help a little bit.

It's not perfect, but at least if you're charging your car in your garage, so you're going to be using more electricity, and if you're paying on the electric bill, you would capture that.

But if there was a flat fee at registration of an electric vehicle.

You could do that. That would probably require state law. I think. Well, that's a good discussion.

It would, and the state has looked at that, I think, in a few legislative sessions. It's been floated early on, but has never gotten much traction.

Didn't they have an impact fee 30 years ago on new cars registered in the state and the court overturned that and said you can't do that, you can't charge a new person to the state more for their vehicle registration than somebody who's here currently? My vague recollection from 30 years ago was that was the case. I don't recall that, but that would make sense. Yeah, so I just don't see how that's workable.

I really don't know enough about the electric cars, I won't fashion, but do they have to pay for some kind of permit? Because I know at Target and stuff, they plug in. Would it be some way to tap into that, a different fee?

Well, I think I'm, the tax collector's going to say something, but I think when you plug in, you know, to one of the charging things out there in the world, you might use your credit card or something like that to pay whoever owns that because you're paying just like you would if you were going to a gas station.

The 295 initial registration fee you discussed was ruled that it was creating two separate classes of taxpayers and it was done away with. Okay. Is that by court or was it by the legislature? By court. You were in the legislature when it initially passed. I don't think you were there. Well, you may have been there when it was struck down. So that's what that was. It was creating two separate classes of taxpayers, but you would also have to be careful of double taxation.

Ms. Cullen, is there something that the electric car people, I'm sorry, I'm really ignorant to this, have to do different to have any kind of charging fee at public places?

you know of no we at the division of highway safety and motor vehicles we do not capture what type of power the car uses so that would have to be a lot of legislation passed okay but if we did have that local service

fee or tax That charge for electricity it would capture some of it because electric you car users are going to be buying more electricity and

I'm kind of thinking about the tourists that come through, and they've got to pull over and charge up somewhere. So that's what I'm thinking. Instead of it just being on the citizens here that everybody that drives to the area helps pay for it.

That's why I thought the gas tax— Would the charging stations be a part of that service fee? Those charging stations in the county would then— If they have an electric bill, yes. Yeah.

I think if we look at what numbers we're looking at coming in, again, this will help alleviate you guys for next year, and hopefully we can not raise taxes next year at all and still be able to cover costs, but the Amendment 3 is looking pretty daunting, so...

I'm not gonna call that one.

Okay. Sir, Mr. Chair. Again, not to be difficult, but if you're charging an electric vehicle with solar, there's not gonna be a fee from the tax collector That's right. That's exactly right. And good for you. If you're using solar, you're having... I'm with you. I gave you guys all a solar panel to demonstrate that you can do this. And thankfully, there's no one charging you to charge your phone up or what have you. So you would get nothing for the electric vehicles. Only people charging the solar. That's not a lot.

I can share that the last several years with the legislature, they have had no appetite to increase fees. So I don't see that being something they would be in favor of.

Well, we know they've had an appetite because they've increased fees on us, counties, local governments.

But not fees that are directly connected to them. And those fees are.

Yeah.

All right. If you don't have any other questions, I'm going to sit back down.

You don't have to.

I don't want to be up there.

Okay. All right. Well, we have a lot to talk about as we move forward and additional budget workshops. I think the commission has really done a phenomenal job to this point. And we have one more budget here and hopefully get through fine. And Jim, I see you.

Yeah, Mr. Chair, there's a couple questions for you. Make the vote is, you know, when would you like to brought back? And tax collector is correct, but we'll look to see what some states, I vaguely recall some states charging a registration fee. We can at least give you the information. will point out the and I'm gonna get it wrong public utility tax I believe that's what it's called that's collected every city collects it the county does not so you know and so I don't know if you can use it for general funds so you might have some cities already using it for roadways improvements or transportation improvements oh and you didn't she beat me too I gotta tell you third no tech collection absolutely correct because I brought a car in paid the impact fee and then got it refunded low those 36 years ago or whatever it was so yeah

Okay, there's a motion and second. Any discussion? All in favor say yay. Yay. Opposed? Nay. Passes.

Didn't hear from Goodson.

Commissioner Goodson, we didn't hear you. I'm sorry, what? Why don't you repeat that motion then?

yes commissioner goodson i just would like to direct staff to come back with data data for us next week so that we um next it is next week so we can look at it and maybe make a decision on whether or not we'd be interested in the local option gas tax okay commissioner i voted yes for that and i'll vote yes again okay thank you so that's a 4-1 vote with commissioner felton are voting against okay uh next um

District 2, Commissioner Goodson, do you have a report?

Not at all, sir.

Commissioner Atkinson, District 3?

No report.

Commissioner Ford? Mr. Feltner. So I understand today it's the chair's birthday. Does that sound right? So I think we should all sing happy birthday. Oh, that'd be wonderful. Thank you. I embarrassed myself doing this once before. Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday.

Thank you, that is a wonderful thought. Appreciate it, it's wonderful. 71 today, wow. 71. I'm thankful to be here and thankful to all of you here today. And I have no report. And I think that's it. Meeting's adjourned, thank you very much.

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