Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Yes, sir. Wouldn't nobody hear? I mean, last year, the thing was full. Are we public? I mean, are we noticed correctly?

Good job. I didn't see it this weekend when I looked at the meetings is why I asked. OK. Because I don't want us to be, Lord knows, I don't hear a lot of people complain, but they have a right. Yeah. So I just want to make sure Mr. Attorney see.

Can you give us the 8.55? I see you give us the 23, 349, 675. What will we take in on the rollback? You give us 23 mil for the nine.

What's the expected amount that we should have in the fund balance again?

It actually gave a little bit more detail than what I was looking for, but that's good. Thank you. Commissioner Woods.

Commissioner Woods. Everything that I hear you saying about the county and the struggles is the same thing I'm hearing from the people in the county. It's kind of one of them things, Payment bills, gas, $6 if you drive a diesel. Just regular gas is high. Insurance is high. Property tax is high. And so it's become this thing of the impending Amendment 3. Numbers still say it's going to pass. Because when you sit here and you tell people, We're going to put $5 to $7 million back into the pocket of taxpayers in Gaston County. That's a pretty easy sale to vote for. And I think Commissioner Holt ha

And so what I will tell you is from an officer that started in 1987, I never got the calls that my kid won't go to school. I never got to call somebody down the road making noise. It's kind of one of the things that public service has changed, and people call you for everything. When I rode that ambulance, sir, I could not believe the thing that people took the ambulance for. I took somebody from all the way to Chattahoochee to Tallahassee, and they jumped out the back of the ambulance and said they didn't have a way to Tallahassee. And now they're sitting here. If I'm telling a lie, either on

Thank you. Ms. Raynick? Yes. On the rollback, looking at the same sheet that you have here, at the top, revenue, expenditures at the bottom? Yes. OK. So the total difference in those two, the rollback and the nine at 855. What's the difference in those two for revenue?

That's what I had on my paper. OK. Eyeballing it without putting it in a calculator. Right, right. OK, then on, that's at eight, five. Five. OK, at nine, what's the difference? I'm sorry, I don't understand that. Sorry, I was just talking about the difference in the two. Because people are asking for the rollback rate. What's the difference in the two if at 9 for expenditures and at 8.5 for expenditures?

The confusion has a lot to do with the different funds we keep quoting. At 8.5, people want to know totally what's the difference in that and at 9.

Seventy two five and sixty nine three now see that that'll start to make more sense to them It's about three about two point four million two point five million dollars difference okay, and And that I'm trying to figure out. And I think it's just a little catch in there saying we got 40 more positions of people than we have in 2019. FTE. Well, FTE. But FTE is a number. What about people?

Okay, so what we're saying there, because it's misleading to say we have more people working when services went up and responsibilities went up. in there. It's rather misleading because if you already are not going to fill positions that are vacant, I'm not talking to you, I'm just speaking in general, because we have to work through this. We only have, what, one more meeting. And that's it. So if we say we have this much responsibility, and we have this many employees, and we do that in 19, and we say we went up a certain amount in 20, then the services we're calculating, how did those servic

Well, you know, when I look at that, I had someone ask me today about another item. And I said, compared to Leland County, I said, we can't do that. We're going to compare the counties our size that are around here in the Panhandle. I said, go to Jackson, Madison, somewhere around here. Tallahassee has a volume. 400,000 people, their volume, they're going to be able to produce at that millage rate. If our millage, we're getting X number for one meal, where they would get a lot more for one meal. Correct. So we're not going to get, even though you have the stations where the people are getting

May I respond right quick, Mr. Chairman? Right, but see, we addressed it in this room. The public did not see it. You get my point. So when so-and-so had a heart attack and the ambulance didn't come, And you're already 30 miles from Tallahassee. And if you're up there at Georgia Line, you've got 15 minutes. They're going to be pumping you for 15 minutes. I've done it before also, Commissioner, in the back of that truck. You've got to have one person pumping, the other one driving, if they're cold on the road. And then you've got down to the lake, you've got the same problem. It's so far to hea

