Here are our notes on today’s Escambia County Commission – Committee of the Whole meeting:
Plan to get to a balanced budget on by June 15. County Budget Manager Amy Lovoy opened the meeting with a review of new budget items and issues.
Firstly, EMS operations will need a subsidy from the general fund in the coming year. “They fought the gallant fight,” Lovoy said.” “But they will need a subsidy of up to $1 million.”
ECAT will also need a minimum of $1 million to maintain function. “We are building from a worse case scenario,” she said.
The board was provided with a list of every program that receives general funding supports. The 78 item list had a shaded line at item number 50.
“Any program from 50 down is facing significant reduction in funds,” Lovoy said.
“It is probably more like line number 44,” District 1 Commissioner Mike Whitehead said. “We are budgeting for a $15 million loss. And it could get worse.” The commissioner identified the purpose of Wednesday morning’s meeting; to prioritize the list of programs with the above factors in mind.
Whitehead then opened to floor to discussion from the County Commissioners.
“There is no disputing the hard facts of a balanced budget,” District 2 Commissioner Gene Valentino. “I feel very much held hostage, for the five of us to have to sit and make these decisions. It is not a position I want to be in.”
Valentino continued. “I don’t want to believe it,” Valentino said. “I fear that you are correct (about the $15 million).”
“Don’t fear it,” Whitehead interrupted. “$15 million is a very real number.”
“Here is my problem,” said District 4 Commissioner, G. Robinson. “There are some things that are below the line that could be reduced with out having to be eliminated.”
Valentino agreed.
“We have got to find come dollars above the line,” Whitehead said. “Some things like the medical examiners office can be reduced, but it can not be eliminated. It will probably need to be moved above the line.”
“Everybody on this list is going to feel the reductions,” Lovoy said. “After that we are going to have to target significant cuts to those programs below the line.”
“It’s too hard to move this line around when there are items we have to have,” Robinson said.
Whitehead asked that the list be revised with a distinct line and a more detailed list of programs.
“I agree,” Robinson said. “We need more detail in these numbers.”
“Truthfully and thing below line 60 will probably be eliminated,” Whitehead said. “We need to assume that it is gone unless we find some other funding.”
Those programs include but are not limited to: Parks Recreation, Soil and Water, Health Department, Council on Aging, Wildlife Sanctuary, First Call for Help, Lakeview and Junior Achievement.
The board discussed the possibility of job cuts in the different programs below the line.
“I think we should focus on being more efficient,” Valentino said. “We don’t need to throw the baby out with the bathwater and lose talent.”
Whitehead advocated keeping benefits and competitive pay for those who are retained. “There is a misconception that government is overpaid,” he said. “But if you compare us to Sacred Heart or Baptist we’re not.”
“I recommend that we come back in two weeks and talk specifics,” County Administrator R. McLaughlin said.
“I am not just asking us to see if we can do what we are doing better,” Whitehead said. “I want you all to start thinking differently. Ask, ‘Are we doing the right thing?'”
“Nothing is sacred in this budget,” Whiteshead said.
“I just ask that the board not compromise economic development,” Valentino said. “It is vital during the downtime we are all going through. It is a short term expense for a long term gain.”
The board moved to discussion of the Retirement Buyout Program.
“No matter how we do this, a payroll reduction is going to be necessary,” Lovoy said. In the tentative buyout plan, all employees who meet requirements may apply and all applicants will be considered.
For every person accepted for the program a full-time position in the Board’s organization with the same funding source must be abolished, she said. Certain positions may be determined to be critical or essential, and applications may be rejected on this basis. Once funding is exhausted no further applications will be accepted.
Over 300 employees currently qualify for the buyout.
The average payout would be about $29,100 with a range between $5,200 and $113,000.
The average payout with benefits would be about $34,900.
“It doesn’t solve this year’s problem,” Valentino said. “But it does help with efficiency.”
These issues will be further discussed at the next budget meeting which will be held at 8:30 a.m. March 19 in the board chambers at 221 S. Palafox Street.