Local News

County budget up from 2011-12

Gary Pinnell | Highlands Today
Published: September 8, 2012

SEBRING - Highlands County commissioners passed their tentative $117 million budget Thursday night, sticking to the 7.1 millage, the same as 2007-08.

Due to declining property values, that millage brought in $48.9 million in 2007, but only $30.4 million in 2012.

The fiscal year 2012-13 budget is about $2 million larger than last year's for three main reasons: Medicare billings are up by $700,000, the sheriff's office contracted with Avon Park for $994,000 and $2.7 million will be spent for the sheriff's property and evidence building, Budget Manager Tim Mechling said.

To slim the budget, contributions to the three chambers of commerce were reduced from $1,800 each to $250 and the Boys and Girls Club contribution was zeroed.

However, the Safehouse battered women and children's shelter was given $27,000 and Nu-Hope Elder Care Services got $29,250. The recreation departments of the three municipalities will share $330,000.

The commissioners reserved $14.4 million — about three months worth of the general fund — for emergency expenditures like a disaster.

"We have a $216,402 cushion. That's it," Commissioner Don Elwell said. That's extra, stashed in the three-month fund.

Elwell asked how the commissioners should handle the Tourist Development Council's budget. The commissioner's policy, set 10 years ago when voters approved a 2 percent tax on hotel rooms and other temporary lodgings, was that the TDC would spend 29 percent of the fund on administration.

"We're currently running over 29 percent," Elwell said.

A recent TDC audit showed about 42 percent. Therefore, Executive Director John Scherlacher has been following County Attorney Ross Macbeth's advice and determining how much of his time is being spent administrating the other sectors — local events, arts and lakes. Percentages of Scherlacher's time will then be paid by those funds.

If Scherlacher is working on a project to promote arts or the lakes, "it isn't really administrative," said Commissioner Barbara Stewart, who chaired the TDC last year. "That's the work product."

"Can we change the percentages?" Commissioner Greg Harris asked.

"Absolutely," Macbeth said, but it will take a 4-1 vote of the commissioners.

First, though, the TDC wants to answer the Florida Legislature's Joint Legislative Auditing Committee inquiry.

Elwell said he would bring the matter back to the Sept. 18 meeting with the TDC's recommendation.

There were no layoffs in this budget, although Mechling's graphics showed an eliminated position, a new position, a position upgrade, three position upgrades and two transferred positions.

gpinnell@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5828