So I think a lot of the unknowns are the problem for me on this. You know, they're saying if they do this, it's going to give, like Gadsden, a lot of people $200 to $800 worth of expendable money for the year. And, you know, I hear the non-Avalorium route. But when you look at the cheated houses, how many do we have that people already don't pay the tax? So you can tell the 85-year-old single living home grandmother you're going to pay $200, $300 a year for these taxes. She's just going to say add it to the bill until somebody decides to take the house from her. So that becomes another problem

No, you hit it right on the head. When he made that comment, I'm just like, well, at the end of the day, everything is increasing. And then if we decrease anything, you're seeing what the sheriff is asking for, for an increase. How are we going to even afford the increase or what we're already having to do if we go back? I just, in my opinion, I don't think that it is a smart move. I don't think it's a healthy move for the county overall. But I mean, the mind is already made up. That's just my one opinion, that we're already and are going to be in a situation if that tax does pass, which I'm n

What percentage of our budget, just to give him the increase...

It's right down here at the fifth apartment now. Yeah, but I'm saying that it's not that far.

So another thing to think about is if we add the $2.4 million at the nine meals, that means when this thing passes, you're not cutting $6 million anymore. You're cutting $8.4 million. $8.4 million. And so it's kind of like what I'm saying is a management thing when you say, Right now, Commissioner Grant, I'd take 50-50. And that would be really good, because everything I've heard is 64 to 74. And it may, the campaign, it may. But if you turn around and have to cut $8.2 million in one year, that is totally devastating. It's like, it will have to be done. But my point is this. This is why I, bec

I'm going to say this. Yes. I'm just going to say that. Mic on. I'm sorry.

Yes, thank you. The only thing I see wrong with this scenario is that citizens can't see what those cuts are. I get you. Because we cut, and with the leases on the equipment, then we turn around and bought some more equipment. So we went back and got some more equipment, but we cut the lease on the equipment. I think it was a low boy or one of them went down, and we voted on that. Everything went down. That's what I'm saying. So when it went down because we cut the lease, they went down. We had to go back and sign another lease, so we didn't solve anything by doing that. But what I was going t

I wasn't saying that they did not have access. Oh, okay. But they don't have access to this, you see, because we got this today. But what I'm saying, though, is this. I understand, but they're not going to go to that website. They're going to ask us in the street, just like they're doing here. But what I'm saying is this. If they have these departments, as I asked in June, if they have these things that we are not required to fund, and I'm really talking to you, Mr. Administrator. If they had that list, that we are not required to fund these, but over here in this column, we're required to fun

So Mr. Tennille, you're dead on. Your concern is mine. I don't know what the governor will do at all. I mean, we'd be $7 million and I get that non-advalorium, but a lot of our people can't pay it. You can send them a $300 bill to pay for all this stuff, and they're going to tell you add it up until you take what they got. You know what I mean? So it's just we're in a bad spot. Everybody's struggling. Gas is high. People call me frustrated all the time, almost like they want to fight me. You know, I mean, it's just really nobody wants to have a common sense conversation. You know, everything's

OK, so we can argue all night on numbers, because it's like, it's got to be a four to one right on the vote. Am I right, Ms. Lawyer? So if y'all want to save a lot of time, I'm at 865. So y'all can sit up here, Mr. Chair. Because it seems like I'm the one that is, you tell me 865 and we out the door.

No, no, no, no, no. You're fine. And I was just telling you I understand your reasoning. But however, we know the vote, the reality of it. You know the vote. And it is what it is. We can be up here another whole hour, and you're still going to have the same people voting the way that they already got their minds up to vote for this military. And I'm just stating. And so my question, and it was very on point when he asked, if we don't go stay at the nine, what does it take for us to at least have the budget balance to where it is? Or I think I heard 8.6 or 8.7. She said 8.7. 8.7. I'm thinking t

So as we get, I understand everything you said. Yeah. And I get it. And for me, it comes down to, The old days, the old people. And that's what you got. We're going to have to figure it out. And if things get better. Now, I'll tell you one thing you said about it a while back that made sense, because I kept getting beat up about the mills, and watercolor doesn't pay this. But then when you said, well, you the same acre in Wakulla at seven mils pays this, and it's actually more than what we pay at nine mils. So they are. The other counties around us are not going to hurt as bad as we are. They'

That's true, though. And at one time, we were at $3 million. We all got the email, I think, from the clerk. You know, $3 million we used to have in our balance. And they said we got $11,000. And so it becomes this thing of... The more we get, the more we spend it. And it's just got to be a time to where we, it's unfortunate. But I like it, man. I like it. I like it when I can call and they run, jump, and fix a road. When they run, do this, they do that. But as I've told people, that day's coming to an end. Growing up, I remember riding down that old road. You knew if there was a pothole, you w

Yeah. There are quite a few counties in red.

Commissioner, were you before me, I think? I'm sorry? I think you were before me, right?

I don't know. I was listening to him. I didn't even look up. Right now, I'm still right at 9 until we can tell people what we're going to do. Because we have people that have already been cut, and we said don't cut anyone else until we can look at it. The positions, yeah, let's get real. I mean, if you're going to cut them, just let everyone know what we're cutting and why we're cutting it. That's all. That's where I am. And until we can do that, I can't vote for something. I mean, I'm right now at 8-8 or 8-9 if I was going to drop something. I don't want people to just die there because they'

Well, that's what I'm saying. But if you get a call and they're backed up over there, I'm not saying we would cut.

So Mr. Farr, what you say sounds really good about the businesses coming in. But every business I talk to wants a tax break. I'm just being honest. I mean, we get these large businesses, the first thing they do is they want to know how they get out from paying taxes. And that's how we get them. And it is tough. I mean, preacher, I'm going to talk that side. I had a preacher tell me that people just can't afford it anymore. And I said, so I guess y'all not paying tithes this month. And he started laughing because it's kind of one of the things that he knew where I was going. And so there is a c

And so I'm trying to, because I am understanding my fellow commissioner's push. For the nine, I do. I understand. I'm not trying to say anything y'all were saying wrong. We're just having a difference of what we believe. But I don't want to confuse it with that we need to cut all property tax. Because that's the next move, guys, is they're talking about cutting it all. Because what happens? is uh businesses will get increased taxes their taxes are going to go up and so what that tax means and a republican friend of mine i said we blame the democrats for defunding police but that's exactly what

I had a question right quick. Okay, Ms. Raynette, okay, let's say if there are any changes made today or this week, any changes to this budget, what happens?

OK, so you answered it in the last sentence. OK, so we say 8, 9. We have to stick with the 8.9 in the next period.

It doesn't have to go up. Okay, so we are... If we voted on 9 tonight, we would have to stay at 9.

Yeah, because that's what I was going to say. We all still have a little bit of time. It wouldn't close that much. But you could reduce it down. Because we need to know what we're going to do with $800,000 and some thousand. We need to know before that last vote, that last budget meeting. I mean, special meeting. We need to know that. So I think everyone, when you consider what you're going to do, we vote tonight. Can we raise it? You cannot raise it after tonight. That's why I brought that up. If you voted for the rollback tonight, you cannot raise it. Right. You can't raise it. So then, list

But Mr. Chairman, I just used that as an example.

The animal control. Then let's move that. OK, let's do your thing. No, look at the other guy that's all stirred up. Listen, but no, I'm just trying to look at how you're going to get it in there. If you say you're at Bear Bones tonight, then you're going to have to stay there. The next meeting, you can't go up at all. So how are you going to get the $800,000 in there? That should be a consideration tonight, because you will not have but one more meeting.

I was going to say, may I say this? Those other taxes also have to be voted on. So if you're going to say do or sell, you still got to get that passed there. And then, so that's not in there. It's stated.

Right, but I'm just saying it's tough to get it, because we're going to be trying to get it in there after we already set the millage. No, you could do that after. I know, but I'm just saying. I understand what I'm saying. If they did any, and let's say it didn't pass, or it didn't generate the amount of money we needed in there, Under those plans. That's what I'm saying.

Commissioner Holt? Yes. You're right. I wanted to make sure that we had this process down pat. OK. Let's just say if you included the $800,000 and some thousand into the budget. I'm just saying if. It won't be included tonight in your total.

Right. Okay, let me ask my question. I understand you wouldn't have those numbers right now, but I'm just saying, if it was included in there, would there be enough padding between, if we stayed at nine, would there be enough padding in there, you think, to pick up just, mind if I say, a million dollars?

Right. And so, Mr. Chairman, so if we just go ahead and do the nine, if we read tonight, and then we see what those numbers look like. We have until you advertise, until it's advertised. So we would have to meet on the 22nd. Until Thursday. Until Thursday. Right. But see, I just want to make sure that we are, because we can't stumble, because we're too close to October 1. We can't stumble. So I think we need to know everything by this week. I would, I'll vote right now, leave it at nine, and then look at the numbers, and you get a chance to reduce it.

Clarity. Yes. If it's not that 401, does it automatically go back to? Take another motion.

That's why I asked if y'all want me to go first.

My understanding was the 855 actually was less than last year's budget. So as you're reading that, that's not accurate. Because I want people to know that the 855, the numbers that I'm getting, is that that is actually less

So you're reading that as an official document, but it's not accurate. And so the rollback, if we said 8553, then according to finance, you would be several hundred thousand dollars below what we were. We'd actually be cutting.

But I just read exactly what's on this sheet right here. 9.0 million. I'm not trying to be difficult. I just don't want us to be telling folks that. Do we need to change it or what?

Let's take a recess. It'll be difficult. I just want us to get it right.

You can go home. I didn't vote for that.

I move approval for the nine mills for 26, 27 year. Do we have a second?

Yes. Would that include the $869,000 by the sheriff? No. No. Okay. No. No.

Someone's calculating. Well, actually, the 8.75 was in the middle between rollback

Hold on, hold on. She was saying something. What were you saying?

Well, here's the thing, Mr. Chairman. Mind you, it's still not the fix. I know what you got to make your numbers, but we still have that last...

I was just trying to see why they were going for the 8.8.

You were saying, Commissioner Green was just saying something.

Let me ask you something. Commissioners, if we keep it at 9, you can always reduce it on the next meeting. We have to vote that time. We have to on the 22nd. That'll give them some time to look at the numbers.

And to be very honest with you, services costs are going to go up anyway.

All right. So what are we going to do, commissioners? We've got to do something.

Well, I actually thought I was, because I was rolled back. And when somebody said 8-7-5, it was in the middle. And so I've been looking at myself for being. And so, I mean, that's to me. I mean, we're in the middle of rollback in the nine. I mean, so I thought that was because we still got to cut a lot of money. Yes. It don't matter how, because guys, this thing is more likely than not going to pass, and we're going to have to deal with at least $6 million, I think is the latest number I've kind of gotten, that we're going to deal with a $6 million cut.

I'm just going to throw out another motion, and we can see if it rolls. I mean, the 875 died. 8.75, just going to make a motion for 8.8.

OK. And the 8.8, so that if we need to come down, or if we decide to come down on the 22nd, it is what it is if we're rolling back.

OK, so we got an 8.8? Yes. And we can dance this. I'm pretty strong in my feelings on it. And so I'm not trying to. It just. Yeah. And I don't want y'all to think I'm totally disagreeing with y'all. I mean, I get every point you made. I really do.

OK, got a motion. Let's go ahead and address it.

Just a comment, Mr. Chair. Board direction, huh? Just one comment before we go. Yes, sir. I think it's September 8 at 8.45. The board actually worked through something. Yeah, I'm very proud of us. I mean, we didn't agree. I mean, I'm a rollback guy, and y'all were nine, and we figured out a way to come to a good answer. So I want to thank all of you for that. Thank you. I told you this is one of the best boards in America.